Where do I begin?

Hello everyone!! Sorry it has taken me a while to write to you all! I have been busy GROWING. Can you believe I am 6 months old now? I sure have beaten a lot of odds! I also weigh a full 13 pounds!!! A lot has happened since I have been out of the hospital. Where should I begin?

I sleep in my own room now. No more scared of the dark stuff, that's for little babies! I also have been eating cereal, and even have been trying some green beans on occasion! One of the coolest tricks that I have done for everyone is roll over. Now when the dogs do that they get a treat, when I do it, mom wants me to do it again!

I have taken a couple of trips to Ohio since I have been home. Oh, how much fun I have when I go down there! And my latest trip has been to Arkansas to visit my Aunt Katie and my Papa. Papa makes funny noises at me and pulls my toes but I just laugh at him. He is such a funny guy! It has been such a nice vacation, even the car ride wasn't that bad.

Thank you for keeping up with me! I'll try to post more pictures and tell more cute stories as i make them happen! You know being a baby is tough, but someone has to do it!

Love,
Riley

I can see clearly!

I can see clearly now the test say so... lalala... or however that song goes. Yes folks I have been cleared on my vision tests, both eyes are fully developed! I do not have to go back to the doctor until December for this issue.



I have been home since Memorial Day, and Mommy and Daddy have not slept since Memorial Day... hee hee. Well I guess it isn't all that funny. I was having some gas problems. But I did go to the doctor and get my formula changed. That seemed to help a little. What helps a lot is sleeping on mommy and daddy's chest. That is the ONLY place I like to sleep. Needless to say, mommy and daddy get very little sleep. Both grandparents have come up to give my parents a break, but that's only for a short while.



Want to see a new picture of me? Alright.......

Do you notice how alert I am??? (I am watching you!) I am working things out day by day. I have physical therapy to make sure I stay buff. But I really have come a long way!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

Love,

Riley

Just a little update...

Things at home are going great. I love my house so much that I don't want to sleep because I'm afraid I'll miss something! I get to spend lots of time with Mommy, doing girly things like going to the store and to the doctor. It's a lot of fun.

Speaking of the doctor, I've been there a few times since I've been home. But I also have some nurses that come to see me in my house. I went to the doctor the other day to get a scan of my brain. They just wanted to make sure that everything is still okay. So far, so good.

I am growing so fast, too. Mommy and Daddy keep telling people I'm getting so big. Afterall, I am almost 7 pounds! Those vitamins, even though they taste gross, are really helping me grow big and strong.

Well, I just wanted to let you know I'm doing alright. I have some crying to do, so Mom doesnt forget I'm here!

Love,
Riley

HOME AT LAST

Today is the day!!! I get to go home! I packed my bags, said goodbye to all my wonderful doctors and nurses and strapped myself in my carseat for the ride to my new home. I can't wait to spend all this time with my mommy and daddy! I hear I have my own room, with real walls, that I don't have to share with any other babies. But, I do have to say I might miss some of my friends! Here is a song that Aunt Becky wanted everyone to read or look up on Youtube... it is by Darius Rucker and it reminds her of me and of how much I have grown up already! Before you read on, go ahead, do your victory dance! I am HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

It wont be like this for long... by Darius Rucker

He didnt have to wake up

He'd been up all nite
Lay'n there in bed listen'n

To his new born baby cry

He makes a pot of coffee

He splashes water on his face

His wife gives him a kiss and says..It gonna be ok

It wont be like this for long

One day soon we'll look back laugh'n

At the week we brought her home

This phase is gonna fly by

So baby just hold on

It wont be like this for long

Four years later bout four thirty

She's crawling in there bed

And when he drops her off at preschool

She's clinging to his leg

The teacher peels her off of him

He says what can i do

She says now dont you worry

This will only last a week or two

It wont be like this for long

One day soon we'll drop her off

And she wont even know your gone

This phase is gonna fly by

If you can just hold on

It wont be like this for long

One day soon she'll be a teenager

And at times you'll think she hates him

Then he'll walk her down the isle

And he'll raise her vale

But right now she up and cry'n

And the truth is that he dont mind

As he kisses her good night

And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her

Till her eyes are finally closed

And just watch'n her it breaks his heart

Cause he already knows

It wont be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be

All grown up and gone

Yeah this phase is gonna fly by

He's try'n to hold on

It wont be like this for long

It wont be like this for long

IM HOME!!!!!!!

