aberrant | undulating | relative

Ryan and I had our first solo adventure on Wed. We went to Dr.’s office, Lactation Nurse appt. and Washington Hospital to visit his nurses (and drop off Krispy Kremes for each shift!) all by ourselves. Of course, I started getting ready an hour and a half early to make sure I had everything. I recently read something to that effect - “Mommies never leave the house on the spur of the moment” or something like that. Again, more appreciation for every woman out there that is a mom, especially my mommy! But we did great. Everything went smoothly, Ryan is doing so well that we are moving to every other week baby appointments, and it was so sweet to see some of his nurses at the hospital.

Notable Quotables - why did the doc say that I needed to change Ry’s diaper. I’m like, is it wet? I didn’t think it was …. she says no, he needs to go up a size. He’s got the bikinis on, and he needs the full coverage. Oh gosh. She is too much. This is also the woman who during my litany of is-this-ok-what-about-that endless stream of questions, says yes - babies heads to get flattened from laying on them day after day. We call it toaster head. Laughing, LOL laughing.

On being a mom - still, makes me laugh to think about it, although with the progressive lack of sleep its not quite as funny as before. On the whole it’s fine, but oooooooh get me in that 2:35 am gotta get up and feed baby, but I just laid down at 2:20 from the last feeding …. Reaaaaauhhhhhhrrrrwww. Enough said. It’s totally worth it, and meeting with the Lactation Nurse (highly reccomend for all preggers) solidified my desire to breastfeed. Oh gosh, today is tiring, but just like bedrest these days will fly by and next thing you’ll know baby Ry will be in California, driving around in his too-dark tinted Jetta calling me at 9 pm. Oh wait no, that’s not my son, that’s Aunt Kathy’s baby boy. hee hee.

But seriously, being a mommy takes more than the physical stamina to do everything - which is already a lot of stuff! This is when that always multi-tasking brain of yours is fully engaged. You have to think about baby’s well being right now at this moment, what you will need for him in the next ten minutes, two hours, two years…. Then what you have going on for the day for yourself, the house, and your husband. Then add trying to remember anything outside of your domestic bubble, and forget it. You can’t even remember if you ate last night, most TV has little appeal (except, of course for all 4 daily episodes of West Wing reruns on Bravo - even if you’ve seen then 3 times in a row) …. and holidays barely register.

Today is Halloween. I remember, I forget. I should buy candy, but didn’t. Think about making plans, but didn’t. Well, as long as baby is all good…..Again, with Ryan’s good party timing…..so now he gets to celebrate all of the fall holidays as well. I love it, my friends love it and most especially my chili-pepper-costume buying mum loves it. Will post pics of Ry’s Multiple Halloween ‘Fits soon. He wore his little rasta-spider beanie and matching socks out on Wed and the nurses were dying laughing over him. This kid is gonna cringe when he sees what kinds of getups his mommy is gonna be putting him in for the first year of his life. But I promise, I think, to stop with the crazy-cuteness by the time he can dress himself. I hope I can still find the ivory velour with multi-hued turkey and embroidered “My First Thanksgiving” jumper. Woo Hoo for the holidays.

Note to self, stop whining and start wondering and waundering. This is life as it should be. And be nicer to your husband!

I blog to remember…. my old friends know that I have decent short term recall, but lousy long term memory especially when it comes to playing the “remember when” game. So my blogging is two parts, one to empty my brain so I can sleep, another so that I can remember these fantastic (and sleepless) days …

Quack Ryan Update (that’s a typo made, and specifically left there - since my son for his first 26 days (today is day 27 I think) didn’t cry much) - he generally emits this quack like sound - it’s like a quack without the “qu” part - more ahhhhk, ahhhhk which at first will startle you and then make you laugh every single time you hear it - unless its for the 10th time at 3:45 am… has been so much fun. Even though our lives revolve around the every 3 hour diaper change/strip/feed/burp/feed/re-dress/re-burrito wrap/back to sleep cycle it’s amazing.

On the gosh, let me get teary I’m a mom front - I really really get choked up sometimes looking down at this fuzzy little guy who not only was in my tummy and made it out healthy and whole, but depends on us for everything, and rewards us constantly with big gummy smiles, or lifting his enormous head up to survey the scene, or providing us with full (diaper) indications that his plumbing is working as it should. No wonder new parents can’t talk about anything else but their kid. It’s endlessly fascinating and scary and funny and humbling that this little baby is their to keep and watch over and teach and grow.

