Tubby Time

We're back!!

It was bath night in Owen's office, so we have a little clip to share: 

It was the first time Vince and I were left to give Owen a bath completely on our own!  

It was quite a success :)

As the weekend comes to an end, we wanted to tell you that Owen is up to....

3 pounds, 5 ounces!!  

Have a wonderful week!

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

xoxo,

The Jamisons

Ladies Man

If these first four weeks have been any kind of insight into Owen's future, we will definitely have our hands full, because our littlest buddy is quite the ladies man!

I am not kidding when I tell you that the nurses are constantly coming by his "office" to sneak a peek because they just cannot get over how cute he is.  :)  From his blonde hair to his blue eyes to his sweet smile, he is absolutely precious.  (We might be a little biased because he is our son, but seriously, look at these pictures!)

Two months ago, if you would have asked me how I would spend our first summer in Texas, I would have told you that I would be back in Illinois for the month of June and that I would spend July preparing for Owen's arrival.  Owen's early arrival caught us all by surprise, but Vince and I will forever tell you that it has been the best surprise of our lives.  He is a miracle. So Tiny. So Perfect. So loved.

Yesterday was our baby shower (and Grandpa Tom's birthday).  We are so grateful for those of you who made it to Sublette to celebrate!  Technology is pretty amazing these days...being able to Skype into the shower and let you all meet Owen was such a special experience.  Each and every day he continues to show us just how much of a little warrior he is.  We hope you were able to capture that in the few minutes that you spent with him and that he was able to bring a smile to your face! :)

Owen continues to grow stronger with each day that passes.  Yesterday we had to ask his nurse to cut off both of his hospital bracelets because they were too tight!  Can you even believe that?!  So exciting!!!  And...he weighed in at 3 pounds, 3 ounces!

Every NICU baby is measured on Saturday nights, so last night was another big night!  I just called Owen's nurse to get the update on his new stats, but she had stepped out for breakfast so she didn't have the numbers in front of her.  Since Vince and I are going to Owen's office for lunch, I will post a new update later today with his current weight and length!  His nurse was able to tell me though, that Owen christened her into his circle of trust by pooping all over his outfit and blanket!  Such a good boy he is!  (And I think he has set a record in these last 3 days of the most outfit changes needed in between baths due to poopie diapers!  I think he just wants to make sure that there is always laundry to be done...isn't he so thoughtful?!)

We hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Enjoy the sunshine.  Count your blessings.  Be grateful.

xoxo,

The Jamisons

p.s. Welcome to the world, baby Charlie!  We cannot wait to meet you!

3 lb party!

Heeellllloooo!!!

We have such exciting news to share with you...get on your party pants and dancing shoes so you can celebrate with us because Owen Vincent is 3 lbs!!!!!!!!

It's time for a three pound party dance!

WHOOPIIIDDDEEEEDDDOOO!!!

Just look at this handsome little man. 

Aunt Kitty says she can notice his chubby cheeks! :) yay!

We have been having a wonderful week!  Owen continues to put on the oz's and his feedings have again been increased (he is now eating 30 ml every 3 hours). 

Another busy day in the office...working on my feeding and growing :)

After last week's poop incident, Owen was given a new "office" to work in.  Along with his fresh and clean office, he got a new sleepy time blanket for over the top.  It lets all of his friends know that he is busy working :) 

It. Is. Adorable.

Considering how much of a poop machine our little man is, we were generously given a laundry bag to house those dirty clothes that mommy needs to clean! 

How precious is that!? 

We have lots to look forward to in the coming days...

we get to meet with the NICU speech pathologist (right up mommy's alley) and hopefully introduce bottle feedings to our little warrior!

We hope you are all having a wonderful week!  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  We will send another update your way soon!

xoxo,

The Jamisons

Happy Father's Day!

Happy, Happy Father's Day!!  This was such a special day for us as Vince got to celebrate his first ever Father's Day!! :)

There is nothing more special than the bond that is shared between a father and his son.  Watching Vince interact with Owen is absolutely breathtaking...he is an amazing father and definitely a man that Owen will always look up to!  Owen and I are so very lucky that he is ours.

While visiting in the NICU today, Vince was given a special Father's Day letter, written by Matthew C., the father of a NICU baby.  I thought we would leave you with a few of his words...

