Ryan's Easter Outing

I know I havent updated the blog in a few weeks, but we have been busy.

Ryan is growing by leaps and bounds. We had a home health nurse come to the house on Thursday to give Ryan a shot and he weighed in at 8lbs 5oz! I knew he was getting heavy, but had no idea how much.

On Easter, we went to my aunt and uncle's house for a few hours. Ryan did really well in all that chaos. 10 kids running around and going crazy at the Big Easter Egg Hunt.

Ryan got to meet his new cousin Aiden as well. We thought it was a picture moment when we put both newborns on the couch. Here are a few photos. How cute are they.

Handsome!

This picture says it all!

Ryan is tuckered out after playtime and exercises with dad.

We had a nursery follow/up visit today at the hospital. Weighing in at 6lbs 14 oz. His provider is pleased with his progress and says he looks great. We have another visit in a few weeks along with another eye exam.
He is such a character. He has already learned to say no, or at least shake his head no. When he is finished with his bottle he shakes his head back and forth forcing the bottle out of his mouth, grunting. He is so funny and keeps us entertained!

Our NICU Ride

We are finally home! On Thursday, Ryan was released from the NICU 77 days after he was first admitted. I cant believe it was that long. It seems forever ago that I was in the hospital. I barely remember it. Ryan got to say goodbye to some of his nurses who took such good care of him. As we were taking him out of his room and down the hall, it looked like he actually waved goodbye! When we left, he weighed in at 6lbs 4 oz and 19 3/4 inches long and taking about 3oz of milk every 4 hours.

Its weird not to go to the hospital everyday, or to call and talk to his nurse every morning when we wake up or every night before we went to bed. That was our 'new normal' and we just did what we had to do, as any parent would. We are now just able to enjoy him at home and take care of him, get up for those 2am feedings and change some pretty nasty diapers. Our NICU ride is now over. We have learned so much from his stay there, probably too much information. But we feel we have been given the knowledge to be able to care for our son and be on the lookout for any problems he may have. As much as I love the care he received in the NICU, I am glad it is over. I love our 'new normal', HOME!

Today, we had his first visit to the pediatricians office (one of many I am sure!) His provider was very happy to see how well he has progressed. He now weighs 6 lbs 14 oz and is 20 inches long! Watch out Aiden, Ryan is looking to catch up to you soon!

Home!

Oh Bother!

We know this is a marathon.

Yesterday, Ryan had another bloody stool. He had an X-ray and some other tests and everything came back fine. So they took him off the Neo-Sure, a type of formula that adds calories. They think he may not tolerate the Neo-Sure. So we are in another holding pattern. Again, all of his vitals are great, just problems with the stool.

On a high note, he is eating like a little pig. Overnight, he started eating more. At the 9:00pm feeding he took 60ml. At the midnight feeding he took 75 ml. At the 3:00am feeding he took 80 ml and then at the 6:00am feeding he took 90ml (3 ounces)!

He is still 5lbs 14oz.

Keep up the good work, Ryan, we cant wait to bring you home!