Ryan is growing stronger and healthier everyday as specifically evidenced this morning as he let out the loudest wail to date because he woke up STARVING and he wanted to make sure we knew about it. Usually he doesn’t wake up his daddy during our nighttime cycles, but he was loud and proud this morning. Woo hoo. On the one hand I miss the quiet easily soothed preemie we had for the first 3 weeks, but on the other hand - boy has lungs and he ain’t afraid to use them. You Grow!

So the other thing I wanted to do was put some reminder laughing points about the various showers Ryan was blessed with. OK we have a lot of friends and family, I don’t know why I feel a bit defensive about having so many parties, but it was just easier to handle (and fit) everyone in sections. As it was, there were 4 and a half parties. Highlights to remember:

Oct 5 - Family and Renee’s Bridal Party Shower
This was the all filipino extravaganza. My favorite filipino foods - kare kare, lumpia and beefsteak courtesy of the fabulous Auntie Amie, Edna’s fruit salad, Auntie Toni’s (Grandma P’s original) baked ham and sauce that thickens on its own, white rice of course, and a ton of other yummies. Except for the fact that my mum was over an hour late with most of the food, the party was a success. Lu and Edna really pulled the party outta their behinds cuz we were so busy trying to get the house ready for RYAN let alone his party, that everything was a bit scattered. But the guests came in shifts, so the house wasn’t too full at any one time and games were played, gifts opened and food eaten and/or taken home in to-go containers. Yes, that’s how filipino a party it was that there were actual styrofoam to-go boxes there. Yeah! Two highlights - one when Auntie Toni was working on the name game - why did she add an “s” to Ryan’s name. Why was it Robert Ryan SHMARMIJO? or Robert RYANS Armijo or ROBERTS Ryan Armijo? Ahhhh to be filipino. The other was Uncle Alex and Auntie Meng coming late - even for this party - but bearing a ton of new food as well as the much anticipated Jeep playpen/changing station? Ahhhhh since my co sleeper hadn’t come in yet, we could actually put Ryan to sleep in that thing if we had to. But we use it every day now as a changing station and general supply holder, although I have to kneel on the ground to be at the right height to save my back. But it’s a nifty nifty thing. We adjust and make things work!

Oct 8 - The Bible Study Gals
Ryan came home earlier than anticipated. And thanks to the Gals we were actually able to take him home courtesy of the car seat that they got for us. We thought he would be home on the Friday (10/10) but ended up coming home on the Monday before this party. So we actually picked up the carseat from Traci before the party - first the kid before the party, and now the gifts too - but they understood and came on Wed bearing a huge chocolate cake and the most amazing Heather-homemade-chocolate-caramel-you wanna stuff them all in your mouth-brownies ever. Ahhhhhh. Those girls spoil us. There were still more gifts too! So generous and sweet. They truly are my FCC family.

Ooooh it was so good to see everyone, especially Sandy who make me feel all warm and fuzzy whenever I see her, as well as Traci and Heather’s little chunky monkeys. Love them! Can’t wait for Ryan to be as big as them! And Jonnie was able to come, so we could catch up with her after Logan’s bout in the hospital. The best part was, as always, the sharing. Everyone is a mom in that group from as young as Sue’s month old Samantha to Kim’s already in college Elizabeth with Sandy a Grandma too and I received much needed perspective and advice. Loooove them! Can’t wait for Cezanne’s shower on the 14th (why does she get to still look stylish and sweet in her cutie shorts and flowy top at 7 months preggers??) What a blessing they all are. The best moment for me was in opening the gifts, being so appreciative of those gifts but each package unwrapped or bag opened, just reminded me again and again that these women supported us through the entire pregnancy with their gifts of prayer. How blessed we are. EVERY TIME, every time I think about this, it makes me cry. And yes I’m tearing up again right now . . .

