Day 3

Day 3 at Ability Camp and we are all physically and mentally exhausted. Day one was really rough. The kids all screamed and I don't think there was a single parent in the room who didn't shed a tear or two.  It seems everyday gets a bit easier for Ryder and most of the other kids in the class. There are eight kids in the class and the families are amazing. It's a nice feeling to know your surrounded by people who just "get it".They have come from as far as Trinidad and Uganda! There is another mom from the states, me from New Brunswick then the rest I think are from here in Ontario. Ryder has made fast friends with a little boy named Dax. The two of them are the most mobile of the bunch and definitely the trouble makers of the group. Ryder will go up and down the halls calling for him. :) Things are done way differently here, they don't like any of our walkers we brought from home and have all the kids using basic walkers but backwards (bars in the front). Ryder was very confused at this and kept saying "turn around? turn? " lol... They also don't believe in using afo's or using high chairs while eating. All the kids eat at wooden plank tables with chairs and little wooden boxes for their feet to sit on. For the one's with very little trunk control they get a long bar thats bolted onto the table to hold on to. Everyone was given little orthopedic shoes to wear during our stay, not as fashionable as his Jordans but they do the job :) We also work on potty training and I swear Ryder is going to be traumatized from this experience and never use the toilet until he's 40! The kids also dont get any breaks for naps. The progam starts at 8:30 snack around 11:00 and finishes at luch for 1:30 then HBOT at 2:00 for those who are doing it.  I am really trying to keep an open mind but somethings just don't feel right. Like anything we have done, I will take what I believe is right for Ryder and leave the rest behind. The HBOT has gone well, it's done at the end of the class so the kids are usually crazy tired by that point.  I was a tad bit nervous the first time but now it just seems routine. Ryder slept the first two times but was wide awak for todays. After we get out he has crazy energy, probably  from all the oxygen. We have been heading back to the classroom to do our own thing and Ryder has a blast.

Well I need to appologize for any spelling mistakes as it's been a long day and I cant seem to get spell check to work! Good night all :)

We are not allowed to take pictures or videos in class but here are a few I took turing our play time after HBOT. :)

Happy New Year!!!!

We arrived safely in Toronto. My flight was switched to a direct flight which I was extremely happy about. Unfortunately we had a four hour wait in the saint John airport but I was cool with that,  if it meant less travel. Everything worked out after that. Ryder did good on the flight. This was his first time flying with his own seat and he looked like such a big boy :) Next time I would like to try and bring his car seat, as it was tricky trying to get him to actually sit up in his seat with just the lap belt. My mom's flight arrived 5 minutes before mine and we met right at the baggage claim. Our car rental was the exact car that my mom drives back home which made the unfamiliar drive a little less stressful. Drivers here seem to be a little on the aggressive side but we managed to find our way. We are staying right down town and I can't get over how busy it is here! We went to the mall and you basically could not move,  PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!! 

Were on our way to Ability Camp! I am REALLY excited now!! We spent new years eve laying low in our hotel room so we could get an early start this morning. Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!!

2012 : Ryder's year!

The Christmas season is finally over. It's a hard season for me and it's always nice to know the new year is coming. This year I am extremely excited for the new year. I know this is Ryder's year! As some might imagine, his first two years were a bit of a struggle. First year we rode the NICU roller coaster, lost Wyatt and tried to plain out "survive". His second year we spent trying to process his new Cerebral Palsy diagnosis and figure out what was next. But this year I know is going to be great, it's gotta be!  We have amazing family, friends, doctors and therapists all supporting us and it feels awesome. So many people following Ryder's journey and cheering him on all the way. We really can't thank you all enough for the donations, support and positive energy you have put out in the world for Ryder. He really is such a special boy and I am so grateful for all the opportunities he has been given thus far.

Were almost on our way, just two more day until we leave for Toronto!! Getting excited but mostly nervous right now. A little worked up about the travel part, up until I meet my mom in the airport when her flight comes in an hour after mine. Just thinking about me trying to collect all my luggage all alone, is giving me an anxiety attack. I will have Ryder, my carry on, his stroller, two large suit cases, his car sear and his walker!! I know I'll be fine and be able to manage just like I always do in these situations but I really will be happy and more relaxed once that part is over!

We will be staying in Toronto for two days then head to camp on the 1st. After that it's five full weeks of intense therapy. I will try my best to keep the blog going through our stay. Wish us luck! We are on our way!! :)

Crocodile walk

Just two weeks until we leave for camp!! With Christmas being right around the corner I know the time is going to fly by! The donations have not stopped and we are left feeling SO loved and supported. Please know that even though we have raised enough money for camp, the remainder is going towards great thing for Ryder. His new walker being one and his leg braces are next on our list. Thank you all so so much!!!

We received an early Christmas present on Friday morning.....Ryder's walker FINALLY came!! Honestly at the rate it was moving I really didn't think it would get here before we left. It sat at customs for over two weeks and in total we waited a full month for it to arrive. Next time we need something we will have it shipped to the states and just go pick it up ourselves. Lesson learnt. None the less, it is here now and Ryder is one happy little boy using it!

We have been having a hard time walking outside as it's getting colder, so tonight we thought we'd take the drive out the Qplex to try out the walking track. It was awesome. It would have been better if there wasnt a hockey game going on, as Ryder was VERY distracted but he had a lot of fun and really that is all the matters. The track is 1km when walked around five times. Ryder managed to walk around two full times, which i think is absolutely amazing! For sure the furthest he's walked to date. 

