Soothing Ryan

Ryan is doing well, but out of my three babies, he seems to be the most fussy. Sometimes, when I'm in the mood to see the humour in the situation, I think that when Ryan's cranky he looks like an angry little old man! I had a certain character in mind when I started thinking this. Are any of you familiar with ventriloquist/comedian Jeff Dunham's character, "Walter"?


The squinty eyes, down-turned mouth, and even the fringe of dark hair around Ryan's head reminds me of "Walter"!

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I have been searching for some options as to how I could soothe Ryan, yet keep up with my daily activities. It's been a bit tough to help Andrea and Kevin, and do the housecleaning, when Ryan is "demanding" to be held and comforted. Some days, it feels like I just can't get anything done! So, I went browsing for some ideas, and came across some websites for baby slings/pouches. I've had a carrier before, but didn't use it for any of my kids, because it was awkward and heavy, even without a baby in it! A sling, however, is just light fabric sewn together and folded to make a pouch for the baby.

Yes, I am aware that there are concerns about the safety of baby slings, but I did my research. It's common sense: position the baby so that he's secure, but so that he can breathe properly.

Well, my pouch arrived in the mail last night, and I decided to give it a try. It was a perfect night for it: Ryan had been miserable all day, and I had lots of chores to do, but nothing was getting done. It took a few tries for me to get him positioned, and as he was already mad, he didn't like that at all; so, when he was first in the pouch, he cried a lot. I thought, good thing I didn't take the tags off this thing. It's going back to the store. However, Ryan suddenly stopped crying. I looked down. He was sound asleep. He slept in the sling for a good 45 minutes! I even folded and put away laundry, and he didn't wake up. I finally took the sling off because I was ready for a break!

Here's some pictures I snapped of myself with Ryan in the sling. (I took them in the mirror, and you could see the camera and flash, so I cropped that out.)

His position wasn't perfect, but he was comfortable and safe. We're going to have to practice with it a bit more, so I can get used to putting him in better, but so far, it seems like a good purchase. :)

Smiles! :)

Ryan has really started to interact with the family a lot this week. It might be because his formula change, after a little tweaking, seems to be working. He's on a special Ryan-mix of two completely different brands and types of formula, half and half. It's crazy, but it seems to be working for him! He is less gassy and a much happier baby. His bum is completely healed. I'm guessing that's why he's now much more alert, loves it when people talk to him, and is really trying to smile and coo now. Andrea and Kevin enjoy getting his attention, and trying to get a reaction out of him.

This was a few days ago. Ryan was just starting to smile a bit. You gotta love the dimple!

I got a video of Ryan starting to smile, and making a few little gurgles and coos, that day.

Today, when I had Ryan in his bouncy chair and on his play mat, he was full of smiles. It's amazing how fast he's figured out that everyone makes a big deal, and he gets lots of positive attention, when he smiles at us.

Andrea took his hanging toys down, and put them next to him on the mat, because he was getting a bit frustrated trying to reach them. It was a great idea--she was rewarded with big smiles!
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Ryan is learning from the pros, when it comes to the smiles. I was taking pictures of Ryan, and just happened to snap one of Kevin as he was playing nearby. Check out this handsome boy with his beautiful smile. Sometimes the random photos turn out to be my favourites!

pre-Birthday for Brigitte

On Saturday, the 13th, we invited Uncle Chuck and Brigitte over for a visit. Brigitte had forgotten her sweater here when Gama Marty was visiting, so it was an excuse to have them over for another visit. We also decided since Brigitte's birthday would be on the 17th, we'd get a cake and some ice cream, and have them stay over for dinner, for a little pre-birthday celebration.

Happy 11th Birthday, Brigitte!
Ryan was in the living room in his swing. I think he felt a bit left out.
"Hey, where is everyone?"
"Guess I'm still too little for cake and ice cream." (sigh)

Kevin was taking HUGE bites of cake and ice cream. They were bigger than the spoon!

Consequently, he ended up with what Brigitte labeled "The chocolate goatee." (Plus, there was a mess all over himself and my floor.)
Ryan got tired of being alone in the living room, and let out a few squeaks, so Uncle Chuck went to his rescue.
The baby is cuddled--it's all good now. :))

Quick Ryan Update

We just got back from Ryan's second dose of RSV immunization at the hospital. Next month will be his last dose, but we'll still follow up with the pre-term baby specialist till he's about 2 years old.

It's been awhile since he was last officially weighed (about a month). He is gaining very well. He's up to about 9 pounds, 9 ounces.

He's still having the problems with feeding, and with a sore bum (lots of poops!). The nurse said his skin looks a bit better, and just to keep on doing what we've been doing (barrier cream, etc).

We talked about his gassiness/fussiness and bum problems, and she suggested he may have a lactose intolerance right now. Coincidentally, I had just decided last night to attempt a switch to a different formula, as a last resort for Ryan's tummy discomforts. And, oddly enough, Daddy accidentally brought home a lactose-free version of the brand I requested. Isn't that convenient?

