12/12/12 - Owen's Been Home For One Year!

Tomorrow will be one year since Owen joined our family.  Last year at this time Melissa and I were in Kunming, China wondering if we were ready for number four.  Here are a few pictures from Gotcha Day 12/12/11.

Owen was so scared and unsure of what was happening.  He had no expressions in his beautiful little face.  The room was full of people and noise when they handed Owen to Melissa.  Within a few minutes he had to have felt the love we were puring on him.  Melissa held him so tightly and lovingly like only a mother can do.  That may have been the first time Owen ever felt that type of love (or it may have been that she immediately started giving him Cheerios).

I remember taking Owen back to the hotel room and getting to know him.  Owen had about three layers of clothes on and as we un-packed him we started to understand how frail he really was.  Owen only weighed about 16-17 pounds and he was almost 2 years old.  That night we gave him a bath (and he loved it) and we saw the scars on that little body.  We could only imagine what he has endured until now. 

We had a blast in China and Owen soon started trusting Melissa (and slowly started to think I might be ok someday) but he never really showed a lot of emotion.  The little bit of personality he had seemed to be good but it would take a long time before he started to blossom.

Within a few days with Owen we knew there was a medical issue but had no idea what lay ahead.  I was amazed with Melissa and her confidence that Owen would be fine and we would deal with whatever was to come.

Well after multiple surgeries and weeks in the hospital we think Owen has emerged a "new man'!  Since his surgery in August (and then having the feeding tube removed about 8 weeks later) he has exploded into laughter and such a great personality.  He laughs a lot and is so easy going.  Plus he is still so beautiful!

Owen, we love you and thank God everyday for bringing you into our lives.  You have blessed us in so many ways.

PS - you are the hardest person to get a good photo of.

Finally, A New Post!

It has been way too long since we last posted.  It seems like we have been so busy that we have let some things slip.  So we will back up to October.....

We traveled to Neewollah (Halloween spelled backwards) the last weekend in October.  Neewollah is the largest annual celebration in Kansas and the kids love to go.  Grandpa Norman and Michelle live in my home town of Independence, Kansas.  The kids always have a blast but they are worn out by the time we get home.

The carnival rides and parade are a huge hit with the kids.  The parade is popular because they fill their sacks with candy.  Independence also has a great park/zoo and we always spend a few hours there as well.

Soon it was Halloween and the kids loaded up with more candy.

In November Iris turned 5 years old!  It is hard to believe.  She has been with us for half of her short life and I can not imagine when she was not part of our family.  Iris is such an amazing little girl.  She is fearless and a friend to everyone.  Looking back it is so obvious that God knew that she belonged in our family.  We worried and wondered and now it seems so silly.

Iris decided she wanted cheesecake instead of a birthday cake, so that is what she got.  We celebrated her birthday on Thanksgiving this year which allowed all of our families to be there to wish her a happy birthday.

Thanksgiving ended and now we turn towards Christmas.  Melissa and I have always finished all of our Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving because we hated the crowds.  But last year, some friends invited us to go out Thanksgiving night (Black Friday).  We loved it and had a lot of fun.  So this year we did it again.  The kids all go to Grandma's and we go shopping!  Half the fun is the people watching.  The key is to go with a good attitude and know that it will be a long night.

Our schedule is really busy for the next few months.  Ansley has ballet two days each week.  Elliot has Cub Scouts and basketball.  Iris is playing basketball and she has practice one night each week with games on Saturday.  In addition, Melissa showed me like 5 birthday party invites for the kids in the month of December. 

Iris is so excited to be playing basketball.  She loves shooting in the driveway and has mastered the underhand shot (this is the only way she could get it up there).  She is actually very good at it and is also very good at dribbling for her age.  She has had two practices and the coach is making her try  to shoot normal.  At her second practice she made her first shot overhand.  I think she may be a player!

Iris At Tryouts - Shooting Underhand

This year I am coaching Elliot's team and we are having a lot of fun with that.  One of his best friends, Collier, is on his team and Collier's dad is helping me coach. 

As for Owen, he had a little set back this past week.  He started coughing and did not stop for four days!  It was horrible!  Owen loves to eat and he did not eat anything for the four days.  He lost 5 pounds.  Doctor wanted to admit him and Melissa would not have it.  She convinced the doctor that we could handle the breathing treatments (she is a respiratory therapist) and we would put him on the feeding tube to stop the weight loss.  They gave him some antibiotics and he started doing better within 24 hours.  He is eating again and seems to be getting back to normal.  We have been praying for no more admitting him or feeding tubes......

