Over 1/2 year old already

Where has the time gone. Ryan is growing so fast, and I can't believe he is already over 6 months old. Ryan has had many milestones since the last post. He now has two bottom teeth, can grab and shake toys, and we are working on sitting up. His newest milestone is eating solids which we started just a few weeks ago. Hie beaba is getting a work out making new purees.

Ryan weighed in at 17 pounds 9 oz and 25 1/4 inches long the other day. He was such a good boy for his shots, and did not even cry once.

We have spent the month of July up in NY with family and he really enjoyed his time. He slept well and stayed on schedule, and even went for a few dips in Lake George. He was able to meet his Glenburnie peeps, and meet Mr. and Mrs. Jockel, and Mrs. Mack...as well as Shannon, Jeff, Deiter, and Kourtney. We are headed back again towards the end of the month after another trip to North Carolina.

Another Month

Tomorrow Ryan will by 5 months old! We have made the trip over to NJ/NY for the month, and I am excited to introduce him to the lake in a week or so. Ryan is getting stronger by the day. His new favorite thing is to stiffen up and stand on his legs, he loves that! He has also decided his hands are awesome and would prefer them to his pacifier. Sometimes I catch that thumb is his mouth...ugh..

Ryan is now really starting to Coo and make different sounds, nothing specific yet, but its fun to hear him squeal, giggle, and coo.

We celebrated our first fathers day this past weekend which fell over our Anniv. We had a great day out on the Yacht in Bermuda with other familes.

While I am away in Maine this week Ryan is spending time with his Grandma and Grandpa. His is going to love meeting his Grandpa Dicob and Peg, as well as Shawn in the coming weeks up in Harrisville!

4 months old

Today Ryan is 4 months old! Gosh time really has gone by so fast for all of us. He is now weighing in at 13 pounds 4 oz and 22.5 inches long. He had another set of shots today, but not a formal visit with Dr. P since he had to rush out for an emergency c-section with a distressed baby.

Ryan is making lots of cooing noises, and can now entertain himself for a good 20 minutes on his activity jungle mat. He is still sleeping through the night, and is good even when the day changes and were not in our routine schedule.

Yesterday we started Ryan on his cloth diapers. He seemed to enjoy them, though I notice more than he needs to be changed with them the the plastic. We are hoping to get him in the pool this week for his first time.

Travels

Ryan and I have been traveling nonstop it seems since the end of April. He made his first flight to the USA landing in Boston. He missed most of it sleeping, but we were glad he was " not that crying baby". After deciding to come visit Grandma and Grandpa earlier than planned we hopped back on a plane to NJ on May 3rd. This past weekend we headed down to North Carolina where he met his extended family and Great Grandma and Grandpa Neely. He loved playing and staying with his cousin Liam who is 7 month now. Ryan then got to meet the Clutsam side of the family on Wednesday May 13th during a family BBQ. He even got to meet his cousin Nicky who flew in from Japan. He is my little traveler and loves looking at all the new faces!

Ryan's new milestone includes his hands which he now loves to put in his mouth every chance he gets. I really am hoping to stick with the pacifier if needed rather then the thumb sucking..lets just hope he sticks with the fist in the mouth and not individual fingers. Ryan is also sleeping through the night! I am very happy about this, his new hours are from 8pm until 6:30am.

Grandma has also bought him a bumbo seat and he really enjoying sitting up in it and looking around at us. He is also in love with the ceiling fans, but what baby isn't?

Ryan goes back for his 4 month check up and shots :-( on the 25th. I am very curious to see how much he weighs. I am guessing around 13 pounds.

Sleeping and Rolling

This month has been full of so many milestones! The last couple of nights Ryan has slept basically through the night. And to top it off the other day on tummy time he rolled over. I was shocked, and did not have the video camera ready, but was determined to get it eventually. Tonight Andrew and I attempted again with the video camera in hand just in case and he did it. Then he kept doing it over and over.. Ryan will be 3 months on Sunday! Can't believe how fast times fly's.

Smiles

Ryan is now smiling on cue when I make a silly face, or say "Hi Ry" a couple of times. He also smiles at some of his mobiles and toys. It really does make your heart melt to have him interact with you.

