The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Hi Everyone,

It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner! We are looking forward to spending the holidays with friends and family and praying that everyone stays healthy - there are some nasty colds going around!

Ryan has started physical therapy (finally!) We were on the waiting list for early intervention but I didn't want to keep waiting, so I decided to go through our insurance and take him to an out patient facility. Since our insurance will only cover 60 days per condition, I wanted to take advantage of this now since I'm still home. I go back to work the last week in January and that is when the 60 days will be up so it actually works out perfectly. Two weeks into it, we finally got word that there is P.T. available in our area and Ryan had his first in-home visit yesterday and did really well. So, for now Ryan is receiving P.T. twice a week, once here at home and once at the rehab facility. However when I go back to work we will only go down to once a week. The 60 days will be up and it'll be too difficult to take him there and have a P.T. here at home.

Ryan is also receiving massage therapy that is going really well. The M.T. has taught me some infant massage that I give to Ryan at least once a day and she comes out once a week to really work on stretching and massage. And believe me, Ryan is definitely benefiting from all of these therapies!

We took Ryan to see Santa and he loved him! No crying baby photos here! We also had some professional Christmas done - so take a peek.

I probably won't post again until after Christmas so...

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa!

Hey Santa!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you didn't fill up on too much turkey!

Speaking of turkey...Ryan tried it for the first time tonight and well...he wasn't too fond of it. He liked it better mixed with sweet potatoes and peas. It was a little bland (can't give him spices, salt, etc.) but hopefully as he gets used to it he'll like it more. As you can see, he'd rather chew on Grandpop's finger than eat turkey. We had a great time with family and we're looking forward to extending the holiday down in North Wildwood this weekend.

So as Bill and I sit and digest the feast we just devoured, we are thinking about all of the things that we are thankful for this year.


We are thankful for our health - so far we've yet to come down with any major winter illness and the longer Ryan goes without getting sick the stronger his lungs become to help fight it off when he does.

We are thankful that in these rough economic times Bill and I (once I go back in January) have safe and secure jobs and can manage financially.

We are thankful for our friends that give us the opportunity to get out and have fun and leave the parenting duties for a couple hours to let loose and have somewhat of a social life.


We are thankful for our family. If it wasn't for family we would have not have been able to get through those rough patches, have on-the-spot babysitters and those extra pack of diapers or those adorable outfits only grandmoms can buy.


But most of all, we thank God everyday for Ryan and how far he has come. People are amazed to find out that he was a preemie - 12 weeks early, nonetheless. It's hard to believe that our little 2 pound miracle is up to 16 pounds and is a happy, healthy baby. He's one of the happiest babies and I know that it's because he has such a wonderful support system, amazing grandparents, aunts and uncles, and great aunts and uncles that love him, play with him and just adore him.


We are so fortunate to not have any major complications as a result of Ryan's prematurity. Though he has a few setbacks with his gross motor development, it's nothing that can't be fixed with a few tactics and stretches. He has no issues with eating, sleeping and is a very social baby.

He is loved by so many people, it is clearly evident that he has many guardian angels looking over him.

So, as you sit and reflect what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving day, know that we are thankful for all of your love and support - we would not have come this far without it.

Love,
Carolyn, Bill and Ryan

Brrrrr

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it's been a few weeks - a lot has happened and I haven't had an opportunity to update.

Last week Bill's Mom-Mom passed away. We are saddened with her passing, but we know that she is at peace and we are very grateful that she had opportunity to meet her first great-grandchild. We will fill Ryan with Mom-Mom stories as he continues to grow and he will always know what a wonderful and amazing woman she was.

Ryan was evaluated two weeks ago by an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist and they determined that he has a 25% delay on his gross motor skills (sitting, getting up on all fours, etc.) He has difficulty sitting and would rather arch his back and lay down. He'll sit for a few seconds if there is something in front of him to reach for, but then he'll arch back and plop! down he goes. This is very common for preemies. The OT explained to us that full-term babies spend a lot of time curled up in a ball in the womb, so they are used to bending at the waist, where as preemies spend a lot of time "spread eagle" and are more comfortable on their backs. We are working with Ryan's sitting (as you can see in the pics), but he still needs work. Currently we are on a waiting list for P.T., but in the meantime a Massage Therapist is coming out once a week to teach me how to give Ryan infant massage to loosen up his muscles and make him more flexible and more comfortable in a sitting position.

Ryan's doing well in all of his other areas (fine motor, speech, social, etc.) so thankfully we'll be starting P.T. early and get Ryan big and strong!

We are looking forward to Ryan's first Thanksgiving next week and can't wait for him to try some of that Thanksgiving dinner (pureed of course).

Enjoy the recent pics and try and stay warm..... it's cold out there!

Happy Halloween!

Well, Ryan had his first halloween and he loved it! We went trick or treating at LBH and visted some of grandmom's fellow workers and of course we went to the NICU to pay a visit as well. After that we went to "Nan's" house, then Grandmom's house, then over to Nana and Pop-Pop's and finally back home. Bill was at the Phillies Parade and had a great time and was able to see Ryan right before he went to bed!

Here are some pictures of Ryan's first halloween!

Three generations of Phillies Phans!

One Away!!

