Update 2/17/12

Tuesday, February 15 was Rylan's last day under the lights for his jaudice. He had a very mild case. This picture was his cool guys sunglasses.

Our first time to really hold him!

So much has happened the last few days. It has been difficult trying to keep everyone in the loop with doctor interuptions and me wanting to be in NICU with Rylan. I will try to be better about posting pictures and at least giving an update on his status.

I got to come home on Thursday, February 16. I got home a little after lunch and took about a three hours nap. I was so exhausted. You just don't sleep well in a hospital and everytime you do get to sleep, someone comes in to take your blood pressure or drawn blood. Then I would have to sit in the room and wait all morning for the doctors to make rounds so it would be almost noon before I would get to visit Rylan.

Sweet baby!

We are just working on getting into a routine now from home. Of course we want to be at the hospital as much as possible.

First Diaper Change

Yesterday afternoon Jordon and I finally timed it where we were in the NICU for diaper changing right before a feeding. We went to the NICU at about 4:45 p.m. The nurse was just about to get him ready for a feeding so they let me take his temperature and change a diaper. It seems like a small thing but we don't get to touch him much right now so a diaper change was a big deal!

Taking his temperature.

Just hanging out after diaper change and feeding.

We had to start light therapy for a couple of days because he is jaundice. Rylan has some cooler sunglasses today than the ones in this picture.

Valentines Day

I am trying to catch up on some pictures from the last couple of days. It is amazing how much goes on each day in the hospital. Between all the checkups and visiting Rylan in NICU, I don't have alot of time left over each day.


Door wreath with a cute frog and Rylan's name.


My flowers from Jordon and Grammy.

My Valentine Came Early

I woke up Sunday morning around 2 a.m. with pain on my right side. This was one of the warning signs that the doctors had told us to watch for since I was put on bed rest. I woke Jordon up and told him. Thankfully Grammy was here too! The bathroom renovation was about half done and will be on hold for a few days. It won't take much to finish it.

We got to the hospital around 3 a.m. and of course had to do all kinds of blood work, etc. Then they called the doctors. Once Dr. Belle-Henry arrived we knew we were not going home anytime soon. When she met with us she said my liver was swollen and very serious. the only cure was to deliver the baby. I thought Grammy was going to have to catch Jordon. He really held it together better than I did but it was certainly a shock to us all.

The nurses prepped me for surgery and along came Rylan shortly after. Jordon got to be in the OR with me throughoout the c-section. Then he got to go with Rylan to NICU while they closed me up. I was in a room by 8 a.m.

Rylan Marshall Dudley
born 2/12/12 at 6:33 a.m.
3lbs 10oz, 14 1/2 inches


He was still nameless at this point, right after delivery.


Jordon did a great job taking photos in the OR. I was kind of out of it. This is my first close up view and contact with Rylan.

I love this one! Rylan's tiny hand with Jordon's finger. He has long fingers and toes!

It is difficult to get a really good picture of his face right now. Rylan might get off the breathing tube tomorrow afternoon or for sure on Wednesday if he keeps doing as good as he is right now. He started on some formula today and will get breast milk soon. Today went good as far as eating and breathing so that is another great sign.

This was my first trip to NICU to see Rylan.

Just chillin'

I got to move to a regular room and out of L&D today. Papa came to the hospital to visit and told the nurses about Caitlyn naming the baby Thunder. Everyone thinks that is a great story and a great name so the nickname may stick! My nurse put this on the board in our new room today.

Bathroom Before Pictures

It is not a huge bathroom so pictures are kind of hard to take in there.

The flowers and butterflies were on the walls when we moved in. They might have been ok for a baby girl but not for Peanut. And the shell shaped sink has to go!

You can't tell but there were lots of blemishes on the walls.

I am the project coordinator, Grammy is the supervisor and Jordon is the manual laborer.

Sink and mirror taken down...

Jordon learning how to texture the walls. He is pretty handy!

Still on bed rest....

One week since I got out of the hospital, my blood pressure is under control and normal most of the time. Yesterday was my weekly appointment with my OB. Everything is going good but I will remain on bed rest. Not exactly what I wanted to hear but I know it is the best thing for my body and the baby. The longer he stays in there the better. She told us to think about it as everyday he stays in is equal to 3 days that he would have to be in NICU. Our goal now is 36 weeks which would put him possibly being born the week of my birthday.


We will still be going in twice a week for NST (baby monitor) appointments, seeing my OB once a week, and lab appointment once a week.

Jordon is working on the second bathroom. Hopefully it will be knocked out this weekend so pictures to come soon.

30 Weeks 3 Days

When I left the hospital Wednesday, they diagnosed me with gestational hypertension which is better than preeclampsia. We just have to monitor my blood pressure and do some tests a couple times a week. Jordon has been a great nurse! He is taking very good care of me.

Today was the first follow up visit in Dr. Belle-Henry's office. We just had a blood pressure check and baby monitor. My blood pressure was great, 118/78, and baby is very active. Hopefully after good reports this coming week I will be allowed more activities.

All this time has given me the opportunity to come up with a lot of projects around the house for Jordon. I have rearranged the living room in my head multiple times! Maybe I will have pictures to post soon of some of his projects.