{Little ones}

This is your cousin Legend Kade Almaguer who was born on the same day as you were.

Legend was 7 Lbs and 9 oz and 19 in; born at 4:50 am
Ryker you were 5 Lbs and 3 oz and 18 1/2 in; born at 11:31 am

{Afghans and a cozy blanket}

Made With love from Nana B.



*4 Weeks Old*

Made with love from your Great-Grandma Sefcik



*7 Weeks Old*

A cozy blanket



*5 Weeks Old*

{6 Weeks}

You are now weighing at 8 Lbs and 6 oz. I am loving how your getting a double chin, chunky cheeks, and your little rolls on your thighs. You are into size 1 diapers and wearing 0-3 clothes. You have to wear clothes without the feet because you have "big" feet. We love everything about you. Happy 6 weeks Ryk!

{First Thanksgiving}

We had Thanksgiving at our house with my parents and Skyler. It was a wonderful day enjoying family, eating delicious turkey and stuffing, and of course yummy pumpkin spice cheesecake.

{1 month old}

*We are very lucky because you are a very easy baby. You only cry when you are hungry, tired, and when getting your diaper changed.
*Your newborn clothes are getting smaller each day. When you came home from the hospital your newborn sleepers were too big; we had to roll up the sleeves 2 times before we saw your precious hands. Now they are a 1/2 inch too small.
*You are still in newborn diapers.
*We are up 3-4 times each night, every 2-3 hours. Sure making your mommy very tired.
*You will only smile when you are having a good dream.
*You love bath time.
*You enjoy taking a soother and when we give it to you when you are hungry, you make loud moan while sucking; you seem to be telling us you are starving.
*You don't mind your car seat and you are very good when we are out doing errands.
*You make the cutest little squeal noises.
*You are looking more like your dad each day. Especially from the eyes up and you defiantly have your mom's lips and chin.
*You always have your hands up by your head showing the number 4 and we have seen you do the Vulcan sign also (Live long and prosper). You must take after your dad.

Our love for you is more than words can say. We are so blessed that you are here and a part of our family. We will always love you. -love mom and dad

{Father like Son}

This is how dad also sleeps. You have many of dad's facial expressions.

{Orginal due date}

Today is Ryker's original due date. I can't believe that he has been in my arms for over 2 1/2 weeks. My little man is thriving he is now at 6 Lbs and 4 oz. He is growing like a weed.
You...
Your days and nights are mixed up, waking up every 2 hours during the night and sleeping 3-4 hours during the day.
You don't sleep as well when it is quiet. You prefer to have some sort of noise.
Your favorite thing to do is after I put on a clean diaper, you decided to fill your pants again.
You can lift your head really well from side to side.
Make the funniest little squeaks.
Are a very easy baby. You only cry when you are hungry, or when I am taking off your dirty diaper because it makes your cold.
Your feet are huge and dad calls them "Shaq feet".
Have the funniest facial expressions. I love watching you.
You love to sleep on your stomach.

We are so blessed to have you in our life. You bring so much joy into our home and our love grows each day we hold you in our arms.

{Faces of Ryker}

Oh, the faces you make. We love watching you.
2 weeks old...
David "Ryker sure looks like he has a huge head in these pictures."

{Stroller Ride}

*11 days old*

Ryker's first walk in a stroller came on November 2. While it's been nice outside, Dave and I have been enjoying taking him on walks. It gives us time to talk and it always puts him to sleep. Although, it doesn't take much to do that.
We are taking all the good days we can to be outside before the weather gets too cold and snowy.

{Happy Halloween}

We had my family over for Sunday dinner on Halloween. Spencer has been waiting patiently to hold Ryker for over a week. He held him for a few minutes and then he was done and ready to play. Spencer is always saying, "I will teach him how to crawl and walk." For now he will just have to wait and it's going to kill him.
This was Ryker's first Halloween. He was passed around and loved by everyone.





*9 days old*

{First bath}

He loved his first experience in the bath. He was mad when I got him undressed, but once he hit that warm water he fell right to sleep. Silly little boy. I love that the face cloth is as big as him.




1 1/2 Weeks old

{Check-up}

Monday morning we headed to the pediatricians for Ryker's check-up. Dr. Spencer was so glad that Ryker gained a 1/4lb above his birth weight reaching 5lbs 7 oz; he was so happy at how well Ryker is developing.

On Tuesday, Ryker and I went to the lactation specialist because he was still struggling with latching. It was taking over an hour to breastfeed and he would wake up every 2 hours to feed. It was causing a lot of stress on both of us.
The lactation specialist said that he is acting like a preemie and it's going to take a little time for him to fully grasp the concept. She was also very proud that he gained 3 oz over night making him now 5lbs 10 oz. She also mentioned that I was doing really well for not introducing a bottle. She helped me build up a lot of confidence so I could keep going and not give up like I almost did. She gave me some great ideas to help the feeding go faster.

