My Daddy Makes Me Smile!

I walked into the kitchen the other day as Paul was getting Owen into his car seat. They were chatting away with each other and Owen just had this look of amazement in his eyes. Not to mention a huge grin on his face! It was so cute.

Owen had a very busy day on Saturday. We started out at a benefit for a friend from high school who is fighting cancer. He's been so strong and so brave throughout his journey - his wife Amy too! They had a really great turnout. It just goes to show what wonderful people they are and how many people care. Please keep their family in your prayers!

We met up with our friends the Zaffts at the Benefit. Paul, Owen, Will and Lance say cheese!

After the benefit, we headed to my cousin Tyler's graduation party, where Owen was spoiled by the Milbrandt ladies! Then it was off to bed....

Fun Photos

I am constantly snapping pictures of our little man. Here are a few from this week.

Snuggling with Uncle Scott, but my eyes are getting soooo heavy!


Hey Hannah - look! I am big enough now to wear the cute shirt that you picked out for me! Thanks again!


Take me out to the balllllll gaaaame!

Not quite sure about this thing on my head though!

Mmmmmm - Rice Cereal!

We started Owen on rice cereal this week. He shocked us with how well he has done so far. 4 months seems really young to me to be eating with a spoon, but he's doing great. At first he tries to suck on the spoon, but as soon as he gets the hang of it, I can't get the food to his mouth quick enough.

Both nights he had it, he slept more peacefully and didn't toss and turn from his reflux as much as he has been. Hopefully we are on the right track!

Mmmm, what is this mom?

I'm kind of getting sleepy! This eating stuff is hard work!


Messy face!


Gimme a kiss!

Happy 4 Month Birthday Little Man!

It's hard to believe that our baby is already 4 months old! Where does the time go???? Unfortunately, I had to be at work for a property visit, so Paul had to take Owen to his 4 month appointment on his own. Everyone has been waiting for his stats, so here we go:

On the preemie charts, Owen is HUGE!

Weight: 13lbs., 15 oz which puts him > 100th percentile
Length: 24.5" which puts him between the 90-97th percentile

Head: 16.125" which puts him in the 90th percentile

When you compare his stats with a term 4 month old, he is only in the 25th percentile for all three categories. She said he is doing very well though and developmentally he isn't far behind a term 4 month old. She doesn't expect much delay if any. Great news!

The two concerns that we had going into his appointment were his herniated belly button and his acid reflux. The doctor was pleased with how much his belly button has progressed and she said that it should be completely normal by the time he reaches school age. It is extremely common and nothing to be concerned about at all. As for the acid reflux, she wants us to start some solid foods with him. This should help the reflux and help him to sleep a little better at night too. (YEAAAY!!!) Because he is doing so well with his weight, she is going to have us take him off of the high-cal preemie formula and put him on normal formula. Between the new formula and some solids added to his diet, our hope is that the reflux will be ancient history!

At 4 months, Owen has become much more alert. He loves to stare out the window and up at the lights. This past week, he started smiling when we make faces and baby talk to him. He also is starting to coo and is really discovering his voice.

We've been trying really hard to get him on an every 4 hour eating schedule before he heads off to daycare in a couple of weeks. Some days he does really well with it, but others he wants to eat much more frequently. We just switched him from low flow to fast flow bottles because he tends to fall asleep before finishing his feedings and then wants more just a few hours later. He eats between 5-7 ounces per sitting.

Owen continues to amaze us and bring us such happiness. We are so blessed to have this little boy in our lives!!! We truly do believe in miracles!

My Daddy and Me

Paul celebrated his first Father's Day today! He's such a wonderful, hands-on daddy. Owen adores him. I can't wait to see all of the things that they'll do together over the years!

On Saturday we went to Strawberry Fest in Cottage Grove. There is a small car show at the festival, so Owen and daddy got to look at cars together for the first time.

Owen at Strawberry Fest

Owen and Daddy together in their jammies on Paul's first Father's Day

Paul opening his Father's Day presents while Owen is enthralled by Curious George

Owen and Uncle Bob

Rock-a-bying with Grandpa

Happy Father's Day to all of the men in our lives!

My Friend Wally

Today Owen and I went to visit our friends Nick and Evelyn. They have the biggest, most lovable dog that I've ever met! Wally looks intimidating, but I think the only harm he could do would be to suffocate you in kisses! He's just a love! Wally is the first doggie that Owen ever met. He didn't really know what to think. Wally especially loves babies, so Owen is helping him get ready for when his two new brothers Ayden and Zander to come home! :)

Happy 1 Week Birthday Ayden and Zander!

We are so excited for our friends Nick and Evelyn, who welcomed identical twin boys into the world last Sunday! Ayden and Zander were born at 30 weeks (just like Owen!) and were both in the 3 pound range. Both boys and mom are healthy and doing well. Nick and Ev are going to be wonderful parents!

Happy 1 week birthday Ayden and Zander!

Thanks Cousin Brett!

My mommy normally writes our blog, but today I wanted to write a special thank you to my cousin Brett. He sent me a whole bunch of fun new clothes! Don't I look like a big boy in my first pair of jeans!?!

Thanks Brett - can't wait 'til we meet up at the zoo!

Random Photos

Blogger has been down quite a bit this last week, so here are some random photos that we took and wanted to share.

Owen holding Great Grandma Flossie's hand

Splish splash I was takin' a bath!

Snuggling with Mommy

Playing with toys in my new Bumbo Seat

Playing with toys on my bedroom floor


All this playing is hard work! I'm ready for a nap!

Sleepy Boys

I came downstairs the other day and look what I found!

Hey Hey Good Lookin'!

I was going through some pictures with my mom and dad last week and we came across this photo of my dad at 4 weeks old. Everyone always says how much Owen looks like my dad, but this photo sure proves it!

My New Seat

Owen's Godparents, Bobby and Nesha, have been so kind and so generous to him. He is one spoiled little boy! Over the weekend, they surprised us with a Bumbo seat for him. We thought he might be a little bit too small for it yet, but we tried it out and it is perfect. He really enjoyed it too. Thanks again Bobby and Nesha!

Look what a big boy I am!

Me and Daddy hanging out