Some recent pics of Owen and some other stuff....

Here's some recent pics of Owen. He's growing so fast! There's a few pictures of him eating rice cereal and applesauce today. We started him on solids yesterday and he seems to really enjoy them. The stroller Owen is in was in the attic and we had practically forgotten that we had it for Nathan. Nate never did use it because he could never sit up that straight. Owen seems to like it, but of course, he's almost too big for it!

Owen is making new sounds and getting very LOUD! The sounds I love the most (not really) are of him shrieking at the top of his lungs - it's ear piercing! We're not used to this either, as Nathan always had a soft cry and soft voice.

Speaking of, Nathan is doing great!!!! He's also making new sounds. He's using his lips and mouth more and making b, t, d, and h sounds along with his "a" sounds. We have faith that he will talk some day, he wants to so bad!! But even with hope and faith of him verbally communicating, we are looking into a communication device that Nate will use with his eye movement. It is so cool...the technology today is amazing!

He went to see Dr. Cyrus last Tuesday and got a good report. But, he also got five shots and his legs are just now looking better. Poor little guy! Since we switched doctors, Nate will also change hospitals. Trey and I will be meeting with the Manager of the St. Francis PICU on Monday to do a tour, meet the nurses, ask and answer questions. In case of any hospitalization, we want to be prepared and know what to expect.

Nate was doing great in his power chair, but now it's too cold to drive outside. We'll try and get him up this weekend and drive in the house or maybe the garage. We plan on going to the new Veggie Tales movie next week and will let you know how he liked it!


Thanks for checking in!


Jennifer

Driving my Power Chair!

Nate's new Power Chair was FINALLY delivered on Friday so he went driving this afternoon! It has been forever since he drove but after about 10 minutes or so, he seemed to get the hang of it again. He looks so much better and more comfortable in this chair than in the other one. This one has an "Adult" base so he can continue to use it as he grows plus it can accomodate a Vent Tray to hold his BiPAP and batteries (something the other one could not have). Since he has become much more BiPAP dependent, the Vent Tray is a "must-have". Enjoy a few pictures...

Owen in the tub

Owen is practically sitting up already! He just needs a little help. He does crunches all day long trying to sit up and gets frustrated when he can't do it. He's so funny!

He had his four month check up last week and he's 20 pounds and 27 3/4 inches long! ABSOLUTELY HUGE! He got a great report and is doing well! What a blessing!

Nate at the Bass Pro Shop

Yesterday we took Nate to the Bass Pro Shop for a day outing. What a cool place! Nate had a blast!

The Boys

Christmas with Pop, Grandma Annie and Aunt Amy - We all had a great time!

Owen attempting to feed himself and then pouting because he just can't do it yet, poor little guy!

Merry Christmas!

The boys had a great Christmas! They got lots of presents and we had company since last Thursday - the boys always love attention! We all had a lot of fun!

Many prayers go out to Nathan's friend, Kyle Gundy, who also has SMA Type 1. He is in the hospital battling RSV, but seems to be on the mend! Poor guy was in the hospital for Christmas, but at least he is getting better and surrounded by his loved ones! And I hear Santa visited him TWICE! Not bad Kyle! Hope you get home soon!

Okay, get ready for pictures overload!

Christmas Pics of Nathan

Nana Reading Christmas Books to Nate

Owen sitting on Nate's lap

Owen - Mr. Smiley

Early Christmas Present for Nate

We bought Nate a new TV. It's a 23 inch LCD. His old Tv was 13 inches, so quite a difference! We couldn't wait until Christmas to set it up, so Nate received an early Christmas present and he LOVES it! He would barely turn his head away from the TV and smiled the whole time. Here's a couple pics of him watching Veggie Tales last night.

Owen also got an early Christmas present. Well, sort-of. His was used and a hand-me-down! We got Nate's megasaucer down from the attic for Owen to play in. As you can tell from the pictures, he really liked it! Unfortunately, Nate never really got to play in this because we got it before we knew his diagnosis. But, at least it is getting some use now and it's a joy to see Owen having fun and playing! I'm sure Owen won't mind the hand-me-downs! I'm just waiting for the day when Owen asks for a 23 inch LCD TV in his room! I don't think so!


