Our family's journey through life

After a week of being cooped up in the house apartment we got back into the swing of our normal weekly routine story time at our local Library,play dates, walks to the park on a dry sunny day.Owain also had his last scheduled x ray and a follow up appointment with his amazing surgeon Dr.Z. Everything looked good.Gore tex patch still working as part of his left diaphragm keeping all of his organs that should be below his diaphragm below where they belong. So we thought....

Something doesn't quite look right compared to his last chest x ray back in September. Dr.Z ordered an ultra sound to triple check. We had the ultra sound this after noon. The technician and the Doctor (remembered Owain from a  year and three months ago when he had his first and second recurrence.) Just like last time they weren't able to tell he has yet another recurrence. Owain's chest is unique. Not like your average two year old.Normally  the technician will pin point where the diaphragm is by locating the spleen ( his spleen bleed to death during his first repair surgery at 17 days old), kidney ect.... Since everything is in it's unique spot or missing it is much harder to pin point and determine a recurrence. Tomorrow Owain will have a CT scan. Then we will have some answers.
Tonight I feel calm. I remember when he had his first and second recurrence I was a nervous wreck of the thought of my baby having to go through yet another surgery. another hospital stay. I still don't like the idea of him having to go through all that yet again but I am calm. It is what it is. and I know that my little man is one tough CDH warrior. With all three of his surgeries he recovered quickly. Even after his first repair surgery at seventeen days old he nearly died,lost his spleen. He was in bad shape but five days later he was off the ventilator and in my arms for the first time. If my little man could get through that, surgery #2 (first recurrence), surgery #3 (second recurrence). Surgery 2 and 3 were only a day a part from one another.He recovered like a champ and  we were   home after only six days in the hospital.So tonight I am calm. We don't have answers yet if Owain has had another recurrence and will need a fourth repair surgery but   tonight I am calm. I am confident that no matter what happens my little man with handle it like a champ.

While we were out Saturday night celebrating my thirty something birthday with good friends,amazing authentic Asian food,a non stop laughter comedy show. I had an amazing time but my heart was heavy. (and still is)

While we were celebrating another family is grieving over the lost of their sweet baby boy.Yes,CDH (Congital Diaphragmatic Hernia) is guilty for yet another innocent baby's life. I could only imagine the heart ache and pain his family is going through.

I feel very fortunate that our baby boy is now a healthy toddler. He beat the odds and is a CDH survivor.It just seems so unfair. Why can't this family bring home their baby boy too? 

Morning,noon and night I pray for every family that has,is or about to ride the turbulent CDH roller coaster.

Happy Birthday to you happy birthday to Owain! Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

Today Owain got some more birthday Mail from his Uncle Aaron (also his godfather:-). The cutest little frog card with more cash Owain has ever had that is going straight to his college fund!
Thank you so much Uncle Aaron for thinking of my Education. I am already putting in some applications for some of my favorite colleges. Right now on top of my list is Berkley,OHSU (my daddy went there) oh and I am even considering Pacific University where you went to school Uncle Aaron:-)I have another eighteen years to make my decision.
Love you! Miss You!

Yesterday after nap time Owain woke up to yet another early birthday surprise!Sherry (Aunt Erin's mommy) sent him the cutest out fit! Thank you so much Sherry!!!
Yes those are little bear ears on his hood!! How adorable is that?or am I just a little bias?
Are you surprised to be seeing Owain on his walking,pushing,riding,storage under the seat,cool buttons train!It's the hottest toy in da'house!!

Thanks again Aunt Erin and Sherry! Owain is working on a little something for the both of you.If all goes well (meaning I don't procrastinate getting it in the mail)your surprise should be in the mail sometime next week.

Love You All!

On Wednesday their was a knock at the door knock knock.

I thought who could it be? Still in my pjs.Why get dressed when I am just going to get puked on,pooped on or be the boy's giant walking tissue! Oh the joys of being a mom and caregiver!I really do love it. :-)

Owain was happily in his high chair having a little snack (mmm..yogurt bites) and I had a very solid Cian in my arms (Owain's best buddy) when I peeked through the peep hole and saw a fairly large man built like a teddy bear wearing all brown and he had a fairly large brown package. Any guesses who is at the door?

If you guessed UPS man your absolutely right! I know you must be jumping up and down in excitement that you were able to guess with my tricky description. I was trying to stump you!Your to clever! :-)

I attempted to sign for the package (with the help of Cian thanks little (big) man) as soon as Owain saw this big brown package his eyes got wide and he immediately started "babbling" he wanted out of his high chair. It's like he new that this package was addressed to him.Of course he knew he can read! :-) He is a one year old genius after all!

Any guess what was in the big brown box??

Well it was only the coolest thing every! Something every little boy who is about to turn one dreams about!
A walking,pushing,riding,storage under the seat,cool buttons train!
Thanks Aunt Erin! for the birthday train! (my best friend and Owain's god mother). Owain loves his new train! He has played with it every chance he gets.It's one of the first thing he looks for in the morning.

Yup folks you heard it correctly today I turned thirty!!!!

It's funny I remember being a young child thinking "man thirty is old....it's down hill from then on"

Well I don't feel old at all.

I feel fabulous!

I am excited for my next thirty years!

Bring it!