Ultrasound

Yesterday we had a level II ultrasound... where everything can be seen. The technology is truly amazing. We saw the baby's brain and its healthy ventricles - no swelling. We saw the four chambers of the heart beating so nicely. We also saw the kidneys and the "practice breathing." And no, we did not see what we were having. We still want it to be a surprise... just 21 more weeks to go! Hard to believe that next Thursday I will be 1/2 through the second pregnancy. It's going much quicker then the first. We will have another level II ultrasound toward the end of March... again, they'll check the brain and make sure everything else is working properly. I began to feel the baby kicking this week... it was about 3am on Tuesday morning... the same time Owen was up crying - will I ever sleep through the night again?!

Thankful for Stability

As you may have heard Owen's MRI went well last week. We received the best possible news, which is that Owen's tumor is stable. We still send his MRI to Dana Farber for a second opinion.

What does it mean when a tumor is stable? The following is from the Lahey clinic website, When a tumor is referred to as "stable," it means that the tumor cells are in a phase in which they have stopped growing or multiplying. Such stability may be temporary or permanent. When the tumor has actually been destroyed, and the area it occupied in the brain is composed only of dead tissue (necrosis), no new growth will occur. However, if tumor cells remain, it is possible that they will begin growing again at a later date.

The actual sedation process went very well. We were in the very capable and caring hands of Jeff, the nurse practitioner that I previously mentioned. He inserted Owen's IV with just one try - thank goodness... and then Owen was off to sleep. After the MRI he slept for an hour and then we took him home where the challenge of the recovery began. We were told that the effects of the sedation could last the entire day... and they did! He could not walk unassisted, which made him pretty mad! He tried to help him or sit with him but he was not having it... needless to say it was a long day but knowing that sedation is safer than anesthesia makes it bearable.

We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and everyday! Owen is doing well and we have another bundle of joy on the way...

MRI Tomorrow - Pray for Owen

Hard to believe that it's been three months since Owen's last MRI... his next MRI is tomorrow. For each previous MRI Owen has been put under anesthesia. Tomorrow he will have sedation instead of anesthesia, which means that they will give him an IV while he's awake (in the past they've given the IV when he's sleeping). Sedation appears to be "safer" than anesthesia.

I spoke with the nurse practitioner today who will be administering the sedation. He said that the only thing he has done at Yale for the past 7 years is pediatric sedation so we're hopeful that he'll take good care of Owen. In the past we have not been able to stay with Owen during the test, but this time Eric will stay with him (I can't since I'm pregnant). Please pray for Owen that his test results are just as favorable as they have been in the past and pray for a steady hand of the nurse practitioner.

What's in mommy's belly?

Owen has some news to share! He's going to be a big brother. Although he's happy, he's really hoping that he doesn't have to share his birthday as Baby Bernheim #2 is due on May 27th... just three days after his birthday! Hence the reason I haven't been a great blogger - I've had morning sickness at night and have been exhausted. Owen has been putting me to bed at 8pm!

I just passed the 12 week mark this past Thursday and I am really feeling so much better! We had our first trimester screening and ultrasound this past Friday and everything looks great. We ask for your prayers as we grow our family. I think Owen will really enjoy a new brother or sister... and nope, we're not finding out the gender.... 28 more weeks until we know (but who's counting?!)

Trip to VT

Last weekend we headed to Vermont to spend time with Mimi and Papa (Eric's parents) and Dylan and Riley (Owen's cousins, and their parents Aunt Amy and Uncle Ken). We went to OctoberFest at Mt. Snow... it was much colder (and more rainy) than we anticipated! Here are a few photos of us bundled up - and it's only October! Despite the cold weather we had a fun time together.

Owen bundled up but missing gloves!

Owen giving kisses to cousin Riley.

Family photo

Back to Bloggin'

Our blog took a little vacation with us.... as this month flew bye! We were fortunate to spend a week in Aruba vacation with my parents, brother, and his girlfriend, Melissa. This fun week just so happened (ok, it was well planned) to fall during the week of my 30th birthday. Owen had a great time despite his cold. He did very well on the plane - much better than I anticipated. During the five hour flight he slept and played... and we walked up and down the aisle of the airplane. In Aruba Owen enjoyed the pool and the beach... and the continuous music. It was a nice week to spend with the family. Below are some photos from our warm and sunny vacation!

Owen enjoying his time in the pool!Memere & Pepere with Owen (he's showing his new smile).

Dressed for a night on the town and ready to dance!

