A Preemie Turns Two

Two years ago I lay in a hospital bed almost 700 miles from home.   Our family vacation had taken a major turn when my water unexpectedly broke at 32 weeks.   I had made it almost 48 hours since my water broke but thankfully the large amount of fluid I began with was still enough so I could try and lay there, hoping this baby would stay in as long as possible.

Eric was at a dinosaur museum with Lucas and Alex- trying to bring some stability, comfort and normalcy to our vacation.  I chatted on the phone with Lourie (CA Girl) feeling another gush of fluid.  I got off the phone to head to the bathroom- only to discover it was not just fluid this time but lots of blood.

I pulled the cord in the bathroom calling for the nurses.  It was time.  As they wheeled me back to the labor and delivery rooms in preparation for my c-section I called Eric telling him he needed to come back.  Thankfully the breakfast they let me eat that morning made them decide to wait one more hour so he had plenty of time to return.

The fear, the unknown.  Would he be okay?  What would he look like? How tiny was he going to be.  And yet, I felt a calm and assurance the answer to a prayer I had received when my water first broke.

And there he was Ryder Trent, 4 lbs 9 oz.

So tiny

So small

But so strong and determined.  

19 days later and we were finally going home as a family- Ryder weighing it at just over 5 lbs. 

And now today- well today he is two.

Blowing on the candles on his cake last night- we celebrated early when family was here

His favorite food is avocado- followed very closely or maybe surpassed by Jelly beans. 
He loves driving cars and trucks and building big towers.
He loves kicking and throwing a ball and is really quite good a dribbling as soccer ball.
He also loves throwing a ball, or food at his sister's head and his aim is quite accurate.

Holding the outfit he wore home from the hospital

He is my cuddle- bug and loves to hug and cuddle.  He will often just run over and say Mama and hug me tight.
He loves books and I always have to read at least three bedtime stories- his favorite is the construction site one and Thomas the train book- though he also likes the Brainy Baby books and points out the babies in their diapers and says "pee".
Though if I ask him if he wants to go pee on the potty he gives a definite no.

 He would eat a pop tart for breakfast everyday if I let him and when he is done eating says "all done, get out!"  The 'get out' getting more adamant if I am not quick to respond. 
He loves playing tag with Lucas and Alex and giggles uncontrollably while chasing them- always ending up getting hick-ups when he laughs a lot.

He is also quite independent- often saying "bye mommy, trains" as he heads upstairs on his own to drive GeoTrax. 
He is very clever, pushing things over to use as stools to get what he wants and really seems to understand what is going on.

He cannot stay clean while eating- often rubbing his face so even something like pizza makes a mess.
He loves his paci and has it way too much.  If he sees a second paci he will ask to "switch paci's" as I guess for him the grass is greener on the other side.

He knows lots of letters and loves to stop and "read" letters whenever he sees them.
He also has recently started "counting"- "one, twoooo, freee"  and sometimes he also counts like this "free, free, freeee!"
He knows most animal sounds but lately if you ask him to say them, asking "what does a cow say?" he will say "no".

He loves going to nursery now, his arms pump quickly as he hurries faster to the room.  He also doesn't mind staying home with the babysitter, a big relief to Eric and me.
He loves riding in Eric's car, and will point to where it is usually parked saying "daddy's car" anytime we go anywhere.
He goes to bed great at night and at nap time, still safely secure in his crib.  The thought of climbing out hasn't even occurred to him. 

He is and always will be my special little guy.
And if you made it through this long post- congrats- I really wanted to have these things on record for me.

Tomorrow I will show you the birthday cake I made.