It's a....

another BOY!!!!!

Our appointment went well this morning and we had an awesome ultrasound technician. She did a thorough inspection of every little inch of our new little and said that he was looking super healthy and maybe even measuring a week ahead. She even turned on the 3D ultrasound and gave us a few pictures. Sorry they aren't in any order.

3D shot of his little sleepy face. He has his arm wrapped around his head.
Showing us his boy parts. Frontal skeleton view of his face.
His heartbeat was 159 bpm.
Profile shot
Another 3D view of his face. I think he kind of looks like Owen here.
His Tar Heel feet :)

We are very excited about our newest little guy. We are praying that he and his big brother will be the best of friends and play mates. Please continue to pray for him as he grows and develops. We'll see you in December little guy!

Owen's Tube Surgery

Owen had his tube surgery this morning...very early...we had to be there at 6:15 am. He did SO well! We were really worried how he would react not being able to eat or drink when he got up. Luckily he slept until we had to leave so we quickly changed his diaper and put him directly in the car. He was very confused why we were getting in the car and why it was still dark out. Once there he waited very patiently in the waiting room until his name was called.

Once they took us back they took all his vitals (he's 28 lbs and 33 in tall) and we changed him into his gown.
He was super cute in his gown, but he didn't like the id tags they put around his ankle. After the doctor came to talk to us, they gave him some medicine to make him loopy. He was HILARIOUS! These pictures don't truly show it but he first got silly and was laughing at everything.

Then he got snuggly and kept playing with his bear they gave him. The nurses had on these big scrub caps that looked like chef hats and they really tickled Owen. He had no problems letting go of us because he was trying to stare at the nurse's hat. We literally sat in the waiting room long enough to eat breakfast (15 mins tops) before the doctor came out to talk to us. He said that he did terrific and there was a lot of thick fluid in his ear canals. They drained the fluid then inserted the tubes and were out quickly. The nurse came and go us 5 mins later and we went back to the recovery room. He was cuddling with a nurse drinking his sippy cup. He was still very groggy but came around very quickly. He didn't like when we tried to take his cup away to get him dressed again in his pajamas. We were released very quickly, which had us walking out the door at 8:45 (he went in for surgery at 8). It was very quick and easy! The nurses said they wish every child would do this well.

The only time today he has been fussy was when his sippy cup ran out of juice. When we got home, I gave him breakfast and he was up and playing like normal. He ate lunch and napped at normal time. You would really never know the kid had surgery today. I believe he is hearing more clearly. He is already trying to mimic us more and he has become more aware of the tv.

He has his speech evaluation next Tuesday so it will be interesting to see how much he picks up before then. I'll be interested to see what the evaluator thinks.

Thanks to all of you for praying for his surgery today! It could not have gone better!

Sprinkler Fun

This past weekend we went back to Rocky Mount to see my family. While we were there, we had dinner with our friends the Langstons. After dinner, David pulled out the sprinkler. Owen had never played in a sprinkler so we weren't sure what to expect. He LOVED it! Check out this little video that I shot. Please excuse Jeremy and David's conversation about phones. :)

Owen's Doctor's Appointment

Monday Owen visited the ENT and as previously told, there was fluid behind his ear drums. His ears are not infected, so that's the good news. The doctor sent him over to audiology again to have his hearing test. Again he failed the test and his ear drum is not vibrating properly. The ENT said because of his history and his hearing tests he believes putting in tubes would be the best option. We scheduled the surgery for July 27th. We are hoping that this surgery will solve the fluid problems therefore correcting his hearing. Once his hearing is corrected we are hoping his speech will improve. He does have a speech evaluation scheduled for next week, which may or may not be moved. After this, hopefully his therapy sessions will get back on track.

Thank you for all of those who have asked about him and offered your advice. We appreciate all your prayers!

Saturday Morning Fun

Saturdays with a toddler take on a whole new meaning. Usually they start early, like 6:30 early.. no more sleeping in for us. The mornings are filled with lots of playing and usually some household chores.

This Saturday Jeremy and Owen got out his train set. This train set was lent to him by my cousin Cameron, who used to play with them as a child, but is now in college.

Jeremy setting it up. (I think he enjoyed it more than Owen. :) )
Owen investigating the roundabout.CHOO CHOO!
Every conductor needs a snack.
Is this where this thing goes?
What about this one?
Oh here's some more trains.
Owen-zilla busting it all apart.
After trains, Owen wanted to hang out on our bed while I hung up the laundry. "I promise I'm asleep Mommy!"
Oh wait, Curious George is on.
Oh Mommy's old crocs look fun to walk in.
I love Saturday mornings and the time that we get to spend together as a family. While I miss sleeping in, I think this little fellow is worth it.