Lately he has been adding an hour to his night sleeping so we are all feeling more rested. Some mornings he is still sleeping in bed as we get up and do things.

Uncle Henry arrived today with a suitcase of goodies for Ryan. He is officially ready for the beach/boating etc here in Bermuda. We have a life jacket, SPF 50+ tent, sunhat, and even sunglasses ( a gift from Grandma/Pa C). Now we just need a warm sunny day to test it all out.

Easter!

Today Ryan had his first big holiday--Easter! We relaxed all morning and then decided to get dressed and go to the beach for some pictures. Ryan did not really love his beach excursion and was cranky for the photos, but some turned out alright.

Ryan has just started to smile and become more interested in his toys. He also is holding his head up really well these days. I have taught him the art of sleeping in, and we get to lay in bed until about 9-10am most mornings after a brief 4 or 5 am bottle.

We are looking forward to Uncle Henry coming to visit him April 14th for a few days before we get into our world tour starting April 26th when we head to Boston for the week. Other trips now include North Carolina and NJ.

2 months old!

Today Ryan is two months old. He had his Dr. visit and weighed in at 8 pounds 13 oz. and is 20 1/4 inch long. Today he also received his first set of shots. Poor Ryan was so happy and chillen on the table getting examined until the shots came. He was not a happy camper, and has given mom a hard day of crying and being Mr.cranky, grumpy, fussy pants!

Ryan has really started to come into his own. He is pretty good with a schedule of eating every 3-4 hours and loves his baba.(bottle). Ryan is also spoiled by his mommy and daddy who let him sleep in bed with them so they can get a few more hours of shut eye. He is able to track toys above his head (mobile and jungle activity mat). His head strength is also getting stronger and he enjoys tummy time to an extent. I am still trying to get him to smile for me when I make a silly face, but were just not quite there yet. He may be 2 months old, but because he was a month early some things may need a bit more time to catch up. No worries, he has a lifetime to smile for mommy!

Grandparents visit

March has been a busy busy month of visitors. Today Grandma C left. We are now on our own for a couple weeks until uncle Henry arrives April 14th. Ryan has enjoyed all his company and getting to meet his family.

He has really begun to see the world around him. He likes to relax under his jungle mat, and enjoys watching his music mobile go round and round in the crib for a couple minutes. We have also started doing bath time in the tub, and he seems to do okay.

Ryan weighed 8 pounds 3 oz on March 17th when we went to the Drs for a visit. He goes for his 2 month shots on Thursday.

We are getting excited to hop off the island April 26th, and also have another trip planned to North Carolina to meet his extended family and Great Grandparents and NJ for a week!

Visitors

Ryan has had lots of visitors over the last two weeks. He met his cousin Cara last week along with Aunt Amanda and Uncle Michael and we made our first trip to the beach. This week his Grandma Dicob and Great Aunt Jane came to visit him. We have been busy touring the island, and today he had his first trip to the Aquarium and Zoo.

Ryan has enjoyed having lots of people hold him, feed and change him. He is not going to know what to do when its just back to the two of us all day long.

Next week Grandma and Grandpa C are coming to visit!

In other news we finally have all the documents needed for his passport, social security number and US citizenship filled out, along with the cutest passport pictures ever. We have an appointment with the US Consulate here on the island on March 29th to submit everything. Our first trip planned off the island is to Boston for the week of April 26- May 3rd. Andrew has a conference in Boston for work, and it will be good time to visit his "Aunt" Shannon, and "Uncle" Jeff, and Chris as well as Amanda, Michael and Cara.

1 month old today

Today is officially Ryan's 1 month birthday! Hard to believe it has been a month already since his arrival. He had a busy day despite the rainy weather. This morning we took him for his hearing test, which is not done in the hospital on newborns. He passed! And then we went to the Dr. for a check up and he is growing on track like a weed. He is now 6 pounds 12 ounces. He is also now 19 inches, two inches longer than his birth. He goes back in a month for shots, and next week for the snip snip...poor baby.. Then while he was still alert and awake he went and had his passport pictures taken, which are adorable by the way.

Aunt Amanda, Uncle Michael and cousin Cara are down visiting for the next few days. Cara enjoys her cousin and when she got up this morning and was looking for the baby. It is nice to have extra hands to help out.

