Good News

Ryan had another evaluation at Easters Seals. They do a global evaluation and Physical therapy. He was within normal limits on everything. Above in being social and development. He did have some delay in speech but it was only 14% and this still fall within normal limits. He will be re-evaluated in 6 months so that we can make sure he starts running and jumping. He hasnt started that yet. Stephanie (physical therapy) said that it was normal due to his surgery on his foot. He babies his foot. So we have to work on jumping and lifting his feet, marching and trying to get on his tippy toes. He does stairs fantastic. She said he has been the only kid to ever put a certain puzzle together. She was very impressed. He's a smart kid.
It was a long evening as we didnt get home until 8pm. Ryan was out cold. He did so well and they all oh and ahh'd over him. I know he likes that. I dont think there is any boy that doesnt like that.
I have a dentis appt tonight and then home to hang out. No television tonight. We are listening to music and playing. I might get the paints out. Thats ambitious.
Looking forward to friday as all the girls from work are going out. Saturday Im going to work a while and then get Ryan and we are going to pick out paint color for his bedroom. We may try a new church this weekend also. I havent been happy with the one we are currently attending. Its just to big.

So, I just wanted to tell everyone that he is the best boy in the world. I love when he takes my face in both hands and puts his head to mine. Little pumpkin. He is finally saying " love you mommie"

Hope all is well.
Take care
Love
Becky and Ryan

Friday

Ryan has a sinus infection. He went to the doctor yesterday and he's taking antibiotic. He finally slept through the night last night. He was up and dancing this morning. He still did cry when I dropped him off at school. At first he ran and started to play with the other kids and then he looked at me and it was over. He was trying to climb up my leg.
We were going to go to my brothers this weekend but money is so tight. Im going to work instead. Just a few hours as I will be working over during the week and Im already burned out.
Other than that we hanging out this weekend. Just playing and taking naps. Thats what Im most looking forward too. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Becky

Weekend went fast

Well, Ryan and I stayed at Oma and Opa's friday night. I had a party to attend and was home about 11pm. I was tired and ready for bed. Ryan was up around 1am and I put him in bed with me. We slept until 6am. I worked most of Saturday as money is extremely tight. Ryan got a haircut and it looks so cute. Sunday we hung out at home. Took a nap in the afternoon, that was nice. Ryan has been coughing alot at night and has a runny nose. When this child has any sickness the nights are long and short on sleep. He was so pitiful when leaving him at school this morning. He was doing great until I said I would see him in a little while. He put his hands up to his mouth and started crying. I felt so bad. It just rips at my heart. They always tell me he's fine after about 30 seconds.

I am so looking forward to this weekend. We are going to my brothers for the weekend. Leaving Friday and will be back late sunday. My niece, Erika, has her first basketball game. Ryan will love that. Sunday they all play bells in church. It will be a nice weekend. We havent been to visit since the summer. I miss going there. I used to all the time. Its hard when you run all week and never have any done time. Whats nice is the kids take great care of Ryan and play with him. He has great cousins. It will be nice to sit and talk with my brother and sister in law.

Well, nothing new. Im going to spend a lot of time with ryan tonight. we will play hard. He is really going through a mommy time. He doenst like for me to be away or leave him. He is just a sweet boy and am thankful he is part of my life. He makes my life so much better.

Hope everyone is well and keeping warm. Take care.

Love
Becky

Good News

No surgery for Ryan. That is great news. The surgeon was a jerk. I was upset and angry. He didnt even look at Ryan's testing or chart. I was furious. He is set up to have an EGD with biopsies this Friday but Im going to post pone it as I cant afford to take off work for awhile. He will probably have it done at the beginning of March. If the esophagus looks good we will start taking him off the reflux medications. He was so good while we traveled. He slept most of the way to chicago and we stopped and walked around for awhile. On the way back he watced Elmo on the DVD player. He didnt move from Chicago to Bloomington. We had dinner and he was very social and talking. He didnt eat well all day yesterday. We got home around 930pm and he was sleeping. I got things put away and was out. He did wake up around 230am and I just stuck him in bed with me. When I took him to school this morning, all the windows and doors where open. Someone had left a pot on the stove on over night and the place was filled with smoke. All the kids were in Ryan's room and he was just looking around like what the heck is going on. Im just glad there wasnt a fire and nobody was hurt. Thank God for that. The weekend we are staying in Peoria. Ill be busy the entire weekend but its not very often that Im not. Hope everyone is well.

