Random...

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment...


I like this verse I heard at church a couple weeks ago...it was shared by a Moldovian youth pastor who said it was the verse that brought him to salvation. I, at first, thought it was a negative or sarcastic verse. But after more thought, I think that it is easy to correlate judgement with negativity. Yet, judgement simply means the prospect of divine praise or blame-so it's actually a verse that holds great promise and comfort. God sees both the good and bad things that we do-not just the bad. And of course, we all mess up (daily for some of us;-). I am thankful for such a loving, forgiving God!

Speaking of things we do, Tim was holding Owen the other day and he (Owen, not Tim) was SOOOO fussy. So, finally, in desparation, he covered his head with the blanket to decrease his stimulation and he (Owen, not Tim) calmed down and fell asleep. A little while later, he (Tim, not Owen) went upstairs and I was on the phone and I was wondering if he put Owen in his bed. As I looked around, I saw Owen's blanket on the couch and wondered why he (Tim) didn't take the blanket with him...low and behold (see picture one) the blanket was not just a blanket at all, but my poor baby.




Picture 2 shows proof after I uncovered his precious sleeping face;-)




Oh well...he's fine:-) We have a check up on Friday, which I'm looking very forward to. I will update then with Owen's latest acheivements;-)

So many measurements!

This is a photo taken on Valentine's day after the blizzard of our back patio...

It's not an optical illusion-the boys are standing on drifts that were as high as the door knob!!! In Lafayette we had 17 inches of snow fall and we had drifts in our yard 5-6 feet high!





Such a sweeetie!

More measurements for my precious 15 week old!

I weighed him today and we hit the 10 pound mark!

I measured him (this was a task) and he was around 20 inches. While he is still not on the growth charts and though his length is very far from the lowest percentile, I am encouraged that if he were charted at his gestational age of 7 weeks, he would be on the charts;-)

Nothing new to report otherwise. Owen has stayed healthy and strong thus far. He is eating well and gaining weight. He has even had some decent stretches at night without eating. He still sleeps a ton, but he's very social when he is awake. He's so very vocal! So he's not only a noisy eater but also a noisy chatter bug (which we love!). All for now...

New Pictures!

I'm getting to be a big boy...over 9 pounds now!



Seriously?



I mean it-Seriously, mom?




New duds from Mamaw Becca for Valentine's

Whew...what a week!

I love you this much!!!!

AND I'M 3 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!

We had a very busy week...actually couple of weeks.

Here are some updates:

Owen went to the pediatrician Monday for his RSV vaccine. He weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 18 3/4 inches long.

Tuesday we went to Indy to see the Pediatric dermatalogist...after an hour an a half waiting, we were examined and advised to watch them (the hemangiomas) closely-duh.

Wednesday we went to the ENT in Indy for Owen's ear check. After waiting over 2 hours, we were seen to check his ears and they showed occlusions in both ears this time (it was just his left before). Then we were sent back out to the waiting room for over another half hour before being seen by the student MD...he couldn't see in Owen's ears because they are so small. He had to consult with his "boss" a very elderly MD, who after we waited for for another 15+ minutes, who consulted another MD (probably a younger one) to see when Owen should have surgery to drain the fluid and place tubes. They decided to wait until he is 6 months old and reassess.

So, please PRAY his ears heal and he wouldn't need surgery, and would suffer no long term hearing loss or developmental delays from the current hearing loss caused by the fluid. We know he can hear us. He is even looking at us, engaging in active interest with us, etc. He even cracks some smiles and coos now! He's still having some feeding problems so please pray we would figure out a good solution to keep the work load of his eating time less for him (and us;-).

As always, I have a few new concerns-as you can tell, I'm not so convinced there's nothing wrong with him. I started noticing one of his eyes not looking at me when the other is. It's like when you are looking at someone and you don't know which eye to look at. This really bothers me and I don't know how I should persue. My doctor is either going to be able to buy something really nice with all our visits or ask me to change offices because I bug them so much. Owen is just so small to me. Even his hands and feet are small. So, it's probably not him, but me. So, maybe you should pray for me to receive peace about him. Don't get me wrong-he's 100% perfect to me, but I want to do the best thing for him and if there are treatable problems-fix them. Here's another cute picture:

Got milk?