Love,

Riley

Angels Brought Me here

Here are the words to Angels Brought Me Here by Carrie Underwood



It’s been a long and winding journey,
But I’m finally here tonight picking up the pieces walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory where my heart and future lies
There’s nothing like that feeling when I look into your eyes


My dreams came true when I found you; I found you, my miracle


If you could see what I see
That you’re the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel the tenderness I feel
You would know it would be clear, that angels brought me here
Nothing here before you
Feels like I’ve been born again
Every breath is your LOVE
Every heartbeat speaks your name


My dreams came true right here in front of you my miracle


If you could see what I see
You’re the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel the tenderness I feel
You would know it would be clear, that angles brought me here
It brought me here, to be with you
I'll be forever grateful, forever thankful

My dreams came true when I found you my miracle


If you could see what I see
You’re the answer to my prayers, oh...
And if you could feel the tenderness I feel
You would know it would be clear that angels brought me here


You know I love you baby
And if you could feel the tenderness I feel
You would know it would be clear, that angels brought me here

Riley is our little miracle and we truly believe that angels brought her here and are watching over her. We continue to thank everyone for your prayers and good wishes! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!





Aunt Becky

I'm not sick anymore!

It's official. I am not sick anymore. I am being such a good girl! I know I am because i get to see lots of visitors and mommy can give be baths. Oh my! My days just fill up so fast now that I am not sick. I get to do so many things. I think I like being a healthy girl.

Like I said, I get all kinds of visitors now. Grandma and Grandpa Jones came up to see me. Grandpa Jones got to hold me for the first time when they came up! Then All my aunts came up to see me and my grammy and great grandma-tucky came to see me. It was all so much fun! Grammy even got to hold me! It surely does pay of to be healthy, I think I might stay this way if I keep getting this much attention.

I hear I have lots of things at my house, well the one I get to come home to. Mommy had a baby shower, which they tell me is not like when she gives me a bath, but when mommy's friends and family come visit and bring gifts, and celebrate ME! It was beautiful, I heard. I can't wait to get home and see all the cool things I got!

Did I mention I get baths now... well mommy gets to give me a "bath" before she leaves for the night now. At first I didn't like it... but I kinda like feeling clean now. Mommy you do such a good job with me! I love it when you come in to visit me (even if I do need a bath sometimes)!

I don't want to forget to mention my daddy. Did you know that while mommy was at the baby shower, he was with me. I was, I have to admit, a little needy that day. Well, what do you expect???? No one told me that he wouldn't be coming in at his regular time in the morning, instead he would be taking mom's turn in the afternoon. Hello people, I am kinda on a schedule here. You can't just go messing it up!!! Well, so I was needy and had to have the nurse hold me for a while. Daddy... next time I will be better for you! Oh and thank you for being so good to me, and cleaning my stinky diapers without any complaints! I hear that is not a normal thing sometimes.... but you still come in and clean me up when I make a mess. YOU ARE THE GREATEST DADDY!

Well folks.... I have baby things to do!

Talk to you all soon.

Love,
Riley

I can BREATHE!

Guess what everyone! I am no longer using my C-Pap!!! Which means I am breathing on my own now! I do not have to use it anymore. They were having me wear it every 6 hours... but I am free!

Along with the C-Pap being gone, the tube that was in my mouth to drain my stomach, that is now in my nose... don't be alarmed when you see my pictures! They had to move the darn thing so that I could suck my bottle better. Since that has been moved, I am doing better. The doctors and nurses still feed me through my pick-line, but mommy and daddy get to feed me when they come in to see me!

I hope you all did the poop dance, I had been doing really well with that! I haven't got to see anyone do that yet, but you all promised me a good dance when I finally did poop on my own.

