Our perfect, precious boy!
You entered the world fast and furious and we wept when we met you. Our sweet miracle.
Welcome to the world, Ryder Thomas!
Ryder was born on Monday afternoon – his due date! – at 3:29 p.m. weighing 7 pounds and 7 ounces. He’s 20 inches long and completely perfect. We are so in love!
A couple of hours after Ryder was born he was admitted to the NICU for meconium and fluid in his lungs. It was terrifying as we waited for more information and heard the results from his first x-rays. Not being able to hold our baby, attempt nursing and snuggle up to his face has been so challenging. I’m trying not to focus on the fact that we will very likely be discharged from the hospital today and Ryder will not.
My focus has been on Ryder and his incredible strength and the amazing response he’s shown to his treatments. We’ve seen such incredible progress from our sweet boy in a short amount of time and I have full belief we will continue to see him improve and be able to take him home soon.
Ryder didn’t have a name until late last night. Yesterday he was transitioned off a CPAP machine for breathing and onto a smaller tube for oxygen which allowed us to better see his face and my heart to grow as I soaked in his precious cheeks and perfectly pink little lips. We stroked his dark brown hair and felt like we could really SEE our baby for the first time since he was admitted to the NICU and picked a name we hope will serve him well.
Ryder means warrior. Our guy is so strong. We selected Thomas, his middle name, as a tribute to Chase who knew all along he was going to have a little brother and confidently told everyone his name would be “Thomas the Train.” It’s a name that makes us smile so big.
When I shared some very short updates about Ryder and his time in the NICU on Instagram, I received so many comments and messages from all of you and I cannot thank you enough for your incredible reassurance, prayers and kindness. To those who have had little ones in the NICU, your comments have touched me so deeply. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. I am reading every single message and comment and feeling so grateful for all of you right now.
Seeing such tiny babies fighting so hard in the NICU is unbelievable. They are so resilient! The parents we’ve met are so kind and so strong. And I can barely speak about the nurses and doctors who have watched our boy so closely without feeling overwhelmingly grateful for the work they do, their compassion, expertise and knowledge. I know Ryder is in the very, very best hands.
I am hoping to share Ryder’s birth story on the blog but right now that seems so distant from everything that came up after his arrival. I need some time to focus on our baby boy, pumping (which is incredibly challenging since I am getting nothing and my milk hasn’t come in yet), healing and pouring all of my energy into caring for our baby boy in whatever ways I can, even if they’re not the ways I envisioned right now.
Ryder Thomas, we love you so, so much and I am so lucky to be your mama.
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Congratulations Julie! God bless sweet Ryder and your whole family.
Congratulations!! I am so happy for you, and your beautiful family. Continue prayers for sweet little Ryder.
I LOVE his name!!! Praying he is in your arms soon <3
Julie,
I have been following your blog since my college days (almost 10 years now!) and am so happy your family is happy and healthy! Reading the tribute to Ryder’s middle name made me cry. It is SO sweet and know Chase will make such a great big brother. Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
Congrats again on your precious little boy! When I read about the reason behind the name Thomas, tears came to my eyes. What a sweet tribute to Chase that will follow your boys throughout their lives. My 3-year-old wanted to name her sister (born in April) Blankety (she came up with that name when we asked her at the beginning of my pregnancy, and it stuck!). Even now,
she often introduces Claire as Blankety. 🙂
It is so hard going home without your baby. I broke down sobbing in front of the nurses as I packed up to be discharged from the hospital without my “take home baby” that I so desperately wanted after my first baby was a NICU baby for a month in 2014. It’s so painful and unnatural, but time will eventually soften the wound. I have a feeling Ryder’s stay will be brief, and you’ll have him at home in your arms where he belongs very soon!
What a beautiful little boy and a beautiful name! Congratulatiions Julie!
What a perfect name for such a perfect baby. I am SOOOOOO glad that Thomas was included in his name! What you are going through is so, so hard! Hugs to you!
Ahhh he is so so precious. I love his hair. He looks perfect and I know he will be home soon. Prayers! I love the name Thomas, as it was my dad’s name. 🙂
Congratulations Julie and family! He’s beautiful and so is his name. Love the middle name tribute to Chase! We’re all praying for Ryder and that he goes home soon!
