Henry, Jane, Claire and Adam

summer break

2010-09-14T21:01:00.003-05:00

after a substantial layoff from blogging- here are some pics from the summer. henry enjoyed swimming at papa & josie's and jane enjoyed eating and sleeping.

everyone is doing great- just getting bigger and growing up fast.

2010-09-14T20:56:00.000-05:00

2010-09-14T20:43:00.001-05:00

recent pictures

2010-05-25T20:19:00.001-05:00

"josie", jane & wanda

big brother

molly , carrie & henry

not a wig.

been so long.

2010-05-12T21:28:00.002-05:00

we have been waaaay behind on updating our blog - here are a few pics of henry since christmas (our last posting) dont worry its only may- will try to get some pics up of our new addition, Jane Lanier Sowell - added to us on April 21st.

Christmas

2010-01-25T16:32:00.001-06:00

The face of contentment

2010-01-25T16:30:00.000-06:00

Henry is loving his chair from Grandmommy!!

2010-01-25T16:28:00.000-06:00

Worn slap out Christmas day

Thanksgiving

2010-01-25T16:11:00.001-06:00

One of the million tries for a Christmas picture at our Thanksgiving lunch

2010-01-25T16:07:00.001-06:00

Fun at Gray Rock for Thanksgiving!!!

new pics

2009-11-03T20:15:00.000-06:00

here are some new pictures of henry....updates- got his first haircut, a total of approx 8.5 teeth, walking constantly, muttering "mama" & "da-da"...currently fighting a cold, but doing great otherwise...

2009-11-03T20:14:00.000-06:00

2009-11-03T20:13:00.001-06:00

weekend

2009-09-22T19:57:00.000-05:00

here are some new pics of henry - big weekend...

henry & papa - driving around

henry showing Aunt Wanda what a tennis ball is..

helping wanda fill her toy

no words necessary.

Zoo Day!!!

2009-08-24T13:21:00.001-05:00

Our friends Amelia and Dustin

Henry and Adam looking at the Elephants

Henry trying to figure out how to make a run for the monkeys

Henry trying to figure out how to jump the fence

pool time

2009-08-07T19:59:00.000-05:00

here are some update pics of henry- not fully "walking" yet, but can take a few steps...these pics are during & after a recent swim at papa & josie' house...i think he liked it...

2009-08-07T07:58:00.000-05:00

Birthday number 1

2009-06-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

here are a few pics from henry's first birthday - held this past saturday. probably the quickest year of our lives...great party..a little warm but we survived, i think.

henry & cousin Caroline (dee's oldest daughter)

henry & mary lauren

nice gift.

better gift.

2009-06-29T20:50:00.000-05:00

i wonder what all these buttons do...

the real cake

the "sacrifical" cake

success.

2009-05-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

Henry is such a hard worker!!!!!

2009-05-08T09:06:00.001-05:00

So, this is what potting soil tastes like.

easter

2009-04-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

a few from this past weekend...henry's first easter

never too early to learn to drive a stick...

4 generations.

the easter bunny cometh.

already has his arm out the window....ready to go somewhere.

Henry is my model baby!!

2009-03-27T12:29:00.002-05:00

I am making grocery cart covers for anyone that might want to buy one. Just thought I would put some pictures of a few of them on our blog. If you are interested just email me and I can give you all the details! My email address is claire.sowell@yahoo.com

cowboy up.

2009-03-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

as seen in the toy aisle at the local walmart....i think he liked it.

crawl before you can walk....??

2009-03-15T20:37:00.001-05:00

last week, we introduced Henry to the "walker", and he picked it right up....on his first pass, he went directly to the back door and started pulling on the blinds..way to go. looks like kid-proofing the house is our next chore...

2009-02-28T10:42:00.000-06:00

Henry is working on the crawling. He can get on all fours and rock.... but we have to have a break after a long day of rocking. What could be more fun than the ol' exersaucer.

2009-01-20T19:35:00.004-06:00

I can't believe Henry is getting old enough to really like his bath. He has always not minded baths but recently he has started to actually play and doesn't want to get out. I love it!!! Of course I had to edit the pictures a little before we put it on the blog. No need to show it all!

Henry is getting SOOO BIG!!

2009-01-06T14:42:00.001-06:00

santa came!!!!

