Owen's First Video Appearance

Here is Owen just minutes old. My sister Jayme taped this moment and I'm so glad that she did. Just like she says in the video it really puts it in perspective on how tiny Owen really was. My dad is also in this video and it was the first time he saw Owen. He was born breathing on his own but in this video he has the CPAP in just to help even though he was doing great. They removed the CPAP the very next day.

I Need To Be Quicker

Believe it or not but Owen was smiling right before I took this picture. I'm trying to be faster so I can catch one. It's a cute picture anyway cause he's wearing one of my favorite shirts: Daddy's Most Valuable Preemie. This was giving to us when I was still in the hospital from Mr. and Mrs. Rogers. It's finally starting to fit him perfectly.

What A Long Way We've Come

Owen William was born 10 weeks early due to me having severe pre-eclampsia. I was only 30 weeks and 2 days into my pregnancy. It's hard to believe that he only weighed 2 pounds 8 1/2 ounces. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards all the nurses and doctors that watched over and cared for little Owen as he stayed at the Helen Devos Childrens Hospital (NICU) for 41 days. It was the love and support from them as well as our family and friends that helped us get through the tough times.

It has been a little over 3 months (14 weeks) since Owen was born. Today Owen weighs 8 pounds 8 1/2 ounces. He's becoming such a chunk! He's actually a spitting image of his dad...not that I'm saying Kevin's a chunk (smile). He definitely has the Manthei facial features. I love looking at his blue eyes (I never thought I would have a blue eyed baby) and it's fun to see his little smirks and the way he wrinkles his forehead just like Kevin. I'm hoping someday he will look like his mommy too. We are so blessed to have Owen in our lives.