thanksgiving helmit

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6896524130668123531&hl=en

A race car driver???

I've been a "super poster" the last 2 days, so if you haven't checked us out in a while, scroll down to the other entries. Here's our latest, welcoming the new addition to our family....the infamous "shaping helmit".

"You SERIOUSLY expect me to wear this mom???? You GOTTA BE KIDDIN', RIGHT??"

This SOOOOOO doesn't match my outfit!! But I guess it's not THAT bad!!""Hey! I have an idea!!! As long as I'm wearing a helmit.......""Here comes Speed Racer!!! Watch me fly!!!!!"We think daddy and mommy are having a harder time than Sophie is. The helmit fella said to make sure that all family and friends act "happy and upbeat" when you see Sophie in her helmit. He says little ones pick up quickly on facial expressions and your first instinct is..."Ohhhh poor baby!" or "I'm so sorry honey!" (just like her loving daddy said). If everyone acts cool and happy about it, then she will be too! So far, it's worked! After a minute or two after putting it on, she's oblivious.

I am convinced that I have a "bad girl" on my hands. So far I have learned that my daughter is:

...happiest when she is going fast in a car.

...LOVES to be naked

...and now, likes to wear her helmit and race her pretend car.

Yeah, we're in TROUBLE!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much to be thankful for these days. Here's a list for starters.

I'm thankful for:

My daughter's health

My wonderful husband. He's our hero.

I have amazing friends, both old and new. They have NO idea what their moral support has done for me. I love you guys, and your little ones too!

Loving family, both close and far away...

Amazing doctors, therapists, and care givers who love my daughter and want the best for her every time we see them. They are amazing.

Strength and positive thinking. Sometimes hard, always necessary these days.

Time with my daughter.

Faith that things are going to work out just fine if given enough time to do so.

Baby chuckles, giggles, and smiles. Wow...they are powerful things. Better than any drug!

...and now...for your photgraphic pleasure, the latest Sophie pics...

The view from our front window...WELCOME WINTER!!
What a silly girl smile!

Daddy's convinced she'll be walking tomorrow. This is a very ticked Sophie being precariously balanced on her exersaucer. She is standing on her own, (if only for a brief second or two).

creepy and cool!!

I havent been able to download CT scans to share (weird image file), but I thought I'd share the scans for sophie's helmit. they put a special sock on her head and scan, making a 3D computer image to guide the shaping of the helmit. Dont freak out about her ears!!! they were under the sock partially, so they look deformed, but are actually normally shaped. Same with the chin!! that is actually the tie from the sock hat!!

As you can clearly see, she is screming in the 1st image, but her face is mostly symmetrical. In scan 2, you can see what is called "vaulting", or a vulcan shaped head to trekkies out there. 3rd image shows clearly the plagiocephaly, or mishapen head. They say it is moderate and should correct nicely with helmit. The vaulting will take more time!! She's definitely our little study in science and technology. By the way, in image 3, the place where her head is bigger in back is where the shunt is, not where the green dot appears!

just because....

Just because naked babies are so darn cute! She's working hard to hold up the ol' head these days. Look at it!!! It's no wonder she struggles! She's got a big head like her daddy! Rolling over is our new goal! She's so not into it yet...but will flip from side to back pretty easily.

Holy Cow!!!!

So, today was Buggies and Babes workout day. As I arrived (late of course), I see a TON of mommies! Maybe the snow brought us all out! I think I counted 9 or 10 of us all together. Sophie decides to fill her diaper right as it's time to begin....Quickly I change her diaper and we are off. When I say off, I mean flying! You see, we have some new mommies who are "advanced" in the exercise department! I am barely hanging on! Now, the good news is there are others who are struggling like me! We give the sweaty, panting, understanding glances back and forth. I even heard someone say today, "Wow! Who drank too much coffee?" Also, I found out that one of the moms is a trainer, so of course she can hustle!!!