 

Busy Weekend For The Chambers

The Chambers had a busy and fun weekend (except Melissa had to work today) with another busy week coming up.  We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday and the kids had a blast.  We spent several hours "on the farm" and the kids slept well Saturday night.  The funny part is as we were entering Iris new someone.  One of her teachers works parts time on the farm so Iris was so excited.  It was nice because she took us to see the baby pigs and told us about raising little pigs.

Ansley & Elliot on he pirate ship.

Owen & Iris loved riding the train.

Owen rode the train twice and was not happy when we left.

 On Sunday Elliot and I went to the Nascar race at Kansas Speedway.  This was our first Nascar race and it was awesome.  We had passes that allowed us to go to the infield before the race.  We got to walk through pit row, victory lane, and walk on the track.  I must say, going to a Nascar race was very cool.  I am not a race fan but it is much better in person than watching on TV.  Very loud and extremely fast!

On the infield before the race.

Elliot on the track.

Dad & Elliot in Victory Lane.

Elliot munching on snacks and taking it all in.

One last thing, we love this photo and want to share it with everyone that visits our blog.  Iris receives occupational and mobility training each week.  To us she seems like she is growing so fast.  This week it was raining when it was time for her training so Melissa decided to stay inside and watch through the window (typically Melissa follows behind where ever they go).  As she watched it reminder her just how little Iris still is......

Elliot In Uniform

Elliot Heading Out for 1st Cub Scout Meeting

Collier and Elliot

Awesome News For Owen

Sorry for the delay in posting when such great news was received this week.  Owen went in for a check up on Tuesday and the doctor basically said he is healed.  There  are no other appointments scheduled at this time.  Doctor said to call him if something changes but it looks like Owen is fully recovered and is good as new.

The port for his feeding tube is still in his stomach and the doctor would like to leave it in for maybe another 6 months, just in case.  If something would happen (pray that nothing changes) it is better to have the port already in.  To put the port back in would be a major procedure so he suggests leaving it in for as long as possible.  The port does not bother Owen and we are fine with the plan.

Owen is so happy and is thriving every day.  He is a whole new person since he started eating and not having to deal with the feeding tube.  His activity is full speed and he is really trying to talk more and more.  Owen is starting to use his potty chair!

We have had a long week with just about everyone in he family under the weather at some point.  Hopefully we are at the end of this road! 

 

Just Some Pictures.....

Elliot, The Future Fireman?

Owen Blowing Bubbles

Iris Knows There Is A Camera Close By

Maybe we need to talk!

Friday I went to pick Iris up from school.  When she got in the van she informed me that she "got to set in the pondering chair twice today" with pride just bursting from her.  Now in case you are not familiar with our schools discipline techniques, they have the children sit in the "pondering chair" when they are not behaving well.  So I was concerned that Iris didn't not understand that it was NOT a good thing to set in the pondering chair.  I asked her what she did to get sent to the chair.  She said she didn't know but she would be a better listener next time. Humm....  So I put a call in to her teacher, she had a sub that day, and found out that she was just having a hard time waiting for her turn to talk.  Now if you know Iris at all you know that there is nothing shy about Iris.  Joel and I have in fact been surprised that she has not been in the chair before now.  Iris loves to talk and boss people around.  So the talk has begun.  You know the one.  Iris we do not talk without permission from your teacher even if you have something VERY very very important to say, like I like green too, or what is your first name?  You can not just blurt it out.  You must wait til it is your turn to talk. 

Owen is doing very well.  He has started on some solid foods.  He is in hog heaven.  He loves to feed him self.  He is the most meticulous little eater.  He is careful not to spill a drop or get any thing on his fingers.  It is so funny, not at all like Iris or even Ansley or Elliot for that matter. 

Sorry no pictures, I can't find my cord to the camera.

Owen Is So Happy

Owen had a check up today and the results are so far so good.  He has been on the feeding tube since the surgery and is so ready for a "bite".  Today he was given the approval for soft food.  Melissa said when they got home she got out the yogurt and a spoon and Owen went crazy.  He was so excited and happy to eat something.

The plan will be to stay on the soft foods and feeding tube for another couple of weeks.  We can work him off the tube once he is able to eat enough to keep the calories up.  Right now we have to start very slow and work him up on the amount of food he can eat via the mouth.  Doctor said the worst possible thing that could happen now is if he vomits.  So hopefully the food intake will go well and he does not get sick.