Oct 18 - the party and a half
The friends shower was a blast. I had a fantastic time, all the Edna and Jing prepared food was so good I ate it for 4 days in a row. I finally gave up on the bbq chicken drumsticks (that was from the after party) but yeeeee-uuum. Big big big props out to Jing-A-Ling and her amazing Fry Daddy (the deep fry machine - not John) This was another revolving door shower with people coming and going throughout the shower, but why did the gifts keep coming nonstop? Again, the generosity of people amaze and humble you as a parent. Veronica was the first one to show up - and she thought she was late - I shoulda warned her about filipino time …. but that was nice cuz we were able to chitter chatter as I like, and she got to see the “Brest Friend” in action as I fed Ryan while we visited. After everyone chowed down multiple times on the carb fest, we finally settled into a core group of a couple gals and were getting ready to play games - after an intensive revisiting of the entire Nick and Jessica season - come on, you gotta love “The Simpsons” you know it’s all about Jess and her craziness - and yes she’s dumb but I LOVE HER it was a riot. In between my ramblings of the absurdities of being a new mom who knows not a lot about babies we played the games courtesy of Lu’s great crowd control. OK I know - now - we got pretty bunk baby food for the game, but why weren’t people giving up the taste testing? Of course, Rommie ended up winning as she was brave enough to taste most of them - but why oh why did she think there was one that tasted like Argentinian food. Lu kept repeating they were all American type food. Makes me laugh to think about it. Cute moment when Daisy and Franny came bearing their adorable, almost-matching baby boys and we had to laugh when I said I’d come over to their place and we could sit around talking about our mestizo (half filipino/half white) babies. Ahhhhh. Ohhhhkay and I have to give Cyndi props not only for the gift but for the packaging. Why was everyone so amazed at the box that Cyn’s gift came in that I had to close it and open it again to another chorus of oooohhhs and ahhhs (BEFORE we ever saw what was in it!) Too funny. And trooper award goes to Grace and Gia who stayed for the whole party and mingled successfully with Chika in the early part of the party, Mel and the gals during the games, and Lu and Rommie during the after party? Big ups to the “socialites” I love people who can party with strangers. And Lu, two words - CUP CAKES. Bobby may be the mix master (he, of the soft and fluffy baking skills), but you’re the frosting-est bomb.

The after party was chill for me, and still a total surprise for Bob even AFTER Rex pulled up, his moster truck full with a bbq pit and a cooler full of coronas, pulled up IN OUR BACKYARD. Oh geez. If it wasn’t for Rex that party wouldn’t have happened and it really was a great gift for Bob. Na marinated the pork bbq, but Rex got the chicken and beef and ran around all afternoon picking up supplies and the nifty photo cake and then bbq’d through the night. My brother really rocks. The best, as always, when the boys are all together. Seeing Chris and Aaron cozy on the couch watching (I think) Game 1 of the World Series, Greg and Bob out by the BBQ pit - with Gabe toddling through the NEW screen door to kick it with them, makes my heart happy. Cutiest moment was when Miss Ava started dancing to Justin on SNL (Lu taped last week’s episode) and it was waaaaay past her bedtime. Way past mine too! But Bob kept the party going, he even went to see Kill Bill with Rudy after the after party. Woo hoo for him. I’m so glad he had a grand time. And Mr. Ryan made a few appearances throughout the night. And if you were lucky - and washed your hands - you could perhaps, touch Lil Ry’s blanket as he passed by …. Lu and Paulie kept me company after the crew had left and I was poured on the couch in exhaustion - wait I just remembered - big props out to Piia who is a total mom and gave me the best gift ever - a clean kitchen before she left the party a SECOND time!! oh so back to me, my son (you’ll be hearing that nonstop as long as you read this blog from now on!!) …and Lu and Paulie. They scrubbed to a new layer of skin and each got to hold him. Paulie, held him for almost an hour as I drowsed on the couch and Lu got to snuggle up to him as the ultimate thank you for all the work she had done for multi-showers. But wait there’s ONE MORE TO GO ….

Oct 19 - Los Armijo’s
A small and cozy shower to be had at la casa Armijo. Which was exactly what I needed after Saturday’s massive festivitas. Why did I eat two sandwiches and two helpings of everything at the table? Ah the simple joys of life. Although I missed the tamales. But that’s OK, there’s always Christmas. Lu added a new game to the shower repertoire - the playdoh make a baby. Those were too cutie. There were far more gifts than guests again, and we really were showerd with gifts. It’s amazing how much gear one little being can acquire. YIKES! My personal high point - I was wearing regular clothes, granted they were my sister’s, but still. No stretch pants and no flumpy polos or bell shaped t-shirts. Ahhhhh, what a feeling. RyRy made a visit to the house and hung out with the guys and watched football. He’s so funny. Bobby came late with him after giving him a sponge bath and washing his ducky hair. When he came to the house,his hair was all ruffled like the little duck he is. Tina did remind us that there is baby hair gel available. She makes me laugh. The best of course, was the yummy yummy cake custom baked and sweetly decorated by Aunt Rhonda. So yummy I ate that for three days too. After a visit to Maria and Miro’s to drop off some of that cake, we finally drew to a close the ultimate party weekend. So Baby Ryan is destined to be a socializer himself. He targeted his arrival perfectly so that he could attend a wedding (well, he stayed at the resort in the upgrade room) and 3 and a half parties. Talk about timing!