Welcome to the world of NICU moms. It’s not a club you want to be a part of, but you’ll find so much support and healing energy. It’s amazing what strength these guys can have. My second son was born at 34 weeks. We spent 3 weeks in the hospital, were home for 3 weeks, and then were back in the PICU for 3 weeks. (We couldn’t go to the NICU because he had already been out in public, which was really strange to me!). My son went through a lot – more than anyone should at that age. But he is doing so great now at 18 months. You’ll find so much strength in watching Ryder and knowing what he has been through – it will inspire you to handle life’s challenges with more grace. Whenever I find myself struggling with something physically or mentally, I think of what Michael went through – all the pain (he was on a ventilator from 6 weeks to 8 weeks old) and all the therapy he had after. Realizing his strength makes me stronger too. We’re all thinking of your sweet family.
I’m already in tears. Congratulations to you guys and sending so much love and strength to Ryder!
Soo happy, so thrilled, so overjoyed for you and your family. Thank you for sharing as I was worried about the issue that sent him to NICU as he was born on his due date. He is in the best hands and will progress and be at home with you in no time. Keep up that pumping even if you get nothing. It’s the best medicine he will get when he comes home — GO GIRL!!! Prayers and hugs always for you — can’t wait to hear about his progress. XOXO
What a sweet name!! I think it’s perfect. The middle name we chose for our second daughter was something our first daughter picked (in a way). L
My older daughter is Lyla Rae. When she was a toddler, she used to refer to herself as Lyla Gray. I always thought it would be so cute to use that for a middle name if we had another girl. Sophie Gray was born in 2013 ?
I can’t imagine how hard it must be to see your baby in the NICU. I’ll be praying for him and your family.
Julie, thinking of you and your sweet boy!
Your post brought tears to my eyes, as it brought back all of the feelings that I had when my first son was born at 33 weeks and admitted to the NICU at once. It’s a scary and alone feeling, but you are absolutely right, the nurses, staff, and doctors are all SO amazing! My guy was there for 8 days, and it now seems like such a distant memory. He’s now a super healthy and active 7 YEAR OLD! Don’t know how that’s possible, but looking at him, you’d never know how scary and hard those first few weeks were!
Ryder is so blessed to have you as a mom! And what a sweet tribute to Chase!
I pumped in the NICU and successfully nursed Ellis for 16 months (all the way into my 3rd trimester with his little sister). I know how hard pumping is, you are doing an amazing job!!! ❤️
LOVE the name, and he looks so much like Chase! Congratulations, and sending prayers/good thoughts your way for a swift discharge from NICU.
Beautiful baby boy, beautiful family and beautiful pictures. LOVE his name and the sweet meaning behind it. Congrats to you all!
I love his name and reasons you chose each!! He is so adorable and looks a lot like Chase! Congrats to you all and I pray you can bring him home very soon!
Welcome to the world Ryder! Congratulations to you and your sweet family!
Thank you for sharing your updates, even in such a hard/uncertain time so that your community can offer continued prayers for a brief NICU stay and a smooth transition home!
Congratulations Julie! So happy for you guys. When you posted it was a boy I thought to myself, I bet they give him Thomas for a middle name for Chase! Too cute. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts your way!
Julie – he is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I found myself anxiously checking your blog this morning to see if you had picked a name, and out loud (at my work computer 😛 ) I said, “aww what a great name!” and once I saw the meaning, I can’t imagine a better one. I laughed out loud when I read you picked “Thomas” as his middle name because of Chase. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the effort of including his name choice and it will be a great story when they are older. I’m truly praying that they will be best friends.
Ryder is such a sweet boy!
Praying for you, Ryan, Chase (and Sadie 😉 ) and mostly, your mama heart! I hope you embrace the emotions and tears, the love and support, and the transition that will undoubtedly be a juggling act when you get home with TWO babes.
Pslam 139:13 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” I pray you continue to trust God and take heart knowing that He loves Ryder so incredibly much – more than anyone on earth, including you and Ryan. It sounds odd, but I take so much comfort knowing that God loves my children (1 1/2 and 2 months) more than me and my hubs.
So excited for you my friend – Congratulations to your sweet family!!!
Love the name you picked for your little warrior. Hope you get to take him home soon.
LOVE THIS! I was just thinking this precious baby boy might be called Thomas for Chase, I bet he’s over the moon that it’s his middle name. Everyone’s birth stories are so different and each person (baby) is so different. I know I struggled with nursing after our little girl was in the NICU for almost a week (she’s 15 months now and totally healthy) but we figured it out how only we could. I have faith you will all be home soon and everything will fall into place the way it’s supposed to.
Congratulations! My son was born at 36 weeks and was in the NICU for a week (after coming home from the hospital with us and “crashing”). It turned out he was just jaundiced and needed a little more time in the hospital. The NICU staff was unbelievable. What an amazing job they do. I’m sure Ryder will be just fine but I know how tough it is seeing your baby in that situation. Sending positive thoughts!