It is still so seriously fun! I never enjoyed exercise a whole bunch.. Somehow, with kid in tow and other mommies around, there is enough distraction for me not to focus on the agony of hard work! We walk (or run to catch up) and talk and enjoy the moment! Too fun!!!

What a great group of girls to hustle through the mall with!

It wasn't supposed to be like this...

Being a mommy....that is. I mean, I knew there could be struggles...I understand that each and every child is different and unique. I also need to say that I know my situation could be so much worse and I'm blessed to have the situation we have. That being said.....

Before Sophie's birth, I imagined/dreamed that I would be a natural mom...that, by this time, I would be able to go back to work, travel to distant places and be enjoying things like buying toys and shoes...scheduling play parties, going on dates with my husband, etc... I also imagined being back to my pre-baby weight and full of energy!

Instead, I am totally flustered most days. I have NO IDEA when I will be able to go back to work, and can't imagine being able to go to the grocery by myself, let alone a trip to another state. I have no idea who's body I ended up with, but it sure isn't the one I went into all this with!

Instead of those great "mommytopia" scenerios, my life is like this: I wake up at 5am to check the calendar, hmmm 2 Doctor appointments this week...Loading her up to drive 40 minutes and have her poked and prodded. The funny thing is, I actually look forward to it because it is adult time for me and I feel like these people are friends at this point. (I'm sure they don't feel the same, but it's fun pretending).

Instead of picking out cute toys and getting her fitted for shoes, I'm getting her fitted for a helmit to help the shaping of her head, instead of a baby schedule, I'm on a "whatever happens happens" schedule. Dosing medicines, doing physical therapy and developmental therapy exercises, trying to take in all the "you need to do this, mommy advice from the experts, reading support group chat pages... schedule....are you kidding me????

I miss the obvious baby accomplishments because I'm constantly looking for bulging fontanelle, or blood in stool, or pukey baby symptoms...I'm always on the lookout for the "elephant in the room" so to speak...When is this condition's side effects going to emerge??

Instead of reading the sweet, warm-hearted baby books everyone has loaned/given me...I'm reading reports on the many different medical terms I've been thrown, examining CT scan images, viewing 3D head imagry, and body cavity x-rays to check the mechanisms installed in my kiddo.

Instead of sending the beautiful thankyou cards I made to the docs, I'm lucky if I remember to pay 1/2 my bills.. Instead of wishing friends/family happy birthday, buying birthday gifts, covered dishes, or any other gesture of friendship, I'm hoping they don't disown me for totally missing their very important events.

It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I liken the feeling to being "in the weeds" as a waitress. (those of you who have done this know what I mean). Constantly 3 steps behind where you need to be. We have realized that, due to Sophie's medical needs/appointments, it will be highly unlikely I will go back to work on my scheduled plan. I mean, we are still having appointments for various things multiple times a week. Who else would/should take her??? That's a given for the mommy and daddy!

OK.....my rants almost over! Please know that I would not trade this gorgeous baby for anything in the world! I just want people to realize that I'm completely dumbfounded by my new state of mommyhood.

Now...poking fun at our crazy situation, here is the list of Sophie's diagnosis and the layman's translation of the same:

Hydrocephalus, Torticollis, Plagiocephaly, Severe Asophogial Reflux, and Milk/Soy protein allergy......

water brained twisted neck flat headed pukey baby with an upset tummy!

Welcome to Mommyhood, Mrs. Lucas!

good morning to me?

I awoke at 5 am with an eerie feeling. It was a sound, grumbly and low, like a growl or a rumble. I sat there with sleep in my eyes, trying to adjust from dark dream land, to light on, oh God, I'm so tired land....and there it was again! It was coming from across the room where Sophie's crib is. (we share a bedroom out of necessity. Its a 2 bedroom house, with no built in closets, so we converted the other bedroom to a massive clothing storage unit. Therefore, the little bugger butt is with us.) AND AGAIN!!! Could it be a wild animal that's somehow gotten in? a raccoon or possum cornered by our elderly cat?? GRRRUUUUMMMMBBBLE!!!! Now, in my awake stage I realize......my dainty daughter was in the process of a diaper explosion. One that probably could have been measured on the richter scale.

