Back to the Doctor

I decided to take Ryan back to the doctor today to make sure the blistery bumps on his feet were either related to this stomach virus or something new. It's not! It's new! Well, it's probably not new since the symptoms started at the same time...one covering over the other. Ryan is fighting off 2 infections...2 different viruses. His little immune system is getting a workout. His newly diagnosed problem: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. He seems somewhat uncomfortable with it, and I think perhaps the blisters on his feet hurt because he hasn't been walking much and complains when he does. He also has lesions in his mouth on his hard pallate. This is making him not want to eat much of anything. He doesn't really need to go on a crash diet right now...all 17 pounds of him!

He has been playing today though which I love to see. He hasn't been himself since Saturday, and it breaks my heart. I'm ready for him to be that sweet, spunky, ornery, mischevious, big-grinned, giggly little boy again.

On a very happy note though, the doctor said that he would be well past the time of being contagious by this Saturday. Yeah! This means that if he doesn't catch anything else between now and then and he doesn't seem to feel bad on Saturday morning we get to go the Walk...both of us! Please continue to pray for his healing. I really want him to be super-well by Saturday.

Little Tiny Beauty

We have a humingbird now visiting Brandy's garden. The feeder is right out our dining room window. I sure do enjoy these little birds.

And because it just wouldn't be right to not share a Ryan picture...

Ryan still isn't feeling quite up to par, but he is doing better. Thanks for the prayers. Please continue to pray that he is totally well by this weekend. I sure would like to be able to take him to the March for Babies walk this year. It just wouldn't feel right to be walking in honor of and for preemies without my little preemie walking too.

Tagged

I’ve been blessed, and I’ve been tagged. Ann Marie tagged me last Saturday. Here are the rules:

• Link to the person who tagged you
• Post the rules on your blog
• Write six random things about yourself
• Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
• Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog
• Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Here are six things about me:

• I firmly believe in that mother’s intuition thing. I think it is a gift from God to help mother’s take care of their children. Although I firmly believe in it, it has taken a while for me to learn to listen to it and then act. A couple of examples (These aren’t exactly happy examples. Like I said…I’m a slow learner.): When Brandy was being wheeled back to the ICU something inside me told me not to leave her side. I did…she crashed. The night I went to the hospital with my “Peanut” pregnancy I knew something was very wrong. A nurse checked me and said she couldn’t feel my cervix, but said she thought everything was just fine. So I went home. The next morning I experienced some bleeding, called the doctor, was sent to the hospital, had an emergency cerclage. I should have listened to that gut feeling and insisted that either I stay in the hospital overnight or insisted that my doctor come render an opinion. Oh well…no harm done either way.
• I grew up on a farm in Marshall, OK. My family raised cattle and farmed wheat. I love farm life. One of the fondest memories of farm life is feeding baby cows with a bottle and then letting them suck on your finger. Another of my fondest memories was sitting on a blanket under the bed of the wheat truck waiting for the combines to fill the bin enough to take it to the elevator for dumping. We always brought lots of toys and had loads of fun playing as a family. Along those same lines was the joy of “swimming” in the wheat.
• I love to read. I haven’t had much time to read over the past few months, but that’s okay. I’m not a big fan of the self-help type books, but I admit that I’ve read some pretty good life-changing books that I still own and would recommend to anyone. We have started a tradition in our home of reading aloud at night as long as Ryan allows it. Ryan loves books too, but he gets too excited if he sees the book. If he sees the book he beats it and our nightly reading is put on hold. The first book we’ve read and enjoyed as a family was Les Miserables. It took us several months to get through it, but everyone enjoyed it. We are now enjoying Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which Ryan has already ripped the cover off.
• I love taking pictures. Someday I would like to take some photography classes through the local CareerTech.
• Wade and I have lived in the same small town of Crescent, OK (I moved here when I was 13) for many years. During the time I was in high school there were numerous times we crossed paths, but we never saw each other. Anytime there was a performance requiring a soundman Wade was that guy, and I was usually one of the performers…band, piano, high school related performances, etc. We never knew each other. We never saw each other until one day the light was turned on, and…there he was…and there I was. We fell in love, got married, and are living happily ever after.
• I love my home. It is a modest-sized home. It required lots of work before we could move in, and over the years we’ve done remodeling projects here and there. I have now had experiences with laying floor tile, laying laminate flooring, ripping up carpet, painting, ripping out showers, doing drywall work, texturing walls, and installing wall tile. Now if I could just convince my husband to allow me to convert the garage into a big playroom/den….