LOVE that you put Thomas in his name. 🙂
Hoping for a quick discharge. My first (also born June 18th!) had a five day NICU stay when she was born. There was nothing sweeter than the SILENCE of our own house after finally getting her home. The NICU sure is noisy. 😛
Welcome to the world, Ryder.
CONGRATULATIONS, Julie, Ryan, and Chase! What a beautiful baby. Sending prayers and best wishes as precious Ryder goes through treatments. God bless your sweet family.
The NICU is so hard. When I had my daughter, the concept of the NICU was completely foreign to me. I remember always thinking ‘ok. She is going to go home today’. Once I realized it was a long process, and I focused on feeding her and watching her progress, it got much easier. I remember thinking ‘this isn’t my life. A week ago I was pregnant and shopping at target and now I am in the NICU with my baby and I just want to take her home’. The good news is that the NICU isn’t your life either. It’s just a short period, though the hours seem like days. My son was also a NICU baby, but it was much easier with him. The only difference was my mind set. I knew it took a while and that it too would pass. Please know my heart is with you and your family. Soon you will be taking Ryder home.
Oh, I love this so much! Just reading about it makes me tear up. I’m so happy for you guys! I can’t wait to hear the birth story!
Congratulations Julie! ❤️ Ever since you first shared you were expecting, I have said many prayers for you and your baby. I know God will continue to watch over him and protect him. I am so, so happy for you and your family. Looking forward to watching this little one grow and seeing Chase be the best big brother. Sending you lots of love! ❤️
Congratulations Julie, Ryan & Chase!
What a sweet name! Please rest assured that God’s Healing, Grace and Love are ALL-sufficient to carry Ryder during his time in the NICU. Praying that he will continue to rally as well as he is doing and that he will soon be able to join you all at home!
Congratulations! He is beyond adorable. Sending love to you all and hopefully Ryder will get to head home soon!
Congratulations! His little face melts my heart. What a sweet name! I had my first child at 33 1/2 weeks. He was 4lbs 9oz and so tiny! He was in the NICU for 2 wks. The nurses there were wonderful! He went home on a monitor because he would randomly stop breathing! It was terrifying! But now he is almost 16! Gah! He is bigger than me and you would never know he was a preemie. So crazy! I am praying Ryder gets to go home soon!
Julie. Congratulations on the arrival of Ryder Thomas. I thought to myself that Thomas would be a nice name and a tribute to Chase and when I saw his name this morning I thought it was a great choice. I have been an NICU nurse for 34 years ( yes you read that right). I know how difficult it is for parents to be discharged home without their precious baby. Believe me though, the nurses are there because they love those little babies and will watch over him when you are away. They become advocates for the babies when they make rounds with the Dr.’s and will take good care of him. All the best to your family. Hope Ryder is home soon.
Hearing how you selected Ryder’s middle name made me tear up and multiply my admiration for your and Ryan’s love for Chase. I am sure that will be the best story for a long time. Sending so many smiles your way, sweet Julie!
congrats! Prayers he continues to do well.
One thing that really helped me in the early days before my milk came in was hand expressing- the pump was really not working to get colostrum out and hand expression was a lifesaver!
Congratulations Julie, Ryan, and Chase! I love his name and that will be such a happy thing for Chase when he’s older that he helped name his baby brother. I hope his NICU stay is short and you are all settled in at home soon! Thinking of you all. xoxo
Congratulations to you and your family! From the photos, I see Chase in his features! Thoughts are with you. I hope Ryder will be home soon.
I love the story behind the name Thomas. This will be a wonderful story the boys can share when they’re older!
Congratulations on the sweet boy! ? Do not get discouraged on the pumping! My son was a 32 weeker and in the NICU for 20 days. I was barely getting more than a couple drops in the beginning and I slowly was able to fill up a small syringe, then a 15ml syringe and after I was discharged (4 days due to a c-section) I produced more and more. Going home will be hard if you aren’t discharged together but that day you can bring him home will be that much better. One benefit I found (besides the amazing care of the doctors and nurses) was that my son was on a very good schedule when we first brought him home because of how scheduled the care times are in the NICU. He ended up sticking to that schedule for the first week or so he was home which made the adjustment period slightly easier. Praying for you all!
What a beautiful name with so much personal meaning surrounding it! I’m so incredibly happy for your family and will continue to pray that Ryder can join you at home soon enough.
