Two Months Old!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe that two months has passed already! Ryan is getting so big. He had his two month check up this past Monday. He weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces and is 22 1/2 inches long. For his age, he falls in the 25th percentile. Yes, he is little! The Dr. said you never know how big he can get, it all depends on puberty. He could have a huge growing spurt or not. He took the shots okay. They gave him three shots very fast in his thigh. Matt and I were ready to start bawling. Well, I am ashamed to say, we laughed at our poor little man. Okay, Matt laughed first, I hit him for laughing and then I started. It was so pitiful, all you could do was laugh. He screamed one loud yelp and then silence. However, his mouth was still wide open, just no sound was coming out. It was the most pitiful thing you ever saw. Of course, Mommy swooped in and saved the day. He slept most of the day. He ran a little temp. but not too bad.

The best news so far, Ryan is attempting to sleep through the night. We have had three nights in a row where he slept from 9 until around 6. Last night, he got up one time, at 2 am. He is doing great, except he does not like to nap during the day. He cat naps and then is so tired. Oh Well, we are working through it.

We leave on Saturday for our late summer beach trip. Matt and I go every year this time with his family. I tell you, taking a newborn to the beach is like a troop movement. We have three tubs full of stuff already. Before we had the baby, Matt and I would laugh at all of the stuff WE took. We are learning to be a little more organized. I have attached pictures of Ryan trying on his bathing suit. It should be lots of fun. I will let you know how it goes.

Until Next Time,
Stacie

Pictures!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Pictures, pictures and more pictures. I am finally getting the hang of uploading pictures from the Kodak CD I made at the CVS. I know this should be the easiest thing in the world! Whatever. My mind is mush from no sleep! I hope you enjoy these. We have spent the week at my in-laws lake condo on Lake Norman. Of course, every time we take Mr. Ryan outside, he goes to sleep. He has missed many a walk to the lake, boat and the walking trails. Oh well. I do have to say, that harness thing I carry him in is HOT, HOT, HOT. Those are not meant to be used in 90 degree weather.

Ryan hit a milestone last night. He slept from 9:30(or so) until 4 am. I consider that great. Of course, prior to going to sleep, he screamed his head off for about an hour! Who knows what was wrong with him. I think his tummy hurt, I think he was tired, I think he was hungry, I think....heck if I know. I did have him out all day yesterday. I was feeling very cooped up. I had my first experience of a poopy diaper in public. Let me tell you, it was interesting. I was at L.A. Weight Loss signing up for their weight loss program (uh yea, I am still in maternity pants AND not liking it!!!) Anyway, he started howling. I took him out of his car seat and smelled IT. Well, the lady I was working with told me to change him on her desk. I was like "are you sure about that"? She was.....oh goodness! Well, I managed to clean him up and not get poop on her desk. Then I thought, oh crap....DO NOT pee on this poor woman's desk! He did not. Would that not have been the most awful thing in the world???? We survived it! After that we went to Babies R Us to buy supplies, he slept through that. Next to the Sports Authority with Daddy (he met us to eat) then to eat with Daddy. That was the second melt down. Ryan was hungry too. I then learned the art of feeding Baby bottle in a booth while Mommy also attempts to eat. Let's just say Ryan was more satisfied than Mommy. After THAT, I took him for a walk in downtown Davidson. We went to the post office and to the CVS to print MORE pictures. He was an angel. Of course, once we got home, he howled and howled. Maybe we did too much....ya think?

Until Next Time (and another adventure)
Stacie and Ryan

Still Here

Hello Everyone,

Sorry it has been so long. Ryan is getting so big. We barely recognize him from when he was first born. Actually, Matt's grandmother was looking at pictures the other day. The first ones were from the hospital and the last few were from the other day. She asked me who "that" baby was. Too funny. Of course she also asked me who the lady was holding the baby. (It was her). She does have early stages of dementia, so we just go along. Great-Grandmother (GG) does love holding and talking to Ryan. She talks ALOT, so we let her hold Ryan. :) He eats it up. Ryan is now smiling on his own (not just gas). He is only wearing his hip harness at night. We have an appt. this afternoon to see where we go from here. Funny story (at least I think so). The Dr. told me about a baby that had to be weaned off the harness. He would wake himself up at night, kicking his legs. I should not have laughed. My son is doing the same thing during his naps. I have figured out, if I swaddle him up real good in a blanket, he sleeps better. Who knew. Mommy hates the thing and Ryan wants to wear it all the time. Just shows how it hurt us more than it hurt him!