Here are the 6 lucky people I'm tagging: Melissa, Jacyln, Jodi, Donna, Kara, Misty

Quick Update

I took Ryan to the Pediatrician this morning. He has an intestinal virus. He now has a rash and that wonderful thing called diarrhea. Yuck! The course of this illness is generallay 3-5 days...let's hope for 2 1/2. :) The doctor said he would be contagious until he has been fever and diarrhea free for 24 hours, but that the only way of transmission is through his secretions...not airborne. I guess we will limit our activities this week, but for those outings that we must go we'll just make sure no one touches Ryan for fear of him spreading his germies.

Prayer Request, Please.

Ryan is sick. He started with a low-grade fever last night. He slept okay, but cried out a few times. I really thought it was probably related to teething, but just a few minutes ago his fever was 102. I know he feels rotten. He's been very lethargic today and just hasn't wanted to be anywhere other than his mommy's arms. Poor little guy.

We have a really busy week this week, and it should be very exciting. Two of the events this week are related to commitments made some time ago. Tuesday is "Bank Day" for the March for Babies" and Saturday is the actual day of the walk. We really need to be at both of these. Please pray that Ryan gets well fast.

Walking

Ryan is officially walking. You can see it in this video, and this video was even taken last week sometime. He is now a *professional* at the task...carrying things from one room to another and everything. As long as he can get to someplace to pull himself up he will walk everywhere. He even runs from time to time. For the first time today he even walked outside unassisted. Life is so exciting around here.

My Little Potato Eater

I have a basket of potatoes in the dining room. You can often find Ryan carrying a potato around, and now that he has 5 teeth (3 top, 2 bottom) he has been able to actually get little chunks of potato to eat. SoonerStart has encouraged us to increase the fiber in his diet. I guess you can't get more fiber than the natural fiber in raw potato skins.

A First!

In the 14 or so years I've been cooking I have NEVER ever caught anything on fire in the kitchen. I've burned myself and burned the food, but never have I created an actual fire. I broke my record today. So sad... :( Tonight was "clean out the refrigerator" night, so dinner was a hodge podge of different foods. I was trying to make some brownies while warming up the leftovers. I inadvertently put the brown sugar on the stove with the bag touching a burner. Smoke and flames...Ohhhh...I can't believe I did that.

Stay tuned...I'm hoping to get a video (of Ryan...not the fire) posted this weekend!

Zoo Friends

Guess what Ryan and I did today!...

We went to the zoo! It was great.

We saw some birds...
and some fish...
and some more fish...
and some ducks.
We found a new friend.

We petted a big kitty.

Ryan was a bit afraid of the big kitty. He wouldn't stand next to it, and he didn't really even want to sit by it. Do you see the concerned look?

We thought this kitty was very pretty!

We had a great time. We didn't stay too very long, but we'll probably go back next week and see some more. My mom bought a zoo pass. If anyone wants to join us we'd be glad to have some company. Ryan's favorites today: the "Caution, wet floor sign", the fan in the pachyderm building, the fish. He was also fairly interested in the big gorilla sitting at the window.

Unload Groceries

Ryan and I spent the day with some really great friends. We had a wonderful time. After our visit we had to do a little shopping. Ryan slept, in the cart, the entire time, but when we got home he thought it was in his best interest to help me unload the groceries.

Just Stuff...

For those of you that may not know...I have played the piano since I was 7. I love playing the piano. As a kid I often used the piano as a way of escape. I would enter into a new world with each musical piece. Unfortunately I haven't played it for quite some time. I just can't seem to make the time to play it much. Yesterday I decided to get the books out, dust off the keys and play a little for Ryan. He was very interested, and he decided to try his hand at a few notes.
"Upside-down Orneriness"

"Telling Grampie All About It"

Ryan has learned how to climb. He can't quite get up on the couch by himself, but if ever he has something to stand on he can get his little leg up there and up he goes. Today he climbed up using his mommy as a step (yes I actually helped). He was quite proud of himself and was very excited about all the new-found treasures. I guess it's time for me to clean up a little and put away some of my treasures before they become soggy treasures.