Nothing profound...

I know I won't update this little bit of info if I don't "just do it" so here goes:

Went to the MD yesterday with Owen to have a few things addressed like his hemangioma birthmarks and such. He weighed 6 pounds 14 oz! I put him in size one diapers recently and even though they are a bit big, boy do they hold more peeps! Yea! He is still in his preemie clothes though, likely because he is a bit vertically challenged;-)

Dr. Ho is going to let us see a pediatric dermatalogist in Indy to keep an eye on (and evaluate) Owey's hemangiomas. It will help me to feel better and know we are taking as close of care of him as possible even if they are completely benign (which Lord willing, they will be and they won't require treatment). I am beginning to feel a bit like a specialist junkie though:-)

I am excited to share more about my Bible study I'm going through on "brokeness" when I have more than a minute to write~ and of course, more so cute Owey pics! I also attended church again for the first time in almost 6 months since this whole adventure begun. Owen did ok, he's so loud though that we sit in a secluded area where the sermon is broadcast on a TV-away from germs and easily distracted ears. His little noises are so cute, so it's hard not to be distracted by his cuteness. Plus, it's a nice area to feel that we are a part of things without so many bodies around Owen (at least at this point-it's an awesome solution and answer to prayer!).

We all are seeming to get some colds now also-so please pray we all do well through our sniffles and that Owey doesn't catch anything.

All for now-blessings to ALL!

2 months old!

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your worries on Him for He cares for you.




I cannot believe Owen is 2 months old now (Jan 3rd)! What an amazing ride it's been. Aren't these pictures of Owen and his brothers loving on him precious?

Owen had his 8 week check-up last week and so far so good. He officially weighed 5 pounds 10 ounces and was 16 3/4 inches long. I weighed him today though by holding him while I was on the scale and he's well over 20 pounds, he, he. Ok, so really he's at least 6 pounds;-). He had bunches of immunizations and did pretty well with those. He also went for formal hearing testing at Purdue and failed again in his left ear. He has fluid that is causing mild hearing loss. This should resolve and leave him with no permanent damage but could be a cause for concern and possibly the need for surgery so he will see yet another Indy specialist at month's end. He will also see a specialist at the skelatal dysplasia clinic in Indy around 6 months of age to make sure he doesn't have dwarfism. He doesn't have many obvious characteristics, but his arms and legs are still quite short and we hope and pray his growth will catch up in these areas as most babies his age are over 20 inches (and more) by now while he's just under 17 inches long. His head showed good growth though which is really important and he is slowly catching up to the growth chart (which he's currently not even in the lowest percentile). Lastly, he has some "red bumps" called hemangiomas on his chest and wrist. These growths are thought to be benign and while I'm not super educated on the occurence, his doctor assures us that they will likely continue to grow up to age 5 and then they should completely dissappear. My greatest concern though is I've found 2 more (one on his ear, and one on his knee) that have popped up and I'm just trying to trust that they are indeed, the "cool" red spots the doctor says they are and not a sign of something worse and that their growth doesn't require intervention as they can grow quite large before they shrink.

He's beginning to act more like a newborn nowadays, but is no where near sleeping through the night-or even for long stretches-ey, yie, yie! I'm not used to this as both the other boys were sleeping thru the night by 2 months of age and quite frankly, I'm insanely exhausted. Did I mention insanely? Just ask my husband. Owen is beginning to fixate his eyes on us and sometimes I almost think he's going to smile -and then I hear the sounds that only say, "change my diaper mom and hope it's not a blowout". Oh well, I just look at him and feel so blessed to have him. He's so precious! He's still in all preemie clothes and newborn sized diapers. Which by the way, I've found a pampers scam-preemie diapers and newborn diapers are all but identical in size. And the size 1-2 diapers from sams club and the size 1 diapers are also identical. Just thought I'd share the findings of my detective work.

