1. Pregnant?
The day I found out I was pregnant was a day I will never forget, and pray that I can always go back to the joyous moment my husband and I shared together. Michael and I were very blessed to conceive within a month of our decision to being trying for a baby. However, I am one of the "one in four women misread their pregnancy test." Yes, you read that right...I misread my positive test. We found out we were expecting after being home for Christmas vacation in 2010. I took a test while we were unpacking out suit cases and when I did not see a bold, second pink line I tossed it aside and told Michael it was a no. Well, praise God he double checked because there was definitely a tiny, light second line. We celebrated momentarily, but then Michael quickly ran to the store to buy some more tests for this skeptical Mommy. :) I can remember falling to my knees after he left and just praising God for answering our prayers. I have longed to be a Mom since a young age. In fact, I began praying the Lord would bless and prepare my womb for children long before I was married.
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| I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27 |
Michael and I were so excited to find out what our sweet baby was that we scheduled an appointment at a local baby spa instead of waiting until our 20 week appointment with my OB. Michael was convinced it was a girl. I had believed from the beginning it was a boy (pregnancy dreams are very vivid!). We were watching the ultrasound probe go around (on a 50in TV) as the tech did the common measurements before revealing the big news. I thought I may have seen a little appendage between those little legs, but I wasn't so sure. Then, she slowed down....there was no mistaking it! I wish I could have taped Michael's reaction. I mean what Dad doesn't really, really want a boy to pass down the family name? He was on cloud nine. It was finally real and we could picture holding our little Owen. :)
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| Make no mistake.....it's an OWEN! |
3. There's a Problem
By far the most devastating moment of my life was the ultrasound appointment in which we found out about Owen's condition. Unfortunately I remember the most about this moment and an forced to relive it through terrible dreams. Recalling this moment sends a flood of emotions through my body. I remember what I was wearing. I remember the silence in the room. I remember waiting for the technician to say something positive....instead I heard "I'm going to have to go get the doctor." This moment still makes me get a lump in my throat.I remember my body aching on the ride home. I remember sobbing for hours until I fell asleep only to wake up to the worst headache I've ever hard.I was drained. Devastated. So upset it made me feel sick. But little did I know that this moment would begin a change in my life so dramatic and moving that without it, my faith and strength would not be as strong as it is today.
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| Not an actual picture from that appointment (we don't have any from that day) but this in this picture you can see his enlarged bladder. |
4. Low Average!
We had another very defining moment in our pregnancy when we had an MRI at 33 weeks to check Owen's lung volume. It was questionable that due to my low amniotic fluid that Owen's lungs would not develop properly and he would not survive birth. The day of our MRI was my first time to leave the hospital in about 7 weeks. So I can remember alot of what went on, being such a change in my daily routine. :) One change being that I didn't have on sweatpants all day. :) The MRI went very smoothly and we were in and out in about an hour or so. Then we had to wait. A long, looooong time. So, as any pregnant lady would do, we went to Cheesecake Factory. :) After my ridiculously highly caloric meal. (VERY delicious though!) We headed back to receive our results. The doctors were running way behind that day and we had to wait over an hour to share the results with us. Once we were finally called into the extremely intimidating conference room full of very intelligent people. We sat nervously as the doctor began to explain the results. He began by showing us the slides and cross sections of Owen's lungs. Then he finally said it....his lung volume measure in the "low average range for 35 weeks." Well, that's all I needed to hear! Praise God! However, then I realized he said 35 weeks. I was only 33....this of course, made our odds even better! He predicted Owen would need some help breathing at birth, but would then be fine. He was exactly right. Owen was intubated within minutes of being born, but was breathing fine on his own less than 12 hours later!