Well, since I am almost 9 weeks old... I have things to do now.
I will talk to you all later!

Love,
Riley

I'm awesome...

I'm feeling so much better today!

Last night I got to eat my very first bottle! It was so yummy. I drank it up while mommy held me. I started to choke a little bit once, and mommy tried to give me back to my nurses. They laughed at her and told her that she had to learn to take care of my silly chokes. Sorry mom, just makin' sure you were awake! Oh and all of you that were waiting, you can start doing the poop dance now! I have been going to the bathroom on my own since they started increasing my feeds. I told you guys I'd learn!

They are also trying to take my off my c-pap machine now. They are saying I'm a big girl now and need to breathe like one too! I think I can do it, I just need a little cheerleading.

Lastly, I get a new house. It doesnt have to have a roof anymore! That's right, I'm in a big girl bed! It's about time! Afterall, I am the oldest baby in the NICU!

Thanks everyone for your prayers.

I love you all,
Riley

Feeling Better

It's me again, Little Miss Riley, updating on my status. Yes I am still in the hospital... but I am feeling better than I was two weeks ago. The doctors tapped my spine for fluids (Mommy calls it a Spinal Tap) and I was such a big girl, I did very well for the test! I think I should get a green sucker!

I was an even bigger girl and proved to them that I could come off my ventilator! I am back on my C-pap, and I hope to be off of that soon too!

I do have to tell you that I am retaining a lot of water!!! Almost 14 ounces in water! I can't even open my little eyes because I am so swollen! You may gain 14 ounces in water and not think that was a big deal or even notice, but I notice even an ounce of water weight. Hopefully this goes away soon!

Thank you all so much for the prayers! I can tell that they were working! I know that I am a fighter, but I don't know if I could fight all of this on my own! Keep them coming for me and for my family.

I'll update soon!

Love,
Riley

Too sick to update...

Riley isnt feeling too well, so Aunt Katie is updating...

Riley was supposed to have a spinal tap yesterday but was unable to handle it. They got the needle in her but she started alarming too badly so they couldn't get any fluids out. They have started treating Riley for meningitis since they cannot do the spinal tap to rule it out.

Last night around midnight Riley pulled her ventilator out. Becky said "You can tell Grandpa is watching over her, she acts just like him!" We can only hope that she continues fighting like she is!

Riley is very upset when people try to talk, use light, or move around her "house". She cries if Jen or Keith try to touch her, even. That used to be the only thing that would calm her down! She also is having a hard time even getting her vital signs taken, she is just too upset. They've even raised the number of breaths the ventilator is giving her, because shes been so upset she forgets to breathe.

She's been given several blood/platelet transfusions over the last few days because her body (and the blood tests) are using more blood than she can produce. We're hoping that all this will end soon and she'll be our happy little baby again.

On a lighter note, Riley has become a "poster baby" at the hospital. Her picture is hanging outside of the NICU to show parents that even pre-mature babies need loved too! She is sleeping with her Snuggie that Jen held so that they could have a parent-child bonding even before Jen and Keith were able to hold her. All of her doctors and nurses have been saying that even when they aren't on duty, they still call and see how Riley is or stop by, because she's such an amazing little girl. We really appreciate that! Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, and love!

Please continue to keep Riley in your prayers! Sorry if your phone calls aren't answered when trying to get updates. Jen and Mom have been spending most of the day at the hospital with Riley and cannot have phones with them!

I have an infection...

Hi Everyone,

I need you all to do a favor for me. Ready? Ok. Please say a prayer for me and ask all of your friends to pray for me. Here's why:

The doctors say I have an infection that I can't fight off but they aren't sure what it is. They are giving me three different broad spectrum antibiotics to fight it off, and once they find out for sure what it is, they will discontinue two of the antibiotics.

My platelet count is too low for them to do tests to find out what I might have. (I like to keep folks guessing, ya know?) They gave me a blood transfusion yesterday and are giving me platelets today. They stopped feeding me yesterday (and I was looking so forward to a chocolate bunny and Peeps for Easter) and put me back on a ventilator. As long as I'm on the ventilator, they won't let me eat. Bummer!

