Owens New Wheels

We recently purchased a new chair for Owen. After my awesome run-in with Bambi's mommy this last fall and having to drive Owen around in the Camry for a month, we realized that Owen needed a secondary, lightweight, more portable chair for situations like this. (I lost count of the parts we broke off of Owen's green chair because it is so heavy, big, and awkwardly-shaped...getting that sucker into the trunk was nearly impossible for this weakling.) I am so far pretty pleased with the chair, with the exception of it not reclining and the harness being too big for his tiny little frame. We are waiting for a smaller harness that fits him tighter and will keep him snugly in place. On a positive note, this chair has foot straps to keep his hyper little feet still (this feature was a necessity for church; I am through holding his loud feet down to keep him from disturbing others!) Without further ado, here's Owen's new ride (with a peeper in the background)!

Blake Steven Klug

After years of nagging my mom about never having any pictures around of her last-born child (that'd be me), I am FINALLY getting around to posting pictures of MY last-born child almost 3 weeks later (hey, at least I have taken pictures!). Blake is a great baby, and he is showing promising signs of developing normally. I hate that Gavin and I have been constantly looking for developmental positives--oh,--since the second he came out, but that just comes with the territory I guess. Blake is bearing weight on his legs, beginning to track sounds and objects with his eyes, nurses like a champ, holds his head up very well, communicates through crying...all signs that for now we can breathe easy (like parents EVER breathe easy?!) We are incredibly happy right now, and yes, our family feels and IS complete.:)

Blake's stats at birth:
Weight: 7 lbs. 15 oz.
Time: 9:24 pm
Height: 20 in.
Date: Tues., July 9th, 2013

Blake right after birth

Family picture in the hospital; yikes

Grandma and Grandpa

Kendall, Rachel and Max

Kyla

Ryann

daycare buddy Alden

cousin Kaelynn

Nana and Papa

We're home!

proud brother:)

grandma Annie and great aunt Jayne

Alyx, Paige, aunt Alisha, and Carly

aunt Tay-Tay and soon-to-be Uncle Cassidy

I can't lie and say this was his first bath at home;
he screamed bloody murder throughout his first bath.
This was a much calmer second bath a few days later.:)

Mason and Leyton; these two cracked me up, they were so excited
to meet Blake!

Skip ahead a couple of weeks, and this is a current picture
of our little man decked out in his Sunday best. Almost 3 weeks old!

Ode to Helping Hands

Gavin and I have approached a moment we have been dreading for, oh, 3 years now. Since Owen was 2, almost 3, he has been in a loving, caring, safe haven called Helping Hands Preschool. He has been spoiled beyond belief and loved unconditionally by his peers, teachers, and therapists. In the words of my cousin Jordan, Owen is a like a rock star at this place. Every morning and every afternoon while getting in and out of the school van, one can hear the excited shrills of preschoolers saying, "There's Owen!", or "Owen's here!", or "Bye Owen!". The kids have always been so excited to see him. And the teachers...the teachers are amazing, angelic even. They not only have gone above and beyond what Owen needs, they honestly spoil the crap out of me as well. Ms. Shelly and her gang have worked so hard to both help Owen succeed and make Gavin and I comfortable, satisfied, and happy. Though Owen's condition makes it difficult for him to make consistent strides developmentally, I honestly feel that these ladies have done everything and more to help Owen be the best that he can be at this point in his life. But....all good things must come to an end. Owen graduated from preschool this last Thursday and will be moving on to elementary school next year. And though the thought of him going all day to school with new students and new teachers frightens the daylights out of us, we knew this day would come. We are ready to tackle this new exciting adventure, but we are sad to say goodbye to Owen's safe, happy life at Helping Hands. Thank you Ms. Shelly, Ms. Ros, Ms. Angela, Ms. Kathy, Ms. Nicki, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Patti, Ms. Coleen, and Ms. Karla!!! You all are awesome!

 

 

Here are some pictures of Owen's preschool graduation...



 

 

Owen with his helper; he stared at him pretty much the entire ceremony:)

Grandma and Grandpa drove 2 hours on a work night just to be at Owen's graduation

Best attempt at a family picture...epic fail.

Going through the graduation line, shaking Ms. Shelly's hand

Owen with his teachers...awesome, awesome ladies!

Though it doesn't show in this video, Owen had a hard time giving up his shaker throughout the song; he kept giving his buddy the stare down after he took it out of his hands and set it on the risers. It was entertaining.:)

Happy Mother's Day

My boys are so sweet. After thinking I picked out my own Mother's Day present (a sweet pair of sweats for this pregnant fatty), my boys still surprised me with some awesome gifts. Owen brought home from school a cute little butterfly painting he made with his footprints; I will never forget the huge smile on his face when I took it out from under his wheelchair and thanked him for it. He genuinely looked so proud of himself and happy to give it to me. And if that wasn't enough, I received in the mail--wait for it--my all-time favorite Shari's Berries cake pops. I love my adorable, thoughtful boys (I guess that includes Gavin too:))!!!

Artist in the making

 

 

So proud of those cake pops

iPad Fun

Owen is finally beginning to get into his iPad. However, he has to be jamming to music on Pandora while he's playing on another app. That's our boy.

Snow Days

After being stuck inside for three days straight, the boys and I (Gavin included) were wired and ready to hit the Kansas slopes (or lack thereof). This was Dex's first experience in the snow. To sum it up, he likes getting all of the snow gear on but refuses to touch actual snow. Both of them loved to sled. Gavin's mom bought the boys sleds last year, one sitting up sled for Dex and a toboggan sled for Owen to lie down in. I hope they make those tobaggan sleds in adult sizes because this could be something Owen could do for a very long time!

Our cigar-smoking snowman...such proud faces

Sledding in the front yard

Sledding around town

Cruisin' for chicks in our killer snowsuit and matching smile

O-man trying to tell us that he needs smaller gloves

Update on Owen:
Gavin and I [think] we have discovered a slight breakthrough with Owen. We have been giving Owen Miralax for his chronic digestive and constipation issues for years. Upon discovering that it is being investigated for possibly causing and/or contributing to autism, neuro, kidney, and heart issues in children, I immediately took him off of it and started looking for alternative ways of "making him go." Since pretty much day one, we have suspected that constipation has caused Owen's seizures to increase in frequency....when he's gotta go, he has more seizures. After weeks of testing this theory out, we firmly believe that it's the Miralax that's causing the increase in seizures. Since taking him off the Miralax, we haven't seen a single severe seizure, he's been going on his own pretty regularly, and his independent sitting has drastically improved. Other improvements include an increase in TALKING...holy cow, this kid won't shut up now, it's awesome!....and just an overall improved mood. This is a small battle won!

Boys, Boys, Boys

Owen and Dex are going to have a little brother!