"My First Ear of Corn"

"Clean Cutie"

Growth Spurt

Ryan must be going through a growth spurt. He's been sleeping a lot lately. For a while he would only take short little 30 minute naps a couple of times a day. Lately he's been taking 2 or 3 hour naps a couple of times a day. This is a notorious trick of his. Since we've been home from the NICU he would have a long string of reasonable naps followed by a few days where he seems to sleep all day long. This time I was a little concerned at first because it's been several months since he's had a sleepy day. All of this to say...After Ryan got out of bed yesterday morning and had his breakfast he played for a while, but then things got quiet. It's usually not a good thing when things get quiet. He's usually into something he ought not to be. This time I found him sleeping in the dog's bed.

Since I'm talking about Ryan growing I guess I should tell you he weighs 17 pounds 9 ounces (fully clothed with shoes on). Yesterday Ryan and I took the dogs to the vet for their regular "well-dog" visits and to get shots. Zoe weighed 21.8 pounds and Bosco weighed 12.6 pounds. After weighing the dogs we put Ryan on the scale. We love our vet and those that work with her. They are a great bunch of people. I really enjoyed visiting with them all.

Conversations...

"Hi, how are you today?"

"We're sitting in Brandy's garden. This is a lavendar plant."

"It says so...right here."

"See! Right there...'lavendar'."

"Hey, aren't you supposed to have something for the birds in here?"

"I like your hat. I want a hat."

Toddler Defined

Nutrition is really big with me. I love it and hate it. It terrifies me and excites me. It confuses and intrigues me. I studied it in college, and at one time I considered pursuing a career in the field of nutrition. Alas...I spent some time today trying to find some information on what to feed my wonderful toddler. I came across the following on one of the sites (http://www.wholesometoddlerfood.com/):

We like to define a toddler as:

• A child who is between the age of 12 months and 48 months old (1 year and 4 years old)
  
• One who loves to eat [xyz] food one day and then dislikes that very same [xyz] food the next day
  
• One who requires a lot of clean laundry, tidying-up after, and lots of attention, and constant amusement and stimulation
  
• One who is methodical and focused in his or her attempts at launching a spoonful of mashed potatoes as easily as a robotic arm assembles a car!
  
• One who's innocence and wonder inspires us to do better
  
• One who possesses an abundance of love.
  
• One who is unconditional in the giving, and delightful in the receiving of that love, along with showering hugs, kisses and smiles to those around him or her;
  a true joy and a true blessing to treasure

I love it! I must address points 2 and 4 today. When I first read point 2 I chuckled, but it wasn't a laugh of agreement. It was more of a "yea, okay..." Now I laugh in agreement. Ryan has always loved mashed potatoes, and tonight I put a pile of them on his tray. He stuck his sweet little hand in the potatoes and commenced to look at me like I was crazy. I spooned a little of the potatoes into his mouth of which he gave me on of those "that's the most disgusting thing ever; what do you expect me to do with that?!"

Point 4 is becoming more and more of a normal around our house. The dogs absolutely love his new found excitement in watching his food hit the floor. Along these same lines...Today Ryan was drinking from his bottle. As the contents were near the end Ryan thought nothing of casually pitching it across the room. I guess he was finished. The things he comes up with....

Ryan is such an amazing little guy. I feel tremendously blessed. He delights my heart everyday!

Planting Flowers

I just love spring. It is such a happy time of year. I love the newness of spring...the new flowers, new leaves, new grass, new everything. It's just great! Ryan and I spent some time outside again today. He just loves to eat everything...even the dirt, as you can see in the pictures. We had fun. I worked in my vegetable garden today. I tilled it for the final time. I'm hoping to do some planting this weekend.

Tomorrow Ryan and I will be going to a Birthday party. Connor and Macy are celebrating because they are turning 1! Hooray! I'm quite sure we will have a wonderful time.

Posing

We spent a little time outside. It was a pretty nice day although quite windy. I'll be glad when the wind is more of a light breeze. I planted some tomato plants today in Brandy's garden. I also bought a few items for our vegetable garden in the backyard. I'm still waiting for that mud puddle to dry a little before I can start planting. It looks like this weekend is suppose to be nice. I'm hoping to do some gardening this weekend. I'll post pictures of Brandy's garden and our vegetable garden as they begin to grow and produce.

Ryan is doing great. His personality is awesome. I wish everyone could experience his "down-to-the-bone orneriness". He is a hoot! I'll share more about that later. The bed is calling my name, and Ryan is still going ninety miles an hour. Good Night to You All!

Are You Talking To Me?

Sleeping With Friends

Check This Out!

I know this video is rather short. Sometimes my little man is hard to catch on video. If he sees the video camera it's all over. He just wants to eat the camera!

