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WELCOME, GUEST |
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(3 members)
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mymiracleLUK…6 |
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lonelybeat6 |
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Nishan6 |
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OUR LITTLE MAN RYAN
RyansMom24wk |
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| Category: Home | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | | | | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
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THE MONTH OF JUNE
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Jun 29, 2008 07:00pm (EST)
Wow! I can't believe it's been a month since I've last posted.
Ryan's birthday party went great. We had lots of family around and a few friends, too. He had a great time. Actually...I hardly saw him the entire time. Someone gave him a lawnmower for his birthday. I think he mowed the entire park. That's what he did for his birthday party.
The month of June has been busy, nothing great or grand in particular, just regular ordinary busy-ness I guess.
Ryan has really been enjoying the outdoors. I think if it were up to him he would stay outside ALL DAY LONG! He loves it. One of his new favorite things to do is play in the water hose. I turn it on and he just takes off with it. He usually ends up a drenched happy little boy who screams in protest when I take him inside again.
We've been going on (almost) daily bike rides. He has a cart he rides in, and he really enjoys our rides. There have a been a few times that he has crawled in the cart himself, ready for a ride. I'm hoping to get in better shape. He's probably just hoping I'll go a little faster.
Ryan has still maintained his *schedule* of on again off again illnesses. We now OWN a nebulizer. His recent bout with the yuckies was again a respiratory something or other. He ended up on oral steroids as well as inhaled steroids. The word ASTHMA was actually mentioned in conversation this time, but it was just a casual mentioning of it.
New things Ryan is doing:
He now climbs. Oh my goodness what a new world that has opened up for everyone!
He now runs. He loves to play the "I'm going to get you" games.
He dances. It's very cute. If you want to see a video go to http://ryanandhispuppies.blogspot.com
He can climb up stairs. It's the climbing down that gets him. He still does the nose dive off of everything.
Ryan has been eating very well lately although our method has changed drastically. He is so interested in going, going, going that he loses patience with sitting in his boring old highchair eating boring old food with his boring old parents. So now he starts out in the chair. He eats for about 5 minutes or so and then he gets down. It's actually very amusing. We lower his tray down to his height. He grabs a bite and makes a big circle around the living room and back into the dining room, grabs another bite and repeats the cycle. He does this until he's full. What I should mention though is that he runs the entire time. Our EI people joked that he's probably running off all the calories he consumes, and they're probably right!
TTC:
Not yet.  We've had to put a halt on the issue for a few months though. We're in the process of having some health insurance changes through my husband's work. They should be some good changes, but they probably won't go into affect until August. At least I hope it's no later than August.
Well I can't think of anything else for now. I hope everyone is doing well. I have been keeping up with many of you over this past month although I haven't commented in a while. Some nights I'm so tired that all I have energy to do is read up on all my friends kiddos.
Picture 1: Birthday Party
Picture 2: Swimming in the Ditch
Picture 3: Corn on the Cob
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (3) | Permalink
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RANDOM THOUGHTS TONIGHT
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May 16, 2008 07:14pm (EST)
This is a little scattered. I apologize in advance....
Ryan is doing great. He's feeling much better now. He still has a little cough that I imagine is related to this recent virus. I finally got a call from the doctor's office..."no strep". The nurse said she should have called me yesterday, but she had a meeting (was it an all day meeting?). I was a little irritated, but, hey, why let something I can't change get me all upset. Anyway...he's doing well. He's been running around the house like a crazy man today!
I was able to do a lot of work in my gardens the other day as planned. Ryan literally slept the entire day. He woke up a few times for some milk, but that was it. I was a little concerned, but I know he didn't feel well. I was able to do some work in my Brandy garden. It's looking better. I'd like to find some sort of fencing/border to go around the front of it. The new garden bed is pretty simple. It's just a matter of needing some time for the plants to grow and take over the area. I'll try to get some pictures up sometime.
I went out last night with my sister. Mom watched Ryan. It's the first time in several months that I've done something baby-free. We went to the movies and saw Baby Mama. It was a pretty good movie. It was one of those light-hearted comedies worth seeing once. It's not one of those movies that I just have to have for our at-home movie collection. It was a little too predictible. After the movie we ate some Chinese food. We had a great time. My sister will be leaving for Texas soon for more training in her field. I probably won't get to see her much over the next year.
Ryan has started babbling...A LOT! It's great. I love it. Our house is never quiet unless he's sleeping, and if it gets quiet we know to go searching for trouble because he's usually into it. He has been walking around the house all day telling his "stories" which consist of mainly one word, "baabaabaa". This is exciting for us. Language has been his biggest delay. It's not to the point of anyone being concerned, but he's had absolutely no interest in it. It's just all new and exciting.
God has truly blessed me. Ryan is such an amazing little guy. He brings a smile to my face each day. I love every sound he makes, every step he takes, every smile he shares, and every giggle, too.
One last thought that I'll share only because we are just so stinkin' excited about it...we've paid off our house! Yea! God is good.
Picture: Ryan taking a nap with Horton. This was taken a couple of days ago when Ryan was feeling quite rotten.