The view from our room... beautiful.

Celebrating the big 3-0!

Aunt Melissa and Uncle Jarred hanging out with Owen.

Pepere holding the bird ... Owen loves this!

Enjoying Aruba.

The Prayers Continue

It's amazing just how much Owen has grown in the seven months since his surgery. At his 15 month check-up last week he weighed in at a healthy 24 pounds 9 ounces (50th percentile) and 33 and 3/4 inches (97th percentile). He's on track with his motor and verbal skills - adding lots of new words each day. We're so excited that he's starting to say two syllable words!

I was looking back at my post from seven months ago on Jan. 30th and we had just finished traveling to Boston. We were hopeful then and continue to remain hopeful. The continued prayers keep us strong and faithful. It's truly heart-warming to hear from the people who continue to pray for Owen. Last Saturday when Eric and I were on the train from NYC to home, Eric ran into a friend who quickly asked how Owen was doing. Although his high school friend works in another country he follows Owen's blog. Last week my mother-in-law forwarded me an email from one of her colleagues who noted that her cousin still prays for Owen every night. About one month ago during a dinner that Eric and I hosted, Eric's colleague's wife told me that she and her mom prayed for Owen. And a few months ago when I was at Stephanie's house (in NY) her father-in-laws' sister said that she prayed for Owen and has him on a pray list that goes to Italy. Also, when I'm at my parent's church, I always hear Owen's name on the list of people to pray for... these are just a FEW of the many people that I know are thinking about and praying for Owen.

These past seven months have taught us more than we ever wanted to know about medical jargon, brain tumors, insurance, etc. but more importantly during the past seven months, we've lived and learned from the power of prayer. Thank you for continuing to pray just as we do each day.

Great News Again!

We received great news that Owen's tumor has not grown!! We continue to be blessed. The next MRI will be in three months. Thank you again for your prayers!! We praise God for his goodness!

Waiting for MRI results

Owen's MRI went well this morning, although he didn't wake up too happy.... and little did we know that he wouldn't be able to walk after. He has his legs back now though and he's walking around just fine. We're headed to VT for the weekend - should be a nice weekend.

Home instead

So we don't have to go to the hospital... the oncologist didn't have all the facts. He didn't know that Owen had fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, etc.... all viral symptoms. He thought it made perfect sense that his loss of balance was associate with his viral infection. As you can imagine we are so relieved!!! Owen's MRI is still scheduled for Friday. We hope to have good news by Friday afternoon.

Headed to the Hospital

Since Owen's balance is still off we were hoping for an MRI today but it appears that Yale could not coordinate one (as a team of anaesthesiologist needs to be available too). The beautiful thing about Yale is that the only do pediatric MRI's on Mondays and Fridays so if we don't get one today we would need to wait for our scheduled appointment this Friday. Instead of waiting, we're going to our oncologist today at 1pm and he's going to admit Owen to the hospital with the hope that he'll receive an MRI soon. We'll keep you posted.

Prayers for Owen

Owen begin with fever on Wednesday night and has had a fever until tonight. On Thursday the doctor said that Owen's ears were red (not quite an ear infection) and put him on antibiotic. Then on Friday Owen kept losing his balance and by the early evening he couldn't seem to stand without falling. Both the pediatrician and oncologist advised us to take Owen to the Yale emergency room, where we stayed until returning home at 3am. Due to concerns with his hydrocephalus and tumor, a CT Scan was taken. We were fortunate the the CT Scan showed the hydrocephalus was the same; meaning his ventricles were enlarged but not more so than usual.

The question that remained though is why is Owen losing his balance. The neurosurgeon said that there were two possibilities - either he has a virus or his tumor has grown. We strongly believe that his symptoms - fever and chills, loss of appetite, and, as of today, a rash - are due to a viral infection. Owen regained his appetite this evening and is walking better. Although his MRI is scheduled for Friday, it may be moved up to tomorrow. We are hopeful that the MRI will show that the tumor has remainded the same size. We ask that you continue to pray for Owen - thank you!

Butterflies, Sunflowers, & More Dancin'

Owen is really enjoying the summer. Last weekend we went to the Butterfly exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI. Although there was a "please do not touch the butterflies" sign, Owen was tyring his best to capture one (and he did get one). We also explored the zoo. I think eating the red freeze pop was his favorite thing about the zoo. Then we went to Sunflowers for Wishes, a fundraiser for Make A Wish. It was awesome to see the 400,000 sunflowers... and Owen loved the hay ride. This past weekend we stayed in CT. Uncle Jarred and Melissa came to visit and Uncle Jarred repainted Owen's room - it's now a big boy blue color (pictures to come). Then on Saturday night we headed over to Walnut Beach for a concert on the pavilion - Owen danced the night away. Check out the video above and watch for his shoulder move (he bounces his right shoulder up and down).

