Quick Cardiology Update

I emailed Owen's cardiologist at UCLA on the 24th to notify her of our discoveries. Carson found a donor card that was given to him after Owen's Norwood in February. Dr. Pearl had to use a patch during the surgery and up until now, we never really thought anything of it. It turns out it was a donor patch from another human so that explains why Owen's antibodies are SO high.

Dr. Halnon replied today and stated that they are still not sure which particular antigens he's developed antibodies to. Until they get this information, they won't know how to list him for a transplant. She said they should have a plan of attack soon. She said the donor tissue he received EXPLAINS why his antibodies are so sensitive.

Meanwhile... we WAIT and see Dr. Stock (our Phoenix Cardiologist) on Monday.

Eleven Months Today

Guess how old I am today?

I'm 11 months old... and that means that my birthday is next month! My mama has something FUN planned to CELEBRATE my first year. I've had a busy year... mama says I won't remember it though... it's probably best. You want to know how amazing I am?? Ok.. I guess I'll tell you!

* I finally tipped 20lbs on the scale... woo hoo.. I really have my NG tube to thank for that. I just get too tired to eat sometimes.

* I can sit on all fours... only for a second or two though... don't even think about saying the "crawling" word... it's WAY TOO HARD! I'll figure it out when I'm good and ready.

* I can say "dada"... I always COULD, I just didn't WANT to. Sorry mama... I'm saving your name for later. I have also mastered "AAAAHHHHH", "na na no no no no no", "la la la la la", "ay ay ay aaaayyyyaaa".

* My silly therapists keep trying to get me to stand on my legs... with my feet flat on the ground.. and they want ME to do some of the work!! It's just CRAZY and I don't think so!

* I LOVE that I was given two feet, because I use them like my hands. Wonder why we don't just get FOUR hands?? It would be a little easier.

* Santa brought me ALL kinds of balls for Christmas. I REALLY like to roll them, throw them, but most of all... EAT them! There's also a lot of toys that make crazy sounds and then my family says "ROAR like a Lion"... why do they want me to do that? I'm NOT a lion.

* Guess how many teeth I have? You don't have to guess, I'll just tell you... EIGHT! I have four on top and four on the bottom. There are more at the surface, but they don't count til' I can use em'.

* I decided to forgo the bottle.. the formula is just YUCK. Then mama tried baby food... YUCK again. I eat what they eat! I LOVE to eat! Why do I have to get so tired though? I'm supposed to have 900 calories a day... yeah whatever.

* I'll tell you a little secret... I LAUGH just because it's funny. I laugh because everytime I do... it makes everybody else laugh. I laugh because it makes me feel good. I LOVE to laugh.

* Well, I'm going to take a nap now. Thanks for visiting our blog. My mom is a bit addicted to blogging, but it's okay.... I get to sit on her lap and rip up all the papers and throw things ALL over the floor! Blog written by Mr. Owen himself! I tell you... this Boy is AMAZING!

Christmas

What a WONDERFUL Christmas!!

It all started at 2am when Kamryn tip toed into our room...

K: I think Santa came, I saw the light on in the family room
Me: Kamryn, those are the Christmas Tree lights, go back to bed!
K: I can't sleep!
Me: TRY! It's 2AM!

3:00am
K: Mom, Mom... it's 3!
Me: GO BACK TO SLEEP!! We aren't about to wake up at 3am.
K: I CAN'T SLEEP!
Me: I'll tuck you back into bed, you are going to sleep a little longer.

4:00am
K: Mom, I still can't sleep!
Me: Come out to the kitchen with me, I have to get Owen's formula.....
K: YEAH!!! Mom, SANTA CAME! He ate the cookies, and LOOK at all the presents!
Me: YEAH... ok, back to bed.
K: What do you think he brought us?
Me: I don't know... we'll find out SOON!
K: I'm not tired.
Me: Hmmm... I am. I'll tuck you back in.
K: (whining) I'll never be able to sleep, I just can't sleep!

7:30am
K: ZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZzzz
O:ZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzz

I first need to start by thanking Santa for not overdoing it in the TOY department this year! Kamryn got WII and DS Games, while Owen got BALLS... LOTS of balls!

We went to Justin and Larissa's to celebrate Christmas withGrandma Kathy and Brant
The Girls and Connor played in the rain. The BIG boys played a little Rockband! Owen got LOTS of toys to chew on and break through his many new teeth. Kamryn got yet another DS game (which she LOVES)!

Then we headed over to Grandpa Greg and Grandma Vicki's to spend time with my family. Gigi and Kamryn were SO excited they were handing out gifts to EVERYONE! As much as Kamryn enjoys tearing into presents... I think she enjoys watching others open the gifts she GIVES them even more.

Kamryn got a new 24" bike from Grandpa and Grandma. Now we have to teach her how to ride it... YIKES! (I know.. bad parents... we never taught her how to ride a bike)

Owen got a ride on of his own... a choo-choo... too bad his feet don't touch the ground yet :(

Owen gettings some LOVE! Owen hadn't napped, so by 6:00, he was exhausted. THEN, he got his second wind at around 8 and stayed up giggling in his crib. Such a silly guy!

We were very fortunate this year... not only to spend time with ALL our family, but to have Owen HOME with us!