Celebrating a Very Special 5 Year Old

Yesterday we took our first long car ride with Owen to go to our Goddaughter's birthday party. He did really well in the car and we had such a fun time with the Withers family.

Happy birthday sweet Livi!

The look that you hope for as you shop for "the perfect gift!"

Livia enjoying a birthday root beer float....mmmm!

Owen enjoying some cuddle time with Pam, Nesha's mom

Our other Goddaughter, Sophia, giving Owen a kiss - so cute!!!

"Baby Owen has Ears!"

Livia, Owen and Bobby (Owen's Godfather)

Thanks for the wonderful day Withers family! As always, we really enjoyed our time with you.

Earlier this week, Owen started to show some interest in one of his toys for the first time.

Oooo - your legs make fun noises octopus!

I'm going to get you octopus!

Pullin' an All-Nighter

Owen slept through the night for the first time last night!!! He's been coming close, but last night he slept from 10PM to 5AM. I was so proud of him!!! Hopefully last night was the first of many long, sleep-filled nights.

Owen had a very special visitor last night. Little Miss Hannah has been anxiously waiting for Owen to be able to have kid visitors. She recently became a big sister, so she was an expert with him.

Hannah, Owen and Henry the Bear

Hi Hannah!

Lovin my Mobile!

I don't sleep in my big crib yet, but I sure do like it when mom puts me in it for a few minutes at a time to watch my mobile!

Happy 3 Month Birthday Owen!

It's hard to believe that Owen was born 3 months ago today. Some days, it feels like we are still in shock that he is here and then other days, we can't imagine what our lives were like without him.

He is doing so incredibly well! He's eating like it is going out of style. He eats every 3-4 hours and most feedings are about 4 ounces, but sometimes he'll ask for more. Yesterday was pretty out of the ordinary, but he ate 7 ounces. After that he slept for the longest he's slept for us too - 7 hours! We were shocked! We aren't sure what his weight is exactly, but our guess is about 10 or 11 pounds. It's hard because in the NICU, they weighed him every day so we always knew. He got weighed last month at his 2 month appointment, but he won't be weighed again until his 4 month appointment.

Here are a few photos of him at 3 months. Enjoy!

Daddy's 1st Choice Draft Pick

Taking Mommy out to dinner for her birthday

3 Months Old

No more pictures please!

3 month old toes

Snuggling on the blankie Grandma made for me

Owen's First Play Date

Today Owen had his first play date. I met Charissa a few years ago through my friend Jackie. She and I were due a week apart, so we got to be good email pals, comparing notes and sharing the excitement of our pregnancies. She and little Ele came over to play today and it was so fun to see the babies together.

I told Charissa that he looks like he's doing the yawn then put his arm around her move here!

And then they'd both had enough....

My First Mother's Day

We had a really nice weekend. My cousin Missy got married on Saturday night. We are so excited for her and Ryan! They've waited a long time for this and it was PERFECT! She looked stunning, the flowers were gorgeous, the meal was wonderful and all of the attention to detail made it such a beautiful wedding. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Blomberg! Have a great time on your honeymoon!

The wedding was Owen's first chance to meet his Milbrandt relatives. Unfortunately, I didn't get many photos because my camera battery died shortly after we got there, but here is Owen meeting my cousin Dan.

Sunday was my first Mother's Day. I woke up to cards from Owen and Paul. Paul got up early with Owen and stamped his handprint in my card! Such a sweet idea. The boys got me a gift card to go pick out a tree or shrub so that I can watch it grow as I watch Owen grow. :)

As I snuggled with Owen last night, I thought about how lucky I am that God chose me to be his mom. He's such a little miracle and I am so very blessed to have him in my life. Being his mom is the most important job that I will ever have, and Paul and I agree, he is the best thing either of us has ever accomplished. We love you Owen! Thank you for making me a mommy.

To my mom - thanks so much for all that you have done for us. They say girls and their moms go through the turbulent years, but then become friends. My mom is definitely my good friend and I will look to the lessons she taught me over the years as I teach Owen. Thanks mom. I love you!

I wanted to share these cute pics of Owen from yesterday. Aren't his little shoes cute? They are from his Auntie Dawn.

Thank you Judy!

My good friend Pammy's mom makes beautiful quilts. When she found out that Paul and I were expecting Owen, she started working on a quilt for him. It's special because she made it just for him, but the more I thought about it, I realized that I now have a quilt from Judy that commemorates the major events in my adult life.

When Pammy and I were college roommates, Judy made us quilts for our dorm. We went shopping and picked out our fabrics, and at the end of the summer, we had beautiful quilts for our room. I don't have photos of my quilt from my college days, so I had to enlist the help of this cute little model.

When Paul and I got married, she made this beautiful quilt for us.

And now, Owen has this special quilt in the colors of his bedroom. He lays on it a lot during tummy time and he thinks it is pretty comfy. Thanks Judy! :)

Last ROP Appointment!

Yesterday we had our last ROP appointment. The eye doctor said that Owen's eyes look great - no ROP. Thank God!!! I don't know if I could stand to go through any more ROP appointments. It seemed like he screamed even harder this time than he has in the past if that is possible. So we are very happy to be done. We will have to go back in one year for a check up, but by then she will be able to get him to move his eyes without clamping them open and manipulating them with sticks.

The doctor said that preemies have a higher rate of crossed or lazy eye, so we have to keep an eye on that. In the NICU, his eyes crossed once in awhile, but we haven't noticed it at all now that he is older. I have a lazy eye and really pray that he doesn't have to deal with it as he's growing up. The doctor also said that preemies are more likely to need glasses too. Both Paul and I have or do wear corrective lenses, so I guess that wouldn't be that out of the ordinary even if he were a term baby.

Thanks again for all of your prayers! We truly have a miracle on our hands. :)

Owen Robert, Child of God

Today was Owen's Baptism. It was a wonderful celebration. He was such a good boy - he didn't even cry! He got a little bit startled when Father Tony poured the water on his head, but he didn't cry. Afterwards, our friends and family came over for lunch. It was a great day!

My friend, Father Tony

Daddy, me and Mommy

Nesha, Mommy, Daddy, me, Bobby

Me and my Godparents, Bobby and Nesha

Daddy, Great Grandma Flossie, Grandpa Bernie, Grandma Kathy, me

Grandpa Jim, me and Grandma Sandi

Snuggling with Great Grandma Flossie

Having a party is hard work - I'm pooped!