Pool Time

Our new place in Charlotte is in a townhome community that has a pool. With this extremely hot summer, it has been awesome. This afternoon after church we decided to have a little family time at the pool. Because the pool is in the back of the complex, we pull Owen down there in his wagon, which he loves. Sadly he threw his sunglasses down the sewer grate the other day so he had to wear his big floppy hat the whole time. How cute is he though?!


Floating around with Mommy. He didn't care for the raft too much and wanted to hang out in our arms or playing on the steps instead. Every time we've been we have been the only ones there. It's like we have our own private pool...it's awesome! (Sorry for the lack of pictures..we were all enjoying the pool.)

Koala Style

Since being pregnant, I have tried to be careful to try and not carry Owen and all of his 29 lbs. One day to get down the stairs I had him ride on my back. He didn't like the traditional ride up high with his arms around your neck. His favorite position is down low with his arms wrapped under yours. We like to call it koala style.
He loves to ride like this all over the house now. Jeremy gives him rides around the downstairs and sometimes will had horsey sound effects.

Update on Owen

For the last 3 months Owen has been participating in play therapy to help him increase his vocabulary and speech. Once a week a therapist would come to our house and play with Owen trying to get him to say words. In my opinion, I didn't really see that it was helping a whole lot. The therapist was doing the same activities I was already doing with him, like puzzles, naming pictures, singing songs, etc. For the most part, Owen liked the extra attention but he didn't like being told what to play with and for how long. For the first time in his life, temper tantrums started and he would refuse to sit for her or participate. June 30th was our last session in Rocky Mount because of the move.

This week we have been in contact with the Charlotte CDSA about starting up his services here. After consulting with the new service coordinator, we decided to have his hearing checked again. During his hearing check back in April, the audiologist found fluid in his ears, which was causing a hearing loss. Once the fluid cleared his hearing was never checked again. Call it mother's instinct, but I still believe he is not hearing us correctly.

This morning we went over to the CDSA to have their audiologist test his hearing and vision. Once again, the audiologist found fluid in both ears. Luckily they weren't red or infected but the clear fluid was still bubbling behind his ears. Even though the fluid was there, she did the test and of course it showed a hearing loss again. He is not hearing high frequencies and the audiologist said this is definitely affecting his speech. She thought that the next step should be a visit with his pediatrician to see if they can clear up the fluid.

Of course, we didn't have a pediatrician yet because we have only been here for a week. As soon as we got home, I called upon all my mommy friends here to get a recommendation. I called the one that I kept hearing and luckily they were able to fit me in right away. I must say that I LOVE this new doctor; she was so personable but also very knowledgeable. She confirmed the fluid was not infected but definitely present. She also said that Owen's tonsils very big and his nasal cavity tissue was swollen. While he didn't show really any signs of being sick, she said that the enlarged tonsils could be preventing fluid from draining properly. Her recommendation was to follow up with an ENT to see if tubes are needed or if something needs to be done about his tonsils. I'll call tomorrow to set up the appointment after the doctor sends over the referral. The pediatrician also prescribed a steroid nasal spray to help strengthen his naval cavity hopefully helping the fluid to drain. She said it could or could not wok but it was worth a shot until we could see the ENT.

I also met with his service coordinator today we agreed to have his speech specifically tested. We want to see if he's made any progress and to see if speech therapy is needed instead of play therapy.

So a lot is going on..hopefully we'll get some clear answers within the month. I worry about the little guy and his speech and I'm hoping that this will help him to communicate with us better. I'll keep you updated!

Celebrating Independence

This year to celebrate the birth of our awesome nation, we celebrated with the Fergusons on Lake Norman. While my brother works for them, he will also be joining their family in October when he marries their only daughter. The Fergusons have an awesome house on the lake complete with 2 boats and 2 jet skis. We were thankful to be asked to join in their annual celebration, especially since we are new around here.

Luckily the heat decided to subside a little and we enjoyed a nice afternoon/evening playing yard games, riding the boats, and eating lots of delicious food. Sadly Owen got really tired and we didn't make it to dark so we couldn't enjoy the sparklers and fireworks. I only took a few pictures because most of the time I was running after a toddler. He evidently doesn't know a stranger and would go up to anyone and steal blueberries off their plate. :P

Owen wanted to play ping pong with Uncle BP. (Mom, please notice his outfit. The boys told me all day that he looked too fru-fru. I guess they didn't like your outfit.)
He then switched to Aunt Lauren's team.Riding the boat with Daddy. This is the first time the child would actually wear sunglasses for more than 2 secs.
Owen's new girlfriend Taylor, Lauren's cousin who is only 4 months older.
He loved riding the boat, even if it meant he had to wear that life jacket. :)

Happy 4th everyone!