He's eating 3 1/2 ounces or so every 3-4 hours and with each feeding 1-2 diaper changes occur and he's still the fastest peer in the west. And he still impressively shoots out extra poo for us just to prove his talents during many changes. He finally got Tim today with a 2-fer, yet I still found myself cleaning up the mess;-)

Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this latest update and have had wonderful Holidays! We so appreciate the continued prayers, e-mails, calls, etc checking up on us. I need the contact just to maintain sanity most days. Oh, and by the way, if you ever find yourself unable to sleep, feel free to drop me a line as I'm probably up;-).

Take care and God Bless!

2006 Valiant Family Christmas Letter

Oh, what a year it's been. Let's start with the biggest "little" news. Owen Elijah Valiant arrived into the World November 3rd at 6:46pm. He was 8 weeks early and weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and was 14 1/4 inches long. He spent his first night on a ventilator receiving prophylatic steroids to help his lungs and it was all uphill from there. After being removed from the ventilator, he immediately graduated to room air. He started bottle feeding like a little trooper soon after that and then spent the rest of November just hangin' out growin' in the NICU. We brought him home from the hospital November 29th weighing in at 3 pounds 12 ounces and 15 3/4 inches long. He has been a good baby here at home-spending most of his days (and nights, thank God) sleeping. I can't believe he's six weeks old already (and shouldn't have arrived until December 26th!).

Up next-Jacob Thomas. AKA Jake or Jakey or Jakes. Jacob had a great year being 2 years old. Then in early August when I went on bedrest (more on that later) he made a grand adventure up to Wisconsin and stayed with his Mamaw Becca and Mampaw Andy for the next almost 3 months. He had a great time there and was even potty trained. He made a trip back to visit us and celebrate his 3rd birthday late September and he came home to stay October 21st. He's a happy and bright little guy. His favorites in his little 3 year old world are corndogs, gum, Scooby and his brothers (and daddy).

On to TJ. He had a busy year. He graduated from Kindergarten and entered the first grade! He's doing great at school. His favorite subjects are Recess and Lunch (we're so proud). He learned how to ride his bike this summer and quickly advanced to jumping ramps-all with no broken bones nor stitches (yet). He also played baseball again this summer and had a great time with that. TJ LOVES TV (too much). He's also a great reader and enjoys listening to music. He still has prospects of the building industry "when he grows up" and he really enjoyed watching the construction of our new house.

Yep, that's right...we left good ole Durantt Drive for a new home on the eastside of Lafayette. We moved early July-just in the nick of time. We were hardly moved in and unpacked when our lives were turned upside down (and all around). I ended up with surgery to remove my gallbladder while 20 weeks pregnant. That was actually not all the bad but due to that hospitalization, my Doctor discovered dangerously high blood pressure (a complication of some pregnancies). So, I headed home on bedrest and spent August, September, and October on the couch. 12 weeks! 3 months! Ahhh....it wasn't that bad. The worst part was Jacob needing to go up to my mom's so he would have consistent care and not have to deal with me on the couch-how boring:-) It was also discovered soon after my bedrest sentence began that the baby (Owen) was small for his gestation (plus other concerns) and we spent the rest of my pregnancy praying for his health and growth. There is much more on this story starting back in the September archives in the blog if you want the 'whole' story. None-the-less, we were concerned for Owen's life and weren't certain that he would make it through the pregnancy. As we watched and waited, Doctors were more and more grim on his expected outcome and his growth fell off worse and worse each ultrasound. Then on November 1st, I began noticing worsening symptoms with my blood pressure and was hospitalized. We thought we'd make it a couple more weeks, but instead, I had an emergency c-section November 3rd. According to the Neonatalogist, just in time. She said Owen wouldn't have made it much longer had I remained pregnant. We give our Highest Praises to the Lord, for the MIRACLE of Owen's life and outcome at birth. It was hard to believe it when we were told not only does he not have the grim prognosis that was anticipated (including the inability to breathe on his own), but that he should catch up with his growth Lord Willing. He still is quite small in both weight (imagine-2 pounds 13 ounces and down to as low as 2# 9 oz, he was about half of Jacob's birth weight at 5 #13 oz and about one third of ginormous TJ who was 8# 3 oz) and length. He may be a shorty but we are so blessed to have him in our lives! I am humbled by all the prayers, cards, calls, visits, MEALS and more meals, etc. We had such an amazing amount of support from our Church, family, and friends! Even from strangers! I have experienced an incredible amount of growth in my walk with Christ through this ordeal. Though at times I was sad and even fearful, I ultimately knew that God would see me through it. He protected me and Owen in near death circumstances. It is all so surreal. I am thankful to see all the more how good God is and how blessed I am to have the wonderful support network including the most wonderful husband ever!

