Ryder's newborn pictures

Get out your tissue box... Ryder had his newborn pictures taken by my FABULOUS neighbor and fellow Mom's club friend, Tammy Dugger, last Friday.  Here's a link to the slide show (turn on your speakers- the song is precious): http://www.tammyduggerphotography.com/slideshows/ryder/index.html

Happy Birthday Ryder... Ryder turned 1 month old last Thursday.  I sang happy birthday to him at 2:58 AM (because I was up for his 2 AM late night snack).  Ryder is 7 lbs (3175 grams) today!  I am so proud of how well he is eating.  We go to the doctor tomorrow for his one month check up.  I expect everything will be great.  We got some unsettling news after an ultrasound last week that the fluid on his left kidney has returned.  The doctor put him on an antibiotic to help prevent urinary tract infections and referred us to a nephrologist (kidney doctor).  Our prayer is that the issue will correct itself soon.  Otherwise, there is a surgery that can fix the issue, but that is some time down the road. Please keep our little miracle in your prayers.

The weather in Atlanta was amazing at the end of last week and all weekend.  Ryder and I enjoyed long walks in the park with our friends!  Eric is picking up the infant seat adapter for our running stroller tomorrow so that Ryder can start joining us for fast walks or light runs! :) 

Quick plug for my new personal trainer that is helping me once a week with strength training.  Katie S. is an amazing trainer and person.  Here's a link to her website (a great gift for an expectant mother):  http://www.strengthinmoms.com/Strength_in_Moms/Home.html

Lots of love from grandparents

Ryder has been so lucky to have visits from his grandparents each weekend!  Here are a couple recent pictures.  A BIG thank you to our parents and grandparents for their support.  From delivering meals to folding clothes, you all have been amazing.  Many thanks!

 Ryder with his great grandmother, "GG", and my Mom, "Nonnie"

Grandma and Grandpa Larson with Ryder

Here are a couple other pictures of our little guy...

Very proud parents!  Ryder was 6 lb 6 oz today!!

Showers of gifts, snow and blessings!

I have so much to report... here's an update on my baby shower, snow shower and a shower of blessings.

I neglected to post pictures from my baby shower held at the Razzouk's home on January 9th.  It was a lovely shower hosted by Elaine and her mom, Cindy.  I know it is not normal to have a baby shower after the baby has arrived, but this was on the calendar for months!!

Atlanta got hit by a snow storm on that same night... we were snowed in for 4 days!!

This is a picture of our courtyard... the snow turned into ice overnight... schools were closed the entire week!

Here's a picture of Ryder during "snow week".  Look at that big smile!!

More recently, we are slowly getting settled into our routine.  Our appointment with the doctor yesterday went very well, and he is gaining weight faster than they expected.  I am so happy to report that Ryder is now 6 lb 3 oz (2810 grams)-- he is such a champ!!  Since Ryder is now "full term" at 37 weeks, we have a little less pressure on us with his feedings.  We were able to move him to a new schedule that has us feeding him at 2 AM, 6, 9, 12 PM, 3, 6, 9:30.  Last night was our first try at it and it went well.  We took our first walk today with our friends Katie and baby Addie from down the street (Addie, Ryder's girlfriend, is one week older than Ryder).  Here are a couple pictures:

 

The blue warm snuggly outfit is a 0-3 month size... poor little Ryder's arms barely made it into the arm holes and his feet barely made it to where knees should be.  It was not that cold out, but better too warm than him catch cold.  I think the fresh air was good for him.

Last weekend we were lucky enough to have our good friends from Germany, Jessica and Fabian, stop in Atlanta for a quick visit.  Jessica and I interned together at Siemens in Nuernberg, Germany in 2003.  We have stayed good friends ever since.  Since we had limited time away from the house (I have to get back to pump so often), we did quick outings.  The guys went to the Falcons game Saturday night while Jess, Allie and I went to Bocado (YUM! A must-dine in West Midtown).  Sunday we went to Flip (burgers) and then planned to visit the World of Coke, but ran out of time.  So, what else to do with one extra hour in Atlanta... get your nails done!

 You can almost hear Eric saying, "No pictures!"  Eric and Fabian getting pedicures.

Ryder's Hospital Photos

On our discharge day from the NICU (1.5.2011), the hospital photographer came up and took a few pictures of Ryder.  The hospital pictures have come a long way from the mug shots of the past.  Of course, the suckers that we are, we bought one of the packages so that we could have the first professional photos of our little miracle.  Here are a few of the shots.  Isn't our son precious (ok, I'm bias, but I could just eat him up)!!

As a brief update, Ryder continues to do well.  He is about 5 lb 5 oz and eating 2 oz of milk 8 times a day (yes, that means we are up around the clock).  We went to the doctor last Friday and again yesterday (despite the snow and ice) and all looks good.  We go again next Wednesday for another weight check.

Ryder and Eric... I love this one!

 My sweet boy sleeping!

 Our happy family finally leaving the NICU... what a great day!

 Yes, he is smiling!  Sweet baby boy!

Ryder is 5 lbs!

Ryder is doing a great job eating and hit 5 lbs today!  Go Ryder!!  Here's a picture of Ryder with his girlfriend from down the street... Adalyn Kate.  Addie was born 1 week before Ryder on 12/20 at 8 lb 20.5 inches, but she was 8 weeks older per our due dates.  Our little guy has some catching up to do! 

 Bryan, Addie, Eric and Ryder

Katie, Addie, Heather and Ryder

Home at last!

We finally made it home with our little miracle on Wednesday, January 5th, late in the afternoon.  Our departure from the NICU was emotional... many of the nurses gathered around to wish us well.  Here is a picture from our departure and the car ride home.

 The happy family (boy, I sure do look sleepy)

 Ryder's first ride in a car!

Since coming home, we have been very busy (thus, the late post about coming home) establishing some sort of rhythm to our day.  Between feeding Ryder, me pumping, washing dishes, and us trying to squeeze in a few hours sleep, there is very little time.  Gone are my dreams of a maternity leave filled with reading books and taking walks with my little baby.  Ryder is only awake for about 5-10 minutes after he eats (which is 8 times a day)... his sleep is so important in helping him grow that we keep him very well rested.  His pediatrician assured us yesterday that once he is full term (early Feb), we should have more awake time. He weighed in at 4 lb 15 oz this morning!  We are only about 1 day away from hitting the 5 lb mark... exciting!  He goes back to the doctor on Tuesday to continue to monitor his weight. 

 Eric and Ryder after a feeding... he loves to snuggle (or at least we love snuggling with him!)

This is how our dishwasher looks now... check out Eric's creative way to wash the bottle nipples... grilling basket and a strainer.  The dishes keep Eric very busy.

New Year's Party in the NICU!

Ryder continues to exceed expectations with his progress.  While having the tube was a minor step back, the breaks from the bottle allow him much needed rest.  We continue to pray for his strength and growth.  He is up to 4 lb 8 oz (born 4 lb 11 oz, but he dropped to 4lb 3 oz at his lowest) and is eating like a champ!  While the doctors and nurses will not divert from their 2-3 week timeline originally established, we are hopeful that he can come home by this weekend.  We thank you for your support, thoughts and prayers.

 Ryder 2 days old

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Yes, we had a wardrobe change at midnight and put on his 2011 shirt!

 The Larson Family

 Ryder's car seat test... he had to sit in his seat for 90 minutes without a change in his biometrics (heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rate, etc).  Ryder also passed his hearing test (twice).