Photos

Mommy and Daddy

Yesterday we took Ryan on his first town adventure and went to pick up his birth certificates. This is the first step in obtaining his passport to go visit all his friends and family in the USA. We also tried to get his passport photos taken, but he was so comfy in his car seat we could not wake him up. We will definitely need a plan B next time. Today we enjoyed a lazy day relaxing at home doing the usual, eating, sleeping, and pooping! Lots of diapers.

Chillaxing

Ryan has now been home for three days and is adjusting nicely to his home. He has been pretty content and sleeping well. His schedule includes a wake up at 3:45 or 4 AM feeding and then another around 7AM. So its not a constant up and down. He is enjoying his new toys, including the bouncy chair and swing.

Ryan's Grandma C was down visiting for the last 10 days, and extended her trip an extra two days to enjoy him at home- she left yesterday. Our next visitors, Aunt Amanda, Uncle Michael and Cousin Cara arrive next week for a few days! We can't wait for them to meet him.

Homecoming!!

Today Ryan was discharged from the hospital after almost 3 weeks there. He will be 39 weeks on Monday. We arrived this morning, had our infant CPR class and then changed him and brought him home.

Today they weighed him an he is now 5 pounds 15 oz. Almost 6pounds!! He is eating like a little piggy..

So glad to have him home and enjoying his new toys and clothes.

No more wires and tube

Today, was another fabulous day for Ryan. My mom and I arrived for his 9AM feeding and he was sleeping, however he did not have the 3 monitor wires on him, and he also had the feeding tube removed! I was so excited! Ryan had all oral feeds last night, and today he did really well. Now he is just on a small monitor for his 02 levels which are always really good, and is being fed on demand, not a schedule. He was also moved to the regular nursery today, not the special care nursery....a graduation and one step in the direction out the door!

Andrew and I have a infant/ child CPR class scheduled for Saturday morning, and he can probably comer home right after that!!! Such good news to hear.

Yeah for Ryan!

B is for Belly Button and Bottles

Ryan has been progressing well with his feedings. He has been taking the bottle for every meal today and eating it like a champ! Hes a hungry little guy for 5 pounds 10 oz already. He has been gaining 2 oz every two days from the weighing schedule. Ryan's belly button cord has officially fallen off today. We have decided NOT to save it. So basically once he can feed for 24-36 hours without the feeding tube then the nurses will take it out. And with no feeding tube, then the monitors can be turned off as well. Slowly but surely he will be disconnected. Andrew and I have to take a infant/child CPR class or refresher with the hospital before they will let him come home with us. Which we think is great.

More pictures to come, we were hoping the next set would not have the feeding tube in them.

Oral Feeding

Ryan was so good today! We arrived around 11:30AM for his feeding at 12, and spent the afternoon with him. He had a lovely nurse, who helped us with his breastfeeding and he really has picked up on the idea of boob equals food. He feed really well on the breast, sucking away and very interested. Afterwards we had brought in one of his Dr. Brown bottles with a slower nipple and he gobbled down his bottle. He then repeated the same pattern for his dinner feed at 6pm. I am feeling more relaxed about the breastfeeding techniques and holds for him, and he seems to respond well and is relaxed for feeding time. We hope to keep this pattern up for the next few days which is one major hurtle to overcome in getting discharged. Go Ryan Go...

Grandma Clutsam visits

Today Ryan's Grandma "C" or Clutsam flew in to Bermuda to meet him for the first time. After arriving early on her flight, with a whole suitcase full of baby gifts we headed over to the hospital. Ryan was asleep on arrival, but without waking him we moved him to grandma's arms for an hour or so for a meet and greet. He was very happy and relaxed in her arms. Grandma C was able to watch him get changed, and fed which made him very alert and then drift back into sleep for the night. He is going to really get to know her over the next week or so visiting. Hopefully some of the time at home, but the doctors and nurses don't make promises, they just stay optimistic.

Ryan is still off the Oxygen, and taking some of his feeds orally by the nurses in a bottle. He is for the most part a relaxed baby with no real crying times. He fusses if he is hungry, and has been eating really well. Our next step is to get him off the feeding tube and on to all oral feeds. He has also gained a whole 1/2 ounce past his birth weight. Progress.....

