Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Welcome to Riley's Blog

Now that you're here, what can you expect?

Who knows?

On my other blog, I write about pretty much whatever I want. Or music. Or games. Or anything. On this blog, the plan is to write about Riley. Check back for updates and info. I hope to be able to shed some light on this interesting time in our lives.

And, in a stunning development, Marci has signed on and will be updating, editing and correcting posts! Go Marci!!!

PS: disregard the date of this post. Putting it like that keeps this post at the top of the blog. Carry on.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Letter to Riley

HI Rye,

Last year, we were getting along really well. This was after about 2 years or so of completely not understanding one another. It got to the point that I was convinced that you didn't like me.

Of course, you were 2 and I was/am an idiot.

These days, you are still so eager to please and be good that when you have a rough day (like yesterday), it really surprises us. I'm trying to remember that nobody's perfect and everyone is entitled to a bad day here and there. If I lose my patience, just remind me of that.

The other day I read through the blog entries for your surgery and was reminded just how lucky we are to have found out about your condition and to live where we live to have Children's so close. We still have root beers in the fridge waiting for you and I to share once we get the OK.

I think it's pretty incredible that you had surgery. And, thankfully, you are still the same little dude. You love your family and your DS (though maybe not in that order). You love macaroni and cheese and monkeys. You're super smart, funny and thoughtful. You still claim to "know everything", though I don't necessarily believe you.

Christmas came a little early this year, especially with the positive outcome of your surgery. In addition, with the wish on its way from the Make-a-Wish people, Christmas will go beyond simply tomorrow.

You, little homey, are so much fun to be with and I treasure every moment we get to spend together. I love it when we hug and you pat my back; it's like you're comforting me instead of the other way around. You and your insatiable snuggling. Mom says you're a clone of me.

Well, if that's the case, then I mustn't be all that bad, huh? A chip off the old block, indeed.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Sunday, December 21, 2008

It's Christmas time

Or is that "It's Christmastime"? Is Christmastime a word? Who knows?

Anyway, just a little Riley update. He is doing fabulously. His scar is healing up really well. Almost all the scabs are gone. The skin is clean and almost smooth. I don't think it'll ever be smooth like before surgery, but it'll be pretty good. Though I'm not sure if his hair will grow from there, though. It'll be like a mini-combover. He'll have to grow the hair a little longer on the side of his scar, then sweep it over. I'll give him some hair gel to help.

We've been cooped up with the snow and all. Rye likes the snow, but I think the effort it takes to get him dressed makes him not want to go out. I think he'd rather be a geek like me and play DS all day.

His speech isn't improving noticeably yet. He cheats a little with his "s" words. He's able to make a "sh" sound, so a word like "snake" is pronounced "shnake". Also, his "kuh" sound sounds like "tuh", so when we have him say "sick", well, you get the picture. Kind of funny.

I'll be back later in the week with Rye's Xmas haul. Should be a big list.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Quick update

Things are moving along nicely for Rye these days. His hair is growing back, his scabs are healing. He's back at school and you'd never know he had surgery a few weeks ago.

He hasn't made any wish choice yet. We should be meeting with volunteers sometime soon.

In the meantime it's pretty much business as usual, so all is good.