He is walking so well. The farthest he has walked without assistance and without falling is from the chair in the living room to his highchair in the dining room (approx. 15 feet). That's a long way for a little guy.

We've been having a bit of a battle-of-the-wills of sort lately. Come time for bed and our house is not necessarily the most peaceful place. Now don't get me wrong, we have a great, peaceful evening routine that most would assume would lead to a peaceful bedtime. Not so!

Starting at about 7:00 or 7:30 in the evening (sometimes earlier if he's very cranky) Ryan takes a soothing, warm bath. He then gets a massage, or at least a quick rub-down with lotion. Then he gets his clothes on. Then comes the bottle of warm milk, and as he quietly drinks I read him a story (most nights anyway...sometimes books create way too much excitement for him), often he falls asleep eating and I gently take him to his room and lay him peacefully in his crib afterwhich I say a quick prayer over the miracle God has blessed me with. Sounds peaceful doesn't it?

Up until lately I have been able to lay him in his bed and quietly leave the room. He would remain asleep for most of the night without awakening. For several nights now as soon as his sweet little body touched his bed he would come all the way awake and the crying would begin. I would pick him up and rock him...sing to him...and he would fall asleep quickly. The second time down in the crib usually worked. Not lately. For the last 2 nights as soon as he touched the bed the crying commenced. If I picked him up the crying continued. The only remedy...take him back in the living room and allow him to play, but he's so tired that his playing usually led to a bunch of falling down, whining, crying, head bonking, frustration. This just won't work. The boy needs to sleep. His mom needs to sleep! So for the last 2 nights our routine has remained the same and we say our prayers together. He gets to lay in his crib (awake or asleep) and I say goodnite. The crying is heartwrenching. Last night I went to bed feeling like a horrible mother. Tonight was a little easier. The crying didn't last as long. I don't feel as bad, and hopefully he will begin to understand that bedtime is just part of the day...a good part...a peaceful end.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therfore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24

Such A Sad Face

The Case of The Missing Shoe

Okay so I'm not so sure how a 14-month-old little boy could lose a shoe, but it's happened. He's been carrying it around the house chewing on it (hey it could be worse...you have to pick your battles). Now we can't find it. It's mate is lonely. Ryan's feet are bare, but honestly he doesn't care. His mom sure would like to find it though. Hey I found those shoes on clearance! Better than that...it's velcro!

All Big Boys Need To Brush Their Teeth

All big boys need to brush their teeth at least once a day...

Even if there are only 2 teeth!










Ryan has 3 teeth on top that have just about poked through. I actually saw the edge of one of them this evening. Probably in a couple of days he will have 3 new teeth bringing his count to a grand total of 5!

It's the Real Thing

Did you actually know that the slogan "It's the Real Thing" was actually a 1970's coke slogan? I found a site listing all of Coca-Cola's slogans by year. It's useless, yet somewhat fascinating trivia: http://www.2collectcola.com/page/ACC/slogan .

So anyway...I was going to post this picture yesterday, but the storms kept knocking out our power. I apologize for not posting recently. I guess I've been taking a blogging vacation :).

This picture was taken over the weekend. Ryan was fascinated with the coke machine. He kept taking me over to it. What he loves he beats, so he would beat on it for a while then just smile great big.

A Duckie Tale

Ryan, Nana, and I went to Lawton on Friday for a banquet in which his Aunt Lizzy was recognized. Before the banquet we went to the park and had some fun. One of my most memorable moments as a kid was feeding the geese and ducks at the park. I still love it. I was so excited to get to take Ryan to feed the ducks. I hope he loves it too.

He was a little nervous at first.
But then he warmed up to the birds. They're bigger than he is, so I'm sure it's a bit intimidating. They are also very noisy. I don't know how many geese and ducks swarmed around us when we first pulled out the bread, but there were a lot. A lot of birds make a lot of noise.

Ryan decided to try some of the bird food (don't worry...it's only bread).
After feeding the birds some bread we decided to take a walk around the park.

Some of the geese followed us.

Another favorite attraction at this park is the prairie dogs. Ryan didn't notice these furry little cuties until we were about to leave. We couldn't feed the prairie dogs though. Bread is not a good thing for them to have. It can lead to dehydration. Ryan saw one and thought he would like to get a closer look, but quite to his surprise, the little thing disappeared...right down into his little hole. The look on Ryan's face was so cute when the prairie dog went missing.

If ever you are in need of a place to go for a family day away this is a great place to go. Lawton has plenty of things to do, but my favorite is always the park.