Bath time

Ryan had a great day yesterday. I got to change my first diaper on him, and as I was cleaning up his bum, he proceeded to pee over his head and all over the back of his plastic "cot" that he stays in now. He has graduated from the special exam bed he had spent the first 5 days on to a regular nursery cot that the babies get wheeled to their parents on. He is still on just a trickle of oxygen, but are working on weaning him off. Yesterday we were able to try breastfeeding with him, and he did pretty well. He did not freak out or fuss to much, but it sure made him sleepy. Ryan was able to have visitors, and Mike and Denise Watkins stopped by to say hi. Around 6PM he had his first bath, all on video so I can remember what to do when its my turn. As you can see Ryan has enough hair for a mohawk! He was also pretty calm during the bath, and fell asleep shortly after. Wow...what a week of great milestones.

More milestones

Today was another fantastic day of visiting Ryan in the hospital. We arrived this AM to find him without the IV in his belly button which was supplying him with extra food and nutrients now that he is eating so well. He is up to 36 ML of breast milk and can digest it well. He is also off the lights for jaundice.

Tonight we went back to visit him and drop off his food and he was wearing a hat and socks. To cute! Then they dressed him in a blue outfit with snaps down the front which he looked comfy wearing but was also swimming in them...May need to pick up a few more newborn items. The hospital gets a ton of donations so we do not need to bring our clothes to the hospital. Less laundry on our part.

We both were able to hold him for a long time, which was so great and relaxing. Tonight the nurses are going to try him with no oxygen and see how he manages since he is just on a small amount, and if he does well he may be moved to an upgraded "cot" or the clear plastic cribs that the full term, nursery carts the babies go in. Lets home for more improvements tomorrow.

Day 5

Today was another milestone day! Andrew and I went to visit Ryan this morning and to our sup rise he was off the CPAP and breathing on just oxygen in his nose. His numbers were also down on the Jaundice and he should be off the lights completely tomorrow, but again the nurses do not promise anything. We arrived at a good time because he was due for a feeding at 12PM. The nurse asked if I had held him yet and I said no, so she then said "that will change today". I was able to hold him for about an hour and rock him a bit, and then at Noon Andrew was able to hold his tube for the feeding of breast milk!.. He is up to over an ounce a feeding which is great news, and tomorrow the IV line which gives him other food if necessary may come out. It's been a great day so far!

Ryan's Birth Story

Sunday, January 24, 2010 had been a busy day, and the whole time Ryan was not moving as much as he normally does in my belly. We had a wonderful Bermuda shower with friends, and arrived home around 8:30PM. All day I had tried to drink things to make him wake up and move, but nothing seemed to work. Around 10:00PM I decided to call the Dr. office which directed me to the maternity ward at the hospital to call and go in for a non stress test. We arrived around 10:45PM thinking they would just hook me up to monitors to make sure he was all okay, and return home. However, during the 1-2 hours on the monitor he was not moving at all but had a good heartbeat. (Most babies move atleast 10 time in hour). I was also have a lot of Braxton hicks contractions that were progressively getting worse with time. The on call doctor decided to have me put in a labor and delivery room and continue to monitor me for a few more hours to see if I improved and by this time it was 2AM. With every contraction getting stronger his heart rate would sometimes dip and decelerate which was not a good sign. The nurse called back the doctor to give a updated report and the decision was made that it would be in the best interest of everyone to have him come via c-section right then and there. We were not prepared at all with a camera, suitcase, or anything nor did we call anybody. At this point I was being prepared and sent up to the OR at 3AM. After final preperations in the operating room Andrew was able to join me as Ryan entered the world at 3:34AM, January 25, 4 weeks early. He came out and made two small kitten cries, and then was taken away after being looked at. I was put back together again (an by the way C-sections are not fun) and then wheeled to recovery. Andrew was able to spend one or two hours with him as they worked on him to make him stable with his breathing. Around 6AM after I was put in a room, Andrew went home to get a nap and call the family to let them know the good news. I was finally able to get out of bed and make my way to see him around 4pm Monday afternoon in the NICU where he has been ever since.

Announcing Ryan Andrew Dicob

Ryan Andrew Dicob

January 25, 2010
3:34AM
5 pounds 4oz
17 inches long