Dear Hayden,

You spend most of your days in dress up clothes. You spend a lot of that time having a dance party. It makes me smile just to think about how cute you look dancing around without a care in the world!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

Today we got really, really good news! We took you to a pediatric craniofacial plastic surgeon. She diagnosed you with deformational plagiocephaly (a misshapen head from positioning in the womb and after birth) and torticollis (a weak neck muscle on one side), both of which are treatable solely with physical therapy and sleep and rest positioning! She is confident that you do not have craniosynostosis, although she can see how our pediatrician came to that conclusion. So, long story short, it’s looking like you won’t have to wear a helmet or have surgery!! We are SO excited to have received such wonderful news today! You start physical therapy Tuesday at 1 pm, which is going to be challenging and a little bit fun, I am guessing. You are a pretty relaxed little man, I am thinking it will all be just fine!

Here you are at Dr. Singh’s office today, waiting to be seen:

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

Today was no ordinary day. Neither was yesterday. Tomorrow won’t be either.

There’s nothing ordinary about watching sleep kiss your eyes.

There’s nothing ordinary about watching your “Beep Beep” booty try to scoot.

There’s nothing ordinary about looking at your face while you stretch out and roll over.

There’s nothing ordinary about wrapping you up in a monster towel for a few clean snuggles before bedtime.

There’s nothing ordinary about being your mom.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

At your two month well visit, Dr. V. told us that you have a bit of a head shape issue. We’re getting you the best care possible, and doing everything we can to resolve the issue. I’ll be honest, though. I’m a little nervous because there’s a potential that you’ll need surgery and you’re most likely going to have some time in a helmet, which may make you uncomfortable. It makes my heart hurt to think of you in any pain at all.

All this has me praying. A lot.

This is what I am praying for:
1. Miracle after miracle in scheduling your appointments. The waiting is not easy!
2. That your case will either be miraculous, requiring no intervention at all or simple, requiring only the helmet.
3. That if you do have to have surgery, that it would be able to be scheduled in the most timely manner possible, that it would be correctable with only one procedure and that the procedure would happen without a single complication.
4. That Dad and I could embrace and truly know what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 about worrying. (“…But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself …”)

I’ve asked so many people who love you to pray these things with me. You’ve got a whole team in your corner.

Also, you should know that Uncle Ramsey is in your corner, too. He’s watching closely and going to help us however he can. You are so very lucky to have an uncle who was trained to help you before you were even born!

Above all, we are grateful to God, who is the author of all wisdom, the inventor of all science, and the creator of all modern medicine. We are grateful for the call He placed on the lives of all of the doctors who will see you and treat you in the next few months. We are grateful that while this is a condition that involves a somewhat alarming treatment, there is no indication that you will not heal completely from this and live a completely normal life.

I’ve told you before, but your name means “desire born” and you are just that for us. We prayed for you for over 2 years before we met you on November 16th. My personal story of God’s work and love in my life is completely told in what God taught me while waiting, praying, hoping for, loving and finally meeting you. While I am very nervous about some of the treatments you may face, I believe God’s promise that this, too, will come together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

I know God has you in His hands, which means you are in the best hands of all.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

Tonight, you rolled over from your belly to your back for the first time! I was pretty excited! I can’t believe how fast you are growing!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

Today, you are 2 months old! You are growing so quickly – you weigh 11 pounds, 6 ounces and you are 24 inches long. You are smiling all the time, and you are very close to rolling over when you are on your tummy! You are such a blessing to us!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Mrs. Schuster has a special friend named Buddy Bear. Each kid in your class gets a turn to take Buddy Bear home and take him on an adventure. This week was your week — here is your adventure!

Love you,
Mama

First, you took Buddy Bear to swim school. He danced with you while you waited for your lesson to start. He also sat in the lobby and watched your lesson through the window.

Then, you took Buddy Bear to the park.

You and Buddy Bear also had some adventures in dress up while playing at home.

Dear Hayden,

In the last week, you have fallen in love with your little brother! We have all taken to calling him “Bubby” and you have embraced that name for him the most! You are having a lot of fun holding him, helping feed him and loving on him in general. You are a great big sister. You even say things like, “I love my little Bubby more than anything in the whole world!” Sometimes your hugs look a little painful, so we ask you to be gentle — you are such a sweet sister!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Hayden,

Today was Pajama Day at school. You wore your “bones” pajamas and took Lovey with you for the day! You were very excited and had a fantastic time with your class.

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen,

Today a special gift arrived in the mail for you! My friend Sarah sent you a hand-painted train! It is absolutely adorable! It is painted with such precise detail and it matches your room perfectly! Your sister has a train like this, too!

Love you,
Mama

Your Choo Choo: