Failure...

I will get to the failure part but I thought I would throw in a little bit of the craziness in our lives lately.
I am still trying to finish up with school (only 2 more weeks!) I have tests, assignments, papers, discussions...something due everyday. I will be so glad when this is all over! If you hear a loud "WAHOO!" on December 12th, don't worry, it's just me letting everyone know that I am free!
I have also been super busy with AVON. I had two boutiques this weekend and they both went well. I also now have 7 people working under me so that keeps me busy but I am really enjoying it!
On to the not so fun stuff that isn't looking like we'll have answers soon.... As you know if you read my blog, Ryker has acid reflux. We don't know what has happened in the last few weeks but it has gotten much worse. He is now on a fairly restricted diet and on the maximum medication that his little body will allow. Good news- he has increased in height quite a bit and is at the 57th percentile for height. He has not gained weight for three months and hadn't gained for the previous three months either. I think he is maybe a pound heavier than he was at 6 months.
Anyhow, the doctors up here can't do anything so we are scheduled at Primary Children's on December 21st. What a long wait when my little guy is in pain! I have an appointment with Dr. Armstrong up here next week because I hear he's the best.
I think this may be the hardest thing I have ever been through. I can't do anything for my sick baby and his cry is so sad because he is in pain. The constant wiggling to try to get comfortable, gulping swallows to try to keep the acid down and inability to sleep is all really getting to me because I can't do anything! Perhaps the worst is when I called the doctor last week and they repeated his notes to me. Included was the diagnosis of "failure to thrive". I can't think of a worse term. To a mother (or at least me) it sounds like "well, you don't do enough or feed him enough or take care of him well enough!" I know I know, it's a term to describe his poor weight gain but come on- FAILURE to THRIVE?!?!
Hopefully next week holds the answers we are looking for.
PS- happy post below about birthdays.

"The Club"

Ryker and I have joined "the club"....the all-nighter club! Ryker has slept through the night for 5 straight nights! (I know, finally after 8 months!) He puts himself to sleep at 8, wakes up once and cries for like 2 minutes, but then it's quiet until 6! I get a full 8 hours of sleep and then he comes into my bed until 9...I think I have died and gone to heaven.
The reason for all this? ZANTAC...I love you Zantac! After adding this to his medicine regiman he is a different sleeper! I am also a much happier mommy :)
I just had to update and brag a bit about my little man.
In other news, I now have a new toy that I need...a Dyson PINK vacuum (how fun would cleaning be when you are using a pink vacuum?!?!) I am on strike from vacuuming until I get a new one...the other night I cleaned the front room and Ryker came right after me, picking up stuff and putting it in his mouth. Why bother? My current vacuum sucks (well, it really doesnt- that's the problem!)
Dustin inherited a truck- a '65 Ford! :) After a little work, it runs like a champ. Sorry again for the lack of pictures but I have misplaced my camera charger (me? Misplace something? How odd!)
Today and this weekend we are: possibly going to look at houses and/or talk to a loan person, go to the Thalman reunion, going to the doctor with Grandma Joyce (we are praying she hasn't broken her hip), getting Ryker a haircut (mullet mania going on!), going to Brock's wedding, having lunch with my Dad's family, being set apart as compassionate service committee member in church and probably having lunch with Dustin's family on Sunday (wow!)

Once again...

Anyone tired of hearing about acid reflux? Because I sure hate this evil little monster that won't let my son just be!!! Well, things are good but since we know that it is acid reflux that is disrupting Ryker's sleep (causing not just stress on my part but real pain for him) we have up-ed the ante (I am so sure I spelled that wrong!)

He is now taking:5 ml once a day

2 times a day

With a smidge of this as needed

The nurse at the pediatrician's office said "you're giving him HOW MUCH?!?" I know!!! This is just so unexpected, because we were told that most kids just outgrow their dose and the GERD at the same time- so when they sit up and are on solids there is usually no need for medication.

It's okay though- I am just glad that there is something to help my little guy. His painful cry is so heartbreaking! To think that in the past little babies were diagnosed as collicy when in fact they were in so much pain is so sad! Tonight is the first night with the Zantac, so hopefully it helps him!

Christmas 2008

Hey everyone,
We had a great Christmas at our house! I got a coat from Dustin, straightener, shirt and watch from my inlaws and mostly money from everyone else. Dustin got candy from us (hard to make it to the store with the little one), fly tying stuff and money. Ryker got a monkey gym, rocking horse and playpen along with clothes and a few small toys.
I have to share his cute picture. He is looking too old!
We are still waiting for the sleep issue to resolve itself. We are grateful that he only wakes up twice per night at about 1-2 and 4-5, but he thinks that he's supposed to be awake for the day at 5 am...I am a sleeper and he is not so it's tough. We are increasing and changing his reflux medicine because he is spitting up like crazy lately and it seems to hurt him.
I start school again on January 5th and am pretty nervous about juggling a baby, housework and school. Dustin is always willing to help along with my mom and wonderful family, so I should be fine.
Dustin has sold his dirtbike and hopefully we will sell his snowmobile this week.
Things are going well for the Nielsen family, hope you are all well also.
Love,
Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Gastric Reflux

Hey everyone,

So Ryker is doing good again but Friday night sure was not fun. He woke up at midnight like usual to eat but then he stayed awake till 7 screaming most of the time. I was like "this is not my baby!" because he is so chill and doesn't even cry, just fusses a little. He was also refusing to eat and I knew he was hungry. So we went to the doctor Saturday and they said he has Gastric/Acid Reflux. Thank goodness there is medicine for it because I was in tears when I called the doctor because he was so miserable. So this is our new best friend...

It is working well and last night he was back to normal. Having a baby is hard emotionally anyways but seeing them in pain, man it rips your heart right out!

In other news, Dustin is gearing up for coyote hunting. He is super excited because there is a pack of them just behind our house. Last year they didn't get any kills so hopefully they will this year. He just got a gun cabinet and inherited a whole bunch of hunting and fishing stuff so he is a happy camper. He loves spending time with Ryker and is dang cute with him. Funny how guys change when they get a little one, he's even cuter with everyone elses kids.

I am really enjoying my time at home with the baby. It's so fun to watch him grow. He's starting to get chubby cheeks and wrinkles on his chicken legs. He is also getting a personality and attitude. If he doesn't like something, he grunts and stiffens up. He is also rolling over and lifting his head up. He's a strong one, don't let his size fool you :) He's also a wiggle worm and loves to turn his head so that when I kiss his cheek he kisses me right on the lips. So dang cute!

I'm gearing up for Christmas, although it is not going to be the same this year because we have lost so many that we love. We are making this year all about family. Few gifts, just lots of time together.

Although I am excited that it's nearly Christmas, I am also sad because that means that it's sooner to me going back to school. I'll only be leaving him about 6 hours a week with either Dustin or my mom but I'll still have to take time out to finish my online stuff.

Here is a cute picture I just took. He was batting at that toy in front of him like it was driving him nuts. That's his annoyed face.

Bye for now. Everyone have a good Thanksgiving, we're just going to Dustin's grandparents for a little bit.

Lots of love,

Ashley, Dustin and Ryker