SIX POUNDER HITS CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SCALE! WHAT A WHOPPER! Yes, that's right- you read the headlines correctly. Mr. Owen Blumenthal has pudged past the 6 pound mark. YEAH! Go, Owie, Go, Owie- GROW! Owen has continued to gain weight at the last two weigh ins. Much to my surprise, they bumped Owie's formula up to 60 mls- which is 2 ounces. My baby boy has a double chin. It's the cutest thing. He has a tiny little head and rolls under his chin. He's also getting little rolls in his legs. Owen did awesome during his feedings today. He did not vomit at all. In fact, he seemed more calm today. The cardiologist is very happy with his progress. She says his gain is comparable to that of a healthy baby. He averages about an ounce per day. Mom and I went to Florence today to do some shopping. Mom bought him a cute Winnie the Pooh musical bear. It's one of those that scrunches up as it plays and then you have to stretch it out to play it again. Mom and I gave Owen a bath tonight following a major blowout. We did a swaddle bath just like we had learned in the graduate nursery at Dayton. Owen really seemed to enjoy himself. He looked so peaceful. I have to say that he smelled a lot better afterwards, too. Owie slept well today and his oxygen levels were good following feedings. Again, I want everybody to know how much we appreciate the messages. I found out that the school board approved my leave of absence from work and granted me another contract for next year. That is good to know. Please continue to pray for us as we seek the Lord in all of this. Your messages help me feel connected to back home. Please be praying for my Mom's return trip back to Missouri and Scott's mother and step-dad's trip to Cincinnati. Owie needs constant prayer support. Please remember to lift him up. Thanks for everything. Shan :)
Hello from rainy Cincinnati! I just wanted to let everyone know that surgery is tentatively planned for February 25th. That is still about three weeks away. They said it wouldn't be any later than that date, but could possibly be earlier if needed. The speech lady came by this morning and fed him the 5mls at 9. He did very well and she thinks his progress with the nipple is good. He's latching on better and getting a wee more coordinated than he appeared to be last week. The 9 and 12 tube feedings went well and he hasn't spit up yet today. Right now my handsome boy is snoozing. He's wearing a little Old Navy striped onesie. The nurse was teasing and saying that maybe the drs. would think that he was bigger due to the stripes. Keep on praying for our little O-man. As surgery gets closer- pray for the surgeons. I am happy to report that I was actually in bed before midnight. I got about 6 hours of sleep. I'm feeling refreshed in the Lord today. Thanks for all the support/prayers/messages, etc. Keep them coming! Love you all- Shan
I want to thank everyone upfront this evening for praying for my son. It has been at least three days now since he has spit up after eating. I strongly believe in the power of prayer and I know that we wouldn't be doing half as well without it. Owen pudged clear up to 6 pounds and 12.8 ounces the other night. Then he lost weight and was down to 6 pounds and 10.5 ounces. I wasn't surprised to see a loss after his steady gains for four straight days. The nurse remeasured my little peanut. He's growin' O!! Previously he measured 16 inches and is now up to 19 1/2 inches! He's getting so big! He's growing in all directions. Owen continues to take 5 mls twice a day. He is surely strengthening his sucking pattern and seems to be content. Today I had to learn to put in the feeding tube. This was trying as Owie was crying very hard and twisting all around. It was not a fun experience for either one of us. The nurse thought I did a good job, but I was still very nervous. The drs. are considering letting Owen and I move over to the RMH to stay for the next two weeks. We are waiting to hear what the surgeons think is the best plan. Please be praying for my dear friend, Susy. She will be coming to visit. She departs from Boonville tomorrow on the greyhound in the evening. She will stay with me until next Friday morning. Scott will come into town Friday morning. He will also be taking the bus. Please pray for his safety. Please also pray for restful sleep for Owie. Last night was the first night that I stayed overnight in the hospital. It seemed like as soon as I would get him settled down that a nurse would be coming in to check the monitors or listen to him. It was very frustrating. All the nurses are still loving all over Owen. I guess they all want to have a turn holding him in the evenings. I hog him during the days. :) There is this sweet little old lady that everyone calls grandma. She comes in and holds Owen. She's so nice and gentle. She says he is the smallest baby that she has ever seen. He's starting to look like Mr. Bulky, though. His legs are so cute where he's getting multiple rolls. Blessings to all of you- Shan