Well, we just wanted to add some pictures to show how excited we are about the Phillies! As of today, they are one away from winning the World Series and we are sooooooo excited. If you believe in omens how's this one? The last time the Phils won the championship, it was the year I was born (1980) so, that means since Ryan was born this year, they have to win!!! ( '80 - '08).

As you can see, Ryan loves to update his blog as well. He wants to let everyone know that he looooves his Phillies and he is waiting for that parade!

Fabulous Fall

A lot has been going on the past few weeks. Believe it or not, Ryan is 9 months old! He had a GI appointment on Friday and he's up to 14 lbs, 25 inches and 17 inches for his head circumference. His reflux his doing much better and he's enjoying his solid foods. So far we've started him on squash, peas, and pears and he loves them all! 

Sunday was the LBH NICU reunion. It was so wonderful to see the doctors and nurses that were our saving graces while Ryan was in the hospital. They are all truly amazing!

A huge relief came when we were approved for Synagis, the RSV vaccine. It's not really a vaccine, as it won't prevent RSV, it will just weaken the symptoms if Ryan were to catch it. (If you want to learn more about these just click on the links). He'll get the shots once a month from November to March. RSV season actually already started, but the insurance company only approved 5 doses instead of 6. However, we are very grateful that we were approved, for it's not an easy task and many preemies are denied Synagis for the second season. It is very expensive (about  $1100 a dose) so, the Insurance companies are hesitant to approve it. So, we'll take the 5 doses over none. Ryan will also get a flu shot to help him stay healthy (at least until he starts daycare, but that's a while away)

So, enjoy some pictures from the weekend and Lets go Phils!!

The Best Nurses Ever!!!

Let's Go Phillies!

Our Little Pumpkin

Mmm Mmm Good

Hi everybody,

Well a new season is upon us and it's hard to believe that Ryan is 8 1/2 months old! We've started rice cereal and Ryan loves it. We waited until Ryan's adjusted age of 5 months and it was worth it! Soon we'll be starting with peas and squash...yummy.

Ryan has also started teething. It's been pretty painful the past few days - hopefully it won't continue like this too much longer.

Here are a few pics - check out the ones of Ryan sleeping...I wonder what he's dreaming of?

Are You Ready For Some Football?!?!

Not much to update, just a few cute pics we couldn't resist posting. We had a GI appointment last week and Ryan's growing rapidly. His head is actually in the 5th percentile for his actual age. His weight and length are in the 25th percentile for his adjusted age, so basically Ryan's got a big head. More room for those brains to grow! We increased his Zantac and we go back again in 6 weeks.

Enjoy the pics!

 

It's been a while...

Hi Everyone,

Wow! This summer flew by! It's hard to believe that Ryan is over 7 months old! I know it's been a while since we've last updated, but we've been really busy enjoying our summer and having lots of fun. Ryan went to his last St. Christopher's appointment last week and we got a clean bill of health as far as his anemia is concerned. So, no more iron! We've been off of the iron for about a month so this was more of a follow up. They weighed and measured Ryan and he's now up to 13lbs and 24 1/2 inches.  

Friday we have another GI visit and they will probably keep him on the Zantac. I'm still going dairy free - it's not too bad, but I do miss my ice cream. 

So, enjoy the pictures - some are from our vacation at the shore (8/5-8/8), some are just hanging around and  some from the fantasy football draft this past weekend.

Enjoy

6 month portraits

Hey everyone,

Well, we went to take Ryan for his 6 month portraits and he loved it! He's such a ham, as you can see in the pictures. We went to the GI doctor on Friday and they increased his Zantac to 1 ml three times a day since he's gained weight. His reflux has improved a lot since I've cut out dairy and we've increased the meds. 

We've had another wonderful weekend down the shore and we can't wait to return!

Cheers

Well, we went to the doctor today and the numbers are.....

lllbs 12ozs, 23 1/2 inches and 16 inches for head circumference!!!

So, Ryan continues to thrive and do well. He's been off of his monitor for a week and has even moved to his crib in his own room! We also got the word that he doesn't need iron anymore, so he's no longer anemic! 

Here is a link to a video of Ryan's first belly laugh. He actually laughed for the first time a few weeks ago when Aunt Amy was blowing raspberries on his belly, but this was the first opportunity to record it. 

I will warn you that it is a large file and it will take a while to load - and you might have some difficulty. We are working on converting the file and trying to cut it down, but for now hopefully this will work.

We go to the GI doctor on Friday and we're planning on another trip to the shore this weekend! Yea!!

"Cheer"io!

A trip to the shore

Well, we headed to the shore for the 4th of July weekend and had a blast! Ryan loved being at the shore - and everyone loved having him there!

We went to the boardwalk, to the beach, and even mom and dad got some time to have a little fun while "GM and GP" babysat.

Here are some pictures of the weekend - we can't wait to go back again!

On a side note, Ryan is officially off of his apnea monitor. We've gone three nights in a row without it and we're starting to place Ryan in his crib for his naps.  Hopefully by the weekend he'll be in his crib throughout the night. I have to admit that the monitor does provide peace of mind so it has been a bit difficult knowing that his breathing isn't being monitored. I guess that it's just another testament on how far we've come.  We go to the pediatrician next week for his 6 month (!) check up and we also have a follow up w/ the GI doctor at the end of next week. 

Enjoy the pics!