Please remember my whole family in your prayers. My Mommy and Daddy are very worried about me. Mommy is staying with me most of the time.

I'll update everyone when the doctors tell us more.

Love,
Riley

Snuggle Bug gets crabby!

For a week now I have had no food! They feed me, and then they don't.... they feed me, and then they don't! Would they just make up their minds!?!?!? At my age (33 weeks) I can associate sucking with food; but no matter how hard I suck on that pacifier, I do not get one drop of food!!! I overheard them saying that the EARLIEST that they would feed me would be Friday. And here is why.....

Yesterday the doctors did a CT-scan and found that my intestines were dilated. This has been happening for a little while now, and when my intestines are dilated it absorbs the fluid in my stool, leaving dry stool in my intestinal tract. In other words... I am REALLY constipated. The doctors decided to give me an enema to help me out. Well it worked for a little bit, because I was able to push out some little poopletts that looked like dried rabbit pellets. This enema will take a few hours to work its way out of my system and so the doctor is going to wait until Friday to feed me.

Well even though I am not eating anything, I am still retaining water... in fact, 5 ounces of water. I gained so much water weight the other day, mom said I couldn't open my little eyes. The doctor did give me lasiklis (the meds that make you pee a whole bunch!) to help me lose some of the water. They will not do another treatment of this because my potassium levels have been going up, the last time they checked my blood work. I am filling out nicely though, without the water (mommy says I am starting to have little rolls on my arms). At my last weigh in, I weighed 3 pounds 5 ounces.

The other thing the doctors are going to try not to do to me is another blood transfusion. I am building up cells on my own now, and they are afraid that if I get a blood transfusion, I will have too much blood cells in me at a time.

So if so many things are looking up, why did I title this stop on my journey "snuggle bug gets crabby"? Well I haven't been fed and mom and daddy have been noticing me crying a lot more. In fact, I was so agitated the other day when dad was in to see me, one of the nurses came over to check on me because I was crying so loud! I am learning what I want, and how to get it.... if only I could have it!

Well I have to go! I am very tired from all this whining!

Love you all!
Riley

No Food....

As I said on April 1st... the doctors are not feeding me. They are going to wait 7-10 days to feed me again. I am still not able to have a bowel movement and they are keeping a close eye on my digestive system. But if you think about it, in reality, I would still be inside of mommy and have no reason to poop. Yet, now that I am here, I need to learn how to poop on my own and digest my food without mommy's help!

On the up side of things, I am almost 3 full pounds! (2 pounds 15 ounces!) I also have been growing a little. I am now 15 inches long, and my head also grew!!! WOOHOO!

I am also getting visitors again! Thank you for coming to see me, and for all the support thus far! I really appreciate all my gifts, prayers, and kind words. I know that mommy and daddy really appreciate the support too!

Well I have to go! I will check back a little later!

Love,
Riley

2 Stepping

Well I seem to be dancing before I can even walk! In my last report, I said that I was doing well and I was getting fed again. Today... I am stepping back and the doctors are not going to feed me because my stomach is not looking good again. I am going to have a couple more tests to find out what is going on.

Also, the doctors called mommy today on her road trip to tell her that they were going to give me another blood transfusion. Appearantly my blood cells that fight infections are low and they want to boost them. Hopefully this will help me!

I seem to do so well for a while, and I take two steps forward. Then I end up getting sick or I can not eat and I take the two steps back. Who knows... I may be dancing with mommy in the country clubs when I break out of this hospital!

All I can ask for right now is prayers. I am still growing and getting stronger, but for those who are wondering- I am still not able to poop on my own. I am waiting to see that ever eventful poop dance everyone has been promising!

Well, I have to go!

Love,
Riley

Update on my journey

Riley here..... I just wanted to let all of my family and friends know how much I appreciate all of my Doctors and Nurses. I know mommy and daddy do too! I want to thank them for continuing to come to see me and helping me grow stronger. While I may give them a little trouble sometimes, they never give up on me.... and for that I am truly thankful!


