Someone I love....

has craniosynostosis.

Owen is now 11 weeks post-op. When I say he's doing amazing, even that word doesn't seem like enough. There are no words to describe how grateful we are that he is a happy and healthy little boy and he's thriving.

He's trying to walk now! I can't believe it. He'll be 11 months on the 21st. He can cruise the furniture like a champ and he can crawl up the stairs (with supervision of course..) so fast. He's a very quick kid... and very determined too! I just love him. He wears me out but he makes every day better just by smiling at me.

My son's case of craniosynostosis is considered "sporadic," meaning there is no known reason why he developed it. Often craniosynostosis is associated with a syndrome or caused by a genetic defect. Owen has no other relatives with his condition. He just developed it and we don't know why. I look at him and I'm just so thankful that he's through the worst of it and he can grow to be a happy and healthy normal little boy. My heart breaks at the thought of other families who aren't as fortunate and whose child doesn't just have to battle craniosynostosis but has to battle so many other things too. 

If you can, take a moment and visit to very amazing and generous organizations. Cranio Care Bears and Cranio Angel Network. Both could use your support to spread awareness and to help many other families who will face the long journey with their child's diagnosis and who will become a member of the cranio family. <3

Milestones

 Owen is officially 2 months post-op, actually heading into the 3 month mark. August 27th will officially be 3 months since his surgery. He's turning 11 months old soon and just blowing me away with his growth. Every new milestone is very bittersweet for me - one because of losing his sister 2 years ago and two because, had this condition gone untreated, he may never have reached these milestones.

 I am thankful beyond words for the miracle his surgeons were able to perform on him. There just aren't enough words to express my gratitude. I love each of my children the same but then they also each hold a special place in my heart. My oldest - she made me a Mother. She taught me what unconditional love is. My sweet Audrey, she's my Angel. Plain and simple. She taught me how to pick myself up when I didn't think picking myself up was even an option. Then there is Owen. He's the rainbow at the end of a very dark storm for me. His smile melts my heart and gives me that feeling I never knew I could feel again - happiness.

 Every time I look at his scar, it breaks my heart to see what he had to endure just to grow and be a normal kid like everyone else. No baby should ever have to go through what our cranio babies have had to. When the OR Nurse came to us and had to take him back for surgery, part of me wanted to grab him and run and never look back. To me, he was perfect. I love him no matter what. But my heart knew that he deserved a chance at a better life and if he didn't have the surgery, he wouldn't have that. My love and strength (that I credit to my Angel giving me) allowed me to hand him over to the OR Nurse and just.... trust.

If you come across my blog because your child has been diagnosed with craniosynostosis, I want you to know a few things... One, it's OKAY to be scared. It's okay to cry. Two, babies are so resilient. Your little one will blow you away with how well they recover from this... and most importantly, every new milestone they reach is another confirmation that making the decision to do the surgery is the RIGHT choice.

Today is my 25th birthday and I've spent so much of my time today reflecting on my life and looking at my beautiful children, focusing on the wonderful things that I have been blessed with in my life. <3