Our days right now are spent playing peek a boo,singing songs, going for walks and learning about the outside. He was not thrilled about the rain today. Oh Well! We have been going out and about more. My friend Dave came to visit us from DC. We took Ryan on his first restaurant visit. Matt was nervous to let him go, but no worries. He slept the entire time! You get alot of attention when you have a baby with you. Yesterday Ryan and I took my Best Friend Aimee to lunch for her birthday. Slept through that too! I know, I know, those days will come to an end!

I am adding two pictures from race day on Saturday. Daddy was excited about Ryan's racing suit. Ryan was just like "whatever", where is my bottle and pacifier. Unfortunately, JR. did not win, but at least the Busch boy did not either!

More Pictures.....

Hello Everyone,

Things are chugging along here at the Fowler house. Ryan is on a pretty good three hour schedule. He wakes up screaming his head off. I am just getting used to sleeping in 2 1/2 hour increments. Oh well! The harness for his hip is still on. They will do a ultrasound on Tues. to let us know how much longer it has to be on there. Not sure if I wrote about this before. Everything is running together at this point. His left hip is out of socket. The harness keeps his legs up to stabilize the hip. The last two visits it has been stabilized, so hopefully he will only have to wear it for a few more weeks. He is okay with it, most of the time. I HATE it. It is so hard to hold him close and cuddle. In the long run, it will be the best thing for him. I hope you enjoy the updated pictures. He has gained about 2 pounds and grown over 2 inches since birth. He loves to eat!

Stacie

So So Tired!

Hello All,

Little Ryan Matthew Fowler was born July 7th, 2008 at 9:24 am. He weighed 5 pounds 12 ounces and was 17 1/2 inches long. When we left the hospital he was 5 pds. 8 oz. and at the Dr. yesterday he had gained back 2 ounces. I hope to send pictures soon on email. I am having problems with my email and all of my email addresses have disappeared. I will work on this soon. He is doing really well. Last night was rough. He was up from 1 am until 5 am. That was brutal. He is perfect! He looks like his Dad. We did find a small problem with his hip. It may be dislocated. We will be going to a orthopedic Dr. sometime this week. This is due to him being breech and the family history. If his hip will not stay in position he will have to wear a harness for a few months. Nothing to be overly concerned about. When you catch it early, it is very easy to correct.

Here are a few pictures. I have not uploaded many.....so sleepy!

July 7, 2008.........

Hello Everyone,

We have an official delivery date......7/7/08. The past few days have been kind of crazy. I had a regular Dr. Appt. this past Thursday. I had an ultrasound to see if Ryan had turned, but he is still showing in the breech position. Also, they discovered at the appt. that my amniotic fluid had gone pretty low. Sooooooooo to make a long story (day) short, after 7 hours at the Dr. and hospital, they sent me home. On Friday, the fetal specialist told us that the baby is very healthy, but the fluid is lower than he would like. He wanted us to deliver within the next week. We met with the OB this morning and we are scheduled to go in for surgery on Monday, the 7th at 7:30 am. We have to be there at 6 am. We should be up in our room by lunch time. We are delivering at CMC-Northeast in Concord.

Wish us luck!

Stacie

Is it hot out there or is it just me?

Hello All,

Okay, it is the first of June. The first of June is usually low 80's? The last time we saw 100 degree heat at the first of June was, no lie, over 100 HUNDRED years ago!!!!! Seriously! I was so proud that I had not had swollen feet, hands, etc. Well, not anymore! My shoes barely fit on my feet! All the Dr. said was to keep out of the heat, rest and drink lots of water. No really??? Goodness!

Anyway.....We are actually doing okay. Still going to the hospital twice a week for testing and the Dr. once a week for checkups. So far so good. He is very active and they send me home everytime. Thank Goodness!

Last Sunday was my baby shower. It was hosted by my Mom, Mother-In-Law, Aimee, Debbie and Stephanie. It was wonderful having all those who love us in one room. We had a great day. We were so blessed to receive so many nice gifts. We have just about everything we need. Our friends and family have spoiled us. Below are some pictures. Check out the diaper cake (and no you do not eat it). My Mother and Father In Law made it at 6 AM the day of the party. He thought they were going to bake something.

This past Saturday we set up Ryan's room. It looks so good! Of course, I am biased. I spent just about all weekend washing, folding and putting away his clothes and blankets. Matt and I just go sit in his room and look at everything. It is getting so real. I am adding pictures of his room. Notice the little Tarheel touches. Daddy's little man, already!

Thank you to everyone who has thought of us, prayed for us and given us such wonderful gifts! This baby is so loved already. Our adventure is just beginning!














Until Next Time.....
Stacie