family photoshoot

When Ryan was two weeks old we had a photographer, James Linkowitz, over to take a couple pictures...

where does the time go?

It's been quite busy here around the Hayes household. To back up a bit, Ryan had a bit of a challenge with his weight. He lost more than the allowed 10%. He was born at 6lbs, 9.5oz and he bottomed out at 5lbs, 13oz. We found ourselves in the pediatricians office 5 times for weight checks and planning. The last visit he was up to 6lbs, 3.5oz. While it was progress, the doctor had hoped to see more. When he realized I was already at my prepregnancy weight he determined my breastmilk was likely low in fat. So, he put me on a high fat diet. Yep...you heard it correctly! In fact, he told me to eat ice cream daily, at which point Chris laughed and said 'she already does!'. We go back for another check this coming Thursday. In the meantime, we weighed him ourselves and he appears to have surpassed 7lbs, thanks to the chocolate ice cream with peanut butter swirls and chocolate covered pretzels no doubt! Now that he's on track I suppose the high fat diet is no longer in order. The good news is I'm back to my prepregnancy weight, not to be confused with my prepregnancy condition!

Time is flying...Ryan turned one month old yesterday! And after 6 weeks off, Chris went back to work today, leaving Ryan and me here by ourselves for the first time for more than an hour. I realize having my husband home for a month to help with the baby is more than most people get, but I also know it has spoiled me. Chris took the diaper and calming duties in the middle of the night, so all I had to do was breastfeed and go back to sleep. Also, Chris entertained Ryan during the day so I could nap. And now it's all me!

Mazie Meets Ryan

'Interesting, I should get a closer look at this'

'Yep, interesting alright, need to investigate more'

'Smells funny'

'A sloppy kiss will welcome him to our home'
(Don't worry Mom didn't allow such kisses)

Total Love

Ryan is now 2.5 weeks old. It really seems as if he's been part of our little family much longer. Well, in the short time he's been here he's melted our hearts. I suppose every parent hopes for a healthy baby. And we were no exception. In fact, I think I was at a disadvantage because I work with babies and children who are sick, from birth or otherwise. So, when Ryan was whisked away to the NICU it was all to familiar ground, but this time I was on the other side.


He had a couple episodes at birth where he dropped his oxygen and required supplemental O2. I tried to be positive but the worst case scenarios flashed through my head. Fortunately, those problems were ruled out the following morning. And then his issues started resolving on their own.


We were lucky to have a NICU with private rooms so we could stay in his room at all times, and he was only held one day longer than me. His arrhythmia will be followed by his pediatrician and then with a pediatric cardiologist if it doesn't resolve by the time he's 2 months old.


Most importantly, he is just perfect! Both Chris and I are head over heels in love with our little boy. He is most certainly well worth the wait!

Ryan's Birth Story

The beginning

Starting around 6pm on Saturday 6/26/10 I started having increased braxton hicks like contractions. I wasn't able to get comfortable while watching a movie that night and at 10pm I realized I hadn't felt the baby much over the course of the night. I tried all the tricks to get him to play yet nothing worked.

Off we went to the hospital for a check on the decreased fetal movements. The fetal monitor immediately picked up his heartbeat, sigh of relief. However, on ultrasound he wasn't moving like he should and the doctor picked up an arrhythmia. At that point we were told an induction was the safest option as baby Hayes was telling us he would be more comfortable outside the womb.

Our very limited birth plan had been to stay at home as long as possible and to walk around as much as possible before being confined to the bed with an epidural. So much for that. I was told due to the oxytocin and baby's arrhythmia I was to be on the monitor the entire time.

The labor

The contractions hurt. Bad. The epidural was weak. I had to be given multiple increased doses in drugs to sustain comfort. I hated my legs being numb. The doctor wanted to redo the epidural to get better control of the pain. I was on board as the pain of the epidural was nothing compared to that of the contractions.

The delivery

Very relaxed. My epidural was in full effect. I felt very comfortable pushing. 45 minutes later Ryan was born.

The timeline

11pm: arrive at hospital
1am: 1cm dilated, 100% effaced, 0 station, ultrasound shows decreased fetal movement and arrhythmia
2am: begin oxytocin
5:45am: epidural started
7am: still only 1cm dilated
2:30pm: repeat exam with manual cervical dilation, 1cm to 4cm, bulging sack
2:45pm: repeat epidural
6:45pm: 9cm, decided not to have water broken
8:45pm: exam and water spontaneously breaks, 9cm, +2 station
9:55pm: 10cm, 100% effaced, +2 station, started pushing
10:39pm: Ryan Christopher was born

The husband

I couldn't have asked for a better husband during the entire process. He moved my limp lower half as needed (no easy task). He was quiet as requested (and even asked if I wanted him to tell the chatty nurse to hush). He was very supportive and he made the entire process better.

The baby

Ryan was put on my chest directly after birth, though within minutes he was taken to the table in the room for being floppy and requiring oxygen. The pediatricians were called in to evaluate him. He'd perked up by the time the team arrived and they left happy with his 'transitioning'. Soon after he had another episode and the team was called back. This time he was taken to the NICU for further work up and evaluation.

Face Lift

Chris and I were off work for a week before Ryan was born, and we did a bit of remodeling. Let me clarify; I told Chris what I wanted and picked out the colors. Chris did everything else. Gotta love that boy!

Old (look past the car, we forgot to take a 'pre' picture)

New and Improved! Bye-bye drab green...

On an unrelated note: This is from today. Seriously!

Introducing....

Ryan Christopher

6/27/10
10:39pm
6 lbs 9.6 oz
18 in

Birth story to follow...