APRIL 3RD & APRIL 4TH

Ryan is now 2 lbs. 6 oz. and growing!!! They continue to increase his feeding amount almost daily which is a positive thing.

Ryan is having less respiratory problems, which we are happy about. He still remains on the same breathing treatment he has been on the whole week. Right now it seems to be helping him so they don't want to change it until they feel he can breathe with less help.

Because of his breathing issues, Lisa is still unable to do skin-to-skin contact, but is hopeful that we can try again next week some time.

Lisa and Joey are getting more comfortable with handling Ryan and giving him a bath and changing his diaper! He's just so small and it's sometimes difficult to work on him because he's in the incubator and you have to reach in. However, it is wonderful to be able to touch him.

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL TO THE PAGE BOTTOM. WE POST LARGER AND DIFFERENT PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL.

Please continue to keep Ryan, Lisa, Joey and Alec in your thoughts and prayers.

APRIL 2ND

Today only Joey went to visit Ryan because Alec was at home sick so Lisa stayed with him.

Joey showed up just in time to help with Ryan's "bath", which consists pretty much of wiping him down with a wet towel. However, it was great since Joey had not had an opportunity to be with Ryan at bath time before. Joey said that Ryan did not like his bath and fought against it! Afterwards he was awake and rested comfortably.

Ryan is still having respiratory issues, but they have not worsened. The doctors are tweaking his oxygen and caffeine to help him breathe easier. Still, for being born at 28 weeks and 3 weeks old, he is doing fairly well.

Please keep Ryan in your thoughts and prayers!

Lisa, Joey and Alec

APRIL 1ST

Today, Ryan weighed in at 2lbs. 4 oz.!!! So he is growing and they continue to increase his feeding amount. Tonight Lisa (Mom) got to change Ryan's diaper for the first time. It was amazing how tiny the diaper is and how hard it was to change. Ryan was very alert, awake and active this evening. We talked to him and he grabbed on to our fingers with his tiny hands.

He's still having some respiratory issues, but they are improving. We're not doing the skin-to-skin contact right now because he has not tolerated it well, but as soon as his breathing improves, we can try again.

Please continue to keep Ryan in your thoughts and prayers.

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE. I POST LARGE PICTURES OF RYAN!!! LOOK FOR UPDATE LATER TONIGHT ON HIS NEW WEIGHT.

MARCH 30TH

Today Ryan is 2 lbs. 2 oz.!!! He's doing well with his feeding and is growing. They have upped the amount of nutrition he is receiving and he is tolerating it well.

He is, however, having some respiratory trouble again and has been put on a special oxygen regiment. He hasn't been put back on CPAP, but if this doesn't help greatly, he will. However, we know that making progress and then taking steps back is all part of having a preemie NICU baby.

Please keep Ryan in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

Lisa, Joey and Alec

March 28th & 29th

Lisa got to hold Ryan with skin-to-skin contact on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday went well and she got to hold him over an hour. Sunday, Ryan was a little fussy so she only got to hold him about 20 minutes, but it was wonderful. It will take some time for both of them to get used to the holding, but Lisa is going to try it every day.

Ryan is doing well physically. His respiratory episodes are fewer and he's off CPAPS. He's still only around 2 lbs., but is tolerating the nutrition and breast milk well and should start growing.

It's amazing at how tiny Ryan is, but he's a fighter. The nurses say he can't seem to keep still and he's always kicking himself out of his diaper or pulling on one of his cords. It's possible that he may be moved up to a less intense NICU ward in the next week or so. His size is the big factor right now.

We are so blessed to have Ryan in our lives. Please continue to pray for him!

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, Lisa, Joey and Alec