Owen Erskine smiles a lot today. The smells of Thanksgiving waft through the kitchen – his face lit up as his mom placed the casserole dish on his high chair. Owen Erskine is home for the first time since he was born, grateful and happy. “I’ll be 30 soon,” Owen’s mother, Katie, told me, “and this is the happiest Thanksgiving of my life.” Katie paused to collect herself as Owen flashed his charming smile. She was surrounded in the kitchen by her husband Eric and their four children – 4-year-old Levi, 1-year-old Lyla and 8-month-old twins Eli and Owen – filled her heart with joy. It was March 19th. Eric and Katie welcomed twins who were born six weeks premature. A doctor told Eric and Katie von Owen: “Prepare to say goodbye to your son.” Owen was diagnosed with NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis, two days after his birth. NEC can be fatal – babies suffer perforated intestines and possible bacterial infections. “Owen kinda lasted long enough to have five surgeries,” Katie told me. “He lost 81% of his small intestine – four days after he was born he was on the verge of complete organ failure. We decided that we would believe in good results, not bad results. He just came home here in Ohatchee, AL, a day before he turned eight months old.” After eight months with Children’s Of Alabama, Owen Erskine is home, just in time for Thanksgiving. Owen has a long road ahead of him as he is tube fed. It seems to be working out well as Owen is now eight months old and weighs 20 pounds. “We’re big Bama fans – who knows – maybe one day Owen will play football for the Crimson Tide,” Katie said, laughing. That’s fine with Eric, Katie and the kids as Owen continues to familiarize himself with the family home, while surrounded by his family. Eight months after his arrival, Owen Erskine is the toast of the family home. surrounded by love The Erskine family celebrates a day they will never forget. Because it’s Erskine’s best Thanksgiving ever. It’s Owen’s best Thanksgiving, too.
Owen Erskine smiles a lot today. The smells of Thanksgiving waft through the kitchen – his face lit up as his mom placed the casserole dish on his high chair. Owen Erskine is home for the first time since he was born, grateful and happy.
“I’ll be 30 soon,” Owen’s mother, Katie, told me, “and this is the happiest Thanksgiving of my life.” Katie paused to collect herself as Owen flashed his charming smile. She was surrounded in the kitchen by her husband Eric and their four children – 4-year-old Levi, 1-year-old Lyla and 8-month-old twins Eli and Owen – filled her heart with joy.
It was March 19th. Eric and Katie welcomed twins who were born six weeks premature. A doctor told Eric and Katie von Owen: “Prepare to say goodbye to your son.” Owen was diagnosed with NEC, or necrotizing enterocolitis, two days after his birth. NEC can be fatal – babies suffer perforated intestines and possible bacterial infections.
“Owen kinda lasted long enough to have five surgeries,” Katie told me. “He lost 81% of his small intestine – four days after he was born he was on the verge of complete organ failure. We decided that we would believe in good results, not bad results. He just got home here in Ohatchee, AL, a few days ago, a day before he turned eight months old.”
After eight months with Children’s Of Alabama, Owen Erskine is home in time for Thanksgiving. Owen has a long road ahead of him as he is tube fed. It seems to be working out well as Owen is now eight months old and weighs 20 pounds. “We’re big Bama fans – who knows – maybe one day Owen will play football for the Crimson Tide,” Katie said, laughing.
Because of his feeding tube, Owen won’t be reaching into the chicken and plating it in this casserole dish today. That’s fine with Eric, Katie, and the kids, as Owen continues to familiarize himself with the family home while being surrounded by his family.
Eight months after his arrival, Owen Erskine is the toast of the family home. He’s home for the holidays surrounded by love.
The Erskine family celebrates a day they will never forget.
Because it’s Erskine’s best Thanksgiving ever.
It’s Owen’s best Thanksgiving, too.