Primm GP

May 6, 2017

Brandon had a race all the way out in Primm, Nevada. We headed out Friday night and camped for two nights with the other racers for free in the parking lot behind Buffalo Bills. Owen helped prep the bikes.

Brandon had his best race of the season so far. The track was about 8 miles long and it was a really hot and windy day. The track was very rough, but fun. Owen and I watched the racers while strolling around in Owen's new birthday trike. It was an awesome day and no one got hurt.

 The starting line with spectators

 

Brandon, Blake, and Bud

 

 Go Dad!

Owen watching Brandon in the background

 

Coming back safe = 1st place

After the race we hit the casino for dinner and arcade games. Owen did a lap on his trike before bed.

We stayed Saturday night and drove home Sunday. Owen wanted to drive, but we had to say no; it was nap time. We met Grandma and Grandpa for lunch on the drive home at Sue's Diner. They were headed out to Vegas and the Grand Canyon!

Driver and a sunny dog

 The Boys

 Sue's Diner

 

Trip To Texas

April 29, 2017

Congratulations Grandpa Mike and Christy!  We headed out to Kingwood, Texas to celebrate Grandpa Mike and Christy's wedding. We had a lovely time. The flight there was fine, despite the early morning departure. Owen played with toys, slept, and interacted with nearby passengers.  After we checked into the hotel and stopped at Whattaburger, we went for a hike in a bald cypress swamp nature preserve to really get a feel for Texas. Within 15 minutes, we saw two different species of snakes, a turtle, frogs, and tadpoles. So cool! Oh, and giant mosquitoes! Brooke and Kyle arrived late and we shared the hotel. They were so patient and fun with Owen!

We headed out to a beautiful home in Spring, Texas for the wedding. Grandpa Mike and Christy got married in the backyard near a pool and under the trees. It was a great ceremony and we finished with some real Texas barbecue. All of Brandon's aunts, uncles and cousins loved seeing Owen and we had a blast catching up.  In the evening we met up for dinner with everyone. No one could believe how much Owen ate!  With all the activity and people of the day, Owen had one of his best nights of sleep in his life.

 

 The Siblings

Cousins Blake and Paige

Aunty Brooke and Kyle

 

 Salsa face

Brooke and Kyle left early the next day. W woke up and had a nice morning walk along a river. We saw a turkey, turtles and herons. Then we met up with Grandpa Mike and Christy for lunch and a hike at Lake Houston. We saw an alligator!  The weather was so nice. After dinner at Grandpa Mike and Christy's house, Owen was ready for bed and an early morning wake up.  

Owen did great on the flight home. He took a little nap, ate, played with toys, and interacted with people nearby.  He's a total stud. 

Owen's First Birthday

April 25, 2017

How does time go so fast? It feels like we just brought Owen home from the hospital! Wow, what an incredible year it's been. We are so excited to celebrate Owen's first birthday with a family dinner at the Grandma and Grandpa Mehlberg's house.

Owen dressed up for the occasion. And he loved all of his gifts, like his new trike!

It was a wonderful dinner with family.

 

Owen had Grandpa's famous macaroni and cheese for dinner. What could be better?

Happy Birthday to our 1 year old! We love you Owen!

Ear Tubes

April 21, 2017

Owen had his first ear infection right around Christmas. Then he got another ear infection in January. Each month thereafter when we saw the doctor, Owen still had fluid in his ears. His ears just never cleared from December. During a check up at the end of March, the pediatrician said that the fluid was still there and he booked a visit the Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor.  Brandon took him the following week and the audiologist confirmed that his hearing was lower than normal in both ears, but not too bad. The ENT said it probably sounded like we were all underwater to him, and it probably hurt him to have that pressure in his ears all the time. He recommended Owen have surgery for ear tubes.

We were kind of expecting this because Brandon had tubes as a baby. All the parents we talked to about it reassured us that the surgery wouldn't be too bad, and that Owen would be a happier, healthier kid soon. We booked the surgery a few weeks later.

We arrived at the hospital for Owen's early morning appointment. He was confused because he hadn't had anything to eat since the night before and was getting hungry. He was also excited by a new place and new people. He was a bundle of energy, talking loudly and wanting to walk everywhere in the pre-surgery room. The nurse needed him to quiet down because there were numerous other patients getting ready for surgery, and she eventually came and gave him tylenol mixed with a sedative to calm him. She said it would be like a margarita. He was drowsy and out of it so quick! It was sad to see him like that, but he also very cute and cuddly.

Owen, very alert when we arrived.

 

Owen, post sedative margarita

 The nurse and anesthesiologist took Owen back to surgery and we waited in the lobby. The doctor came and got us in 10 minutes. He was already done!  We waited for Owen to wake up in the recovery room. It was hard to see him like that. I can't imagine how it would feel to have a really sick baby or a premie! Luckily, Owen woke up and was upset but had a bottle and seemed okay.

We took him home and he was cranky, but not horribly upset the rest of the day. He slept well that night. The next day he was back in action! 

Post-surgery report: We aren't sure if it's the tubes, the fact that he's walking all the time and tiring himself out,  or just that he's getting older and self-soothing better, but Owen is sleeping so much better. Yey for everyone!!!