"oh hubby? can't you hear that???" I think to myself. I look over and realize hubby has in ear plugs and is sawing logs with a content smile on his face. I adjust my pony tail that was half falling out on the top of my head, swing my legs over the end of the bed and hobble my aching back to the upright position. I go and retreive the little smiling angel in the crib and proceed to clean the poop that has not only coated her, but has gone through her flannel sleeper, her flannel blanket, her cotten sling seat and through the sheet. The good news is that by the time it reaches the sheet, it's been filtered to a clear consistency, with less staining power.

So, after much cleaning I look down at myself and realize that I have expressed milk through my night clothes. Sophie had slept longer than usual and mommy was paying the price. I was drenched...I throw on another shirt. Strapping naked Sophie onto the changing table, I run to the bathroom (mommies have to pee too!), wash my hands and head to the kitchen to get the pump supplies. But, before I could even finish potty time, I hear Sophie screaming and daddy grumbling "What? mommy left you in here all alone???" UGH!!!!! So he grabs her and puts her in bed with him. I set things up to pump and decide I will feed Sophie (who is still screaming) at the same time. I carry the pump into the bedroom and realize that daddy didn't dress sophie...bummer. I lay things down and grab a sleeper and wrap her back up in clothing.

I go to plug the pump in and crawl in bed with Sophie, and hubby gives me the "oh please, not in here", look. I sigh....grab the pump, grab the kid, and head into the livingroom. I set up the little station of pump on one side, kiddo on the other, pillow propped for support, water bottle for mommy, remote control, and computer at hand, and begin the process! Daughter first, pump engaged, and now I'm frozen in position, balancing all the cogs in this well-oiled machine I call life. Things are going along smoothly, until BLECHHHHH! Projectile throw up from the kiddo. All over my lap and her new sleeper and the pillow we are balancing with.

Im stuck!!! "Hey hubby??? HUBBY??? HUBBY!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!! I'm pumping and I can't get up!!!! After a few hollaring attempts, he stumbles in and takes the kiddo to change her. I finish my duties of pumping, change out of my puke soaked clothes (down to the underwear on that one), quickly store the milk in bags in the freezer and get ready to "re-feed" the babe (on the non-pumped side, for those of you who have breastfed and know what I'm talking about) because she doesn't have anything in her tummy now and it's been like 10+ hours of sleep with no feeding. (she is a real sleeper) I take her back from hubby, who hobbles back to bed. I sit down with a tea towel on my lap and kiddo back to the business of feeding.

So here I am now, 5:30am, after a night time assault of the "killer kiddo diaper", the "pumping dislocation", the "tsunami of puke", the "if at first you don't succeed, change change again", the "earplugged hubby of bliss" and I'm balancing the passed out kiddo on my lap in a definite milk coma, the computer on my knees, typing with one finger, to tell you this story....

Good morning to me.....

a brainy day!!

Thanks to the smart birth to three folks, Mommy figured out how to lower my toys so I can play with them!!! (Duh, mommy) A little "hand-to-eye" coordination

I LOVE the butterfly, beautiful beautiful butterfly!

She's so smart! She's voting for her candidate! Hmmm...I wonder who??

She was the hit of our polling place!

For those of you who have been following Sophie's health condition, we have a follow up with the surgeon Thursday! Take a look at the last two shots. They really show her plagiocephaly (mishapen head) We are investigating the use of a helmit to assist her shaping issues. Tummy time is helping, but not enough.

more pics

Mom and these silly hats with bows! Give me a break! Kisses with the kiddo

Our walk at the park...someone wasn't very smiley!