... what's going on?
Well, I (and then we) decided to start a blog so we could keep everyone who IS interested in what's going on with our family informed, and then I'm not sending out unwanted email updates to those who aren't :) I wish I had the time to make a phone call to everyone and keep in contact that way, but then I think I would be on the phone the majority of every day!
I'm thinking I'll start with the youngest in the family (since he has the most going on these days), and go from there... so for L:
L got a "helmet" called a DOCband this past Monday to treat something called plagiocephaly and scaphocephaly. Basically these huge words mean that his head is shaped a little funny (plagio being angled and flattened on the back/sides, the scapho part being that the back of his head sticks out quite a bit, creating a kind of shelf). The DOCband was created for him by a company called Cranial Tech, who makes helmets custom to each child (a 3D image is used to create them), and then there are voids left in the helmet where they want the brain to grow and fill out, and where L's "bump" is, there is gentle padding that will discourage it to protrude further. The helmet is meant to be worn 23 hours a day, and are used for an average of 3 months. We researched the company extensively and they are the best out there from what we have learned. Unfortunately the closest location is in Annendale, VA so we have to drive out there every week or two for adjustments until the process is done. I am actually going out there again tomorrow because there is an area of L's head that is rubbing too much on the DOCband (poor Z is in for a long day-- 3 hrs one way and only about 45 min at the appointment in between!).
L is also dealing with some eating issues.. He has reflux, which he is being treated for with Omeprazole, a milk allergy and potential soy allergy (for which he is on hypo-allergenic formula), and has so far been seemingly intolerant to any baby food we've tried. This could be due to his reflux or new allergies or intolerances. After L adjusts to his helmet (which is actually going VERY well other than the one spot we have to have fixed), and gets over this stomach virus (he's had one every week for the last three weeks!), we're going to try apples.. either baby food, or in one of those mesh bag feeders to see how it goes..
EDIT: Don't let all this medical stuff with L mislead you though.. He is probably the happiest, easy going baby I have ever met/heard of. He is SUCH a blessing and makes me laugh at least once every 30 minutes.. and I'm not exaggerating!
Z:
Z is doing very well overall. I am definitely having issues feeling bad that L seems to be getting so much attention compared to how much I am able to give her, but I know that I am doing my best trying to balance them out and let her know that she's still my favorite daughter ;)
Z is taking ballet class and gymnastics weekly, both of which she loves! She has a ballet recital at the beginning of June, and although she loves her class I expect that as soon as she gets on stage she'll probably sit down for the whole thing :D
Me:
I'm doing pretty well, pretty tired and off and on stressed with all of this, but I know God's taking care of everything and everyone, and pretty soon this will all be just a memory anyway :) I can't believe my baby is already 7 mos old-- that gets to me every once in a while :)
J: He's doing really well (I think). He's a wonderful husband and dad -- I LOVE seeing how excited Z & L get when they see him walk through the door after work! J still gets up with L at night to feed him, so I know he's tired some, but after me being sick for literally 3 months straight this winter, J realized I needed to sleep to stay healthy.. I know it may not last forever but I am so very thankful! (L has to eat at night because of his reflux and food allergies, he can only eat small amounts at a time, and we have to make sure he gains weight properly... otherwise he would be sleeping through the night at this point!)
I guess that's about it for now.. I'm sure I'll have more to add soon. Please feel free to email, call, text, facebook (is that a verb?), or comment :)
Well, I (and then we) decided to start a blog so we could keep everyone who IS interested in what's going on with our family informed, and then I'm not sending out unwanted email updates to those who aren't :) I wish I had the time to make a phone call to everyone and keep in contact that way, but then I think I would be on the phone the majority of every day!
I'm thinking I'll start with the youngest in the family (since he has the most going on these days), and go from there... so for L:
L got a "helmet" called a DOCband this past Monday to treat something called plagiocephaly and scaphocephaly. Basically these huge words mean that his head is shaped a little funny (plagio being angled and flattened on the back/sides, the scapho part being that the back of his head sticks out quite a bit, creating a kind of shelf). The DOCband was created for him by a company called Cranial Tech, who makes helmets custom to each child (a 3D image is used to create them), and then there are voids left in the helmet where they want the brain to grow and fill out, and where L's "bump" is, there is gentle padding that will discourage it to protrude further. The helmet is meant to be worn 23 hours a day, and are used for an average of 3 months. We researched the company extensively and they are the best out there from what we have learned. Unfortunately the closest location is in Annendale, VA so we have to drive out there every week or two for adjustments until the process is done. I am actually going out there again tomorrow because there is an area of L's head that is rubbing too much on the DOCband (poor Z is in for a long day-- 3 hrs one way and only about 45 min at the appointment in between!).
L is also dealing with some eating issues.. He has reflux, which he is being treated for with Omeprazole, a milk allergy and potential soy allergy (for which he is on hypo-allergenic formula), and has so far been seemingly intolerant to any baby food we've tried. This could be due to his reflux or new allergies or intolerances. After L adjusts to his helmet (which is actually going VERY well other than the one spot we have to have fixed), and gets over this stomach virus (he's had one every week for the last three weeks!), we're going to try apples.. either baby food, or in one of those mesh bag feeders to see how it goes..
EDIT: Don't let all this medical stuff with L mislead you though.. He is probably the happiest, easy going baby I have ever met/heard of. He is SUCH a blessing and makes me laugh at least once every 30 minutes.. and I'm not exaggerating!
Z:
Z is doing very well overall. I am definitely having issues feeling bad that L seems to be getting so much attention compared to how much I am able to give her, but I know that I am doing my best trying to balance them out and let her know that she's still my favorite daughter ;)
Z is taking ballet class and gymnastics weekly, both of which she loves! She has a ballet recital at the beginning of June, and although she loves her class I expect that as soon as she gets on stage she'll probably sit down for the whole thing :D
Me:
I'm doing pretty well, pretty tired and off and on stressed with all of this, but I know God's taking care of everything and everyone, and pretty soon this will all be just a memory anyway :) I can't believe my baby is already 7 mos old-- that gets to me every once in a while :)
J: He's doing really well (I think). He's a wonderful husband and dad -- I LOVE seeing how excited Z & L get when they see him walk through the door after work! J still gets up with L at night to feed him, so I know he's tired some, but after me being sick for literally 3 months straight this winter, J realized I needed to sleep to stay healthy.. I know it may not last forever but I am so very thankful! (L has to eat at night because of his reflux and food allergies, he can only eat small amounts at a time, and we have to make sure he gains weight properly... otherwise he would be sleeping through the night at this point!)
I guess that's about it for now.. I'm sure I'll have more to add soon. Please feel free to email, call, text, facebook (is that a verb?), or comment :)
Great job Beth!
ReplyDelete(Tina O.)