Speaking of the good guy...Tim is busy at work as ever at the west side Walgreens. He's enjoying one less drugstore in the triad of competition at Salisbury and 52:-) He also decided to take on a second "job" while I laid around all fall...he became a Pampered Chef consultant to keep the business going. And He's very good at it, I'm happy to say (or am I?). He was a trooper taking care of everything-and I mean everything for the past 4 months. We did take a week off to enjoy a Carribean Cruise in the Spring. It was the 2nd awesome trip we earned with The Pampered Chef. He enjoys all 3 boys so much and is often found draped with kids on the couch with books or on he floor with mounds of leggos. He's such a great dad!

It seems like there should be more to report from 2006...it really was a crazy year. I like to think of it as the year of the baby. I went from growin' Owen, to owin' on Owen, to Owen now growin'...thanks for reading our annual update.

We hope you take time to enjoy the company of family and friends this Holiday season and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Luke 2:11 For today in the city of David, there has been born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

To pee or not to pee....

It's not a question...he pees-a lot. He pees on me, his clothes, his blankets-everything. It's like an instinct. Hmmm...mommy is removing my diaper-I think I'll pee. There's no time to even think-no matter how gingerly I remove the diaper-he pees. If I am lucky enough to remove the diaper without the fountain of Owey errupting, he'll pee as I swoop the new diaper under him. he's like ole' faithful.

You'd think I've never had a boy before.

As if peeing weren't enough...he poos too. Nope, not just your average baby poo either. It's rocket blast poo. I've never seen poo shoot so far from such a little hiney. And, he poos with EVERY diaper change. He poos in fresh diapers best though.

He's a good baby though-otherwise. He sleeps A LOT. I'm not complaining. Actually, it's kinda concerning. I was told he'd sleep 16-20 hours a day. He sleeps more like 23 hours. He sleeps while eating, while peeing, while pooing. He just sleeps. When he does wake up, he doesn't really focus in on us or make eye contact. It's a concern of mine and I'd appreciate prayer that one, I'd be comforted that it's normal and two, that there isn't anything wrong with his vision.

I can't believe he's 5 weeks old. I'm guessing he's over the 4 1/2 pound mark by now-but we don't have a scale that measures ounces.

That's all for my update for now. Until we pee again...

I'm a month old!

Where did the month go? Oh yea, I slept it away. And how did I put on so much weight? I weigh 4 pounds 1 1/2 oz...I'm porkin' up! Does my diaper make my bottom look big? He, he. All is pretty good in my baby life. I sleep a lot but, not always when mom wants. I went to the doctor today-he was cool, Dr. Ho-mommy says he's the best! It was really cold outside though-no fun.

My brother Jake held me today and my brother TJ took a little nap with me too:-) Mom will send pictures of us soon;-)

Gotta grow now!

XOXO,
Owen

PS Shhh... don't tell them, but my brothers have to get flu shots tomorrow to help keep me from getting sick. Their pain is my gain;-)

Coming home day!

Thanks Lyons Family!!!

Bath time!

Cute Boy!

Cuddling with TJ

Cute spikey hair

Comfort

Psalm 77:2

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

Psalm 119:50

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:76

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Isaiah 49:13

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 66:13

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort

Have you ever thought about a mother's love for her children? It is truly unconditional. They do so little to deserve our love. They mess up so much and require so much effort. Our children can drive us crazy. They can make us question our sanity. Yet, we still love them and have such sweet affection for them.