Speaking of, it’s a good thing it’s Daylight’s Saving Time. As Bobby just reminded me the clocks may go back an hour, but your son doesn’t. If I hurry I can get in a half hour nap before he wakes up again. Woo Hoo! Wouldn’t trade this for the world, or even a full night of sleep.

Salon.com Books | Big whoppers:
“Oct. 22, 2003  |  What is the worst lie a president can tell?

‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.’

Or …

‘He has weapons of mass destruction — the world’s deadliest weapons — which pose a direct threat to the United States, our citizens and our friends and allies.’

One of those lies got a president impeached. The other lie not only got the liar who told it the war he wanted, but also resulted in huge business deals for his friends and virtually assures him a landslide victory in the next election.

Sure, we’ve been lied to before. Lots of lies: big lies, little lies, lies that brought us down in the eyes of the world. ‘I am not a crook’ was a lie, and it sent Richard Nixon packing. ‘Read my lips: No new taxes’ wasn’t so much a lie as a broken promise, but it nonetheless cost the first Bush his presidency. ‘Ketchup is a vegetable’ was technically not a lie, but it was a good example of the Reagan administration’s whacked view of the world.

As the lies that led us into the Iraq War started to unravel and be exposed, the Bush administration went into survival mode with their only defensive maneuver: Keep repeating the lie over and over and over again until the American people are so worn down they’ll scream ‘uncle!’ and start believing it.

But nothing can hide this indisputable fact: There is no worse lie than one told to scare mothers and fathers enough to send their children off to fight a war that did not need to be fought because there never was any real threat at all. To falsely tell a nation’s citizens that their lives are in jeopardy just so you can settle your own personal score (’He tried to kill my daddy!’) or to make your rich friends even richer, well, in a more just world, there would be a special prison cell in Joliet reserved for that type of liar.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

“

pina coladas
and you know i know

found this via ozmaonline
then they got it via the link on the bottom.

lifted from Futurism Resources

lotr 2 fansFlabber.nl :: Gollum da manfound this off a martin sargent’s unscrewed.

Pre-Labor…
I was admitted late Friday night (9/26) to the hospital after one of my bags of water (yes, there are two) starting trickling out. Talk about God’s timing, Bob had gone out that night for the first time in forever for Paulie’s birthday at the Tonga Room. We had even discussed him staying out late since I would definitely be asleep after chowing down on a double cheeseburger, baked potato and sourcream AND chili, chips and cheese from Wendy’s. (Not to mention the fruit punch I had to slyly pull away from the papa-to-be less he finish it before I had a sip) Once my water broke, I called Rex since he was close by to see if he could take me to the hospital since Bobby was up in SF. As I was getting dressed I heard someone come in, turned around and it was Bob. The minute dinner was over, he had a pang in his tummy that wouldn’t go away, begged off of the bar hopping and headed home to arrive exactly the minute that I needed to go.

The weekend was spent first wondering if my waters had broken (yes), pulling out the cerclage (which the attending doc was happy to wave around and showing me - ewwwwww), and taking triple shots of terbuteline to stop contractions and double shots of steroids to help develop the baby’s lungs, and a continuous drip of magnesium sulfate (no side effects thank goodness! - it really pays to have high tolerance) …. The weekend was all about stopping contractions, keeping me strapped to the bed - complete with many barbie-goes-to-the hospital (IV, multi bag drips, catheter and the ever-present pink water jug) and praying praying that the baby would stay in until he was big enough to be delivered.

Bobby and I were set on thinking that I was in for more bedrest, in the hospital, for another few weeks. So it was an utter shock when my doctor (who was on duty that Monday) came in bright and early at 7:30 am and said hey …. it’s a great day to have a baby.

After reviewing the monitoring strips, she had detected that every time I had a contraction, though they were mild for me, the baby’s heartbeat would dip alarmingly. So after an ultrasound that reminded me of the little red booths (like outside of Payless, something like the horsey rides) where for a quarter you could watch Woody Woodpecker cartoons, it was determined that the baby was somewhere in the 5lb range which gave him a good chance at surviving without things like a ventilator, or additional oxygen, we decided to proceed with the labor.

