God is so good!

It's been a long week for the Stockings. Doctor appointments have been on the agenda almost every day this week.

On Tuesday Serina and Ryan met with the cranio-facial specialist who met Ryder for the first time. They reviewed some important milestones that Ryder will need to meet in order to receive the surgeries in his first year. During that appointment they found a blister growing on the cleft of little Ryder's mouth. According to the Doctor, it's from the current nipple he's using, so he prescribed him a new nipple. Although challenging the first couple day's, Serina say's Ryder is getting used to it little by little.

Today Ryder saw his Pediatrician again, and he is back up to birth weight! It's normal for a newborn to drop weight after birth but we're always hopeful they return to birth weight at least by week #2. And it's even more crucial for a little newborn who has cleft palate/lip, for it is far more challenging for them to get proper nutrition. But thanks be to God, Ryder, Mommy and Daddy are all doing a great job!

If you are a believer, and Jesus Christ is your Savior, and you have been through a trial. It's beautiful how opened your eyes are to the little reminders of God's provisions. God's so faithful in always sending reminders that He's there with us. Some people perceive these to be "coincidences", yet they aren't. There is a God, He has a plan and all we need to do is seek and find that plan. I've been blessed to say I get chills at the random texts I get from Serina. Just the other day she shared how she had a bad day and she was praying that God would give her confirmation that He was with her. On her way home from the Doctors appointment this is what God gave her.

It said "Happy 1st Birthday Ryder". God is so gentle, so merciful, so gracious to carry us, to whisper to us..."I'm still here". 
 

God didn't make Ryder and say "Ooops, forgot to connect that part". And when Ryder was born He didn't say "I don't know what to do".  And today He's not thinking "Why didn't I think of that?". He is ALL controlling, ALL powerful and ALL knowing. God is so good that He is using THIS story, THIS baby boy only two weeks old to show His power, His might and His love, and we get to witness it. How blessed are we?

The Homecoming!

Baby Ryder Jeremiah made his way home to Calle Alimar on Wednesday July 17th, exactly one week after coming into this world . Serina and Ryan were both thrilled to have there little one home. Since Serina was discharged on Sunday, she was traveling back and forth for a couple days spending most of her day right at Ryder's side in the NICU.



The very talented neighbor Cindy made this amazing sign announcing Ryder's birth. Very nice!

The cousins finally met their newest baby cousin.

Kaleb hadn't seen auntie Rae since before she had the baby. They were so very excited to see her, and his first words were "You look like you've lost some weight, you look good". Out of the mouth of babes.....(shaking my head).

Mum was reunited with her "munchkins" after day's of not seeing them. She's in heaven with all her little ones (six total)!!

The rest of the afternoon I enjoyed capturing pictures of Ryder and mommy.

Eating roughly every 2-3 hours this little man is growing. Mom and Dad are excited when he drinks his 70 mL's of milk. He is a strong little man working very hard to maintain his weight and growth. Serina reports "he pee's a lot!", which takes a little getting used to with baby boys. She's been able to dodge some accidents but has been caught in the fire of others.

So far, Serina is swaddling, burping, feeding and tending to her newborn just like a veteran mom. She believes it comes from the years of helping Naomi and I with our kids, and I know for a fact it has. Although, at times perhaps doubt crosses her mind, she is doing an incredible job as a mom in just the few day's that she's been one. Ryan also has been a tremendous help with the baby in tending to his needs and feeds. Ryan's also a great cheerleader for Serina, and helps her crack a smile at any moment of frustration. Ryan is back home driving with Serina from doctor appointments to consultations. Over the past couple days and into next week Ryder has and will be seeing a few different doctors and specialists.

 The Stockings are appreciative for those who have inquired about visiting and they know that many of you would like to meet baby Ryder. Serina and Ryan will be open to visitors later this week after many of their appointments and follow-ups are complete. 

A special thanks to all who have signed up and even offered to provide a meal for the Stockings. They are more than ever thankful for the outpour of love and affection they have received from all their friends, family and neighbors.



Serina, just for you.
Welcome to mommyhood :)

Almost Home

It's the eve of baby Ryder Jeremiah's week birthday, and he's resting soundly. Today Ryder got circumcised, yes, "it wasn't such a good day after all" he probably thought.

This is Ryder holding onto Daddy's finger. Such a precious picture.