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (5) | Permalink
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FEVERS AND CHOCOLATE MINT
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May 15, 2008 07:32am (EST)
Ryan is still running a fever, but it's lower--100.5. I still haven't heard from the doctor's office yet, but I feel it's probably pretty safe to assume it wasn't strep throat. I may call this morning just to make sure though. I really love his doctor and I've learned to get-along with his nurse, but I'm still not real pleased with her. She makes a lot of assumptions (like probably she assumed that I would figure out it wasn't strep if she didn't call me). However, if I'm told I'll get a call from the office I expect that call...or I consider I've been lied to if I don't. I may have to talk to the doctor about it. I know he's busy and I don't want to be "one of those mothers", so I'll really need to pray about it to know what/how to best approach the subject if I should need to. Anyway...blah...I hate it when my little man is sick. It's really a bummer. At least his fever is less today. I just hope it continues to go down. Yesterday it never went lower than 100 even with tylenol and motrin. Poor little guy.
On a lighter note...
Today is supposed to be a very pretty day. I'm hoping to do a little work out in the gardens. I have a Brandy garden that I started in her honor after her passing. It really needs some work. I also started a new garden up close to the house where I've just planted some chocolate mint. It smells marevelous. I'm hoping it begins to grow and spread like crazy. I may regret that request later as mint has a tendency to go wild and will take over everything. I'm looking forward though to being able to walk up to the front door and smell that sweet, luscious chocolatey minty smell.
Love to All,
Julie
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (2) | Permalink
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BLAH. :(
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May 14, 2008 12:09pm (EST)
Ryan is sick again. Blah. 
He has a fever of 102. I took him to the doctor this morning. It's either strep throat or another virus. The doctor thinks it's possibly strep, but not probable. We're waiting on the strep test results.
Blah.
Now I know why we hibernated all winter.
Julie
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (2) | Permalink
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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
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May 11, 2008 07:28am (EST)
Today is a day I wondered if I would ever see. You may be wondering what exactly I’m talking about. Today, this May 11th, has so many meanings and memories. It’s Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, my wonderful 2 mothers-in-law, and all the other women who’ve been as close to a mother as anyone else. Happy Mother’s Day to those who are new mothers, to those who are expecting, to those who are still dreaming. Happy Mother’s Day to the moms who may not feel like a mother because they no longer get to hold their children any longer. Happy Mother’s Day to those who have loved and cared for another’s child so much that they will always be like Mom to that precious little one.
My very first mother’s day, as a mom, I was expecting our very first child. I was glowing with anticipation of the baby growing inside me. My next Mother’s Day I spent holding my precious baby girl who once was a vibrant little girl, but who had recently suffered a severe brain injury and was suffering with severe seizures. It was a difficult mother’s day. A mother’s heart breaks for her children when they suffer, and that day my heart was breaking. My next mother’s day I spent with empty arms. My precious baby girl had passed away just 3 short months ago. I cried and curled up in the arms of my Great Comforter that Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day the following year was difficult in another sort of way. It was still a day to remind me of the pain of empty arms. We had started trying to have another baby almost a year prior with no success. This Mother’s Day I wondered if I would ever hold a child of my own once again. The following Mother’s Day was simply amazing. I was holding my little boy at home!
God is so Good. I’ve been so blessed…more than I deserve. Even in times when I’ve hurt the worst I’ve been blessed. I feel honored that He has chosen me to be a Mother. Being a Mother is the most challenging and rewarding and honored job in the entire world! I love you MOM. You’re the greatest!!!
This day, May 11th, is incredibly special in one other way, and let me tell you the story….
On January 29, 2007 we went to the doctor to have some things checked out because I had become nervous about the health of my little Peanut. Unfortunately, to our surprise, the doctor found that my body was not holding our baby inside well at all, so he immediately admitted us to the hospital. That evening I had a emergency "rescue cerclage" procedure to help hold Peanut inside. We were absolutely blessed with the success of this procedure. The plan was to stay in the hospital from that point forward until our little Peanut was born. Our hopes were to remain for 10 weeks so our baby could reach 32 weeks gestation.
Everything had been going well overall. We had some ups and downs physically, but emotionally we were doing quite well. Late in the evening on February 10th I began to have some contractions and bleeding. The nurses gave me Brethine to stop the contractions and it worked.
The contractions and bleeding came back the following day. I was given Brethine several times, and the contractions stopped for a while then started again. Finally early in the afternoon it was decided to move me to the labor and delivery floor and start Magnesium to put a stop to labor. Labor continued despite all efforts. At about 5:00 p.m. it was decided that our little baby was going to be born and a C-section was going to be the safest for him because an ultrasound revealed that he was breech.
At 5:31 p.m. our little Peanut came into the world. He weighed 1 pound 8 ounces and was 12 1/2 inches long. He was only 23 weeks 5 days gestation, a little less than 6 months into the pregnancy.
Ryan Andrew was born way too early. Would he make it? Could he survive? I was scared, numb, confused. I had days I rejoiced at his life and cried out to God to please heal my baby and bring him home to me whole, but I also had days where I tried to mentally prepare for the worst. Some days I was riddled with fear and other days I experienced that unexplainable peace only God supplies.