This is how I think of God sees us as His children. I mess up. I loose control. I try to do things on my own but ultimately, must turn back to Him for help. He responds as a mother does to her children. With open arms. He doesn't care how many times we mess up, nor how much effort we require. He understands our and responds to them lovingly-whether it's 2am or a weekend, or Holiday, etc. He always takes our calls too-never having to leave a message. No, not literally-but He's always available.

He's always here for His children. Oh, and He doesn't complain about it:-)

In fact, have you ever found yourself saying "How many times am I going to tell you_______?" or "If you would've listened to mommy..."?

I often chuckle inside as I'm saying these silly words, thinking to myself-heed your own advice. God must think I am so silly wondering why I have to tell my children the same things over and over. He never tires of telling me over and over;-)

I posted many verses on comfort because it's what I've needed lately-comfort. It's hard being a mom. It's hard being human. But, God can comfort me no matter how nuttso I feel...or act. Best part-He forgives me for it. He made me and He loves me.

I am so thankful that He allowed me to have children, to be able to love them. They don't do anything to deserve my love-thus, they can't do anything to loose it. And it's the same way with God-we don't do anything to deserve His love, and thus, we can't do anything to loose it.

I hope you find comfort in your day!

A good day...

Even after a night in a hospital bed, 3 feedings, and just 2 hours of sleep, today was a good day! Today was a VERY good day! Owen was discharged today around noonish. He's weighing in at a hefty 3# 13 1/2 oz and 15 3/4 inches long. He has done great since getting home and we are all so glad to be home as a family again-for good, I pray!

We were held up a bit at discharge because Owen's hearing had to be retested. Apparently, the report given to me that he passed, was wrong:-( His left ear has failed twice, so off to another specialist we'll go. I'm hoping it is just due to some fluid or because his ear canals are sooo small.

He also has an eye infection that he is getting antibiotic ointment for-not a big deal, but still a concern.

Nonetheless, we are home! We are mostly settled in and Owen survived the afternoon and evening with two crazy brothers being quite rambuncious. It wasn't 10 minutes of being home when Tim and I were talking and bringing things in when we heard Jacob say "Owen is hiding"...we looked over to his car seat where he was safely resting and all we see is teddy bear. Oh well, that's what the monitor is for, right?

Lord willing life will be pretty uneventful for the next couple of weeks as we acclimate to, well, doing nothing:-) Then we'll have bunches of appointments to keep a close eye on Owey. By the way, I know that looks like owie as in the boo-boo, but work with me here, it's O-E:-)

It's time to eat (again) and then off to bed for a nap:-) I look forward to updating more about Owen and our family in the coming weeks. I will post pictures soon (too lazy tonight;-)

God Bless You All!!!

Ughhhh...

I don't even have the energy to post a Bible verse this time...how pathetic. I'm down because Owen hasn't been discharged for no good reason. Tim and I took monitor training today and infant CPR-no, it didn't matter that I resuscitate babies during deliveries or that I am certified in both health care CPR and Neonatal resuscitation...are you detecting bitterness here?

Anyway, now I have to head into the hospital tonight when Tim gets home. I have to stay overnight and "prove" that I can feed Owen every three hours-I have to bring an alarm-can I just say "ughhhhhhh" again. Please don't get me wrong-I am ecstatic to have him but who in their right mind would be looking forward to every three hour feedings (that take almost an hour of painstaking effort) around the clock? Not to mention the fact that we'll be homebound thru the winter...I know, I know-be grateful that I have a baby to hold and whine about.