"NICU Dads are special, we are unique, and we are of the rarest kind, wildly different from our fathers.  We find peace in knowing that our child has been instilled with the will to live.  Regardless of the outcome they showed up for the fight.  We support our families with the unwavering shoulders of Atlas supporting the world, not because we chose to, but because we were chosen to. And, we find peace in the simplest ways, the warmth of a warmer, the touch of a hand, the smell of our child...In the NICU miracles happen every day, even if today's miracle is nothing more than a smile that you could capture forever.  Always remember that tomorrow isn't here yet, so it can wait until it arrives.  NICU dads are a different breed, I know that, and I hope you do to."

Happy Father's Day to all of the special men in your lives and ours!  Please continue to keep Owen in your thoughts and prayers!

xoxo,

The Jamisons

p.s. Owen continues to grow with each day that passes!  He wanted you to know that this morning he weighed in at 2 lb, 15 oz!!  WOOHOO!  He is working on growing big and strong, just like his daddy, his uncles, his papa and grandpas, and his cousins!

Three Weeks Old

Happy three week birthday, handsome boy!!!You are 2 lbs 14 oz...getting bigger and stronger with each day that passes :). You get measured tonight, so tomorrow we will know just how long you are!

Yesterday you had your first big boy bath...daddy says you got to sit in the tub (bucket) and everything! Woweeh! Your aunt Christine came into town yesterday morning so she could meet you...she took some pretty awesome tubby time pictures!

 

We love you so very much and are so grateful that you are our sweet little miracle!

Happy three week birthday, love bug!

xoxo,

Mommy and Daddy

Making his family proud :)

Time for an update!

Our sweet little miracle continues to inspire us with each day that passes!  The doctors have increased his feedings, so he is now eating 28 ml every three hours and continues to put on the oz's!  As of this morning, Owen weighed in at 2 lb, 13 oz!!!!  We are so very excited for him!  He has clearly been busy at his office, working on his feeding and growing :)

So remember last week when we mentioned that Owen had upgraded his diaper size?!  This afternoon he showed his nurse exactly why he needs those big boy diapers.  

Exhibit A

Do you see those little spots on the blanket just above his foot?

Are you questioning yourself on what that might be?

Let me share another photo with you so you get the complete picture :)

 

Exhibit B

   Indeed, our sweet little Owen managed to projectile poop all

over his isolette!  If only you could have seen the look on his

nurse's face...too funny for words!

We hope you all have had a wonderful week and that this gave you a little smile!  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!  Sending hugs and kisses to all of you...

xoxo,

The Jamisons

Growing and feeding :)

Here we are!!

Sorry for the delay in posting...things have been quite busy over here!  Looking back on the last two and a half weeks, Vince and I have no idea how we would have survived without having my parents and sister here.  They were such a HUGE help!   Sadly, on Saturday night, we had to give hugs and kisses to Meemah as she needed to get back to Illinois (I think Papa missed her so so much!).  

We are already counting down the days until she and papa can come back here and spend more time with us! 


Aunt Kitty got to help give Owen a bath on Saturday night!!  Let me tell you, we had the most fun I think two sisters can have while giving our little warrior his bath!  The entire NICU nursing staff was cracking up at the two of us and our shenanigans :)  We wanted to share a few videos with you from this night, as it was a big milestone for Owen!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFiPtpeYMf8

Every Saturday, the nurse measures Owen's body to see his growth...

Owen wanted to share with you just how well his lungs are working! :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SiY1ZtXXeg 

Here is our handsome little boy after his bath, getting ready for big boy clothes!

Owen's team of doctors and nurses decided he was ready for a slight change in his environment.  While his isolette was previously warmed with humidified air, the doctors decided he was ready to try the isolette with temperature controlled room air, all the while wearing big boy clothes and being swaddled!  Owen seems to love this change!  The outfits are absolutely adorable and still seem so big on him, but it is so exciting to watch him grow into everything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDeU3xElUfA

Check out my big boy clothes!  In case you didn't know, I am kind of a big deal! :)

Look at the lambie hat my aunt Kitty bought me!  Don't I look 

so handsome?!  Thank you SOOOO much Aunt Kitty!  

I LOVE MY BIG BOY HAT! 

LOOK!  I have a buddy just like my big cousin Kaizen!  

