Happy Harvest!

Today we visited Neverland at daddy's work and met Captain Hook! At first, Ryder was scared of Captain Hook but as soon as he discovered it was daddy, he was just embarrassed! 

The evening ended with a neighborhood gathering and even baby Stocking dressed up.

Happy Harvest everyone! 

I Heard You!

Ryder had a slew of appointments this week. Today, he was cleared for more food by his plastic surgeon and thankfully, the hole in his palate, looks like it's healing well. It probably won't close all of the way but it looks much better than it did last week. 

After Ryder's plastic surgeon appointment he had a hearing test at the ENT's office and I am overjoyed to say that he PASSED!!! Wahoo!! I almost cried when they told me he passed. Ryder has had several hearing tests but has never officially passed. They would always say "maybe next time" or "maybe he's having an off day" as to not say the actual words "he didn't pass" but I always knew what they were basically saying. Well today our Super Ryder showed them how perfect his ears work! We've been waiting almost 16 months for a passing grade and today we got it!

Ryder also started speech therapy this week. It's going to be a long road as Ryder has yet to say his first word but if anyone can do it, it's Super Ryder! I am happy to report that Ryder signs like a champ! He can sign 8-10 words and some of his favorite signs are "eat, please and more!" 

How we love our Ryder Jeremiah SO incredibly much! He has come such a long way over the past 16 months and he never ceases to amaze us! Today was an answer to so many prayers! Jeremiah 1:5. 

1st Annual Cousin Pumpkin Paint/Carve

Today we had Ryder's cousins over for a pumpkin painting/carving contest. It was fun and I love seeing Ryder interact with his cousins. He loves them so much! 

We started the day off with chili & cornbread and then the painting/carving began! 

Story time. 

Group photo before we began (missing Chris, Ash and baby Grey). Also, Papa (my dad) wasn't feeling well so he was home sick. 

The winning pumpkins and their creators. 

Ryder J gave daddy a standing ovation when he won the carving contest! He literally stood up and clapped! 

The kiddos lined up in front of their pumpkins. 

My sis made these adorable candy corn beanies for the boys. 

Future pumpkin carvers. 

The day ended with homemade pazookis and the lighting of our pumpkins!  

20,000 Views!

20,000 views on this blog. Wow! I know that doesn't seem like a lot in the "world of blogging" but in the Stocking world, that's a lot! It's hard to believe that our little blog site has been viewed that many times! Countless times I've received emails, text messages, phone calls from people saying how they've been encouraged or "cleft educated" and I'm so grateful to all of you who take the time out of your world, to peak into ours.  

 

This blog has been more than a "Ryder update" for me. It's been a place where I can document our journey - which many times has been filled with heartache, frustration and grief but it's also been filled with much happiness and joy! 

Which leads me to the following verses which have come to mean so much to me throughout 2014: 

"Consider it all Joy when you face various trials." James 1:2

"Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5 

This year has been filled with much heartache, but it's also been filled with much joy!  And in May 2015 a new bundle of joy will be joining our family! 

We can't wait to meet you little one! You have been prayed for and loved on before you were even physically with us! 

This post wouldn't be complete without mentioning baby December. How we wish we could have held you in our arms but we know you're in the arms of Jesus. We think of you every day and your upcoming earthly birth date in December will be celebrated as we will ALWAYS consider you our baby #2!

15 Month Check Up

Ryder Jeremiah had his 15 month check up today. Our little superhero is weighing in at 20.5lbs (15%), is 31in long (29%) and 71% for head circumference. I was kind of bummed with his weight. I thought for sure we had hit the 21lb mark! It's been such a struggle for him to gain weight and we work so hard on his diet to get him to eat healthy but also gain weight. Oh well. Hopefully he'll chubby up soon! 

As can be expected, Ryder's not a fan of doctor offices. The 4 shots he had today didn't help things either. 

Next week is a FULL week of appointments: 

Tuesday - OT evaluation  

Wednesday - Ryder's first speech therapy

Thursday - follow up with plastic surgeon 

Thursday - hearing test at ENT

Friday - follow up with Pediatrician

I'm so grateful to be a stay-at-home-mama. I have no idea how we'd be able to tackle all of these appointments otherwise. 

Poor little guy walked with a limp the rest of the day and was NOT a happy camper. Boo on shots!!!