Here the boys are getting distracted again... haha 

And here is the boy in action!! :)

I just wanted to also talk a bit about the walker for anyone who may come across this and is interested in buying one. This is the fourth walker he has tried and to me the best. It is called the Crocodile Gait Trainer made by Snug Seat. So far I am in love with this walker and really think it is one of the best out there for transitioning from a full on gait trainer to rear walker. The walker comes just as a basic rear walker and you can add as much supports as needed, this being the reason I think it is classified as a "gait trainer" on most sites. The wheels are awesome! They come standard with the walker and have speed control, anti reverse back wheels (unlike a lot of other walkers when put in anti reverse they don't slip or slide back at all!) and you can have the front wheels either swivel or lock straight. The wheels are also on the larger side making it easier to go on uneven ground and even grass :) We purchased the pelvic pad and lateral supports to help keep Ryder centered, an attendant bar to help steer him while he's learning and a fold down seat for when he get's a bit older and can pull it down when he may need to have a rest. Very happy with this purchase :)

home ♥

We have officially raised enough money!! Our grand total is $13,280!!! We are just so grateful to everyone who has helped us get to this point. We now have enough money for camp, HBOT, our travel and food expenses while we are there!!! I am so blown away with everyone's generosity. THANK YOU!!

Ryder and I are home from our three and a half week long trip and we seem to be having a very hard time adjusting back to "life". It's always hardest coming back and losing those four hours even if technically it's only three, as we spent the last week in Alberta.(it's still hard!!) We had a really good trip and it was so nice to be able to spend so much time with family and friends. I got to meet and snuggle my brand new nephew and we are honored that the payed tribute to Wyatt with his middle name. As fun as it was, it's always good to get back home. Ryder missed his daddy so much and now whenever Ty tries to leave the room he cries out for him. A little sad that we are only here for another month before we take off again for five weeks to go to camp.  I am however getting really excited about the possibilities camp may bring. I can't wait to get there and get started then of course get home to Daddy :)

Ryder made such huge progress while we were away. It amazes me how much that walker helped his legs. After a few days of using it his tight muscles had relaxed so much. When I would stretch his legs he would giggle instead of scream and his feet were as flat as can be. Since not using it for a week and a bit his legs have started to seize up again and it's really hard for him to go flat foot. The worst is trying to do his stretches, we are back to the screaming in pain again :(  We have ordered him a walker of his own and I am really hoping it gets here sometime this week. I guess the saying " if you don't use it, you lose it" is very relevant to Ryder's little legs.

Ryder turned two while we were on our last flight home. We really pushed the "infants up to two years old travel free" rule to the limit. We spent his Birthday searching for the perfect big boy bed but failed to find anything low enough for him. For now we just have his new mattress on the floor and he couldn't be happier :) I can't believe he's already two!!! It's so hard not to envision our life the way it should be with Wyatt here, especially on days so special. We sent our Birthday balloons up to heaven for our sweet angel. As soon as they were out of sight, I knew he had got them . It was heart wrenching and perfectly beautiful at the same time.

We love and miss you so much sweet boy. Happy 2nd Birthday Wyatt & Ryder! xoxoxo

Taking walking to the next level!!

Ryder just keeps doing it. Seems almost everyday he's blowing me away with another trick he has hidden up his sleeve.

We weren't able to bring his walker on our trip because it's so big and doesn't fold down at all. Even if we were able to check it with the baggage, it would have taken up to much room with all our luggage in the car. Anyhow, Ryder's Aunty Karla was told about a lending cupboard on the coast for pediatric equipment. She made some calls and received a walker for Ryder to try out during our stay. It's nothing like his walker at home, it doesn't have any supports to hold him in place. Just a basic walker, very similar to one we tried out just two weeks ago with no luck what so ever. I don't know what changed between then and now but he is now doing AMAZING!!

Here he is after using it for just two days!!

We have been getting some awesome donations the past few days. I really can't thank you all enough. I will add everything up and give a grand total tonight. I know we are getting SO close, and it's all thanks to YOU!! :) xo

He's a climbing boy!

We have been so close, for so long but today he did it! After almost a full year of training, Ryder climbed the stairs all by himself!! He didn't just climb one or two, he went for it and did the whole flight! I AM SO PROUD!!!

 Look at him go!!

Right now Ryder and I are in BC visiting all my family & friends back home. We arrived Tuesday after a full day of travel. On our first plane ride we sat next to a mom and her 11 week old baby girl. Every time the baby would start to cry Ryder's little lip would pucker and he would cry too. Other than the last bit of screaming x2 it was a good flight and he slept the whole time. He did pretty good on the long flight too. He didn't sleep at all but he watched 6 hours of straight Thomas the train. You would think he would be sick of it after that but as always he's still asking for more. I now have a new appreciation and love for that "Cheeky little engine!" lol

Ryder has adjusted very well to the four hour time difference. He's sleeping in his own big boy bed, (aka mattress on the floor) and seems to be sleeping way better then he does in his crib at home. I end up in bed with him every night but mainly because I fall asleep cuddling him and am too lazy to go back to my own bed. He's also been using a pillow and I don't know why but I think it's the cutest thing ever!! haha!

This trip out, Ryder loves my parents dogs. He calls them Abba and Dog (Abbie and Ben) and chases them around the house. Iv never heard him belly laugh as much as he did the first night playing with them. We have only been here for three days but it already feels like it's going by way too fast. Lots of visiting and special people to see. We leave on the 19th to fly to Alberta to visit my brother, sister-in law, nephews and meet the newest addition to be! Can't wait!! So good to be home :)