Setting a record!

It has now been 2 months and 2 weeks since Ryker's last hospitalization! This is the longest he has gone without being admitted in his entire little life! It's so wonderful having him home. His spirit lights up our house. 

He LOVED the icing! 

For Ryker's birthday we played pin the extension on Ryker's Gtube. I bet ya won't find that on Pintrest!  

Mother's Day 2013
(3 pounds 14 ounces)

Mother's Day 2014
(18 Pounds)

Mother's Day was EXTRA special this year because I had my baby home! And he has come such a long way....
Ryker weighed in at 18 pounds again this week. He hasn't gained much the last couple weeks but he hasn't lost anything either.
I called the Genetics department to see how insurance approval was coming along. His secrtary told me he hadn't written them a letter yet. I told her I wasn't surprised because I've heard he takes a while to follow through. She said, "bless his heart", and agreed with me. She said she will get back with me soon. That was last week.
We also had an appointment with Ryker's Gastroenterologist last week. He said Ryker was gaining "good but not great." But I know for Ryker, he's doing fantastic.

Happy 1st Birthday Ryker Man!!!

Today's the day! Wow what a year! We made it!! A year ago last night I went to the ER with the most excruciating chest pain thinking it was heart burn from hell, only to find out Ryker had to be born so I could get better. It's still hard to think about. Yes, I'm so grateful to have Ryker here but we will never forget the entrance he made into this world!

Ryker weighs 17 pounds 4 ounces today. He's lost some weight because of an ear infection but is starting to act like himself again.

I wish I could name all the angels that have helped us this last year but I'm afraid I'd leave someone out! There are more than I can count! All we can say is THANK YOU. Thank you for coming to our aid so many times. We couldn't have done this alone.
These amazing pictures were done by my sis in law Emily. Thanks to her I have beautiful memories of all my family! Here's her link if you need family pictures done for Spring. Lavender Lime. I love her! I can't say it enough.:)

Ryker Fact.......Ryker spent 2 months 3 weeks and 3 days in the hospital or 22% of the year. This year will be different.

He had no problem digging into the cake! Not shy at all.

Thank you for following Ryker's life and celebrating with us. Love to you all!

What can I say...

We are beyond blessed! Ryker is happier than ever and is up to 17 pounds 10 ounces! He has gained beautifully since he was discharged from the hospital on March 6th after his 5 day admission with a blood infection.
TODAY, he pulled himself up to a standing position while holding onto the couch!!! He was just as proud of himself as I was. He also crawled on all fours for the first time today! It's so rewarding to see him meet these milestones. And his smile is the icing on my cupcake.

We are so grateful to celebrate his first birthday next Friday the 25th!

Because I'm HAPPYYYY!

Another great week! Ryker gained 5 ounces! He's up to 16 pounds 7 ounces. He's the happiest baby I've ever met. I think he's grateful he's not in pain and takes advantage of feeling great! He just started going from laying down to a sitting position all by himself. He crawls everywhere and squeals when I run the vacuum. 

I haven't heard back from the Geneticist about insurance approval for testing but it's a process. 

 A few more pics from the Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament. It still feels surreal...

The Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament

 

Where to begin! It has been an amazing week! It still feels like a dream. The Fundraiser was life changing thanks to the Todd Morrison Alumni Basketball Tournament. It proved that there are good, kind, giving people in this world. Even total strangers. There was a silent auction where over 20 companies and individuals donated items or services. As I walked by the long line of tables with items for the auction, I was overcome by feelings of love and gratitude.

During halftime we got to go out on the court and they introduced Ryker and our family. They told Ryker's story and gave us an opportunity to speak. I had an idea of what I wanted to say but thought I'd just say what was in my heart and I did. We are so full of gratitude! And one day we will pay it forward.

The week ended on an even happier note when Ryker ate food from a spoon AND didn't throw it up! You would never guess what he loves. Baby food PEAS!! In my 22 years of being an Aunt and Mom I've never met a baby that liked peas! I of course added butter because that's what the doctor ordered. Seriously. I've tried SO many different foods only to have it throw up on me or have him turn his head and refuse it all together.

We also started this week off with a happy weight check! Ryker is up to 16 pounds 2 ounces!

We've learned that Ryker has his ups and downs but if you don't celebrate the ups, you will never make it through the downs.

Who needs luck? We have blessings!

Today, on St. Patrick's Day, the term "lucky" is often used.  Someone could say that today about what happened yesterday to Ryker's family, but I prefer to use the term blessed!  

Every year, Box Elder High School has a basketball tournament called the Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament.  The tournament is a big affair with many sponsors, and each year they choose one local family in need to donate the proceeds to.  

Well, as you can imagine where this is going, the man in charge of the tournament got in touch with the family yesterday and asked how they'd feel about being the sponsored family this year!  Many smiles, a million plus thoughts of gratitude and maybe even a few jumps in the air were celebrated!  

We believe that God is watching over Ryker and his family at this time!  They have been through so much this last year, and this is such a huge blessing for them.  So a big thank you to the TMAT for choosing them!

If you'd like to find out more about the TMAT and the events they are holding this week, check out their FB page here.  

On a side note, if you are a local, you can take the opportunity to help Ryker's family this week!  Maddox is donating 15% of your bill to the TMAT on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  This applies to dine-in or take-out.  Just be sure to mention the Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament when you order so the funds will go to Ryker!    

 

Thank you to all who have supported Ryker and his family!  And may you be blessed for your love and support as well!

Home Sweet Home!

Ryker in the ER last week

I can't tell you how great it is to be home! We got home last Thursday after spending 4 days in the hospital with a blood infection or septic shock. Whenever there is an infection in our bodies, the first thing it does is attack any foreign objects, in Ryker's case, his PICC line that was right in his blood stream. And the infection just festers.
I kept his line super clean but infection can enter the body in so many ways.

I have a love/hate relationship with Primary Children's Hospital. I'm sooo grateful to have it close and have so many brilliant doctors, Therapists, Nurses, etc. at our fingertips, but I don't like having to go! But no one does.
He did get his PICC line out which I was super excited about. :) I'm grateful he had it to help him gain weight don't get me wrong, but it doesn't come without consequences.

We met with the Geneticist yesterday and he didn't think Ryker has Russell Silver Syndrome, but wants to do some genetic blood tests. He also ordered a skeletal study done of Ryker to rule out Hurler Syndrome, (which I REALLY don't think he has) but it's when you have the inability to break down certain sugars.

We also had a great Doctor visit with Ryker's pediatrician. He said, "even if after the genetic tests are done and we still don't have a name for what Ryker has, you are still giving him the absolute best chance at life." I had never thought of it that way. I feel like I'm always fighting for Ryker and trying to get a diagnosis (which I always will), but  in the meantime, it's okay to not know all the answers. I know that I'm giving it my all, and for now, that's all Ryker needs.