9 Month Update

Weight / Length:   (appointment on the 6th)

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He can feed himself finger foods a little bit and he loves to.  He also fusses to taste what you are eating, even if you have something prepared for him specifically.  He gets more and more of what we are eating.  So much so that I basically haven't made baby food in a while.  I do buy some jars and pouches of food now/still for on-the-go and introducing flavors.

Milestones/Development:   He is getting really quick at army crawling.  He gets his tummy off the floor but doesn't like to crawl this way.  He pulls himself up on anything and everything since 8.5 months (couch, toys, legs, chairs, etc).  He is getting more and more steady with this every day.  He is understanding more on tone and response.  He babbles a lot and you can hear different sounds coming out.  He says "da-da" and "ma-ma" (I think intentionally but not sure).

Helmet Treatment/Torticollis:  At his first official follow up on the helmet he had only gained 1.5 cm in head circumference.  So they didn't measure his flat spot.  He looks better to us but maybe it's not measurable.  Hoping for a big growth spurt so we can be done with it.  He has mild eczema on his forehead from it occasionally and also dry skin spots on his scalp.  We are trying various treatments for his scalp but no magic bullet yet. 

Sleep:  He sleeps pretty bad still but improving a little.  He usually goes to bed around 7:30-8 pm and sleeps until 10:30 pm.  He fusses and sometimes goes back to sleep and sometimes doesn't.  Then he is awake around 12:30 am or so.  But he has improved to sleep from 12:30 am to 5:30-6 am.  He takes two naps a day.  The early morning is throwing him off more than his previous 7 am mornings.  Hoping like crazy that he will sleep better when the helmet is off and done with.

Teeth:  He has his two bottom teeth in.  I forgot what a trial teething can be.  Add in a new helmet and teething is a pain in the ass (or mouth) haha  I am so sleep deprived. 

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We've been to the splash pad and playing in the backyard pool.  He enjoyed the backyard pool but wasn't a huge fan of the splash pad.  He loves to watch things going on.  I came home from church last week (he took a nap with Daddy this week) and he eagerly crawled across the floor to get to me and when I picked him up he leaned in and slobbered on/kissed my cheek and then laid his head on my shoulder.  I loved it.

Challenges:  Teething and his helmet.  Balance.  He wants to pull up and be good but he still falls on his butt and hits his head sometimes which makes for a sad Nolan.  I'm sure it would be worse if the helmet wasn't there to protect his head.

Likes/Dislikes:  He loves eating what we're eating.  He hasn't found a food he doesn't like/love (maybe bananas we haven't tried those again for a few weeks).  He is getting bigger into cuddles.  I love it.  He lays his head on your should and squeezes just a little.  I ask for kisses and he gives me hugs.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  Him sleeping better.  Oh please let this be the month that we get out of the stupid helmet.  And puh-lease let that be the main reason he sleeps like crap.

Funny 4 Year Olds (ongoing post)

Oh goodness... I think I just need to keep a running blog post of the funny things they say and come up with lately.

Seren was shirtless with her favorite necklace on a week or so ago.  She looked like Jim Morrison in the iconic picture and Jeff and I were talking about it.  She heard and understood that we thought she looked like him and quickly said, "I'm not a boy!  I don't have a penis."

We recorded the girls while telling them we were going to fly to visit my parents in Florida.  Kendall's first question was, "But how will we fly...we don't have any pixie dust?"  (they were pretty big in Jake and The Neverland Pirates at the time)  - April 2015

Talking about school in the car.  Kendall says that Kindergarten starts similar to her name and talks about the K and the "Ken" sound starting them both.  "It's like 'Kendall-garten."  She laughs.  Not to be outdone Seren says "What if they called it Seren-garten?"  I had a laugh at that one.  They are excited for school even though it's two years away.  - July 2015