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| One of his first pictures, breathing tube and all. His poor little face was smashed from being all squished with not fluid! |
5. The Birth Day
Oh the day. The day that this miracle entered the world, on his own terms....of course not on his scheduled day. :) Owen has yet to go "by the books" for anything! My labor began on Thursday, August 5. Since I was only 34 weeks, the doctors tried quickly to stop the labor, giving me shots of medicine that made me batty. Literally. I was crazy. But, it worked....for a while. :) Once the shots kicked in I then had to take a pill every 2 hours or so as long as my heart rate was below 120 (side effect of the med was increased heart rate). Everything was great until Saturday. Michael got a call from his Mom that our little mischievous dog, Toby had escaped. Well....start the contractions again! For the record, they found him about 20 mins later but that didn't stop my contractions. We started another round of shots that afternoon and the contractions were finally under control. I remember family and friends asking if they should head to Cincy, thinking he was coming. I assured them it was all fine and Owen was staying put. HA HA. About 10:30 that night as I was getting ready for bed I thought I could feel Owen trying to come out. I know, it's weird and I can't explain it, but he was coming and I knew it. I started having very strong contractions so Michael decided to call the doctor in. Well, it was real alright! When she checked my cervix she commented that she could "feel his feet" (the little stinker was breech). Michael asked if he should call our family and she responded with "they're not going to make it". Apparently I had dilated to about 8-9 centimeters and it was time to go! Within about 30 minutes or so Owen was out! I actually don't remember much about the delivery. However, I can remember watching Michael's face for clues as to what was going on. I had memorized several verses that I had planned to recite during our delivery. Well, when the time came I could only remember a few. One of those being the verse we have chosen to continually pray over Owen: "Now then, stand still and see this great thing that the Lord is about to do!" 1 Samuel 12:16
6. O.N.E
It's here. His first birthday. I can't believe and I almost want to deny that my precious, tiny baby is a one-year-old. But for as many tears I will shed of sadness that he is growing up so fast. Many more will fall in praise to a King who saved this baby from death. A King who intentionally and delicately knitted his beautiful, perfect body together. So I will savor every moment of this day, and days to come. I am in awe of the many things Owen is doing. He continues to excel in all his therapies and we are reminded weekly by them just how smart he is. :) My favorite new "trick" is reaching to be held. I love it that he longs for me to snuggle him almost as much I want to snuggle him. I, of course could snuggle him all day, but he needs breaks to play and watch TV!:)
Since the day of Owen's birth I've had many days in which I ache for time to just stand still. There are many nights when I long to wake him so I can hear his sweet "Mammaa" babble just one more time before I sleep. Sometimes I stand beside his bed, watching him in peaceful slumber. Completely amazed at this life before my eyes. A life that many questioned would ever exist. A life, that is changing the world.
Well, as of today it happened. My baby is 1. My baby. I don't know where the time has gone, and why it just wont stand still so I can soak up every minute of this wonderful gift. But I know that every day is filled with more love, more laughter and more reverence and awe of a God who saves.
We had a wonderful birthday party for Owen last weekend, in Owensboro. He did much better than we had anticipated. The extreme heat coupled with a large crowd isn't Owen's idea of fun. We so appreciate all the made it out to the party and those that send their best wishes and love. We asked for party guests to bring a new toy to donate to Child Life Services at CCHMC. (Let's face it, Owen could open a store with the amount of toys he already has!) We were blessed during our time in the hospital by Child Life, and thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to bless other children in the hospital. We received so many toys we couldn't bring them all home in our car! We took about half the toys up on our last appointment and they were so very thankful. :)
Here are some pictures from the big party:
I'll leave with with a sweet video of Owen's first year. A couple sweet friends from church complied the video for us with pictures and verses we had selected. I can guarantee you smile, maybe laugh, and it's likely you'll shed a tear or too. But I know it will leave you in awe of the awesomeness of our amazing Savior.
The video is in two parts, and unfortunately I couldn't get it to embed on the page, so you'll have to click the links to watch!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Thank you all for sharing in Owen's first year. We thank you deeply for your constant prayers and concerns for our sweet boy. He is loved and cherished by many! We will continue to keep you updated on his progress, as we had a big appointment this week and have lots of news to share, so stay tuned!
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