Doctor's Visit

Hi Everybody,

Well, the doctors visit was sure an eventful one. Ryan received some of his 2 month shots (awww) and he took them like a champ. He grew an inch and his head grew an inch, too. He hasn't gained any weight (still 5lbs) and that is probably a result of his acid reflux. Preemies are high risk for reflux which causes him to spit up a lot after eating. So, he hasn't lost weight, but because he's not digesting all of his food, he's not gaining it as rapidly. So, the doctor gave him a prescription for Zantac and hopefully this with a few tips will help him gain. We have another appointment on Saturday for a weight check and some more vaccine shots. Since he has to come back for a weight check they decided to split up the shots since some of them can cause irritability and fevers. 

So, hopefully Ryan will gain some weight this week and we'll have an update by the weekend.

For now enjoy a bath picture. 

Super Baby!

Well, yesterday Ryan had is evaluation for Early Intervention. Two Occupational Therapists came to evaluate Ryan in different areas and based on their evaluation he's advancing as if he was a 1-2 month old baby, even though his age is technically -6 days. They tested him in areas of cognition, language, fine motor and gross motor skills and social/emotional. They also tested him in "self help" and he falls in the category of a 3-4 month old!

So, this means that Ryan is progressing closer to his chronological age ( 2.5months) than his adjusted age (-6days). The therapists were really impressed and called Ryan "Super Baby" because he is progressing so well. He even lifted up his head and rolled over when on his belly! (That's b/c those NICU nurses know what they are doing when they put the babies on their bellies after they eat). He won't need any special services, and we'll just have someone come out every other month to do a check list and make sure Ryan is continuing to progress well.

Once comment that the service coordinator made was that is seems like we have a lot of help and support - and that's the truth. If it wasn't for all the friends and family that we have, Ryan definitely wouldn't be doing this well.

Tomorrow we have a doctor's appointment, so look for a weight update!

Day with the Gents

Well, Ryan had a nice visit from his Uncle George (pictured) and Uncle Kevin yesterday and enjoyed some "male bonding." Today, he had an eye appointment and everything looks good. His eyes are 100% mature. It's hard to believe that Ryan's approaching his "due date" and it's been 11 weeks since he was born. He's growing fast! He has a doctors appointment on Saturday, so we'll know just exactly how much he's grown then.

Enjoy your week everyone!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!

We hope that the Easter bunny comes and fills your Easter baskets with lots of goodies!

Love,

Bill, Carolyn, and Ryan

The Luck of the Irish

Hi everyone,

Not too much to report. Ryan had his second and final visit from the nurse today and he's officially hit the 5lb mark! We also met with the early intervention service coordinator today to set up an evaluation for Ryan. Based on this evaluation it will be determined what kinds of services he needs. Even though Ryan is technically a little over two months (chronological age) he's still only 37 weeks (adjusted age). This service is basically set up to help Ryan with his developmental skills. Since he was born early, he's not going to be completing the milestones typical of newborn babies. For example, most 6mo. olds can sit up, where as Ryan probably won't be able to sit up until he's about 9mos. Most preemies "catch up" to their counterparts by the age of two and the support services are there to make sure this happens.

Well, I hope you all had a nice St. Patrick's Day - here are some pics to enjoy!

Bouncer Time

First Pediatrician's Visit

Well, Ryan had his first pediatrician's visit yesterday. Being home must be agreeing with him because he's gained about 6.5ozs. since Thursday night! He's now 4lbs 13ozs! That 5lb mark is just around the corner! He did very well and didn't even cry!

That'll change I'm sure for when he goes back for his next visit and he'll have to get his shots, oh the pains of parenthood :-).

Ryan's had a chance to meet all of his aunts and uncles and he's continuing to meet everyone in the family. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Ryan's Journey Home

Here's a picture of Ryan celebrating his homecoming. It's hard to see find him, but if you look real hard between all of that stuff you can see him!


And another picture of Grandmom Sue and Grandpop Pat!

Ryan's Coming Home....For Real!!!

Well, everyone this time it's for real. Ryan is coming home today!!! I got the official word this morning. We kind of knew yesterday, but we just wanted to get the final word before we posted anything

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers through this journey. It has been a long time (54 days, but who's counting?) and Ryan wouldn't be doing as well as he is if it wasn't for all of your support and kindness helping his Mom and Dad.

This past week as been especially tough with the extreme roller coaster ride that we've been through.