After going to Wendy's for lunch, Seren says, "They work really hard to make yummy nuggets. They are better than you make."  I laugh, "Yep they are pretty good."  Kendall says something to stick up for my cooking so Seren says, "You make lots of other good things though.  I'm soooooo proud of you."  - July 2015

Grocery shopping with the girls.  Kendall spots a Green Giant can of green beans.  "Oh no.  Mom look it's the hulk."  I have a good laugh, "No that's the Jolly Green Giant"... she laughs back like I'm the crazy one, "No.  That's the hulk"  It took a few minutes to convince them both at this point.  "Why would they put a giant on their food?"  Gee I don't know why would they put the Incredible Hulk on it (I didn't say this of course). - Aug 25, 2015

While running errands the cashier asked Kendall where she got her red hair from since it obviously wasn't from mom.  I told him that Daddy had some red hair in his family.  So the cashier asked if she got her red hair from Dad and she laughed.  "No!  I growed it myself."  Too cute and literal.  - Aug 27, 2015

...more to come I'm sure

8 Month Update

Weight / Length:  17 lbs 12 oz and 28 inches.  I'm assuming close to the same since this was only 2 weeks ago.

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He can feed himself finger foods a little bit and he likes too.  He also fusses to taste what you are eating, even if you have something prepared for him specifically.  He does get more bits of table food and hopefully this isn't a bad thing.  I know we aren't the best (but hopefully not the worst) eaters in the world.

Milestones/Development:   He is pretty quick at army crawling and crawls all over the house and follows his sisters around and anyone else.  He still gets mad/upset when mom leaves the room though.  He sits on his own really well and I think only falls over intentionally.  He likes to stand and bounce on his legs.  He isn't able to pull up yet but is beginning to learn to hold onto couches and legs to stay standing.  Not very well yet but learning.  He is understanding more on tone and response.  He will blow raspberries with a mouth full of food and when I say "No, Nolan don't do that" he usually smiles or laughs.  He gets upset if you use a hard tone or startle him.  

Physical Therapy/Torticollis:  We graduated!  May 22nd was out last appointment.  He is not showing regression while wearing his helmet.  We were given approval to stop doing stretches (we haven't really been consistent in a month anyway haha) and just continue with strengthening movements.  If he does regress we return to stretches and if it doesn't resolve withing 10 days or we're concerned then contact them.  

Sleep:  Helmet affected his sleep and now teething is affecting his sleep.  Just about the time he was adjusting to the helmet a tooth started coming up and sleep went down the drain again (waking up every two hours).  We tried orajel and preemptive advil to no avail.  Luckily he would just nurse for a short while for comfort and back to sleep he went.  He's improving again now that it popped through.  His helmet and the heat/sweating is causing eczema on his scalp.  I gave in and slathered Aquafor through his hair last night and put his helmet over it.  Best sleep he's had in a couple months (only woke up once).

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We've done parks and sprinklers since being home from Florida but nothing exciting.  He likes watching the girls at the park but he gets frustrated on the blanket with me or even sometimes being carried around to watch.  You can just tell he's going to be racing to join them soon and raring to go.

Challenges:  Teething and his helmet.  Hopefully we will be clearing these very soon.

Likes/Dislikes:  He likes to feed himself when he can grab it and fusses when you do it for him.  He likes to be on the floor but also fusses to be picked up rather quickly at times.  He likes to be in the middle of the action and get on his sister's nerves a bit.  They love him but get frustrated when he wants to do puzzles or blocks with them.

Looking Forward to:  Being done with his helmet.  It wasn't so bad before but now with the sweating and skin issues on his scalp it isn't much fun anymore.  It is helping his head shape quite a bit though and looking forward to the follow up next Thursday (11th) to see how much he's improved and maybe a hopeful timeline of what's remaining.

7 Month Update

*For me and my memory...feel free to skip*

Weight / Length:  17 lbs 12 oz (26%) and 28 inches (81%).  Head circumference is 45.1 cm (65%).   He is wearing 6-9 month clothes and is in size 3 diapers.  Measurements as of May 19th. 