I am. REALLY...I AM! I'm just tired and stressed. This has been a long 4 months and it's going to be an even longer 18 years:-)

Owen is doing well. He's up to 3 pounds 12 oz. He passed his hearing and eye exams. He is going home on a very obnoxious apnea monitor. May I paint the picture for you? It's a box that looks a bit like a small DVD player but it is to be carried in a pouch 3 times it's size with a gazzillion extra supplies. It's about 3 times heavier than Owen too. He'll be connected with leads to the machine and it will monitor his breathing and heart rate. If the leads or connections get disturbed, it sounds in a constant horrific beep, much like a smoke alarm. Seriously.

It's made so you can hear it anywhere in the house. I want to make mention that the neighbors will also know when it alarms. Worst thing? If he does have a true "alarm" it won't stop the insane beeping until the alarm reason is corrected-as in his breathing gets regular again or his heart rate levels rises if it's low or hmmm.... decreases if it was high? I'm thinking the annoying beeping will raise my heart rate so why will his get back to normal? Worse yet? You can't even unplug it-it has a battery back-up...there's no escape.

Ok, so maybe you're taking my rantings as complaining and the like...yea-it may be a little but I tried to mix sarcasm and humor in too.

I am truly very thankful to have a baby who needs a monitor or 45 minute feedings to complain about. Entering into the world of no sleep for the next who knows how many months just wears on a person. I am quite stressed and emotional still...they say that should end about 2 weeks after the delivery. I have 2 questions. Define "end" and who is 'they'?

Owen is still extremely small and susceptible to- well, everything. Please pray for his continued growth, health, and improvement. Also please pray for grace for his crazy mother and for the rest of the family as they deal with his crazy mother. Next time I'm sure the tone will change yet again as the hormones turn;-)

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Psalm 92:1

It is a good thing to give Thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High.

I have some wonderful news to be thankful about! But first, I hope you all are having a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving amongst friends and family enjoying their company, a bountiful meal, and making great memories! I know this is a day that makes me slightly weepy at the thought of ALL I have to be thankful for~reflecting on all I have, which I do not deserve just astonishes me...God is so GOOD!!! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

Here are some things Owey (our loving nickname pronounced O-E) is up to nowadays...we are so pleased with his progress-he's really filling out. He looks like a different baby than I delivered 3 weeks ago. He weighed 3 pounds 7.2 ounces last night. We are in full-force heading home preparations too! Slated possibly for this weekend!!!!!!! He's passed his car seat test (on the first try) which is a huge blessing because we won't have to purchase a different seat. He's also taking the bottles that we have at home, so that means all we have to do is buy new nipples and not all new bottles. He had his circumcision and it's healing well and he hasn't missed a beat from it. He's also off all medication except a vitamin in his morning bottle which he dislikes:-p. He has an eye exam and hearing test coming up so please pray that he passes those with flying colors. He is also in an open air crib now, maintaining his own temperature and is so cute in his little preemie clothes and blankies. Of course he swims in his clothes but before I know it, he'll outgrow them just as he did his first diaper size-he's now into the regular preemie size diapers.

He's such a sweet content baby (please Lord, let him stay this way;-) and all the nurses love him. I'll post an update soon with his coming home info and pictures.

God Bless! ~Owen's Mommy

Owen's growin'! He's 2 weeks old today!

Hi! TJ and Jake here...we had fun today celebrating Owen's turning 2 weeks old! We decorated the tree today and it was fun-who knew one branch could hold 95% of the ornaments?...





Isn't Owen just the cutest little bundle? We love being his big brothers and can't wait for him to come home. Please pray he keeps doing well and gains weight quickly, as that will get him home real fast! He busted thru the 3 pound mark yesterday and today he weighs a whoppin' 3 pounds 2 oz...

He's very expressive...this expression is like he's thinking "MOM, are you going to take 25 pictures of the same thing over and over and put them all on the blog when they look don't look much different?"...mom would say "yes, I am-scowl or no scowl;-)"

Ok, well it looks like this update has worn Owen out...I guess we'll head for bed & so will Owen-he's gotta grow now:-)

Lots of pictures...I'm 1 week old!

I'm a big boy! I have gained weight over the past week and am back up to my birth weight of 2 pounds 13 ounces (I was 2 pounds 9 ounces at my lowest).






















