Jiu-Jitsu Belt Test

Ryland and Reed tested for belt promotions, and we could not be more proud of them both.  They did a great job on skills and sparring.

Yellow Belt Test

Sensei tested all the students who were ready to progress to the next Jiu-Jitsu belt.  Ryland was excited but a little nervous.  He did a fantastic job, and we were so proud of him. He was self confident and nailed his demonstration in front of all the students and parents. 

Test results

The test results are back for Baby #3, and it is negative for Down Syndrome. 

Sonogram

I am a little over the half way point of being pregnant. It amazes me that the time has gone by so darn fast. I had my sonogram and doctor appointment today, and we were able to take another peek at our little bambino. The tech confirmed that we are expecting a boy and gave us another shot of his parts. Ryland was at home with Lizzie, and John Chris and I had plenty of time to check out #2 without disruption.

After the sonogram, I met with the nurse practitioner. I swore after my last visit with her about 4 years ago that I would never see her again. I was quickly reminded of why I dislike her so much. Absolutely harsh and no bedside manner! She informed me that they could not see the baby's kidneys, so I would need to come back for another sonogram in 4 weeks. If they couldn't see the kidneys on that visit, they would send me to a specialist. Not to worry.

Well, how can I possibly not worry? I will be worried sick for the next 4 weeks, and I will be in a complete tizzy the day of the sonogram. We just pray that everything is normal and put our trust in the Lord.

Doctor appointment

Today was my monthly doctor appointment for the belly bambino. Everything looks great and seems to be progressing normal. The heart rate was 156 bpm and all the genetic testing came back in normal ranges. We are almost halfway, and it blows my mind things are going so fast. We are not scheduled for an ultrasound at my doctor's office until next month, so we are planning on a gender ultrasound later this week.

12 month check up

Ryland must have known the shots were coming. He was Mr. Happy in the waiting room, but everything started to change when the nurse took his temperature. He started crying hysterically. He cried the entire time she did the preliminary check. I had no idea that getting measured could cause so much pain. The minute the nurse left, Ryland was quiet. The doctor came in and the crying started again. He checked him out and said he looked great. He is still very concerned about Ryland's ears. The ears were not infected today, but they looked terrible. There isn't any fluid behind the eardrum, but there is swelling and pressure. The doctor wants to continue the antibiotic a few more days and try a different decongestant to try to reduce the swelling. We will re-evaluate in a week. If there are any signs of a problem, we are being sent to a specialist. The great news is that the scan from earlier this week was negative for an obstruction. Yes, this is great news! The doctor left the room, and Ryland decided to have some fun. He loves to tear the paper on the table, and he thinks it is hilarious to shred it. The fun didn't last long, because the nurse came back with the shots. Oh no, the party was over.

Renal scan

Ryland had the renal scan his pediatrician ordered last week. I looked up renal scan online to see what exactly the process would be.
First, tie off his arm.
Second, rub a numbing cream on his lower arm.
Third, inject a radioactive liquid in his lower arm.
Fourth, untie arm to allow the liquid to move to the rest of his body.
Fifth, take a scan while he lays completely still.
The radioactive liquid sounded pretty scary to me. I continued to read the article about side effects. Drink lots of fluids to cleanse the liquid out of the body. Duh!

When we were called back for the test, I found out it was just a sonogram. Hooray! Ryland isn't going to be radioactive after all! Needless to say, Ryland thought the sonogram was terrible. All he had to do was lie still while she rubbed the wand on his belly. He screamed bloody murder. He screamed, kicked, arched his back, and threw a fit. The technician had to call another nurse in to help me hold him down. After about 10 minutes that seemed like an hour, it was over.

We will have the results tomorrow when we see the pediatrician for Ryland's 12 month well visit.

2nd PKU test

Ryland had his second PKU test today. He was a trooper until they pricked his heel. He then screamed like a little girl! I hated to hear him scream and cry, but I know that it was necessary. After they took his blood, the nurse put an adorable Garfield band aid on his little foot. No news is good news on this test, and we should have results in about 6 to 8 weeks.

Another day in the NICU

Ryland is still in the NICU, and we continue to visit every chance we can. We have "touch times" at 3, 6, 9, and 12. At these times, we are able to hold him and change his diaper. He currently has a feeding tube in his nose, an IV in his head for medication, and several different monitors. He looks so sad, but he is strong.
John Chris loves to hold Ryland. These times are so special, and we hope to take our little man home soon.

We should be getting some test results soon, and we are praying for negative results. This time is very hard and emotional for us both, but we just keep our heads up and pray for the best.

Blood pressure scare

I received a phone call about a doctor's appointment that I did not schedule. Come to find out my new doctor wanted me to come back in to have my blood pressure re-checked. When I got to her office, I was called back for a sonogram. What? I was not prepared to have a sonogram, and I began to get scared. Everything with the baby looked fine, but my blood pressure was even higher than my previous appointment. The nurses ordered some blood work, and I was sent immediately to the hospital.

I called John Chris to meet me there. I was hooked up to monitor the baby and my blood pressure. The nurse started asking me questions about pain management, epidural, circumcision, and living wills. I started to freak out. I thought I was ready to have Ryland, but I quickly realized that I was not. I spent several hours in triage being monitored, and I am now on bed rest.

Doctor appointment

My appointment went well today, but I was unable to see my normal doctor. She is now off duty to have her own babies. I met with the nurse practitioner, and everything looks great. My blood pressure was back down, and the swelling in my ankles and feet has reduced. Our little man had a strong and steady heart rate of 155 bpm. It is a little higher than normal for him, but I was assured it was OK. I will start seeing my new doctor on my next visit. I have heard wonderful things about her, and she was highly recommended by my doctor and friends.

Diabetes and anemia results are negative

The nurse called today to let me know that all of my blood test results had come back negative. I had the gestational diabetes and the anemia tests run earlier in the week. It was a big relief to know that everything is going great, and he is healthy. We are very blessed!