The fun begins …
At noon, I was put on pitocin to START the labor. And nothing happened for 4 hours. We watched the monitor for contractions, watched cable and hung out. Pastor Kevin came by, we laughed and prayed and watchted the monitor some more. I sent my family home, thinking it would be hours yet and around 4, Paulie and Lu went to get something to eat, Mama Mijo took off and Bob and I were alone together. A jaunt to the bathroom started real teddy bear crushing contractions, but we rode the waves together with Bobby coaching and me clenching til almost 6 pm.

Nurse Laura comes in and says that she wishes she could stay for the birth but she got off at 7, and it seemed like it would be a while. Not 5 minutes after she left, I had a tearing contraction along both sides of my tummy (before they had just been on the left side) and we called her back. She decided to check for dilation and I was at an 8! She jams outta the room to get Dr. Burrs, she has to double check the dilation and the circus begins. Within 10 minutes the entire delivery team is in my room except for the pediatrician who had gone to dinner. By this time, I’m beginning to go outta my head with the pain and the need to push. Dr. Burrs takes one look at me and says incredulously - Are you pushing?? Stop! Stop pushing right now. Hello, what am I supposed to be doing?? She says - Blow out the birthday candles. Whaaaaat?!?! Bobby and I look at each other and look and her and yell - We didn’t take that class! We don’t know what you’re talking about. Nurse Laura comes to the rescue with puff puff blow.

I can’t believe that I’m waiting for the pediatrician to finish her manicotti when there is something trying to come outta my body. Finally Dr. Scobel arrives and everyone is primed for labor. I look around and Carla, my midwife is there too. Thank goodness someone called her in. It’s like having every member of your dream team with you at the crucial three pointer of your life.

Now everyone’s a coach and giving me non-stop directions, lift this, move that, grab these, push here, breathe here. So one big push, and it’s fierce. Another big push and everyone’s cheering and coaching ….. So now everyone in the room is primed for the next big push and it’s like slow clap with a life of it’s own - except I’m the only one who can get this baby outta me. STOP. So I take a big breathe and tell everyone to RELAX, that it’s gonna be a minute. The whole room stops, looks up at me and bursts into laughter. I guess usually they have to tell the mother-to-be to relax and here I am telling them. After our little rest period, I bear down and push like there’s no tomorrow. When you feel that slip and slide of something coming it’s awe-ing. I don’t have words. But obviously I have lungs as I screamed nonstop until Ryan pops out - and it was caught on video tape courtesy of the digital daddy.

So no epidural, no c-section, total active labor time 1 hour and 44 minutes. Robert Ryan makes his way into the world on Monday, September 29, 2003 at 6:44 PM weighing an amazing 6 lbs, 7 oz at 19 inches long needing no oxygen, no ventilator (amazing stats for a “32-weeker” - 8 weeks premature) This kid comes screaming into the world with a loud cry and a full, full head of hair. He’s perfect.

Not only did I have a short short labor (guess it’s a trade off for the hours and hours of bedrest and incompetent cervix) my nurses went home on time. I’m still in shock, and keep asking Carla if that’s it, that’s all there is to it. She says, yup - it’s all beginning now.

And it’s a blast.

To complete the Wongzales wedding story …. Luis, Sr. made me wanna cry with his toast to his son, his firstborn, the one that has made him so proud not just on the day of his wedding but throughout his life. And I was teary and amazed that one day Bobby and I will be at Ryan’s wedding saying - our son, our first born, the pride and joy of our lives.

Ryan is such a trooper. Not only was he born in time for me to boogie at Renee’s wedding all night, he scored us an upgrade at our hotel. Not only a room with a view (of the cutie lagoon waterfall pool and olive and grape groves) but also a fourposter bed with fireplace. He is definitely on the travel list - until he starts walking at least!