It's hard to believe that almost three months have went by since Owen's last MRI. His next one is less than two weeks away on Aug. 14th. Also, we received Boston's opinion this past week (regarding the May 22nd MRI), and they agreed with Yale's opinion, which is to continue MRI's every 3 months. Eric and I are very faithful that the tumor will appear the same and the hydrocephalus will continue to improve. Owen is doing so well and for that we are grateful!

Dancin' on the beach

Owen had a great time in Rowayton last night... and we did too. He loved dancing to the music on the beach and playing in the sand. He had fun with his friend Addie. Heading to bed now because we never know when Owen will wake us next... this teething is so tiring... but he's working on his bottom two eye teeth and then we're done until the two year molars - maybe then he'll sleep through the night (just maybe).

4th of July & Fireworks

Happy 4th of July!

Owen enjoyed the fireworks.

Owen's first cotton candy - yum, yum!

What a cute face!

Family photo at Adams Farm.

My own tractor.

Owen holds the bunny and then lets him run away (whoops).
Aunt Stephanie with AJ.

Owen feeds carrots to the goat.

A carrot for the horse.

Happy Father's Day Dad.

Happy Father's Day Pepere.

Emily, Sue, and Sarah Beth.

The last few weeks have been busy... we celebrated Fourth of July in Vermont. Owen enjoyed our first mini vacation. He loved going to Adams Farm and feeding the animals - Eric let him give carrots to the goats and he enoyed every minute of feeding the animals. He also enjoyed holding a bunny. Owen had fun at the 4th of July fireworks too - he enjoyed the pre-fireworks activities of eating cotton candy and dancing the to band. Stephanie, Dan, and AJ joined us for two days as well. This weekend we're in NY for AJ's baptism - I'm the proud godmother. Next weekend - we're staying home!!

Owen is walking a lot more now and adding new words to his vocabulary each week. Every now and again he suprises me with words. When we were in the market I told him that we needed to get cheese and then he said "cheese." Then Eric and I were joking around saying let's have "booz" (alcohol) and Owen said "booz"... hopefully he won't walk around saying "booz."

Also, a few weeks ago my America's Junior Miss "host" family from Mobile, AL was visiting their family in CT. It was such a treat to see them. They really are a wonderful family who holds a special place in my heart because they always treated me like I'm part of their family.

Walkin'

The last few days Owen would take a step or two on his own... tonight he proudly took several steps. I can't believe my baby is walking - what an exciting milestone! Now, if he would just sleep through the night (consistently). We're so proud of you Owie! Hope you enjoy this one Memere Helene.

Groovin'

Owen loves music! Whenever music comes on he begins to shake his hips! Check him on in the video.

Yummy Yogurt

For those of you who know Owen well, you know that he loves his yogurt. I finally figured out how to upload video clips to the blog. Hope you found this is cute as we did...

Owen at the Gaspee Day Parade.

Owen had the best view at the parade.

Smile for the camera.

Eric & I waving to Owen. We ran the 5k before the parade.

Waiting for the parade with Auntie Sylvia & Branden.

Owen enjoying Stepping Stones Children Museum.

Friends Noah and Andrew - hanging out on a Sunday afternoon.

Spending time together for Papa's birthday.

Owen has been busy lately - spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed his first parade this past Saturday. He's still trying to walk, although not quite walking unassisted yet. And he's getting MORE teeth - we're up to 12 teeth now, which include his four one year molars. He's so much fun... dancing at the sound of any and all music. He already has some rhythm - too cute!

His next MRI is August 14th and the follow-up with the oncologist will be one week later.

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Monkeying Around!

Owen had another wonderful birthday celebration! This past Sunday we celebrated in RI with a monkey-themed first birthday party! From monkey cupcakes to monkey picture frames to monkey cupcakes to frozen chocolate dipped bananas and chunky monkey drinks - we were just bananas about monkeys! Once again our family and friends spoiled Owen with love and presents - what a blessed little boy.

Today Owen had his one year checkup... at 22 pounds, 11 ounces and 32 inches, Owen is the 50th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. Hmm... I wonder who he will take after? His dad of course! Hopefully he's as athletic as dad as well!