I also wanted to tell you that I get to eat yummy food again!! I get to have 3cc's of milk every three hours! This sure does taste good after not having it for a while.

Just an update on how big I am... I am 2 pounds 9 ounces... still small but mighty!

I need to go now. Hope you all can keep sending me messages!

Love,
Riley

Still hungry..

They are pushing my feeds back another day. They want a second opinion to see if I have gasses in my intestinal wall. After that, everything should be okay! My doctor said that everything looks good to her, though.

I still have to be on my c-pap machine because I keep forgetting to breathe real well. Hopefully sometime next week I will be allowed to be off that silly thing!

Grammy brought me a new hat today. I pulled it off and it fell on the ground. I have to wait until they wash it again so I can wear it and the germs don't get on me.

Well, its time for roo time with Mommy. See you later!

I guess that's all for now. Ill update later!

Love,

Riley

A new house...again

My doctors said that I am not "sick" anymore, so I am allowed to have a smaller house. It's just big enough for me and my blankies to keep warm.

Mommy came to see me today and they said that I have to be on medicine for another day just to make sure I don't have an infection. The other day when I had to get my blood drawn they thought that maybe I was getting cooties. I got a little bit of blood (2 teaspoons) and I am much better now!

My doctor said my tummy sounds good, too. That means I will get to have real food again! They want to give me more food to see if it will make me go potty. I'm tired of my belly being full of air! Everyone said they're going to do the "poop dance" when I finally am able to go potty by my self. What a show that will be!

Today I even got to be off my c-pap for a little bit while Mommy held me. It was only 2 hours, maybe one day soon I'll get to be off for longer. Right now, I am just not strong enough to breathe that much on my own.

My Daddy still comes to see me everyday before and after work. I am such a lucky little girl. This weekend Daddy will get to roo with me again, I can't wait!

Grammy says she is coming to see me tomorrow. She is going to bring me a surprise from my other Great Grammy Elma . She made it for me and I can't wait to see what it is! Great Grammy Mary Ann also washed up lots of baby clothes for me. Most of them are too big still, but they will fit me before too long!

Love,
Riley

I'm trying to stay out of trouble...

Over the past days I've been a bad girl. I keep giving my nurses trouble and forgetting to breath. The doctors and nurses said it is because I am just too tired to try to stay off my c-pap machine for so long. The doctor told me that I will have to stay on my c-pap machine for 24 hours a day until I learn to behave.. Hopefully it won't be long! I don't like wearing this machine! I wiggle and wiggle until I get my head out of my chin strap so my face is free!

The doctor also said that I can't eat anymore. My tummy isn't ready for me to eat food yet. So I got a new tube put in my tummy to try to drain some of the gasses and liquids. It looked like my tummy was going to explode it was so full the other day. My body just hasn't figured out how to let me go potty yet. Hopefully that will start happening soon so that I can eat some more yummy food. But don't worry, I am still getting all kinds of nutrients and fats through my IV's so that I can grow!

Speaking of growing, I now weigh 2 pounds and 9 ounces. I'm getting bigger and bigger each day. Mommy and Daddy notice how big I'm getting, because each day they come in to spend time with me and I get to lay on their chest and snuggle. Mommy sometimes sings me funny songs, it makes me fall asleep hearing them talk.

So much has been happening. I guess I am just hard to keep up with! Just imagine what it's going to be like when I get my first car and boyfriend!

Thank you for all of the love!
Hugs and Kisses.

Love,
Riley

NEW ROOM on St. Patrick's Day!!!

I HAVE A NEW BEDROOM! No more of that little one room apartment thing, I have moved into a room (well a curtain) with two boys. I'm a big girl now out in this room. I get to keep the two boys in line, and trust me-- I WILL.

Yesterday was St. Patrick's day and I got the cutest outfit on. It said "I'm Mommy's lucky charm". Oh yeah, that meant that I get to wear clothes. It's a preemie outfit, but I will not be in those for long if I keep growing like I am. Grammy told Aunt Becky on the phone last night that the doctors said I weigh 2 pounds 5 ounces now! I guess those half teaspoons add up! Not that I need to worry about my figure or anything.