Jennifer

After the Storm

Tulsa seems to be getting most of its power back. Last week was crazy! But the storm didn't seem to phase the boys. We all survived and really had no trouble because of the generator. That LIFE SAVING generator! And I have to say a HUGE, HUGE thank you to my Aunt Sue for generously purchasing the generator for our home. It was something she wanted to do for Nate, to contribute to his care. And we cannot begin to tell her how appreciative we are! We were looking into buying a generator when we built this house, but I know, without Sue's financial assistance, we wouldn't have bought the size of generator we have now. And it really made a difference in the situation we were in last week. You don't think something like that will happen, but when it does, and you have a child with the magnitude of life support equipment that Nate has, the peace of mind knowing he will be okay is more than I could ever ask for. So again, THANK YOU to my Aunt Sue in Chicago!

Owen happy and warm in our bed

Ice Storm Update

As many of you know, Tulsa (and pretty much all of Oklahoma) has been hit extremely hard by an ice storm. We lost power about 4:30AM on Monday morning and it was restored less than an hour ago. Thankfully, our emergency backup generator kicked in and did exactly what is was designed to do! It ran constantly for approximately 40 hours and kept all of Nate's equipment working properly.

The boys are doing fine and we'll update more over the next couple of days.

Trey

Our Boys Hanging Out Together

Owen Tickling Nate's Feet

Nate Swinging Away in His Slings

Owen Having Fun in His Chair

Owen and Roxy

It's funny, we lay the blankets down for Owen to play and the dogs think it's their bed! It never fails, they always join Owen in his playtime. Owen doesn't seem to mind. He's fascinated with the dogs. Usually both of them are right beside him. We'll have to get more pics of him with both dogs, but this time Roxy was watching over him.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!!

And do we have a lot to be thankful for -that's for sure!!!!!! We had a great weekend with Nana and Grandpa Wayne visiting from Dallas. And my mom (Gammy) and Uncle Jeff came over for a Thanksgiving feast - yummy!

Owen is changing almost on a daily basis. It is so amazing to see him grow and MOVE! He is so strong and it's something we are not used to. It's almost like having a first child since there are so many differences. Trey and I are in awe of the little things he can do. Probably more so than parents of healthy children because having a child who is disabled, makes you appreciate the small things that many may take for granted; like Owen's tight grasp, lifting his legs up, his loud cry, holding his head up, and splashing like crazy in the bathtub. It's hard to fathom that he will be crawling and walking soon - I won't believe it until I see it! And, of course, most important, not having to worry about the medical aspects - he can cough, suck on a bottle without aspirating and he can breathe without assistance! It is such a relief! I so wish that Nathan could have done all these things that Owen is doing, but Nate is very special in his own way. I know God has a plan for him and I won't dwell on what I wish he could do or that Owen can do this, but Nate can't. If I did, I'd go crazy. We live day to day in hope for a cure and that Nate will be healed! But in the meantime, we appreciate all that he CAN do and praise God for those things. Nathan is an unbelieveably special child that I can't explain. I wish I could. Only those very close to him truly understand. Unless you are around him and can see it, it's just so hard to put into words. WE LOVE OUR BOYS!!!! We are so blessed!!! Nate and Owen - both gifts from God!

We're hoping to take Nate to the mall soon to walk around and see Santa. I'm also looking forward to the new Veggie Tales movie coming out in January, which we will have to take Nathan to see! He's never been to a movie theatre but I think he's old enough now to sit through a movie and enjoy it.

Happy Holiday Season Everyone!

Jennifer

The Boys Hanging Out Watching TV

Owen Laughing Out Loud!

Owen Holding His Head Up

What a blessing it is to see this - a true sign he is SMA free!!!!!

Nate in his New Harley Jacket from Uncle PaPa

Nate smiling in his stander with his new haircut

Nate at the Firehouse

We went to Mikey's birthday party today. It was at the Bixby Fire Station - how fun is that! Nate had a GREAT time! This is of him trying on the firefighter's hat.

Nate at School

His teacher and speech therapist come once a week and he loves it! This was right before Halloween and they are singing the "orange" color song and he's doing his art project which was making a candy corn. So fun!

Nate in his Stander

Aunt Melissa and Aunt Amy With Owen

Gammy Reading to Owen