On Sunday, we had to give hugs and kisses to Aunt Kitty so she could get back to Minneapolis to see big cousin Kaizen and Uncle Ross!  Owen was so excited he got to meet her and spend one whole week with her!  We cannot wait until this fall when we get to meet the newest member of the Klawitter family!  

After taking Amy to the airport, Vince and I headed back to the hospital to spend time with our most precious gift...just the three of us.  

Owen is now considered a "grower and feeder" in the NICU and is up to 2 lbs, 11 oz!  Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  He cannot wait to meet each and every one of you!  Until then, we are going to work on growing so Owen can be big and strong, just like his daddy!

We will leave you with a few more pictures from our week!

Our little miracle!

 Hi guys!

Kangarooing with mommy!

Big boy outfit #3!

 All wrapped up in my turtle blankie!

 

 Have a wonderful week!

xoxo,

The Jamisons

Happy 2 Week Birthday!

It's been a big day here in Owen's office! We just wanted to give you a brief update and leave you with a few pictures.
We have surpassed our birth weight. The isolette is now room temperature air instead of humidified air. Owen is wearing his first big boy outfit! No more naked baby! Owen is now being swaddled. AND! Owen is wearing one of his first gifts - a new lambie hat from his aunt kitty, uncle Ross, and big boy cousin Kaizen.
Owen had his third bath tonight! Aunt Kitty had the pleasure of helping and had so much fun. She even got tinkled on (2nd time now Owen has peed on her).
We will update more tomorrow!
xoxo - The Jamison's

PS - Owen has graduated officially to Preemie diapers. The nurses giggle because he is still so tiny in these big boy diapers...but he is digesting SOOOO well that he requires a little more padding ;) he comes from a long line of good poopers, we'll just leave it at that.

Hi everybody!! 

We didn't get a chance to post an update yesterday, but boy do we have some exciting news!!

On Tuesday, our little warrior got to "kangaroo" with his Auntie Kitty!

He loved every minute of it!

On Wednesday morning, for daddy's birthday, we found out that Owen gained another ounce and is now back up to his birth weight!!  Woohoo!!  As another birthday present, Vince and I got to give Owen his very first bath together.

 Happiest birthday, daddy! 

I'm fresh and clean for you!

Don't I look so handsome in my first outfit?!

My nurse let me put my suit on while working in my office last night!

This afternoon, Vince and I arrived for his 12:00 p.m. feeding to find out that they were removing his nasal cannula.  We will leave you with the most current picture we have...hopefully we can get a video up later!

We are off to change his diaper and kangaroo!  Please continue to keep us in your prayers!  Sending love to all of you!

xoxo,
The Jamisons

It's my daddy's birthday!

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear daddy!
Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!


xoxo,
Owen and Mommy

Puttin' on the oz's...

Check out Owen Vincent's "office"!  

Thank you cousin Emma, for the sweet get well cards!!  

Owen loves them!

Good morning, everybody!

While I sit here snacking on my Round Rock donut, I decided it would be a perfect time to give you an update on our littlest buddy!  Yesterday was such a wonderful day for Mr. Owen!  He continues to move towards each new little milestone everyday! 

• Owen Vincent now weighs 2 lb 8 oz!  He is almost back up to his birth weight which is AWESOME!!
• They reduced the flow in his nasal cannula from 2.0 to 1.0.  There is only one more reduction that can take place before they decide he is ready to try relaxing without the cannula :)
• They increased his feedings to 23 ml, so our little warrior is now eating full feeds.
• The nurse was able to take the IV out of his little arm yesterday!  Because he has been doing so well with the milk fortifier, he no longer needs the additional support of the IV.
• Meemah got to hold Owen Vincent outside of his isolette for the first time!

Just taking a snooze....dreaming about milk :)

Meemah got to "kangaroo" with me today!  I loved it so much!!

So much so that I got to snuggle with her for 2.5 hours!

Every time my mommy and daddy try to say good-night to me when they think I am sleeping, 

I peek my eyes open to let them know I am listening!  That usually gets them to stay for a few extra minutes :) 

Not only do I love laying on my belly, but I also love relaxing with my nuk!

Thank you so much for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!  We sincerely appreciate each and every one of you!  We have another exciting day ahead of us as we are hoping Aunt Amy can hold her first nephew for the first time outside of his isolette!  We will keep the updates and pictures coming...

Have a wonderful day! 

