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!