I may sound a little flippant with the birth of my son, but I’m not. Speaking of, I’ll post his labor story in a sec…. But Ryan really is a miracle baby, all babies are, but he proves that prayer works. And he’s a blessing, and a bonus, that we appreciate in silly things like the hotel upgrade, and in serious things, like our responsibility to him. He rocks!

northern state will be here soon
all i gots to say is these chics represent

k u know i’m crazy
so instead of me spouting crazy i’m finna show you some images with titles
from a wedding this weekend K?

flower girls

newlyweds

it was a fun(ny) wedding

robot dance contests abounded

lu could not resist her 1 club mtv moment

these 2 just got married a few weeks ago, look at the love

more 2 come

Blessed Birth, Blessed Matrimony …

I know you wanna hear the labor story and it’s a good one …. but I have to live in the now for a moment and bask in the warm and cheery afterglow of a wedding gone well. Renee got married over the weekend to her wonderful fantastic man - Luis Gonzales. Rudy’s Val said it best when she said that every detail was so unique and thoughtful. I had two favorite things - Pastor Matty giving a rousing and educational sermon filled with love but breaking it down for folks. I really appreciate people who are able to share God’s love and teaching without being pushy or preachy. Matt is so warm and real that Scripture is simple, and part of everyday life. I love that and it was sooooo appropriate for Nay and Luis. They are the total embodiment of good and growing Christians, real people following the Lord. That rocked!

The other thing that tickled me where the cutie flower table numbers. I told you already Nay, but those were SO worth the time and no sleep! Sweet. And it was the best to see all our friends in one place again. Wow how far we’ve come - Joyce has two beyond adorable kids - how blonde and beautiful is Alyssa?!? and Nathan is a big guy …. and Rose’s Josua is a huge chunk of 4 month old. Who would have ever known he was a preemie either?? I wanted to carry around a life size color pic of Ryan with me, but settled for snuggling with Josh for a bit. And the best is Shy and her very very Catherine Zeta Jones pregnancy. She is just a beautiful girl. And her family is amazing. Mommy Cynthia looks like one of the sisters and Auntie Fely got her slide on as the night drew to a close. Ahhhhhhh…..

So many happy moments, just watching all the Jubilee girls getting their groove on at the reception like it was City Nights ( okay, you know I’m hecka old already), Seeing Grandma Gonzales and Mommy Wong dancing nonstop and everyone filling the entire gorgeous hall with fun and laughter and good times. All of it, all of trials and tantrums, the emotion and effort was worth it. It was perfect.

And I totally felt like it was definitely a celebration party for me too! Since Ryan has been born, I have had boundless energy and seem to surprise everyone whenever I show up anywhere. And we danced all night and chatted with all the friends and family throughout the reception. The best was talking to Luis and Grace and really really feeling like part of their family. Luis really made me wanna cry again (after bawling at the opening of the ceremony nonstop and quite audibly - sorry bridesmaids!)

Below’s a general update of the baby … will recount amusing labor stories and highlights of the family fun shower soon… my love and thanks to Paulie and Rex for their big help in getting the nursery ready - Paulie with his straight line drawing wallpaper border skills and Rex for his 2 plus hours putting together the drawers …. Na and Lu for their superior nursery and crib assembly as well as pulling together a crazy family shower with food, folks and fun in a house that was not quite ready for prime time.

It was definitely easier worrying about envelopes than worrying about a baby. Coming home with you. To stay. At your house and in your heart forever ….

—– Original Message —–
From: ellen@drchango.com

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a truly amazing time with the sudden birth of Robert Ryan, the biggest preemie at the Special Care Nursery. Thanks to your prayers everything has gone beyond perfect, at every turn it’s been God’s grace shining down on us and we wanted to say how much we appreciate your support. A few highlights:

- my actual ob/gyn was on duty on monday at the hospital and was able to deliver the baby
- my labor went active at 5 pm, and the baby was delivered at 6:44 pm, with only three pushes and no epidural!
- at 8 weeks premature, Ryan was a whopping 6 lbs, 7 ounces and 19″ long
- although he is a certified preemie, Ryan has shown all the skills of a term baby and has been able to take all of his feedings with no problems, was able to breathe on his own from birth and was able to maintain his body temp with the help of an isolette for a few days. He graduated to an open air crib today and has been great.
- he’s doing so well that his doc has had to revise her prognosis every time she sees him. He went from a potential 3 week stay, to 10 days to going home tomorrow pending his final checkup and a last jaundice check.

Needless to say we are overwhelmed but looking forward to him coming home. It’s been a whirlwind couple of days but with lots and lots of help from family and friends the house is ready for Ryan. I’m not sure I am though, as I realize how little I actually know about babies, but I’m sure it’ll all work out for this blessed little guy.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thank you everyone for you well wishes and prayers.
RR is doing fine and will stay with the nice nurses at the hopital for a little while longer.
ell is being discharged today, and is very tired.
but he wanted to say hi to y’all
go here for his greeting
you’ll need quick time though.
but really if you don’t have quicktime your probably
wondering why all these letters are next to each other in this order.