Happy Birthday Mister Owen!!

Dear Owen.

Today you turned three. These have been three incredible years and I have you to thank. You changed me. You made me look at life in a whole new way. Every cuddle. Every smile. Every moment. I don't want to miss a single thing.

You came into this world on January 28th, 2008 at 10:58 pm. It wasn't the plan, but you were in charge. I knew I was in for a brutal labor and delivery as you had no intention of coming out.

We arrived at the hospital before noon with Daddy and sister. We were all anticipating your arrival. We knew you had a broken heart long before you were born, so we had a plan in place. The beginning of the plan was to get you to come out. After several hours of the doctors inducing labor, you were not happy. Your heart rate dropped with each mini contraction and I was far from the hard part. It broke my heart when the doctor suggested a csection, but I knew it was best for you.

You came out with the best personality. Calm, cool and collected. You didn't even cry until the nurses made you mad. They brought you to me and you were the most beautiful boy ever!
Daddy quickly scooped you away with the doctors and you went to the NICU. Daddy stayed by your side and captured your first moments on camera. I love these first photos as you were tube free for the only time in your life.

Kamryn couldn't come to see you because she was too young and we were in the middle of RSV and FLU season. She was heartbroken. Daddy showed her lots of pictures of you and she called you her "hip hop dude!" Little did we know that three years later.. that genre would be your music of choice.

After Mommy had feeling in her lower extremities again, I wanted nothing more than to come up and see you. You took my breath away baby boy. The doctors and nurses had already placed your lines and you were given lots of medications. I could have stood by your bed all day.

The first time they let me hold you was hours after you were born. The moment was bittersweet as I only had a few precious minutes before they were to take you via ambulance to the Children's Hospital NICU. I was going to have to say goodbye. I was devastated.

The next few days and weeks are a blur. I held you when I could and fell in love even more. You were such a champ through your first open heart surgery and I have never been prouder of you. You were so brave!

One month after you were born, we brought you home for the first time. Your big sister was finally able to meet and hold you. She had waited for so long. I never could have imagined the bond you two would have now.. three years later. You are so lucky to have each other.

The past three years have been nothing short of a miracle. You have a will to live. You love with all your heart and have changed the hearts of so many around you. Thank you Owen.

I hope your third birthday is one you will never forget. I love you more than words can explain. You say it's "BIG MUCH!" and it's that and so much more. Happy Birthday to our amazing boy!! We love you.