Happy 7th Birthday Owen!!!

Guess who is 7 years old today?!  I am almost in tears because, well I'm emotional anyway, but I am just so happy.  Look at this little peanut.. born with half a heart and ready to fight.  Who knew that he would be thriving, with a strong new heart, celebrating his 7th birthday! 

His first year was intense full of unknowns.  Two open heart surgeries, 3 cardiac catherizations, transplant evaluations, oxygen, 24/7 NG tube feeds, therapy 3x a week...

At two he was butt scooting around the house, manueving around his oxygen tubing.  We ditched his NG tube and had a Gtube surgically placed.  Owen started being treated at Stanford for heart failure and we had a couple more caths this year.  He was talking up a storm and such a stubborn little spitfire!

By three, we finally had a walking boy!  He would say the silliest things all the time and we knew he was trouble. We told him to bring it!  Owen had his third open heart surgery at Stanford to repair his Tricuspid Valve, another couple cardiac caths and we continued to talk transplant. Owen wrapped up his year with his Make A Wish trip to Disneyworld!

By four, we knew Owen was having a tough time keeping up, satted in the low 60s and was listed for a heart transplant.  He had a great year with many ups and downs, but such a tough guy!!  He continued to work hard with PT, OT and Speech therapy weekly and always impressed us.

Owen's fifth year has been the year of change.  He received his heart transplant in July and has thrived ever since!!!  When we look back at the first part of his fifth year and compare to the last half, we are so grateful for this amazing gift of life he has been given. He had started Kindergarten with a homebound teacher, learned to jump on the tramp, and improved in every area of development.  It's like he is a new boy!

Six has been the year of transformation!!  Owen has physically, emotionally, cognitively.. every area has changed for the better.  He is growing like a weed (finally)...he started 1st grade..he is running (almost), jumping on the trampoline (getting air)..wicked smart in math.. his writing has improved so much.. he is reading (when he has to).   He is happy, smart, funny, and such a delight to be around!  He no longer has hulk rage and his teacher says he is the most obedient, kind boy.  Even with a bajillion biopsies and trips to Stanford, you always have such a positive attitude.

Happy 7th Birthday Owen!!  I cannot wait to see what amazing things you accomplish this year!!  You are such a momma's boy, the best Bro to your siblings and you love to play video games with Daddy.  I know your biggest goals this year are to make it to 2nd grade and to finally ditch your Gtube for good.  You are well on your way to both!!  We are so, SO proud of you!!!  I hope you always remember how brave you are and what you have overcome as it has molded you into the incredible boy you are today! 

Thank you so much to Owen's donor family.  We love you, we pray for you often.  The gift you have given Owen, the gift of life, is celebrated today!!

Logan -- 5 Weeks

Logan celebrated his 5 week birthday this week!  Can you believe it?  He is such a sweet addition to our family and we are all in love.  I knew Kam would be fabulous with him, but Owen has totally surprised me with his attentiveness to his brother.  I took Logan for his monthly well child visit this week and he is the picture of health!  He is growing... 11lbs, 22.5"... and developing right on target.  He does have a touch of thrush and has had some tummy discomfort (reflux/gas).  We are still waiting for an intentional smile and we have all placed bets on who will get the first grin.  We feel so lucky to have this bubba to complete our family of five.

It only took five weeks, but I am finally feeling a little less overwhelmed.  Transitioning from 2 to 3 kiddos has taken some getting used to. Kam and Owen have been late to school most days but the important thing is.. we made it!  My husband has been patient with me.  I am so grateful for all of them! 

Next week we will celebrate Owen's 7th birthday... feeling blessed!!

Foot Orthotics and Four Weeks

It has been another wild week.  I am still trying to find a schedule that works for all of us, but it's getting better.  Logan and I are sleeping more at night and I am so guilty of putting him in my bed at times.  Kam only coslept or else we didn't sleep.  Owen liked his own space and with all his oxygen/feeding tubes it was best to keep him in his crib next to my bed.  Logan starts out cuddling to sleep with his night feed and I put him in his crib next to my bed, but at some point during his million night feeds (little piggly wiggly) he ends up snuggled in my arms.  What's the saying?  You can't spoil a baby? :)

Owen's foot orthotics finally came in!!  He was fitted for new foot orthotics back in November.  We left Logan with Auntie today so we could drive downtown and spend a good hour getting adjusted and make sure his new orthotics fit well.  Owen stayed entertained while waiting.

He picked black on black.. they are a lot more supportive than I assumed they would be.  I was expecting SMOs, but since he has added toe walking to his weak gait, Brett thought he'd give him a little more support for now.

Owen LOVES them!!  He walked all around and didn't want to take them off in the car.  He also got some new Nike's since his shoes have to be a good size bigger than his real size to accommodate the foot orthotics.  He is so proud of his new orthotics and warned Payton (at school) that he was going to be able to keep up with her on the playground!  We go back in 4 months to be refitted and perhaps even go with something lower profile.  In the meantime, we are going to work his buns off in PT and continue to grow.  He is gaining weight and inches by the day!! 

Speaking of growing.. holy smokes Batman!!  This little guy is chunking up and growing way too fast!!  He is loving tummy time, lifting up his head and I just want to push a pause button.  He hit four weeks on Wednesday.. FOUR weeks!! 

The weather is perfect in the desert and we plan to get outdoors a lot and enjoy our three day weekend as a family.  Life is good!!!