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He's getting proficient at solids.  He has tried many little table bits and pieces.  He has likes baby oatmeal, apples, carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches and banana so far.  Only food he doesn't like is banana and favorites are carrots, green beans and apple.  He will fuss and then cough to beg for food we are eating.

Milestones/Development:   He's able to sit on his own for longer periods of time, usually falling over on purpose or due to excitement.  He has started army crawling and can cruise the room pretty easily.  This is quite the challenge with older sister's leaving things around the house that could be a hazard.  Baby gate is up on the stairs.  He babbles more and more...ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba syllables are coming out.  He is developing a pincer grasp pretty good which has including pinching arms, face and neck (ouch! not a fan).  Still not quite able to feed himself although he can pick things up. 

Physical Therapy/Torticollis:  We think this will be complete at our next appointment.  He has reportedly been excellent and in normal range the last two appointments (over a month ago now) and our therapist only wanted to follow up if he were put in a helmet to make sure it didn't cause regression.  Now that he's been in the helmet a couple weeks I can't see any regression so really hoping to be done with it.  

Sleep:  His sleep has been suffering with the helmet.  He woke up 3 times between 9pm to 2 am last night.  I am tired all over again.  If he really starts freaking out I have taken the helmet off for the last few hours of the night.  Hoping that he'll get used to being back home and with the helmet to sleep better. 

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  We just returned from visiting my parents in Florida for a couple weeks.  He loved it and loved them.  He learned to army crawl in the house (luckily no stairs).  He also loved the beach and water, playing with the sand with his feet and dipping toes and legs in the water.  He was a good traveler and flyer as well with no major fuss.  He is just a really smiley and happy baby.

Challenges:  Being in the helmet and sleeping is the only real challenge.  He really isn't bothered by the helmet but it does seem to throw off his sleep and naps a little (mostly just the night sleeping).

Likes/Dislikes:  Despite being able to crawl and move more now he still seems frustrated by movement.  He doesn't like it when his sisters run and play without him and he doesn't like it when you walk away from him into another room or just out of eyesight.

Looking Forward to:  Looking forward to summer (kind of).  Excited at the idea of going to park and splash pad but also realizing it's going to be hot and his helmet might become a bit of a burden to wear in the heat.

*backdated to May 2nd but typed up and pictures taken on May 13th. 

Picture with helmet taken while in Florida

Helmet Therapy...

Well we requested a referral to a specialist for evaluation of Nolan's flat spot.  We had a PT appointment on Monday followed by a evaluation appointment yesterday.  The verdict is that Nolan is still measuring in moderate range for plagiocephaly and we'll be moving towards helmet therapy.  Hopefully we'll be on our way out with PT though as they have basically told us he is resolved with torticollis.  So that is the good side.

I was pretty pro-helmet or at least pro-specialist evaluation.  I kept feeling like Nolan was getting decent care for the torticollis but that head shape wasn't a huge concern for our therapist.  So I was glad to have him seen and even happy to hear there was a recommendation beyond turning his head and increasing tummy time (we've been doing that for 4 months with only mild improvement).  But of course then I start looking into helmets and worrying about the risks (if any) and if it will be successful (feeling more confident here).  I also start seeing these adorable children with helmets on their heads.  Gratefully they are all grinning from ear to ear so it doesn't seem too bad but still these cute little kids in these not so cute devices.  Also, I think of a fellow mom friend who was sad about the cuddle time being different and not being able to kiss her son's head or nuzzle his hair as much during the therapy.  That part is sad.  Nolan's sisters will miss being able to ruffle his hair all the time.  It is silly but just a little sad to check in with reality and realize Nolan will be stuck in a helmet 22-23 hours a day for 2-3 months.  It makes me sad even though I know it's only short term and at least there is something we can do.  Hoping he doesn't mind it and hoping it is a success.