We also noticed this week that Ryan is having some trouble coordinating his sucking and swallowing on the bottle. He guzzles a bunch, forgets to swallow, then chokes and cries! This is probably adding air to his gas problem, too. So, the nurse gave me a suggestion of positioning Ryan in a certain way while feeding him, almost like a breastfeeding position, kind of on his side on my lap.

I really hope these little changes will help Ryan's tummy, because he has NOT been a happy little man lately. He cries so much, and sometimes, nothing will settle him down--swing, bounce, rock, sing, cuddles--nothing! It is so frustrating when he gets like that. I just want to help him feel better! (And help both of us relax and get more sleep!)

Grama Marty's Visit

Grama Marty flew in from Montana to stay with us from March 4 to 8, in order to spend a little time with her new grandbaby, Ryan. She brought gifts for the kids, including handmade blankets for Kevin and Ryan, and some princess accessories for Andrea. She also brought over a "princess dress" that Aunt Donna got for an unbelievable 32 cents while on vacation in Mexico. Andrea wants to wear this stuff every day now. Here she is, doing a twirl in her new outfit.


On Friday afternoon, after school, Andrea helped Grama Marty make a "dump cake." Basically, you just "dump" all the ingredients in the pan, and bake it. It tastes great hot out of the oven, served with ice cream. Yum!

That night, we gave the kids a bath, and got them all snuggled up for bed. Daddy gives them a horsey ride every night now, and they go around saying good night to everyone and everything: "Good night, Mommy; good night, clock; good night picture of Andrea and Kevin . . ." etc.

Ryan was a little cold after his bath, so Grama bundled him up in the new blanket she brought for him. Here he is, snuggled with Mommy in the rocking chair.

Once he had warmed up a bit, Ryan and Grama Marty got a chance to sit down and get know each other better.***

On Saturday morning, Mommy and Grama Marty went over to Michigan to visit Aunt Donna. We went to her friend Brenda's to get out hair cut, and then we drove out to Grosse Ile High School to watch my niece Caitlin perform in a symphonic band competition. Caitlin plays the flute. I was very impressed--and so were the judges--they get to go to the State competition!

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On Sunday, we went to Aunt Claire's house for dinner. We had planned this for a while, to get all the babies together again while my Mom was here. Aunt Claire has her hands full with the two littlest babies, Taylor (her granddaughter) and Ryan (her great-nephew).

Because there were so many little babies around, we thought it would to fun to try and fool Rodney. We wrapped Taylor up in a blue blanket and had my mom carry her into the living room and give her to Rodney, to see if he'd know it wasn't Ryan. He took her without comment, but as soon as he looked down, he knew it wasn't his baby. Good job, Daddy!

"This one isn't mine!"

It's funny: the ones who were the babies during my mom's visit last summer are now big sisters and a big brother. Here's a before pic from last summer, and an updated one of our Toddler Group.

Addison, Kevin, and Morgan
I have no idea why, but the toddlers were really interested in the steam coming from the dishwasher. They kept wanting to play in it. (?)
Mother of Three: I actually don't look too bad here. It's probably because I was enjoying my first margarita in about a year.

We tried to get a nice picture of me with my children. Operative word: tried.

Ryan was quiet the whole time we were there. I think he liked being cuddled up in his car seat. Nathen seemed comfy in his car seat, too.

Grama Marty has the fruit platter, so she is now Kevin's best friend.

The littlest ones sleep a lot. That's okay with us mommies. They are precious.

(Taylor, Ryan, and Nathen)

Here's our babies: four within four months of each other!

(Taylor: 1.5 weeks; Ryan: 6 weeks; Nathen: 7 weeks; Mikenna: 3.5 months)
Mommies and Babies Posing Together--Cousins! (and the three ladies are sisters!)
Patricia and Mikenna, Me and Ryan, Pauline and Nathen, Joanna and Taylor

It's a baby train--with one more added since Super Bowl!

They are ready for their close-up (well, Ryan and Taylor are sleeping).

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Before Grama Marty left on Monday, Andrea drew her a picture to take back to Montana. Grama Marty liked her picture so much that she drew one for Andrea, and left it as a surprise for her when she got home from school. Andrea was thrilled: she knew right away that it was a picture of her dancing in a princess dress, with a "Rose" for her middle name, and a happy sun in the sky!

Go Team Canada!

We've had a great time watching the Winter Olympics this year. It was especially exciting because we were the host country, and Canada won a record number of gold medals! The weather around here certainly suited the winter games--it's been snowing like crazy! Papa even bought Andrea her own shovel so she could help him clear our driveway.

Papa even got to go to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver for a few days. He brought back matching Canada t-shirts for the kids, which they wore on Sunday. Why Sunday? Well, it was the day of the epic Team Canada versus Team USA gold medal hockey game, of course!

Ryan looks like he's cheering: "Go Canada Go!"

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We had some friends and family join us to watch the game. Friends, family, beer, pizza, and a gold-medal hockey game: what could be better?

With an amazing overtime goal, Sidney Crosby won Canada the Olympic Hockey Gold medal!

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Unfortunately, the celebration got a little too rowdy . . .

the kids were jumping on Andrea's bed . . .

and broke the mattress board right down the middle!

As her punishment, Andrea had to sleep on a saggy bed for the night, until Daddy could go out and get a new board made the next night. :-(