Keep checking the blog for updates and pictures, now that's he's home I'm sure there will be more photo opportunities.

Love to everyone!!

The Latest

Hey everyone,

Well, Ryan did indeed need the blood transfusion. He did really well while nursing, but didn't have any energy to bottle feed throughout the night and he lost a bit of weight. So, the transfusion started around 1 this afternoon , then he took break and it will finish by 8 tonight. Hopefully this will do the trick and give Ryan the energy that he needs to go home.

Please continue to pray that this will help - and if that's the case Ryan might be home by the weekend.

The latest

Hi everyone,

Here is the latest - it looks like Ryan will be coming home sometime towards the end of the week or the weekend. He didn't respond as well to the second round of epogen as he did the first and the red blood cell count is low. All babies drop their count at around 6-8 weeks and since Ryan's wasn't that high to begin with, a drop is really affecting him - hence his increased sleepiness. Since he's so tired, his feeds are affected causing him to not have enough energy to coordinate his breathing/sucking /swallowing. We know he can do all of those (we saw it last week) he just doesn't have the energy to do it. I nursed him this evening and he did beautifully (no episodes) and that is most likely b/c he can control the flow whereas he can't control it from a bottle.

So, what does all of this mean? There is a possibility Ryan will need a blood transfusion. This will be determined not only by a number, but if more changes occur (i.e. drop in weight, more episodes during feedings, etc.) If he does need one, it's pretty much a 24 hour process from the time they order the blood to the actual transfusion.Once he gets the transfusion, then he'll be able to make his own red blood cells.

So that's the scoop. I know everyone was really looking forward to Ryan coming home this past weekend and it's a bit disappointing. However, it's better that all of this happened now instead of when we got him home only to have to take him to CHOP or St. Christopher's. We've waited this long, we can wait a bit longer to make sure that Ryan is truly ready to come home. He's the only one who knows when he's ready and when he is we will be grateful that he is healthier and well.

Here are a few pictures

1) Ryan and Nurse Pat

2) Nitty keeping Ryan's cradle warm (don't worry, she was kicked out after the picture and we put double sided tape on a piece of paper so she doesn't do it again)

3) Ryan and Daddy

Patience is a Virtue

OK - here's the scoop...

Bill and I went to go see Ryan tonight and although he did better with his feeding, the nurses are still not sure when he'll come home. Basically, this "new" thing that Ryan is doing with not coordinating this feedings and breathing is something nurses usually see the after the first few bottle attempts. So, a "typical" preemie would have had these episodes last week and it would have taken a few more days to get him to coordinate his breathing. But as we know Ryan isn't typical, even for a preemie. He just went full speed ahead, making it appear as if he was ready to conquer the world and then he took a step back and realized I'm just not quite ready yet.

So, right now we're on a day to day basis. Once Ryan can get the hang of all of it then he'll come home. It's looking like it won't be tomorrow and could possibly be Tuesday or Wednesday - it all depends on when he's ready. This is where he needs to be right now and heck, we've waited this long we can wait a little longer if it means it will be better for him and for all of us.


Keep those prayers coming!

Good things come to those who wait

Hey Everyone

Here's the scoop. Ryan's a tired little man and his feedings are a little uncoordinated. He's so hungry he sucks so hard, gets too much in his mouth, can't breathe and then sets off all of the alarms. He's doing a lot, and basically he's using all of his energy to suck and not saving any to swallow and breathe. So, it looks like he'll spend at least another night in the NICU. Hopefully, as I nurse him, his feedings will be more coordinated because he can control the flow, whereas with a bottle the milk just comes out and he can't really control it. 

So, we're going to go in later tonight and I'll try and nurse him and see how he does. We'll call in the morning and see how he did through the night and hopefully go and get him tomorrow morning. 

Thanks to all those that helped to make my baby shower a special time. Even if you were unable to come, all of the thoughts and prayers were truly present. Please continue to pray and hopefully Ryan will come home tomorrow.

Thanks again!!!!!

Change of plans

Well, as we all know Ryan has his own agenda with a lot of things, including when he wants to come home. It's looking more like he won't come home until tomorrow or Monday. He's lost a little bit of weight and the nurses and docs want to make sure that he doesn't continue down that path. He' s using a LOT more energy than he was (regulating body temp, nursing/bottle feeding) and he's no longer getting fortified breast milk. So, it may take another day or two for his body to adjust to all of that and gain weight instead of lose it.

Don't worry - we'll keep everyone posted.