I was able to go for three hours yesterday without my C-pap machine on while mommy was with me. To me that is really good. I really just get annoyed when they put it on me, and I end up needing to have tummy time. But I did really well without it yesterday and I was glad to see my mommy for such a long time!

I am beginning to reconize some familiar faces as all my nurses come to see me everyday! Thanks for taking such good care of me! I know that soon, I will be big and strong because of you guys!


Well I need to run!
Thanks for the comments... keep them comming!

Love,
Riley

Continuing on...

Wow! It has been two weeks since I have been here. A lot has gone on and I think you should know about it. Mom got a new cast on her arm.... and in case you didn't know... she fell before I was born and broke her pinky on her left hand. She will be able to get this new cast off on March 24th, and then she will get to hold me without that thing poking me!! They also tell me that she is doing well at home, and I get to see her everyday. I also get to see my daddy everyday! (Most of the time he comes to see me two times a day--I already know I am daddy's little girl!)

I have started kangaroo care with mommy and daddy... and boy does that feel good! Mommy and Daddy come in and get to hold me close to them for a while and we bond. I feel it is important to get this bonding in before I grow up. They always say we "grow up so fast!" Yesterday mommy bonded with me, and now today daddy will have his turn.

Speaking of daddy! I hope my daddy liked his birthday card I got him! (yesterday was daddy's birthday... hee hee... and Grammy helped me write my name on daddy's card for him! I hope he liked it) It will be the first of many birthdays we will share together. Today is my cousin's birthday...geez... how am I going to keep up with this family? So happy birthday to her too!

Here are my latest updates! I am being fed now! (Yummy food!) I get a 1/2 of a teaspoon every three hours through a tube in my mouth (which I keep pulling on). I am also on pure oxygen for 2 hours 2 times a day... which is excellent! And for the best news of them all-- I DON'T NEED SURGERY!!!! The doctors have decided that my hole has closed in between my lungs and heart for now, and I will not need the surgery on Monday!

But all that good news does not mean that I am not still sassy! I still am fighting strong and hard. In fact, one of my nurses had to catch me in mid-air today because I was trying to turn over. I mean come on people let me do it! (please...)

That is all for now. I will try to have more pictures up soon!
Leave me some messages if you want to know more information or you just want to say hello!

Love,
Riley

First Stop on My Journey

Well it has been a rough journey so far, and let me tell you how it all started!

My name is Riley, and I was not suppose to enter into this beautiful world until May. However, anything that could have gone wrong with my mommy's pregnancy did, and I came here on March 1st. Mom had, what the doctors has called an abruption--don't worry, for little ones like me I didn't know what it meant either-- but I did know that mom was in a lot of pain. At first I had no heartbeat, and the doctors did not think that I had made it. As my mommy's doctor was coming to check how they were going to deliver me, he thought he saw something. He did not want to make any promises to my poor mommy and daddy-- they had been through enough that night, and Grammy was with them too. The doctor called for an emergency C-Section. Within 6 minutes from the room to the scalpel- I was born. The doctor was not going to make any promises and I was born without a heartbeat, but with some CPR and my determination I fought back and got my heart beating again! The first 3- 24 hours were a tough battle for me, and my family-- but I made it through.

The next couple of days my mommy kept getting sicker, as I kept getting stronger. It turns out that mommy had a clotting deficiency, and would need several transfusions and some strong medicines to get her well enough to go home, ONE FULL WEEK and a day later.

I continued to surprise everyone with my strength and my amazing power to surpass the odds. After only a few days on the ventilator, I am on a C-Pap machine, and breathing on my own. I have amazing strength to fight off nurses and doctors, when I have had enough stimulation-- yet my mommy and daddy can calm me right down by talking sweet to me, or touching my hands. The most amazing odd that I have beaten is the fact that I am here!! I am still with my mommy and daddy, and I am where I need to be!

Well the day has been long enough! I will try to keep in touch when I can, but until then keep praying for me and my family!


Love,
Riley