I have to say, I am very proud of little Ryker also. I love him more than words can say.

{Papa and Nana B}

{NICU #2}

Saturday evening we started to introduce breastfeeding. He wasn't interested at all. He would rather sleep than try. Throughout the night the nurse and I keep trying different techniques to get him to latch on. We tried to have him latch on and then we would use a syringe to feed him some colostrum to help get him interested. We tired the football hold, and the nurse tried to hold him with one arm on his side using a syringe with some formula. With all this, he still wasn't interested. Every hour they would take him away and prick his heal to check his glucose levels. For a while his levels were well and the nurses weren't worried.
By Sunday afternoon, they placed him in the NICU II with a feeding tube through his nose and down to his stomach. He was also constantly hooked up to monitoring equipment. It just broke my heart seeing my son like this. I knew that it was the only way he could get his nutrients. Sunday at 7:30pm I started to introduce the breast every 3 hours for about 15-30 minutes without success. The nurses would then put formula into a 2 oz syringe and feed him.
On Monday I continued to introduce the breast every 3 hours (7:30, 10:30, 1:30, 4:30 am/pm) then they would feed him with formula through the feeding tube. The nurses would add what I pumped out of my breasts into Ryker's formula. We still weren't having any luck with him latching on.
Tuesday the pediatrician had me try feeding him every other feeding. (7:30 and 1:30 am/pm) It was causing a lot of stress on both of us trying every feeding. By me only trying to nurse every other feeding, it would give him time to rest and be ready to try again the next time. By that afternoon we had a break through. He latched on and started to suck. He did this for a good 5 minutes (not continuously, but in total). At the next feeding, once again latched on for an little bit longer. Oh the joy that I felt knowing that he just hasn't given up on feeding and is working hard. Doug and Blanche got into town around 2pm and came over to see their grandson. Ryker really liked Papa & he could put him right to sleep.
We were so tired of staying at the hospital and paying $35 a night for a hard hospital bed and a hard fold-out couch; so we decided it was best for us to go home and sleep in our own bed. We did stay in the hospital Tuesday night making it an additional two nights on top of the three nights we already stayed.
Wednesday Doctor Spencer our Pediatrician came and said that he wanted to cut his "tongue tied" frenum. Its the string that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. His tongue couldn't go past his gums due to this. After the quick cut, we continued with the every other feeding. Each time I fed him he would continue to progress and stay latched on for longer. During an early morning feeding he ate from me for a 20 minute span. My mom came to visit me while I fed and to spend time with her grandson. He did show her how well he can feed. From that time on he continued to eat well for about 15-20 minutes each feeding. My poor in-laws took turns taking me and Dave to the hospital during the early morning feedings.
On Thursday morning Dr. Johnson came in and was very happy that Ryker was feeding as well as he was. He suggested we start doing every 3 hours again and if all went well then tomorrow he could come home. Dave asked him why Ryker couldn't go home later that day if he was feeding continuing to feed well. The doctor asked why, and Dave answered, "my parents are in town and we are tired of being here." The Doctor relented and told us, "after two more feedings, if the nurse feels he is still feeding well, we will discharge him." We were both so ecstatic. Dave and I stayed at the hospital until after his 10:30am feeding. Doug came and got us so we could get changed and eat before the 1:30pm feeding. We were home for about an hour before we headed out again. We understood that if he did good for the 1:30 feeding we could take him home. The nurse said the doctor actually ment after the 4:30pm feeding. We asked her to talk to the doctor to see if we could just go home after this feeding. The nurse asked how I felt about it and I told her I feel comfortable and that one more feeding wouldn't make a difference. She called the doctor and he said that it would be fine to take him home and we needed to make an apt with Dr. Spencer for Monday to have Ryker evaluated for weight gain. Doug and Blanche waited in the waiting room while we got Ryker ready. As the nurse was going over all the discharge information she came across that since he was under a certain weight he needed to do a 90 minute car seat test. If his heart rate and breathing have issues while he is in the car seat during that time, they would have to send home an oxygen tank for use while in the car seat. The nurse felt so bad that she over looked that, but we assured her it was alright and that we would go get something to eat. We went to Los Hermonos and then headed back to the hospital. Once we got there the nurse said he passed with fly colors and we are now able to take him home. It is protocol for the nurse to come to the car with us to check it to make sure it is installed correctly. By 5:30pm we were heading home.
We are so blessed that everything went well and he was able to come home within 5 days of being born. We are also grateful for parents who have gone far and beyond to help us.