This is my 7 year old BIG brother TJ-he loves me!!! He rubbed my cheek and kissed my head...shhhh-don't tell the nurses though!






















This is my very proud mommy...she just can't get enough of me! She says she could sit and cuddle me and watch me grow for hours!





















I'm so little when compared to my daddy's big, strong hand! I really like to hold things-but my parents fingers are the best!

Excuse me...I burped.






















This is my sweet brother Jacob-he's 3. He loves me so much!






















I'm so cozy, comfy when mom is here!





















Daddy's first time giving me my bottle. I'm up to my max feeding amount of 20 cc every 3 hours with full strength formula and I love it!

One of my favorite past-times!






















So much fun to visit!






















Here's lookin' at you kid!






















TJ's kisses are soooo sweet!

All this visiting has made me tired!

I'm such a happy boy. I got my umbilical line out last night and my nurse did my footprints. I have such cute, tiny feet!



















Gotta grow now...I love you this much!

Sweet baby!

Betrayed vs. Blessed

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I want to share my heart with you.

I woke up one week ago with blurred vision and increasingly high blood pressure. I woke up one week ago speculating that 3 long months of bedrest would soon be ending-2 weeks or less I thought to myself. I woke up not scared, not worried, not thinking that my long journey of difficult and unknown times would be ending in days, not weeks.

I would like to say that the next week that unraveled was a time of great strength and godliness for me. I wish I could say that I worked hard through each moment to glorify God and be a great witness for His kingdom...

I wasn't though. None of us wake up each morning thinking today may be our last. That would be a glum world and life to live. Even I did not realize a week ago that the days to come could be my last. I did not see the events as "serious" or "life-threatening". Thank GOD that in our weakness He is strong. Thank GOD for friends, family, and church family that prayed over me and BELIEVED that GOD can do anything-even when I called on Him not.

I am able to say that I was borderline incoherent-so I'm not really feeling so hard on myself (as it may sound). I am glad for what I remember and for what I don't (I think:-). I went into Friday evening (the proposed time for delivering Owen via c-section~my first c-section) thinking on the verse above-knowing only the part about the prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective. I was able to find out the reference and think on this verse throughout the afternoon-while I waited to meet Owen. While I hoped for the best but still waited for the worst.

It is incredible to think back on all the thoughts and emotions I spent thinking on his life. Wondering what would be....

I went into Friday evening, with surgery imminent, thinking I was about to have a baby-very small and sickly, with a possibly fatal condition. Very likely unable to breathe on his own (preterm or not) and afflicted with a skeletal condition causing dwarfism. I had months of test results from multiple doctors and ultrasound locations and technicians "prooving" these things. I was thankful to be prepared even as little as I knew. I was hoping for the best but thinking realistically that the worst may happen.

Preparing for surgery I was prayed for and over multiple times-even as the surgery was nearing and the days to come unfolded-the prayers of others grew as my focus on God weakened and I distanced myself from reality.

The events after the afternoon of Friday the 3rd go blurry as I was highly medicated and increasingly ill. When 6:46pm rolled around-I hardly can tell you that I knew Owen was here. Everyone around me though, knew that not only was he here, but that God had performed what seems to be a miracle.

Owen was born breathing, crying, small. He peed alot too, so I hear. I was not processing, nor believing what was being told to me. I couldn't quite grasp that 3 months of medical results from specialists upon specialists was -well, wrong. Owen was perfect. I still couldn't see it-I waited for the worst. I couldn't (and still can't) understand. No one can explain it.

The next couple days were also a blur as my condition did not improve. I was hardly able to lift my arms or legs (I could hardly press the button on my nurse call light to ask for help).

How could this happen? Have I been betrayed?...

The results that have come from my 3 months of bedrest weren't betrayal at all. I am finally starting to accept that I have a newborn now weighing in at a puny 2 pounds 9 ounces fighting for his life. He's been a fighter from the start-even when his own mother wasn't accepting that he might just be "ok".