2008-12-27T20:08:00.000-06:00

just a few pictures of Henry's first christmas- he got a "pony" (as poppa had been threating to do) - this one may be a little easier to feed.....i think he likes it!

getting ready.....

2008-12-22T19:02:00.000-06:00

here are a few updates of henry (before christmas #1) not sure of the last update, but Henry will be 6 months old on Dec 27th...last checkup he was 20 lbs., and definitely not an ounce under that currently. He rolled over once, but shortly determined that it was not that big of a deal - he's pretty content just sitting in his little chair or playing in the bouncer, still eating well,(obviously) and sleeping wonderful. He definitely knows who mommy is. only she can make him laugh on cue. but if you give him about 10 seconds he will smile at you. Anyway,wanted to get some updates out before the chaos begins...Merry Christmas to All!!!!
adam, claire & henry...

The Best Christmas Gift Ever!!!!!!

2008-11-30T20:06:00.000-06:00

Henry the Hunter

2008-11-22T20:18:00.000-06:00

Henry waited all morning for his Daddy and Poppy to take him hunting but nobody came......maybe next year.

-Claire

Henry got new kicks!!!!

2008-11-21T11:16:00.002-06:00

2008-11-10T19:02:00.000-06:00

sorry it's taken us so long to update...here are a few more shots of henry - he's a little over 4 months now, approx 18 lbs. doing great, eating, sleeping & smiling. He goes tomorrow to have his tear ducts "de-clogged"...hope this goes well.

2008-11-10T19:01:00.000-06:00

spiller hill

2008-10-19T20:40:00.001-05:00

yesterday, we went to Nutbush, TN (original home of claire's father) - had a great fall day outside...here are some pics of Henry's first trip to Spiller Hill. also some with Aunt Anna, cousin Kate and Uncle Jim.

pumpkin patch

2008-10-05T15:42:00.002-05:00

we went looking for the great pumpkin on saturday with big henry.....found a little one, what a great fall day...

2008-10-05T15:41:00.000-05:00

new pics

2008-09-18T19:52:00.000-05:00

sorry for taking so long on updating the site with new pics - here they are...Henry's doing great, getting bigger all the time, starting to hold his head up on his own and look around, focusing in on things more every day....will have some more pics soon

big day...

2008-09-07T21:13:00.000-05:00

henry finally got his shots last week, which means we can begin to put some " miles " on him...we went to a softball game today with some friends from church...here are some pics of ol' HP- the other baby in the last picture is mary lauren lane (sonny haven's daughter)...

henry 2 months

2008-08-26T18:29:00.000-05:00

we took henry to the Dr. last week, tipped in at 11 lbs..on thursday he will be 2 months old..here are some updates on what he looks like these days..

1977

2008-08-17T15:22:00.001-05:00

what a good year that was...here is a copy of my baby picture, circa October 1977.
does this look like anyone familiar???

those are the breaks, Henry...

new pics...

2008-08-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

sorry for the delay in updating this blog - last week our house was hit by lightening -knocked out our DSL connection (among other things) so just now getting back to where things have calmed down enough to get back to posting new things....

the first picture below is one of 4 generations of Sowell's - my grandfather, my father, me and Henry. one of my best friends has this same picture of his family and i have always thought it was one of the coolest things to have 4 generations in one picture. My grandfather turned 85 years old the day before this picture was taken, my dad is 59, i'm 30 and Henry is approx one month - for those keeping score.

the rest are just some updates of the little fat baby. Claire took him to the peditrician last wednesday, currently weighs about 9 lbs. His actual due date is Tuesday august 12th - but he's doing just fine, we take him in the next week or so to get his shots - maybe then we can get some miles on him and take him out of the house. or so....

how big a ol' boy are ya?

2008-07-28T21:54:00.003-05:00

today we decided it was time to have a legit weigh in - 2 weeks ago tomorrow, Henry weighed in at 5 lbs, 15 oz...today Big man tipped in at 7 lbs 13 oz.

He's eating approx 3.5 oz about every 3 hours, which makes for a long night...i have a feeling he will pop up to the 4 oz feeding- which will help.

definitely awake

2008-07-21T19:01:00.000-05:00

here are some good shots of henry....last night, just before he ate his dinner...very alert and feeling photogentic.

more...

