So I promised pics, finally I posted some! they are all from today, and last night! he's growing fast! and doing great!

His Therapists are working with his alertness...they want him to sleep more, but lil' Ry just wants to see the world! He has slept mush better lately! even sleeps in the crib... so mommy gets some sleep, finally! Its so weird one day he just changed, sleeps, doesn't fuss as much, poops, makes noises, smiles A LOT! he focuses on your face, when laying on a blanket...he scoots up the blanket...only cuz his leg muscles are SO strong! he does a lot of stuff thats way to advanced for his adjusted age ( 1 month ) Its pretty crazy...the therapists want him to slow it down...but we'll see he's a pretty determined kiddo!









cute baby boy...

This outfit was Greg's as a baby...I had to try it on Ryder! adorable.

he's a BIG face toucher!

his look is changing!

rollie pollie arms...

so alert!

making noises....talking....yes, already!!!

staring at the light...

loves the camera....

so all his therapists don't like his thumb positioned like this, not good!! so we are working on correcting it! (it shouldn't be tucked.)

so sleepy!

Squirming away!!

ok, ok...so I said I'd keep this blog up....but I have not! ooops! Ry's a lot of work...I didn't expect! My sister asked if I'd update this with pics....I'll add pics later....Today we got a call from Ryder's blood work....he' s NOT anemic ANYMORE! yay! goodbye ferensol (iron drops) maybe the poor guy won't be gassy/ fussy anymore! I was so happy to hear that! finally!! Ryder is over ten lbs now! 22 1/2 inches long! and he just hit his due date on the 4th! We met a few babies that were born the same week he was, but full term, they only weigh 13, or 14 lbs....ry's catching up! His DR said on the growth chart he's catching up to, fast. We are so blessed!

Now all we have to deal with is his poor allergies! If I take him out for just a few minutes, he' s sneezing, and later all stuffy....poor guy. But hey, if thats all we have to worry about right now, thats nothing!

The strange bump thing on the back of his head is almost healed....and we are so happy for that!

He' s been going through therapy twice a week, next week starting another day. He has physical, occupational...and a developmental specialist as well.....thats his fav one because they come to our house, in his comfort zone. Lindsay is her name, and she's great with him.

We are still watching closely for hydrocephalus (water on the brain) but so far so good : )

Ryders doing great, and I know it's cuz all of the faith and prayers. Thank you!

Angry baby!!

So lil' Ryder....the appointment went well. The "bubble" is nothing to worry about...the easiest way to explain it is, the layer that holds your skin to skull is like "glue", and with preemies, the layer is super thin. If you have a preemie that likes to move their head a lot, it can come lose. It will heal itself, but it may take a few months. He just has to spend a lot of time on his tummy! And I was happy to hear that it doesn't hurt him : )

The news that surprised me was, 80% of preemies that have a "grade 4" brain bleed, like Ryder, have to get a shunt in their head before the 9 month mark. The water on the brain develops, and that requires a shunt. The shunt stays in for life. We pray that he won't need that, but we know that a shunt is minor, compared to other issues he could've had. So we shall see!

Today Ryder got to go see his "girlfriend"....his nurse Marianne! he knew her voice. It was so good to see her! shes wonderful. She even fed him for me :) that was nice. She said she's not going to primary another nicu baby for awhile, because she got to attached to Ryder....she loved him so much, I can see how she'd miss him. She's a wonderful person! I'll have to take him to see her more often...it made me happy to see them together again...one of Ryder's first friends...to cute!

And to those who commented on Dr Manwaring...I didn't get to meet him, because the wonderful nurse prac. took care of everything so the Dr didnt need to see him. I was so impressed though by how wonderful they were! we have been really blessed with getting such amazing Dr's for Ryder! .....(unlike me, Ryder's lucky to get good Dr's! thanks to my complete IDIOT dr, Ryder was early, and has all these long term issues....I can't stand my Dr that caused this mess!!!!!!!)

Sorry, it has been a while! But Ryder has kept me tired, and very busy. He still has his nights and days mixed up...ugh...but now I've adjusted to that schedule with him, so we hang out til like 3 am...then he finally falls asleep.

Tomorrow Ryder is seeing a neurologist. The other day Ryder had this fluid pocket show up on the back of his head, by his lower soft spot...(its the size of a silver dollar, and is mushy with fluid, poor guy) I took him in to his Dr, and Ryder was sent in for an emergency cat scan. He was sooooo good during the cat scan!! Greg and I just had to hold his arms down....he's such a good baby! The cat scan said there's no excess fluid on the brain, so we are seeing a neurologist tomorrow to find out what it is (attn; Shiloh, I think it's the same guy Kadance saw Dr. Manwaring??)....and also to make sure his IVH is ok as well.
Ryder sure knows how to scare us!!!!!!

He's getting huge! 8 lbs 12 oz as of Tuesday night...crazy how fast they grow...esp from 2 lbs! wow!

I will update his condition after we get results...I hope he's ok.