Tomorrow is a big day, not only because he'll be one week old but also because Ryder Jeremiah will get his first professional pictures done and there is discussion that he'll be discharged home. Mommy, Daddy and Ryder will be reunited again and under the same roof.

Please keep the Stockings in prayer as over the next few days (if Ryder is released) a good schedule for the baby and parents will get worked out. Appointments with the Cranio-facial specialist is in the upcoming week, so please keep the surgeon they choose and all the details for that in prayer.

Progress is being made little by little. Currently we're on the hunt for special bottles and nipples for this little man, but all is well. God is faithful in providing family to support Serina and Ryan through this endeavor. We thank the many people who are at home praying and sending their love through emails, messages and texts.

For Serina and Ryan who do check up on me via this blog, here are some encouraging words from friends and family:

• Thank you Juleene. Their little family is in our prayers. Debbie K.
•  Thank you, please give Serina and Ryan a hug and I will be praying with them through this journey. Karen M.
• Thanks for sending me this. Very beautiful. Love it an love them. Liz P.
• Thanks prima! Hope to see the family soon! Crystal A
• Thanks Juleene We praying for the baby Mom and Dad We hope to see Serina and family soon please let her know my heart my pray ,my arms, my shoulder is next to her,God is in control always . Thanks for all great info about little Jeremiah be praying Joshua1.9  Noemi A.
• Thank you for sharing, Prayers always! Betty N.
• Thank you very much. His great uncle Marcos will be praying for you and Ryder. Love always. Marcos P.
• He is such a blessing and he is blessed to have you to document his story. My congratulations to your entire family! I will continue to prayer for Ryder and your family. Sarah A.  
• Dearest Juleene and family,  You are truly a blessing to this world. The heart of your love for your family is centered from the love you have for Jesus and His promises. So many people in this world are unknowingly missing the most important and joyful experience they could ever encounter by not having a tender relationship with Jesus Christ. I say tender, because He is such a Forgiving, Truthful and Loving giver of unending grace to us who are so undeserving. That is why I constantly have to remind myself that whenever I go through trials, I can rest comfortably under the shadow of His wings. Many blessings to you as you continue this wonderful work informing us of the journey of Ryan and Serina Stocking and their beautifully and wonderfully made baby son, Ryder Jeremiah Stocking, My sincere love and prayers Yolonda E. 
• Baby Jeremiah is adorable & they will continue to be in my prayers for a successful operation and speedy recovery. Liz D. 
• Congratulations! I know you are starting off with some challenges already but I am so excited for you now that you are able to experience the mommy love at a new level! Natalie H.
• He is a beautiful baby! Congratulations! Maren C.
• He is precious! He look just like his daddy. Definitely praying for you guys. Big hugs! Praying he's doing well as well as mommy and daddy. Stacey F.  
• BEAUTIFUL! I am blanketing you with prayer! Kelly M.
• Bless the Lord! Congrats Serina. We will pray for him and the family. The Lord is faithful ALWAYS! Nicole C.
• What a little stud muffin. What a little blessing. Chris A.
• We are praying for you! Jeanine C.

This is just the messages I've received and can pass on, yet countless of you have sent texts, emails or messages directly to Serina and Ryan and we thank you.  Baby Ryder has a squad of people encouraging him and we are so appreciative of all your love, efforts and support. Stay tuned to see if Ryder makes his day beau at Calle Alimar tomorrow!

5 Days old and progressing.

Only 5 days old little Ryder is making his progress. He is eating better than we all expected. He is eating regularly and sleeping, Ryder dropped a few ounces but after Saturday nights feed of 52 mL and he was back up two ounces in weight. All which may be ticket for him to leave the NICU this week.

Serina was discharged from the hospital last night. She was battling some headaches that were getting worse but resolved with medicine. The doctors were concerned with a spinal headache after her epidural, yet we all noticed she's had very little sleep since Ryders birth on Wednesday. Despite the emotional heartache of leaving Ryder Jeremiah  last night at the hospital NICU, we all feel it will be good for her to be home to rest and get more than two hour increments sleep.

Ryan went back to work today and I'm sure his mind is occupied with everything but work as his family is still healing and growing.

These pictures are from yesterday when we visited Ryder. My timing is always great and we got him on his nap time, I find pictures of a baby's sleeping to be the most adoring pictures of all.

Hung right over his crib in the NICU.