2008-07-21T19:00:00.000-05:00

still feeling it.....

i think claire may have slipped him a RedBull or something.

learning.

2008-07-21T18:54:00.001-05:00

Henry, - where's your cheek???

way to go, son.

doctor- doctor give me the news!

2008-07-16T13:32:00.002-05:00

just got back from our first visit to the doctor....henry weighs right at 6 lbs...everything looks good..healthy baby.

G and jojo

2008-07-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

mom and dad came up last night to see henry for a minute -was a good visit..henry was so excited to see his grandparents, he fell asleep. does that alot, actually.

HOME

2008-07-15T09:12:00.000-05:00

henry came home yesterday - was release from the NICU around lunch....so far, i think he likes mississippi better.

notice anything different????

2008-07-13T19:17:00.000-05:00

it seems that young henry has learned that just because all your friends do it - doesnt mean it's cool....there some saying about jumping off a cliff or something but i cant remember...anyway- they removed the feeding tube from the young man today...his eating has increased-is putting back about 2 oz every 4 hours, currently weighing in at about 5 lbs, 6 oz, up 6 oz from his birth weight....there is a rumor, and a very mild one at that, - that Henry may be released from the hospital soon...i know 3 people who are very ready for this to happen.

a good washin every 10 to 12 days....

2008-07-10T20:10:00.001-05:00

ok, an update on how henry's is doing...we have been a little lazy on getting this updated, but not by choice....Henry's has been in the step-down NICU for a little over a week, is doing fine - just working on his eating-progress...currently weighs a little over 5 lbs. (his birthweight was 5 lbs.)--in the past few feedings he has been eating very well, real close to the 2 oz. requirement that he needs to do before he can come home....below are some pics of his first bath (maybe his second, but the first i have ever seen) we got him all cleaned up and ready for the first family portrait as seen below... Adam, Claire & Henry Sowell, circa early July 2008.

expression is the deepest form of flattery.

2008-07-10T20:09:00.001-05:00

ok, so maybe the saying is imitation is the deepest form of flattery, but these are some good expressions that we have been able to capture......seems like he makes a new one every minute!

week one...and counting.

2008-07-04T16:56:00.002-05:00

disregard the feeding tube ladies and gentlemen...all the kids are doing it these days, at least the ones in the NICU stepdown... should be removed in a few days..helps "H" get his food when he gets a little winded.

day by day, getting better, eating more than the day before.

will keep you updated..

update

2008-07-02T07:26:00.002-05:00

we went yesterday afternoon to see/feed Henry- he has been stepped down out of the NICU and is in a little more calm state..he has also turned/developed a little jaundice- very common in babies, more in preemies- and has been under the heat lamp to fix this...actually he should already be off this possibly even now. after the jaundice is fixed, they will have him in a regular crib in the step down from the NICU...
He is eating,breathing, sucking and pooping well. they removed the IV from his hand and now we are trying to get him feeding on a bottle only...he is doing OK with this, he gets tired from having to work for his food (being a preemie and the jaundice treatment makes him tired), so they also put in a feeding tube - not nearly as bad as is sounds- this is how he will be fed the "remaining" part of his bottle when he tires out. it is gravity fed, so is not like they are forcing the food to his stomach- it just kinda seeps down a tube about the size of some large sewing thread thru his nose and down to his stomach.

Claire is doing great, getting tired a little, me too. i guess the adrenaline is wearing off - and the hospital is no place to try and regain energy.

just an update- they tell us that as soon as he can eat a good amount pretty regularly he should be coming home, that's what we are working towards.

thanks again for all the calls - keep us in your prayers! will get some new pics of Henry soon.

adam & claire & henry

age : 2 days

2008-06-29T13:37:00.002-05:00

just got back from the NICU- Yesterday, Henry consumed 3cc's of a bottle. big news, this morning- he at 20cc's...and today at lunch - 30cc's!!! wonderful. he is progressing wonderfully. claire has now changed 2 diapers and is now the "professional diaper changer" of the family

here are a few pics of the lunch feeding today - claire is doing great, acts as if she hasnt given birth 48 hours ago.

