Taking a Break

All is well. Gracie got her second tooth Sunday night. She absolutely refused to go to sleep that evening. Her eyes were wide open with a stare that said, "As much as you want me to, I will not sleep". I finally started rubbing her gums and realized that sometime between 9:00pm and 11:30pm her second tooth had emerged. It is wierd how fast it happens. Gracie is also rolling all over the place! I couldn't keep her on the back of her head if I tried!

Gracie developed a rash on the back of her head last week. We visited the orthotist and were advised to remove the helmet for a couple of days. I have grown so accustomed to seeing the pink helmet on Gracie that it was unusual to see her without it. After two nights I decided her rash was cleared up enough to "get back to work". I don't like to give Gracie much time out of her "hat". The longer we wear it, the more progress that occurs.

Speaking of progress, Gracie is already at the halfway mark in her treatment. The left side of her head (in the back) measured a half inch "flatter" than the right side when we began the process (there was a half of an inch depression spot). As of now, she has improved on the left side by one quarter of an inch! I think it is visibly better, as well. I'm really happy with the results so far!

Unfortunately, there were cracks on the inside of the helmet (in the padding) caused by the manufacturer. The cracks have never posed a problem, so we have left them alone. Two nights ago, the cracks opened wide and created a blister on Gracie's scalp. Once again the helmet has had to be removed until the wound heals. In the meantime, a new helmet is being made and should arrive sometime next week. Two steps forward, and three steps back. Ha! She doesn't seem to be in any pain, though. Just lots of scratching!

Hanna seems to be over her illness. She is happy and playful again. Tony seems to be feeling better, as well. The doctor told him he is still a little dehydrated, so he should push himself to drink more water. Let's hope that he listens and doesn't land himself in an ER, again.

I love my girls!

I know, I know, I'm Gracie's mommy and I brag on her all of the time. What else is new? I brag on Hanna, too. I love my girls, but there is no denying that Gracie is a trooper. She has taken to her helmet like it is an appendage. No complaints from her. When we take it off for an hour in the evening (for cleaning and a bath), Gracie scratches her head. I think her head gets sweaty during the day, and the cool air on her skin makes her itchy. It is pretty cute, but her sharp little fingernails leave marks! I do love the one hour a day that I can kiss her head. I don't take phone calls during that time. :)

I met a girl the other day who has a daughter (three months) doing physical therapy for Torticollis (short neck muscle on one side causing her to turn her head and create a flat spot), repositioning (to keep her off the flat spot), and craniosacral therapy (a technique that uses the body's energy to round her back out). She thinks her daughter will be in a helmet, as well. I told her not to worry about it. Gracie doesn't mind hers.

I still haven't decorated the helmet, yet. I can't decide if I'm going to or not. I'm looking for rhinestones.

On a different note, Hanna is sick AGAIN! We just can't kick this crud. This is her fourth antibiotic prescription since late August. She is up and moving today, but she gets sick every time she tries to eat. Gracie, however, popped out her first tooth on Monday. She is flip-flopping all over the place. She rolls over and over and over. When Hanna was little, I considered rolling over as mobility because sometimes I would find her in a different room!

All Night Long

Well, as usual, I worried too much. Gracie had a rocky start to her night. Maybe she thought I would take the helmet off if she cried and woke me up. By 11:30, though, she was down for the rest of the night. Tonight she went down at 10:14, and she is still sleeping (it's 11:45 now). She also took two naps today in her crib while wearing her "hat". Yea for me! I get myself all worked up about losing my luxuries, and then my kids prove me wrong!

Tonight's the night...

It is day six, and Gracie is wearing her helmet up to eight hours now. Tonight is also her first overnight while wearing it. She has yet to take a nap in her crib (with the exception of the fifteen minutes I "tricked" her into by letting her sleep on my lap on top of a pillow and moving the pillow into the crib). I thought I was smart, but it didn't last long! She has been napping in her car seat, however, while we run errands and take walks. She napped on Grampie's lap over the weekend, and she still falls asleep during feeding time. I don't think it bothers her. My theory is that it is new and different, and she just doesn't want it on in her bed. I can't say I blame her.

Other than sleeping arrangements, all is well. Hanna wants her own helmet (pink, of course), so I may let her wear her bicycle helmet around for a while. I doubt it will last long. Ha!

The Journey has Begun!

Look at Fall's hottest new baby accessory!! I was asked this weekend if Gracie was wearing "some fancy new baby bonnet". Ha! When I was a little girl, Aunt Carolyn made a picture for me that said, "Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet." Maybe that would help explain Gracie's situation to others. :)

Gracie was finally fitted for her helmet on Friday, November 2nd. She is on a wearing schedule for six days (one hour at a time, two hours at a time, four hours, etc.). The schedule allows her head and skin to become used to the padding. It is very similar to breaking in a new pair of shoes. During her one hour breaks, we look for red spots that may be of concern. qwToday is day four (six hours on with one hour off), and she is doing great. I am lucky to have such a great baby!! On the seventh day (this Thursday), she begins a 23 hour a day schedule. The extra hour is for cleaning and properly drying the padding on the inside. I'm still a little nervous about how she is going to sleep in it. So far, she has refused all naps while wearing her helmet.

Please check in on Gracie's progress from time to time. I will post pictures and basically talk about how she is doing. We visit the orthotist every other week for measurements and fittings. The next couple of months are going to fly by!