Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Happy 2 month Birthday Ryan!!

2 months old- May 26, 2010

Weighs 3lbs and 0.3 ounces

Ryan is back on the SiPap machine due to a small infection, but he is doing very well and healing. He will remain on antibiotics for the full term of 10 days and he is almost done with treatment. He looks so handsome and a nice color. He had to start over with his feedings so right now he is eating 3 cc's along with powder that adds calories to the breast milk. This will help him gain weight. Ryan is also, having range of motion therapy. This helps get his muscles and joints working. I must say Ryan is quite strong and is always trying to move. When he lays on my chest during kangaroo care he lifts his head up trying to look at me. When something is being done to him that he doesn't like oh he will let you know with swinging fists. He might look like his Daddy, but he sure has his Mommy's fighting spirit.

Let's Hear It For The Boy

I must say that our little Ryan is on his way. Ryan was placed on the SiPap machine for breathing and not too long after he was taken off and placed on a cannula. This is all headed in a positive direction. It is the most wonderful thing to see his chest rise and fall as he breathes on his own. His feeding has increased to 13.5 cc and is going up 1.5 cc every 12 hours. (1cc= 1ml) Both Martin and I continue to swaddle Ryan as well as take part in kangaroo care. Yesterday we watched Ryan have a bath and he almost slept through the whole thing. He was just so comfy after kangaroo care with his momma. I must say he loves having his hair brushed and he has a lot of it. Since he is on very little sedation he can keep his eyes open a lot longer, but it does exhaust him over time. Also, he has a pacifier and enjoys it. On Saturday his primary nurse attempted to have Ryan suckle and he was successful. While he doesn’t have enough strength to get any milk he still had the idea and for preemies that is great. He sucked for about 10 minutes. He loved the skin to skin contact and just does so well regarding his vitals.

For all these accomplishments we thank our gracious God. We are also grateful for all the prayers. This has touched our life in a way we could never imagine and we believe in my heart that God led us on this journey because God feels that we are capable. I believe that we are most capable due to the support system and foundation that we have in family and friends. It is an unbreakable foundation with the Lord as the cement and family as structure.

Baby Hold On To Me

On Saturday May 9th I was able to hold Ryan in the rocker for the first time. I held my baby boy for an hour. This was the best pre-Mother’s Day present ever. When we arrived the nurse asked me if I wanted to hold Ryan. I told of course, they never ever have to ask me I always want to hold my baby. She said okay and laughed. She tells me you’ll hold for about an hour tonight. My mouth dropped and my heart almost burst. Up until this point the longest I held Ryan was maybe a minute or two. He was wrapped nicely in a blanket and settled right into my arms. It was such a wonderful moment to hold him. Martin recorded the moment.

On Sunday May 10th I had my very first Mother’s Day. I came to the hospital beaming and waiting to hold him again. This time I held Ryan for 2 hours and then Martin took over. Up to this point Ryan has been off the jet ventilator for some time and stable. His feedings have been going well with only some residual. We are just so proud of him and how each day he fights. We thank God everyday and many times a time for the blessing of Ryan and his healing.

On Monday May 11th I was extremely excited to visit Ryan because today was the first day for kangaroo care. I was going to hold my son skin to skin. I sat in the rocking chair awaiting my son. It was as the nurse laid him against me that I began to cry tears of joy. I was overwhelmed with this full feeling, I was complete. He tolerated everything very well and just lay in my arms peacefully.

On Wednesday May 13th Martin had his very first kangaroo care with Ryan. How wonderful is it to witness a father holding his precious son. It was just beautiful and I was so proud. I know that this is only the beginning of a strong relationship. He will show him not only how to be a good man, but a good father and most of all a good human being. He will love him unconditionally and with every fiber of his being.

As days progressed this week Ryan has increased on his feedings going from 2cc to 5cc. He has tolerated this all very well and is slowly gaining steady weight. Since he has such good gases Ryan has been taken off the regular ventilator. He is now only on the CPAP receiving the least amount of assistant. Basically, for breathing it’s all Ryan. Being able to watch him take breaths all on his own, to slowly see all the help going away is amazing. These past weeks Ryan has made huge strides and while we still take it one day at a time I’m so proud to be his momma. He is resilient and determined to be with us as much as we are with him. God’s blessing and healing of our son on a day to day basis is a miracle. The future is unknown but what I do know is that Ryan’s spirit does not give up.

Yummy! Yummy!

There’s a huge milestone to report with Ryan. I’m excited with all my heart to announce that Ryan received a feeding tube yesterday and he had his very first feeding of my breast milk. Now it’s a small dose (1 cc), but it’s an amazing step. This means that they feel confident that his gut is working the way it should. Just a few days ago the surgeon had looked over his incision and his ostomy is working well. Ryan receiving the breast milk will be a huge benefit to his immune system and growth. Last night, Martin and I took part in his second feeding. While, I gave him milk through the feeding tube, Martin gave Ryan oral care. He loved that so much, moving his tongue swirling it around and just opens his mouth up wider for more. I also, was able to hold him close to my heart again. I never want to let him go once he’s in my arms, but I must. I’m just so fortunate that he’s doing so well and that the nurses feel comfortable to allow us these moments.
Overall, Ryan has many good days and he has shown a great deal of consistency which we are most thankful for. We ask for continued prayer as healing continues under the hands of Gods through nurses and doctors. We are blessed beyond words for all the prayers and most grateful for the love and support.