Update:  We went in on April 15th to have Nolan's scan/pictures taken of Nolan.  They placed this cap on him and then took several pictures, using a high tech camera, around his head from different angles to get a 3D image.  It was interesting and he was a good sport about it all.  The helmet is supposed to be done within two weeks but due to our schedule they rushed it a couple days and we should get it on April 27th before heading off to visit my parents.  I hope that he adjusts to it well.

Cap they put on him to take 3D pictures of his skull shape for helmet fitting

Complete with stickers used to find center of his face, ears and top of head during imaging

Easter 2015

Easter 2015 

City Egg Hunt

6 Month Update

*For me and my memory...feel free to skip*

Weight / Length:  (guessing here)
 He is starting to wear  6-9 month clothes and is moving into size 3 diapers.  Oooops...Nolan won't have his "6 month check up" until he's almost 8 months.  I forgot to schedule it until a few weeks ago and then our pediatrician is out with training/conference or such so it will be on May 19th.

Eating:  We are still breastfeeding (yeah!).  He took one bottle and then started refusing bottles again (snob).  We have stuck a toe into solids.  He has tried oatmeal, rice, apples, avacado, butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and banana so far.  His favorite I would say was the carrots or apple.  He also gets tiny tastes of bread, ice cream and things we're eating.

Milestones/Development:   He is able to sit up on his own for a few minutes at a time, longer if I distract him with toys, his sisters or Thor.  He is trying hard to crawl but can't get arm strength and scooting to work together.  He is starting to take up rolling to get short distances and he definitely scoots but not super effective.  He's starting back into babbling more and more also...sometimes if you listen carefully (or imagine with me) you might here a "momma" mixed in with his cries for attention.  He is able to grab things (rarely missing them) and hold things more easily.  

Physical Therapy/Torticollis:  His PT is going well.  His tilt was in normal range last visit (as of a month ago) and I think his turn is close but he through a fit for our therapist so couldn't really tell or get him to work with her.  He was considered normal range with tilt and turn at appointment on February 24th but not sure if that means we can plan to stop PT or not.  His head shape is still concerning.  He stayed at 8 mm the last two times it was measured (basically for 2 months now).  He'll get measured again on April 6th. Our therapist has said she may refer for a helmet if next measurement isn't much better.  We discussed it and requested a referral to have him evaluated by a specialist.  This appointment is on April 9th.  He is getting closer to 9 months and supposedly there isn't much change to be had after that point with head shape.  So we'll see what the specialist has to say and if we are headed for a helmet or not. 

Sleep:  His sleep is unpredictable.  The moment I say he's doing better we have a rough night (up every few hours) but he did have a night with 2 6-hour stretches (so nice) and the next night with 5-hour stretches.  And now he is getting more consistent 7 hour stretches in (yeah!!).  I hope it starts sticking but we'll see.  My guess is once he is a little more mobile he'll start sleeping better but who knows.  

Fun Memories (Outings/Events):  I let him swing in the infant swing on our swingset a couple weeks ago.  He loved it.  He was smiling and excited.  Hopefully we'll be hitting the park again more often soon.

Challenges:  His torticollis and sleeping is the only big challenges we have right now.  He is a really good baby in general though.

Likes/Dislikes:  He is fascinated with Thor still and loves it when we have Thor sit by him or when we play with Thor around him.  He also love watching his sisters and (unfortunately) trying to grab their hair (especially Kendall's).  He seems to be more frustrated with movement and knowing he's getting it but physically not quite there seems to make him mad.

Looking Forward to:  We're looking forward to our trip to see my parents.  The girls are going to be thrilled to see them and Nolan will hopefully have a good time as well.  I'm looking forward to him crawling so he's not so frustrated but other than that I'd be happy for time to stand still with this baby getting closer to turning into a toddling little boy.

The older he gets the more he attacks Mario

Love this smile

The drool continues...no teeth in sight but drooling for months