Take care.
Becky

Ryan is getting sick

Well, the weekend is over. I swear I never left work. It was a very busy weekend. Friday, Ryan and I got to spend some great time together playing. Since I had the flu during the week I wasn't able to handle him for a couple days. Whenever he isn't around me for a day or so, he gets very clingy. So Grandma Fran and Ryan's biological father(Greg) came for a visit on Saturday. I really enjoyed meeting Fran and see her interact with Ryan. There wasn't any interaction with Greg. Ryan got a cute stuffed puppy and two books. We read those last night and we named the puppy, Harley!!!! I am sad for Ryan right now that I haven't provided him with a united family. I am only one person and can only control myself. Its sad for Ryan and as his mom I want him to have a very full life. I hold a lot of resentment that a person can be so unmotivated or unaccountable to their child. I'm happy with the person and mother that I have become. I'm glad that I can be aware of others feelings, struggles and am aware that there is a world around me that I will only get to enjoy once. I suppose that comes with the death of my dad at age 50. I know that life is short and I get one chance to make this life worth something. So I'm just sad today and have been been wanting to hold Ryan alot(he doesn't always want that) and I'm sad that he isn't a baby anymore. I'm sad that I probably wont have anymore children.
Now, I'm picking myself up and enjoy our special moments that not one other person can take away.
Thanks you for coming to visit Ryan and the gifts.

Sunday, Ryan and I went to two open houses in town. One a new home and one an old home. We went to dinner at our neighbors and they had a bible study. That is something Ive never taken part in and I felt uncomfortable as I never grew up in church. All in all, we had a nice evening and they are going to pray for Ryan and his upcoming surgery.

Looking forward to this weekend as I have been invited to a Girls only party at my friend Pamela's. Its a Passion Party. The name says it all. It will be fun to hang out with the girls from work. They are fun to be around. We are spending the weekend at Oma and Opa's as I have to be in Peoria very early Saturday morning and don't want to drive back and forth. Sunday Lindsay and Benji are coming in town. We haven't seen them in awhile and are going to exchange Xmas gifts with them.
Not much else to report. I did send out some pictures of Ryan. Hope everyone has a great week. Ryan will be on a calendar and brochures for Child and Family Connections, this is where the patient care coordinator is. Her name is Jennifer. She is so nice. Physical therapy starts at the end of this month again.

Stay Warm, take care and hold those little one's close.

Love,
Becky

Sitting on the Potty

Ryan has started to sit on the potty. No action yet. Time will come. We played alot last night. Basketball and baseball, its his favorite. We had a pretty good weekend. Just hung out, went to church on Sunday and lunch afterwards. We went home and Ryan took a nap. I took the Xmas lights down. Later we visited the guys next door and our other neighbors. We finally got in at 8pm and Ryan was off to bed. No much else to tell. He is doing well. Working on more words, etc..... He enjoys school and is getting great reports.


Take Care
Becky

It's Cold

It is so cold out today. My hand haven't warmed up yet. Ryan looks so cute today. He has jeans on and a white and blue stripped oxford with a yellow,blue and white sweater vest over it. Too Cute!!!! He was excited to go to school today until he saw that I was going to leave. I think he has been used to having me at home with all the time off. He stayed at Oma and Opa's and the next day he was so upset because he thought I was going to leave him there. He wrapped his arms around my neck and wouldn't let go. He is so sweet. I just adore him. I cannot even explain the amount of love I have for him. He is truly a joy.
He was watching Disney this morning and Daniel Cook was doing gymnastics. Ryan thought that was pretty funny. He laughed and had a huge smile on his face. I think we are going to start swim lessons again. They have them for mom's and tot's on Mondays. It will be fun. The thought of getting in a swim suit is disgusting. I hope Ryan's swim trunks still fit and I hope they have little swimmers in the stores.
We didn't do anything for new years. I took all the Xmas decorations down. Ryan was a big help. WE danced and watched cartoons. New Years day we had to go to the store as I was out of almost everything. Then had lunch with a friend. The day went so fast. Glad there are only 3 days till the weekend. I am going to visit a friend on Saturday. WE haven't had much time to get together. I am planning to have a family picture taken soon. Family, meaning Ryan and I. We haven't had one done in over a year. Its time.
I already bought Ryan's valentines to take to school and I'm going to make cupcakes also. Since its my birthday, I always go crazy.
Well, I hope everyone had a safe holiday and are staying warm. Spring will be here soon enough and that will mean Ryan's 2.
We will be seeing the surgeon regarding his belly in a couple weeks. I know he will eventually have to have surgery but I wonder if they will wait. His belly is distended again. My heart just aches for him. I know he doesn't realize all the stuff that goes on but I just hate that he's had so many problems. I pray all goes well.
His foot looks really good. Physical therapy should be calling soon to evaluate him. I think he will have to go again to Easter Seals. He walks very stiff and his legs/hips are very weak. I'm going to schedule a speech eval for the beginning of Feb. He says stuff but they want me to go ahead with the evaluation since he has low muscle tone. I really thought he would be off the thickener, so we will see what will happen. The next few months will be busy. That means more loss of work. Oh, that stresses me out. I'm fortunate to have a great job that allows all the time needed for Ryan's health but I just don't get paid for it. That's what stresses me out. I have made it this far and we will continue and be thankful as I know there are other kids out there that have worse problems.

That's all for now. Take care.

Becky