Ryan had his fair share of struggles, but God blessed us immensely more than we could have ever imagined. Ryan’s lungs were his biggest concern. He was on the ventilator for 2 months and 1 day. He never had to be on CPAP and for that we are grateful. He continued to breathe fast, and to this day he breathes faster than most kids his age. 10 days after he was released from the ventilator he was offered his first bottle. He did very well! He was also moved from the Critical Care nursery to the Intermediate Care Nursery. From there it was just a flash of eating and growing, baths, hearing tests, minor procedures, ROP exams, brain scans, MRI, discharge teaching, and precious moments.
ON MAY 11th 2007, WE TOOK OUR LITTLE BOY HOME!
He was exactly 90 days old, 3 months from his birthday. He weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces. He came home on oxygen and an apnea monitor. We were scared and excited all at the same time. We were home!!!
Happy Mother’s Day!
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (5) | Permalink
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MARCH FOR BABIES!
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May 09, 2008 04:51am (EST)
Saturday was the day! It was fantastic! If you missed it...you really missed something great. Saturday was the March for Babies Walk. It started out cold that morning. I tell you what...this Oklahoma weather. You got to love it! 90 one day 60 the next. How crazy is that? So the morning started out quite chilly, but it was good for one thing...motivation. Motivation to get moving!
We arrived at the OKC Myriad gardens at about 8:30 in the morning and registered. We ate a couple of donuts, reconnected with great friends, and waited for the words "lets go". Around 9 we were formally welcomed to the March for Babies, met the Oklahoma Ambassador family, and commenced with a light warming-up session. Hey, it was cold...why not warm up!
There were 2 options for walkers. One was the long walk, and the other was the short one. Part of our team decided to brave the long walk...5 miles. They later confessed to taking a shortcut. Part of our team took the short walk. The short walk was merely around the city block on which the Myriad Gardens sits. It's beautiful all the way around.
We walked on the sidewalk at very leisurely pace. It was great to stroll around the block visiting with other families of miracle preemies. I met a lady, Jennifer, and her team who have a little girl named Mackenzie who was born 10 weeks early. Mackenzie is now 3 and very cute. It was great to meet the family and visit while we walked. Before we knew it we were being directed back into the street so we could cross the "finish line" and receive our prize...a sticker. I was left wanting to walk a little more! It was short. So next year I expect our team to be HUGE!! No excuses. If you think you can't walk the short walk just bring yourself a wheelchair. Maybe somebody will push you.
After the walk we spent the rest of the morning lounging on the grass in the warm sun, visiting with friends, watching the kids play, eating free food, and dreaming about next year. Next year we are hoping to design t-shirts for our team, have fundraisers, and make it BIG! It was such a fun day, and to spend a day with hundreds of people so closely affected by prematurity was awesome. Until you've walked the road of prematurity you never fully understand how amazing (and challenging, and heartbreaking) it can be. I'm already excited about next year's March for Babies!!
Pictures: Ryan found a hat on the day of the Walk.
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (3) | Permalink
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VIRUSES...ARGH!!
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Apr 30, 2008 12:39pm (EST)
I decided to take Ryan back to the doctor today to make sure the blistery bumps on his feet were either related to this stomach virus or something new. It's not! It's new! Well, it's probably not new since the symptoms started at the same time...one covering over the other. Ryan is fighting off 2 infections...2 different viruses. His little immune system is getting a workout. His newly diagnosed problem: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. He seems somewhat uncomfortable with it, and I think perhaps the blisters on his feet hurt because he hasn't been walking much and complains when he does. He also has lesions in his mouth on his hard pallate. This is making him not want to eat much of anything. He has been playing today though which I love to see. He hasn't been himself since Saturday, and it breaks my heart. I'm ready for him to be that sweet, spunky, ornery, mischevious, big-grinned, giggly little boy again
On a very happy note though, the doctor said that he would be well past the time of being contagious by this Saturday. Yeah! This means that if he doesn't catch anything else between now and then and he doesn't seem to feel bad on Saturday morning we get to go the Walk...both of us! Please continue to pray for his healing. I really want him to be super-well by Saturday.
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (3) | Permalink
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HOORAY...MAYBE?
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Apr 29, 2008 02:42pm (EST)
Ryan hasn't had any diarrhea today although he did have a wet fart earlier (hey...call it what it is!). He also hasn't been running a fever today. This is great! Hooray! He acted like he was feeling pretty rotten this morning. He woke up at 8, drank a bottle, and laid back down. I could tell he felt yucky. It's been kind of hit and miss throughout the rest of the day...sometimes he seems to feel pretty good other times he doesn't. His rash really looks bad. If the doctor had not told me the rash was part of the illness I'd be fully convinced that he has chicken pox or something. I called the dr. this morning to make sure that the rash getting much worse was a "normal" part of this virus. They haven't called me back yet. It's almost 5. I called at 8:30. Rrrr!
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Posted by RyansMom24wk | Comments: (4) | Permalink
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 Archives
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It's going to be so much fun. We're planning on having it at our local city park. Hot dogs, chips, potato salad and of course cake and ice cream are on the menu. 
