8 weeks/10 months

Wow - today is 8 weeks since Owen's surgery! I can't believe just 8 weeks ago we were sitting by his side in the PICU. Today he is now 10 months old (as of yesterday!) and is doing amazing.

I am so thankful for every day I have with my children. We often take life for granted and we often think life is going to be sunshine and happiness, but sometimes it never quite works out the way we expect.

Last week Owen had a check-up with the plastic surgeon. He is very happy with Owen's progress. There is still a slight concern with his left head tilt but we've increased the neck stretches at home. His therapist feels happy enough with his progress and said the next time he goes may be the last time! I couldn't believe it when she said it. Wednesdays for the last 6 months have consisted of me coming home from work, picking up little man and going to therapy. It's become a part of the routine. I'll be glad when the time comes for him to "graduate" from therapy, but I'll be a little sad too. His therapist was a HUGE part of us pushing the issue with his skull further that ultimately lead to his diagnosis of craniosynostosis. The next check-up with the neurosurgeon is September 7th and the plastic surgeon's next check-up will be October 27th.

I'm starting to get into party planning mode. Addison's 5th birthday is next month on the 25th and Owen's first comes the month after on the 21st. What was I thinking having their birthdays so close? I'll barely have recovered from Addison's party and then it will be time for Owen's.

Owen is cruising around the furniture more and more and now has started clapping. He's quite the ham and has the most handsome smile. He can melt my heart with one toothy smile and he knows it too. :)

I have several new friends I've met through the cranio community whose children have had surgery in the recent weeks. It breaks my heart every time a sweet baby has to go into surgery but when the moment comes that I hear they made it out of surgery okay, my heart swells with happiness. Our babies have been given a chance at a normal life and to have the medical technology now to do something about this - it's just amazing.

Absolutely amazing.

5 weeks

Owen is now 5 weeks post-op! It seems like time is flying by. I can't wait until we can look back and say "Wow, it's been 1 year.." etc... May 27th is a day that will forever be etched in my memory. Everyone has days in their life that they can't forget. That will most certainly be one of them.

Little man turned 9 months on the 21st of June. He had his check-up on Monday the 27th. He is a happy and healthy 22 lbs 7 oz and 28 inches long. His pediatrician is very happy with his development and where he is at with his milestones. We're so blessed that even with all of the obstacles he's faced - he's met all of his milestones.

He has a check-up with the plastic surgeon on July 14th. Just to check where his incision is at with the healing process. He's still going to physical therapy once a week. His therapist mentioned that we might be switching to bi-weekly appointments pretty soon. She's very happy with his progress. He still does the left head tilt but it definitely seems to be more of a habit thing than an actual issue. She said she'll see him for a few more weeks on a weekly basis and then we might be switching to the bi-weekly appointments.

We are so happy with the wonderful team of Doctor's that Owen has surrounding him. His new pediatrician is amazing, his plastic and neurosurgeon's are just incredible and his physical therapy... I just adore her. There aren't enough words to say how blessed we feel to have so many people who care about our son and his well being.

 This was 4 weeks post-op at the water park :)

My princes

 My family <3

 5 weeks post-op

 Love his gorgeous blues

Owen Hunter 9 months old