We are sending hugs and kisses to you :)

xoxo,
The Jamisons

p.s. Tomorrow is my daddy's birthday!  I cannot wait to celebrate with him!  He is the best daddy anybody could ever ask for! xoxo

One week old!

Happy One Week Birthday to our little warrior!!

 Let's recap shall we??? As I'm sure you can imagine these last 7 days have taken us on quite a journey. We will try to give you a quick recap of Owen's first week.

Saturday, May 26th

• Owen Vincent Jamison was born at 4:37pm weighing 2lb 9.4 0z and measuring 15 inches long
• He came out screaming, showing us just how strong those little lungs could be :)
• He was hooked up to C-PAP machine to give him a boost of oxygen and support his lungs 

Sunday, May 27th

•  Meemah & Papa arrived at noon and met Owen for the first time. It was love at first sight
• Owen was given a feeding tube so that they could begin to give him milk. Since no one was sure how he would digest the milk he was only given 3ml per feeding 
• His oxygen levels were between 25%-21%, which was very exciting given that we typically breathe 21%; he was given a little extra oxygen flow to help keep his lungs open as he breathed

Monday, May 28th

•  Mommy was discharged from the hospital and got to see Owen for the first time
• Owen's feedings were increased to 5ml per feeding
• His oxygen levels were consistently between 23%-21%
• He received his first pair of "cool dude" shades, as his bilirubin levels tested slightly high and he needed to be under a special light to help reduce his levels
• Weight: 2 lb 3 oz

 Tuesday, May 29th

• Owen was introduced to "kangaroo" time with Mommy
• The Jamison's had their first family photo together
• Owen's feedings were increased to 7ml 
• He wore his "cool dude" shades all day
• His oxygen levels remained steady between 22%-21%

 Wednesday, May 30th

• Owen had his first "poop" which was considered a huge milestone...who would have thought that someone would be so excited about their child's "poop"
• Papa was able to hold his littlest buddy for the first time
• Owen had his first "kangaroo" time with Daddy & later in the day he was able to "kangaroo" with Mommy too...two times in one day!!!!!!  WHOOPPPPIIIIDDDDEEEEDDDDOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• No more bili lights or "cool dude" shades :)
• His oxygen levels consistently stayed at 21%, proving that he could breathe room air! Yay!!
• Owen's feedings were increased to 11ml

  Thursday, May 31st

•   Owen got to say good-bye to his C-PAP machine!!!  Because he maintained oxygen levels at 21%, the doctors and nurses decided he was ready to move on to the nasal cannula.  Even more exciting, they reduced his oxygen flow to 4.0!!!!
• He had an ECHO that came with excellent results, showing that all of his heart chambers were closed
• Two explosive poop diapers resulting in fresh bed linens each time :)  Our little warrior sure knows how to keep his nurses busy!
• Owen had his first bath with Mommy and Meemah!
• He "kangaroo'd" with Mommy for one whole hour!
• Meemah held her littlest buddy for the first time :) 
• The IV line in his belly button was taken out and a new IV line was put into his foot
• His feedings were increased to 14ml
• Weight: 2 lb 6 oz

Friday, June 1st

• Owen's oxygen flow through the nasal cannula was decreased from 4.0 to 2.0
• His feedings were increased to 17ml
• His IV line was moved from his foot to his hand
• He had another explosive "poop" resulting in fresh linens (*Note to Mommy: buy lots of crib sheets!)
• Owen "kangaroo'd" with daddy for one whole hour!! 
• Weight: 2 lb 6 oz

Saturday, June 2nd

• Happy one week birthday to Owen!!  Such a little miracle you are!  You make our family complete :)
• To celebrate, Owen got to kangaroo with both his Mommy and his Daddy for over 1.5 hours!! So exciting and special for all of us.
• The nurses and doctors are so excited with how he is handling his feedings that they are going to introduce a fortifier to his milk.  We are hoping that he likes his fortifier so much so that we can continue to add it with every feeding, giving him the extra vitamins, minerals and proteins his tiny little body needs :)
• Weight: 2 lb 6 oz

Our week in pictures...

 

Please continue to pray for our "little warrior"!  Owen wants you all to know that he gets to meet his Aunt Amy tomorrow!  Check back for another update and some more pictures soon...


xoxo,
Mommy and Meemah (Daddy and Owen, too!)

p.s. Happy Birthday, Uncle Ross!