Videos

We made it!

After 4 days of driving, we finally made it back to Austin. It feels great to be back home. Our friends and neighbors really helped while we were gone. The house looked like we had never left. Ryder is doing great. We had our first pediatrician's appointment on Friday, and it went very well. Now the fun begins....He eats every 3 hours, and I drew the 3AM shift.

Day 47

Day 47.....

We are making serious headway. Ryder passed his car seat test today, and has now had 11 feedings in a row! 7 more to go. We think we will finally get discharged early next week. He also finally got his feeding tube removed. He is happy about that.

Day 45...
Ryder is still doing very well. We are hearing that he will need about 1 more week before being discharged. His only issue is the feedings. Within a 48 hour period, they need to watch him take 16 feedings in a row, all on his own, without the feeding tube. Last night he did 5 in a row, (and 6 out of 8), so we're getting closer. We also gave him a bath lastnight, which was pretty funny.....

Bathtime!

Ryder is doing well. He still needs practice on the bottle, but we're getting closer. We like Indiana, but we are so ready to come home.

Ryder's first bottle!

Ryder is doing better and better everyday. He has no respiratory assistance, and has started to suck from a bottle. One step closer to "D" day (discharge day)...

Ryder is Born!

Ryder was born on Aug 31st, at 6:22am EST (7 weeks early).

At 7:30pm, Aug 3oth, Sidney started feeling her contractions. They were roughly 20 mins apart, and slowly increased to about 1 every 2 minutes by the next morning. At ~5am, they had our hospital room ready to go, and Sidney began the process. At 6:22am, Ryder was born! 10 fingers, 10 toes, healthy. For 33 weeks, he was actually a good size (4.4 lbs), but we were told that he would need some time in the Neo-Natal unit (NICU) to help with breathing. We have been told that he will need 2-3 weeks in the NICU, where they will help lung development, digestive track, and monitor all his vitals. They want him to gain some weight as well. Sidney and I will be staying in a private room in the NICU with Ryder until he is discharged. Then comes the slow migration back to Austin. We cannot wait to be back home and to introduce everyone to our new addition! Hope to see everyone soon.

Unexpected Detour, August 10th, 2008

On August 10th, after a vacation at the Ameter lakehouse in Clearlake Indiana, Sidney & Salley took Mike and I to the Ft. Wayne Airport to go back home. At the airport, Sidney's water broke, and she was rushed to Parkview North Hospital, in Ft. Wayne, where they luckily have a Family Birthing Center, and brand new Neo-Natal unit. The Dr's were able to hold off the contractions, and she was placed on permanent bedrest. If she were to deliver at that point, Ryder would be 9 weeks early. We werent' sure when she would deliver, but luckily, everything has remained stable. As of today, Aug 30th, we have been here for 20 days. Salley and I have been on pins and needles at times, but our spirits have remained high. Ryder and Sidney are both doing great, and all the nurses and Dr's know our story, and love Sidney.

We have now been told that they want to induce labor on September 10th, which will be halfway between Sidney's 34th-35th week of pregnancy. This will make Ryder 5 1/2 weeks early. The nurses believe that Ryder will do great, and his stay in the NICU should be minimal. The only thing that might be a concern is Ryder's lung development, although he did receive steroids our first week here.

Favorite Pregnant Pictures

Cargill Family Cruise, June 2008

Hugging the "Good Luck Tree" in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Overlooking the Caribbean

First Ultrasound

Going out on the town

The day we found out, and 1st Ultrasound

Pregnant!

Hey Guys!

Ultrasound Videos...