2008-06-29T13:35:00.000-05:00

2008-06-28T21:46:00.002-05:00

2008-06-28T21:46:00.001-05:00

HENRY'S DOB 6/27/08

2008-06-28T16:00:00.001-05:00

Ok, we finally have a few minutes, so here's the story..Friday afternoon, claire calls me at work - her water has broken. We had a friend (lashay lynch) bring her to the hospital- from my office i am about 3 minutes from the hospital - hernando is about 30 mins away...When we get to the hospital, they confirm that it was her water has broken and at this point they are going to try to "keep her pregnant" - they gave her an IV of magnesium and a steriod shot to help Henry's lungs get a little boost before he's delivered- after they tried this, her contractions didn't stop so they decided to go ahead and give her the epidural- after this things got better, she progressed and delivered Henry around 11:58pm Friday June 27

Henry weighs 5 pounds, and is approx 18 inches long. as you can see from the pics he has a head full of black hair. currently, he is in the NICU unit at the hospital. they are telling us that he his weight is high enough for him to be in the regular nursery, but he's not "old " enough to be there (immune system not developed enough)
He should be in the NICU for about 2 weeks, until he gets better with the breathing, sucking, and swallowing functions.

so as of right now, everything is a well as can be, considering we are about 6 weeks early. Henry is here and it seems to be that he is doing well. Claire is amazingly great, no after-effects of the birth, was walking around all day today, and is changing her hospital bed as I update this.

THANK YOU to everyone who has called/texted/stopped by to see us..sorry for the delays in getting back with some of you.
Please keep us in your prayers...

hopefully this site should be more of something to watch now that we have some news to pass along.

thanks
adam,claire & henry

claire

2008-06-12T18:06:00.000-05:00

here's a few pics of the mom-to-be....31 weeks along...trying to stay cool in the mississippi humidity.

latest checkup

2008-06-12T17:46:00.000-05:00

here is a picture from our latest dr visit today - we had the 4D ultrasound done - one of the better pictures...i will put up a few more in a little bit and a few of claire as well...

adam

baby's on it's way....

2008-05-29T18:38:00.002-05:00

claire asked that i put up some "newer" pictures of her - an update of her progress....we go next week to have our 4-d ultrasound. this is supposed to give us an idea of how Henry will actually look. should be interesting...

shower-time

2008-05-20T19:44:00.002-05:00

we had our first baby shower this past saturday night - great night for a baby shower (i'm guessing, since this was my first baby shower in 30 years)...was good to see some of our good friends that we haven't seen in awhile. Henry received some good gifts! from a few outfits, some diapers,blankets and a pack and play. he racked up.

Today, we went back to the Dr. - Claire had to take her gestational diabetes test..as we were going in, she mentioned something about possibly being sick - she had to drink a basic 100% sugar drink - but she didn't make a mess..everyone was pleased.
We heard Henry's heartbeat today, very distinct, the next time we go is in 2 weeks. we should have some very detailed pictures of him..so we will keep you posted.

5 months in the books

2008-04-21T18:32:00.001-05:00

someone told me we needed to update our blog- here are some new pics of claire & henry...went to dr last week, everything still great...henry probably weighs about 1 lb...we are about 6 mos along...still due in early august...stay tuned...
Posted by adam

Hellllloooooo!!!!

2008-03-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

2008-03-17T20:22:00.002-05:00

well, we went today for our next doctor visit. after examining every part of the baby, she said everything looked great, 10 fingers, 10 toes, kidneys looked great, spine and brain looked great....then asked if we wanted to know what we were having, she said looks like a little boy.... see pic above...said that he is approx 9 ounces, due date is still august 12...so we will see!!! claire is doing great. no big cravings, just tired of sleeping on her side - -- will keep you updated as they come along.!!

a profile shot....

2008-01-22T18:05:00.000-06:00

we went back to the doctor today, had another ultrasound done...the nice lady gave us another picture to put in our minds....gets "neater" every time, can actually see the head, body and arms....while she was doing this, you could make out the heartbeat in "his " chest...WOW.
heart rate was around 162, is about 2 inches long now....
everything looks great, next appt one month out, claire is doing fine- in her hibernation mode currently -goes to bed around 8-8:30 everynight....

will keep you posted

baby on the way

2007-12-31T17:33:00.000-06:00

here is the first photo of our new baby....according to the doctors, "it" should be here around the first part of august....will keep you posted.