Iris also had a check up today regarding her hearing and she is doing great!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school and three of the four headed off.  The girls were so excited to start school.  Iris getting to go to school with Ansley and Elliot.  Ansley having 5th grade in the pod at school.  Elliot did not want to show his excitement so he played it cool.  But when i put him to bed tonight he gave in and told me he thinks he is going to like school.

Owen is still recovering and was trying to figure out what was going on today.  He is doing great and is ready to start eating again.  Sometime next week we will let him start having some soft foods.  He was good with getting some liquids via the mouth but that did not last long and he is wanting a bite! 

The Comeback Kid

Owen is so happy to be at home and is doing very well.  He went back to hospital today for a chest xray and check up with the surgeon.  So far so good.  Owen is going to start getting some liquids via the mouth so maybe that will satisfy him until he can start eating again.  In a week or so we are going to start feeding him soft foods.  A few weeks after that he will eating regular food.

A few pictures of his battle wounds and what he is having to deal with.  He still has a broken rib but is slowly coming off the pain medicine.  The little man is tough!

The three other kids all start school tomorrow.  The girls are excited but Elliot could think of a lot of other things he would like to be doing tomorrow.  Hopefully he will be excited once he sees all of his school friends.

We are home!

He did it!  We are home and resting.  They did his video swallow test and it was closed, no leaking.  Praise the Lord.  Then he got his chest tube out just in the nick of time.  It was about 2pm. when the resident came up to remove Owen's chest tube.  He did such a great job.  After we stayed the appropriate amount of time for supervision, we were given the all clear to go home.  The greatest words ever spoken.  "If you feel like it you can go home", or you can stay one more day just to monitor it.  Let me see, I think we will go home thankyouverymuch. 
Thank you to everyone for all your help and prayers.  Now on to tackle that mound of laundry.

Will today be the day?

I (Melissa) got to the hospital last night around 8pm.  after I got off work.  I was very happy to see Owen again.  He was just as happy to see me.  Not that Dad didn't do a good job, it is just that Owen is a Mommas boy big time.  I am not complaining at all.
Joel said that Owen had a big time this weekend.  He had lots of visitors.  Thank you Adams, and Annings.  Owen has been holding his chap stick all night and it was the first thing he asked for this morning.  I guess my kid is a little strange!  He loves all the toys and books he has received, but the chap stick!
Owen's day started very early this morning. The students started rounding at 5:30am.  Then we had a stream of doctors after that.  It is now almost 8a.m.  and we are waited to find out what time Owen is scheduled for his swallow test.  We are still waiting for Dr. Schropp.  He said he had a very full surgery schedule this morning so we might not get the chest tube pulled until late in the day.  So worst case we are out of here on Tuesday.  So today is just a case of hurry up and wait.  And wait we shall.  I would hate to miss Dr. Schropp because we were out on a walk. 

Update from Dad - Melissa called this morning and we have some good news.  Owen had his swallow test and it showed no leaking!!!  Finally some good news for the boy.  We hope and pray this remains closed and he is finished with esophagus issues.  Melissa and Owen are now waiting on the doctor to remove the chest tube.  We will let you know how that goes, does not sound pleasant.

The Final Stretch?

Owen had another good day yesterday and got to go for a wagon ride with Melissa.  After work the kids and grandma's came up to visit.  Uncle Jake, Aunt Sue, and cousin Alex were there when we arrived.  Owen was excited to see everyone.

He was not so excited when the group left and Melissa went home as well.  Melissa had to work this weekend so she went home and dad took over hanging out with Owen.  He actually did pretty well and went to sleep shortly after they left.

He had a tough stretch from about 10:30 pm - 1:00am.  He was in some pain and when that happens his breathing starts getting heavy and the staff gets nervous.  The challenge is that each shift brings a new group of people who have not seen Owen and have to go through the motions to get familiar with him.  So this involves a wake up about every 20 minutes for a check, poke or prod.  Owen was not too happy which made the breathing worse which in turn makes the staff even more nervous.  The staff here is great so I do not want to make this sound like I am questioning anyone here.  It just seems a good night sleep would do him a lot of good.  After about 1:00am things settled down for Owen (dad is still so sleepy!).

This morning we received multiple phone calls from Melissa wanting updates and details.  All is good and still hoping to come home Monday (could turn into Tuesday if surgery team does not get down here to remove the chest tube and start the swallow).

Owen and I went for a walk in the wagon today and he loved that.  Went went outside for a while and got some fresh air.  Hopefully today will remain un-eventful and Owen can just focus on getting better.