He had just had his hearing test and he PASSED!

Chilax'n like a big boy.

Yes, he's under there.

This new Momma has had minimal sleep as she's already sacrificing what we all treasure (sleep) to be there for her little baby.

Ryder's stuffed animal's Serinas been snuggling while she sleeps.

This new Dad has been craving Costco hot dog of ALL things and he finally quenched that craving!

Serina and Ryan have been please with all the staff at Mission Hospital. They have been sponges absorbing all there is to know in being new parents.

 

Walk with me, Mama

Walk along side me, Mama
and hold my little hand.
 I have so many things to learn
that I don't yet understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe
from the dangers of everyday.
Show me how to do my best
at home, at school, at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand
to guide them a they grow.
So walk alongside me, Mama
We have a long way to go.
Author-unknown

Ryder Jeremiah Stocking's Story

January 2013 "Count your Blessings" announcements were sent to family and friends announcing the great news that Ryan and Serina Stocking would be expecting their first child that summer.  Anxiousness and excitement grew as their family was expanding beyond just them two.

A 20 week ultrasound revealed the little baby forming in Serina's womb was to be born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. Further tests were performed and thanks be to God the baby had no additional abnormalities. This news shook us all. When a pregnancy is announced, the typical immediate thought is of the sex of the baby rather than the simplistic hope of a healthy child. Ryan and Serina were now confronted with a new challenge of having a baby with physical abnormalities. 

Months of prayer, months of preparation and months of what many of us know as refinement were in progress. God was using this unborn child to build the foundation of this family before he even took his first breath. And yes, by this time, the expecting parents who were not going to find out the sex, found out that they were expecting a baby boy! (yay for boys!)

Over the months God used Jeremiah 1 to speak truth to both Ryan and Serina and through this amazing scripture came his precious name.....Jeremiah. Ryder was chosen by Ryan, it means "knight". For Ryan, Ryder was going to be his Knight. Jeremiah 1:5 was a verse Serina held close to her heart "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you"

 

"For you formed my inward parts; covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well"  Psalm 139:14

From this point, despite the endless appointments with specialists (plastic surgeons, neonatologists, etc) Ryan and Serina carried on only through the faith in the Lord and through the prayers and support of all their family and friends. Countless prayer warriors were interceding on behalf of this little family and all they were about to encounter over the next few months.

Serina's very favorite poem!

After months of expectation, on Wednesday, July 10th, the day after Serina's 31st birthday at 9:04 PM beautiful preciously knit and perfectly formed baby Ryder Jeremiah was born at Mission Hospital. All 6 lbs and 12 oz and 19.5 inches of him had been perfectly developed and created just as God had intended. I had the proud privilege of being one of the first family members to welcome him into the world.

 

 

 He wasn't too fond of my flash and the room was really dark, he was a trooper through his first of many photo shoots.

In Ryder Jeremiah's first three day's of life, he has tolerated numerous bottle feeds up to 20 mL and is growing. Mommy and Daddy are gradually digesting all there is to know in caring for a newborn and how to accommodate his abnormalities (cleft palate and cleft lip). Nurses, Doctors and consultants are educating family and parents on how to best care for baby Ryder Jeremiah. Baby Ryder will have his first reconstruction surgery once he reaches 10lbs, which at this rate of his feeds may come sooner than we all thought. Mommy and Daddy are sleep deprived (as many new parents already are) and are anxiously waiting and nervous for the day they can take their new bundle of joy home. Baby Ryder has a beautiful room awaiting his occupancy.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Where it all began, love...."I have loved you with an everlasting love".

Prayers are greatly appreciated; for Ryder Jeremiah's journey of surgeries and healing, for Serina and Ryan being new parent's and learning all their is in taking care of a baby with cleft palate and cleft lip. And, the hopes that through this journey not only those directly involved but those watching would witness the amazing might and power of God through little Jeremiah's journey. And that they would be changed in knowing that "Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth..."Jeremiah 1:9


A great big thanks to everyone who has kept the Stockings in prayer and in thought. And endless thank you to the family and friends who have provided meals and visited. Serina and Ryan couldn't endure this without their Faith in Christ Jesus and the great support of everyone who has walked the journey with them thus far.

Stay tuned for updates on baby Ryder Jeremiah's progress.

 Written by Serina's sister-Juleene AKA Auntie "Nee-Nee".