Owen's Journey

I write this as encouragement to others because Owen’s journey has been different than most but yet similar to others. I share this now as hope for parents and just to say never give up in life. Owen was born in a normal way on just a normal day to maybe not so normal circumstances but yet I couldn’t wait for that magical day. Owen started growing just as any typical baby but as time went on I started noticing things that may not have been normal. He really didn’t do some of the normal things that a nine month old baby would do or then a twelve month old baby but yet he did so many normal things. As time went on I began to notice that he wasn’t really talking and was kind of withdrawn but I always said he is Owen he will get there when he is supposed to. As his two year birthday approached he still wasn’t talking. Through many doctor appointments and many specialist appointments I sat through them just wondering what was going on with my baby. And yet no answers came. So I checked into Birth to Three for Owen. The appointments came and went. Some days I was encouraged and some days I just wondered how I could help my baby. More doctors appointments and more specialists followed and yet still no answers. I would look at the internet and type in questions only to be confused by the answers. Finally I was encouraged by a friend to take Owen off of milk, the one thing that I could get Owen to drink. My baby never liked juices, not really even water and only ate very few foods yet here I was faced with the decision to take him off milk. It really wasn’t a hard decision after all. Just do it. I had just bought three gallons of milk that night when the suggestion was made but what is the price of milk compared to trying something to help Owen, so I said no more milk! The next morning Owen had his last cup of milk and we started this incredible journey. The first few days were a little bit of a transition. It was hard on Owen going from whole milk to almond milk but after the first few days it was just like milk to him. The first couple weeks I really didn’t notice much of a change in Owen and then all of a sudden it was like the fog lifted and I started to see this sparkle in Owen’s eyes. My little amazing guy is starting to talk, he is starting to want food. He actually asked for food. We were sitting in his speech class on January 14, 2015 and I had nuts that I was feeding him. He said “nuts” and then he signed “more” and said “nuts”. Then he said “more nuts”. This momma cried and smiled and just thanked God for this little word. My son asked me for food. I have seen so many changes already in him just in the three weeks he has been off milk. He is trying to say his alphabet and so many other words. He is eating better and trying new things. The sparkle in his eye and the smile on his face gives me such joy and encouragement. Owen has always been a happy baby but now I see this little light in him that just wants to grow. The journey is far from over as I try to eliminate other things out of his diet such as gluten and sugar. I’m not sure if these will have as great of an effect as the milk but I am encouraged to try. Today is a brand new day and I am celebrating Owen and his accomplishments.