None of us know what is to come. We don't know our own futures, nor that of our children or family. We aren't promised a great future of health or strength. But I am blessed. I have so many things in my life and hopefully future that all define blessed. I was blessed even in my darkest hour-when I was far from God-in our weakness, He is strong!

I focused so much on what would be the outcome of Owen's arrival that I lost sight somewhere along the journey...of course I don't know what is to come. All of life is unknown. It is a great mystery. It is a wonder and blessing that we get to discover and see what develops along the way. It is our honor to grow in our walk with the Lord and bring glory to Him! We have the responsibility to be prepared and to plan to our best ability, but none of us know what is to come. We can only pray that God be glorified through our journey.

I find myself, as I finally start to accept Owen's arrival, realizing I am concerned for his future since we do not know what his health will be. I am finally finding great comfort though, in realizing that none of us know what our future health entails. I will be given the grace to accept and work through what God has in store for me.

I am being redundant on this point-I know, but it is so powerful and vivid to me right now.

The 3 months I've spent growing Owen will now fade as a distant memory as each day reveals new things for our lives with him. I now pray for his future-whereas before, I prayed that he would have a future. Actually, I covet your prayers for his future~he has a long way to "grow".

I hope this story of my heart makes sense. I know it's kinda out there-we all know we shouldn't share things in emotional moments when we can't sleep. It has been a long, emotional journey-and it's not over, but just beginning. I'm thinking that spanish rice can't compare to the tears and emotion that have (and continue to) poured out of me over the past week.

I can hardly believe a week has passed. But, it also doesn't seem like 7 years have passed since my title as a mother began-November 9th, 1999 when TJ arrived into this world 5 days overdue weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces. What growth I've experienced since his blessed arrival. Now I can boast of 3 miracles, at least until they wake up and start tearing up the house, getting fingerprints everywhere and causing what seems to be unending piles of laundry.

It's funny-does God think to Himself when we, His children go to bed, "Ahhh...they are finally asleep".

I'd have it no other way-isn't that the key to the heart of a mother? We'd have it no other way.

I have so much more I could share...I am humbled to be able to share these ramblings with you-thank you for your interest and for sharing in the journey with me. God has been so good-I pray I continue to think on the blessings in my life as I work through more trying times as Owen (and all my family) grows and as more bumps in the road occur.

I plan to keep updating this blog with his progress and pictures. I hope you'll check back and continue to keep us in your prayers.

I am blessed to say I believe in miracles~I have proof that they exist. Mine came in a 2 pound, 13 ounce body-see picture below-Thank you Jesus!

Announcing Owen!

Psalm 139:13 & 14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Hi! My name is Owen Elijah Valiant. I was born Friday November 3rd at 6:46pm. I weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and was 14 1/4 inches long. I'm told I am a miracle baby. My mom and dad are praising God for me...the doctors say that I'm small but mighty! I am 5 days old now. Mom hasn't been able to write since she was so sick in the hospital. They made mommy have an emergency c-section to deliver me and she says she doesn't really remember all the details and is very emotional over my arrival. Mommy came home last night (Tuesday) and has been very tired from the "whole thing". I have to stay in the hospital for a while since I'm so little and need some help from the doctors and nurses to get big and strong. Mommy says she is still in shock over my miraculous arrival. Doctors had told her and daddy (even shown them proof) that I would be sick and have some things wrong with me-even not be able to breathe on my own. Now that I'm here, my doctors are saying I am going to be fine...mommy was just more sick than they thought and it affected my growth but I was a fighter and protected myself by allowing my head to grow more than the rest of me. I'm already catching the rest of me up with my cute head and I don't need any help breathing at all right now! I just lie in my cozy isolette and grow and look forward to visits from my family. I love my pacifiers too! Mommy is going to be ok too...she went through some difficult times but is getting better and is trying to rest and get her strength back so she can visit me more and take care of my brothers TJ and Jake again. Her doctor is still watching her closely but thinks everything will be just fine. Isn't God good! He really loves His children!

Mommy will be updating with pictures, progress, and thoughts soon so check back so you can watch me grow and learn more about cute lil' me!