My Visitors

Ryker has had so many visitors since he has been home from the hospital.  His Mema and Aunt Brooke come every Monday night and spend all day Tuesday with him.  Grandpa, Great Aunt Donna and Great Uncle Mike, Grandma Golas, Uncle Steve, Katy, Callie, Kacey, Erin, Eric, and Todd are some of the other visitors whom have come to the house to see Ryker.  Anyone is welcome at anytime, just give us a call:)  

Got It Mom

This is one of Brian's favorite pictures!  Ryker was playing nicely in his favorite spot (the bouncer) and stuck his fingers inside the hole of his pacifier. After pulling it out, he had this amazing smile on his face.  Lucky for me, my camera was already on and in my hand!   

Look At Me Sleeping

Ryker loves to sleep for "minutes" at a time during the day.  Don't let these pictures fool you!  He does much better sleeping at night in his bouncy.  

Oh... The Faces I Make

Ryker is adjusting well to his new home.  He usually eats every 2-3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours during the night.  Ryker and I are still sleeping in the living room.  Ryker sleeps in his bouncy (because of the reflux) and I sleep on the couch.  We are starting to lay him flat during the day and hope to transition him into the pack in play soon.  It is so cute now, Ryker is beginning to grab for objects and loves to hold hands.  Of course, I constantly have the camera on. Here are some of my favorite faces that he makes!!   

Our Doctor Visits

Ryker has been to the pediatrician way too many times.  They know us by name already.  We have been going every 2-3 days to have his weight and his bilirubin level (jaundice) checked.  The jaundice continues to get better and Ryker is now beginning to gain weight.  As of Tuesday (2 weeks old), Ryker weighted 6 lbs. and 3.5 oz.  Still not back up to his birth weight, though.

Home Sweet Home

Ryker has been home for a little over a week now.  He has enjoyed many of his new toys, but little does he know, he has a ton more to explore!  Ryker's daily (and nightly) routine consists of eating, pooping, playing for about 10 minutes, and then going to sleep.  Here is a little video of Ryker in his swing.  He looks so tiny in it.  (Sorry about my voice-try and ignore it).  The picture is Ryker crying in his gym that Uncle Derek got him.

Going Home

We decided to take Ryker home in this outfit because it is the same outfit that Brian came home from the hospital in.  We were so excited to take Ryker home to his house. 

Our Hospital Stay

The first few days in the hospital were great!  We had many visitors.  The night before we were supposed to go home, things fell apart.  Brian and I were awaken by a team of doctors who needed us to sign a consent form to have Ryker admitted into the special care nursery.  Apparently, during the middle of the night, he coughed up green stuff (after being fed formula).  The doctors were worried his intestine were twisted or blocked.  Many tests were done and they came back negative.  However, he was still having episodes of choking.  Brian and I werea mess and my blood pressure continued to sky rocket.  Ryker was finally released from the hospital on September 1, 2008.

"Surprise"

Ok, so less than a day before baby "B" arrives.  Monday, August 25, I went to bed at about 11:00, but not before eating ONE LITTLE fudge brownie cookie.  About a half hour later, my water broke and we were on our way to the hospital.  I had to wait until 5 am for that cookie to be digested.  Ryker Wayne Balash was born August 26, 2008, at 5:32 am, weighing 6lbs. 10 oz., and was 19.5 inches long.  His color was beautiful and I could hear him crying as the team of doctors wiped him off and checked him over.  Brian and I were so excited, I think we both had some tears in our eyes.