I exclusively pumped with our first born due to major breastfeeding problems and won’t lie it was a big adjustment and very time consuming. Everything will work out in time. Focus on your family foremost. Love Always, Brittany
God Bless him he IS a fighter! I mentioned on IG my son being in the NICU for 9 days as a precaution for weight gain, feeding (started on tubes) , lung fluid, blood sugar stabilizing and temp regulation. This was because he was born at 34wk6d!! Placental infection put me into preterm labor and I had no idea! Needless to say, he was FINE…this will be a piece of cake for Ryder! I will also mention my son is VERY advanced…so your boy will not have any set backs?
Going home without your baby is the hardest thing I have ever had to do as a mother. There will be a lot of tears, guilt and hurt. Know that you will get through this and be stronger for it. My 9 month old was in the NICU for 42 days. I would like to tell you it gets easier each time you leave him, but it doesn’t. I cried in my car on the way home every time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You and your family are amazing and will come through this like warriors!
I hope your nurses are as amazing as mine were. They made sure that I ate lunch, took a break and drank water. They let me cry and hugged me tight when I needed. While I hated that we ended up in the NICU, the nurses, doctors and staff were nothing short of amazing.
Wishing Ryder a speedy stay!
Julie- I have been following your blog for quite some time now and I couldn’t help but check my phone constantly to see how you and Ryder were doing this past week. I’m so happy to see you shared a bit today on the blog and my heart practically melted when I read about how you selecting Thomas as a middle name because of Chase. I wish nothing but the best for you and your family and hope that you get to all be home together as soon as possible!
He is such a cutie!!! Congratulations! Praying for ALL of you have to safe discharges and get home soon to soak up all those sweet baby snuggles <3
How funny that he has dark hair! Did you expect him to have blonde hair like Chase?!
Congrats! I had to leave my son in the NICU when I went home. It was heart breaking but the feeling of bringing him home 2 days later (we were so lucky his stay was that short) made it all feel sweeter .Just do your best. Don’t put any pressure on yourself and breastfeeding. Whatever happens – happens. It will all be okay. He will be okay.
Congratulations!
My daughter was born asphyxiated due to meconium/fluids. Labor was textbook, and both our vitals were completely normal. They even traded out a doctor for a midwife (so the doctor could go assist a higher risk labor). After 23hrs, I suddenly have this blue, lifeless baby on my chest and they’re rushing cut her cord and call Code Blue. It seemed all so slow motion. They resuscitated her right there in the room as I watched. 7 minutes and 15 nurses/docs later, I kissed my baby’s fingers and she was whisked off to NICU where she spent 4 days. I hardly slept because it broke my heart to hear and see babies with their mothers all around me on the recovery floor of the hospital. It was a challenge to pump and produce milk. It didn’t happen for me, and I ended up having to supplement. After getting home, I was diligent with pumping and learning to nurse (both of us), and finally got to exclusively breast feed after 6 weeks.
Julie, he’s so perfect, congratulations! Been praying for you since Monday. I don’t have any great words of wisdom or advice other than your love for your family is so so clear and amazing to witness/read. I pray Ryder will be out soon and you can have your little family of 4 all home together soon!
He is perfect, and he’s making so much progress already. (I love that last picture of him, completely zonked and probably with his tush in the air!) Sometimes those fast and furious labors just aren’t enough time to get everything out! You will have him home soon. He is so fortunate to have you for his mama, Ryan for his daddy, and Chase as a wonderful big brother. Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to share through this challenging time…and for giving us the opportunity to keep all of you in our thoughts.
Congrats on such a precious baby boy! The name is perfect. Sending love and prayers your way for a quick recover for Ryder, so you can all be home as a family soon <3
Congratulations! I have been reading your blog since I was in college (almost 8 or 9 years I bet) and have loved following along with you family. Best wishes to all of you 🙂
CONGRATS!!!! omg, i LOVE his name! especially thomas – what a sweet story 🙂
he’s absolutely gorgeous, and looks so cuddly! i teared up reading this, i’m just so happy for you guys.
Sending so much love and good thoughts to your family, Julie! Three days after being born our daughter had to go to the NICU for a week for an extreme cause of jaundice and I remember how completely overwhelming it felt as it is so far from what we envision when we think about having our kiddos. NICU nurses and drs are absolute angels and really made the experience a bearable one. I now look back and though I still vividly remember the fear and sadness, what comes to mind first are the amazing nurses and doctors who were there to help and guide us through the experience. Hoping for a quick visit for you and your family and congratulations on the beautiful baby boy!