Back from Unintentional Hiatus

It's been a while since I've updated the Blog. The week at Children's was very overwhelming, we've been busy with Ryan and it's been pretty chaotic at work - so hopping right into updating the blog hasn't been at the top of my list when spare time rolls around. We've spent most of our social time on Facebook, so I'll do a quick update for those who have been wondering where the updates are - but I warn you, there isn't much to talk about these days except for poop...I guess this is what my life has become. (How boring I must be... I really need to get out)

We've been spending most of our time at home since Ryan was discharged from the hospital. Ryan's body is getting used to the new bowel situation. Until Ryan's body gets used to the new "piping" - he will have frequent stooling. Because of this, he has developed an insane diaper rash that has not gone away in a couple of weeks now. The rash been very painful for Ryan. We ONLY rinse his bottom in the sink - never with wipes - to cause as little irritation to the open, bleeding sores on his bottom. (As you can imagine, this is very limiting on our time outside the home) Ryan's doctor assures us that the rash is normal after such a procedure and the situation will continue to improve as the frequency of bowel movements slow.

There were a few days that Ryan would cry each time that he started to stool. He was in so much discomfort - that he would wake up in the middle of a dead sleep. He'd cry and kick his legs until we could get him changed. Sometimes we'd barely get his diaper back on before the next movement. We were changing his diaper up to 30+ times a day just to keep him dry. This was horrible for all of us - but mostly him. He was tired and he was not comfortable. Because of this, I bowed out of Supercross in San Diego on Valentines Day with the family. Jeff and Dylan went ahead and went to the Event - and Ryan and I stayed with the comforts of home. As a precaution, I took Ryan to the ER at Children's to make sure that he was okay. After a couple of X-Rays and an exam by the surgical team, he checked out to be just fine. His symptoms have been better since Saturday. I feel like he may be finally improving!

Now that Ryan has had his surgery, we have been able to to feed him stage 1 foods. So far we've given him rice cereal, bananas and sweet potatoes. He LOVES the sweet potatoes. In addition to the nutritional benefits and the developmental milestone, the food helps to thicken Ryan's stool - which will slow down the frequency of dirty diapers. The doctor also suggested giving Ryan Soy formula to help thicken the stool... Ryan loves it... I think it stinks!! Needless to say, I just bought 2 tubs of it at Costco.

Other events that don't involve poop - -

My company had it's second round of lay-offs in one year. I luckily survived (again). Although I have a job, I have taken on much more responsibility. In addition to working on Ford, I now work on Lincoln-Mercury - and my territory was expanded from just California and Hawaii to the "Western Region" - which picks up Seattle, Portland, Montana, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. It's been a learning curve getting up to speed on the Lincoln-Mercury brand and my new markets. I can't complain, though, because I am still employed in this bad economy.

Dylan got his first place trophy for Best of the West. We did not go to the banquet ceremony yesterday - but we are so very proud of his accomplishment. It's kind of sad to think that he doesn't want to race this year. He worked all of last year to ride the Best of the West series - and in addition to his #1 BOTW ranking, he got the #17 plate in his 250cc class.

We've had some uncharacteristic California weather lately. Lots of rain - and it's been very cold (c'mon, we're spoiled... we like our 80 degree weather, that's why we live here). I was actually supposed to be in Pebble Beach today - for a Ford meeting tomorrow morning. My plan was to drive up this morning and come home tomorrow night - but I woke up to news this morning that the Grapevine was closed due to snow - and the 101 (my alternate route) was flagged with flash flood warning for the entire route. After calling my co-workers, it was decided that it just was not worth my making the drive given the inclement weather. The good news with all of this cold weather and rain is that our local mountains get loaded with snow. It makes for such a gorgeous view.

Photos:
Ryan with Family on 2/8
The view of the mountains on my way home 2/13 (pretty snow, ugly holiday traffic)
Ryan and I at Children's on 2/14

Video:
Ryan babbling away in the ER - tries to eat my camera!