Hey Y'all!!!

Hey Everybody! Mom wanted me to tell you that things are going really well around here. I'm growing like a weed and nearing 9 months old (April 7th). I just decided to show her how smart I am by sitting up like this ALL BY MYSELF! I was lying on the floor when mom looked away. She was very surprised! I'm outta here!~~ Bye Bye for now!

Yay to friends!!!

I'm having a great week! I know, I know, It's only Monday!!!!! But, I am somewhat recuperated from a very challenging week last week. It is amazing how a little stress, lack of sleep and change in schedule can really wreck an otherwise "super" mama! I've also had the chance to see some of my friends that I haven't laid eyes on in quite some time!!

I am just so happy to see the people that make my days easier, that understand and forgive my rants and raves and who accept me for my crazy ole' self!!! So, here is a photo tribute to those folks in my life!! If you aren't pictured and you are my friend, then A. I need to see you more often! B. I have seen you, but my kid won't let me take a picture!!!! Especially those Buggies and Babes Girls!!!! Love you guys!

The girls and a few babes out to dinner at Cheddar's. 4 girls, to babies, and 2 babies to be!!!

MK, Andrew, The "D" man and Sarah! My worlds collided at Buggies and Babes!!! Love it!!!

Aunt Lisa and Sophie having a moment! Sophie wants to chew on EVERYTHING, including ID cards. We were at her home away from home, Ruby Memorial Hospital.
One of Sophie's boyfriends. He is another BandB cutie pie!!! They hug and share toys! Too cute!!!
MK, Heidi, Sophie and Andrew at our day of exercise and kiddo time!

The Adorable Andrew Adorned with Aunt Arlene's Glasses!
Sophie with the mutha of all "milk comas". If you look close, it's dripping down her cheek! Gotta love her.

xoxoxoxo

Sure to get stuck in your head....forever!

So, like a good music teacher, you randomly grab songs from your head to sing/entertain children....Unfortunately, all the words have gone outta my head...so I started making them up. I have to say, I don't ACTUALLY know the real words to Baby Beluga, but these definitely did the trick!!

medical games...the world series

I open my eyes. Bases are loaded and I'm being told by the coaches to hit it outta the park. I look down and there I stand, in my baby food covered pj's that don't fit anymore. I haven't showered in days. I turn to the dug out and say exasperatedly..."I don't freakin' know HOW to play baseball!!! How did I get here???" They exclaim, "You gotta do it!!! You must hit a home run!!! It all depends on you!!!" I look at first base, the acid reflux milk allergy puking baby, vaccinations and pediatrician. Second base, the helmet...third base, her physical/developmental therapies, the orthodist and DO, and finally, the home run.....her neurological team.

"I don't know how to hit the ball that hard!!" I shout in hopes that all the bases can hear me! First base coach starts giving advice...at the same time second base coach just quits outta no where, then third base coaches are busy discussing among themselves what to tell me that's best...meanwhile, the home plate coach is saying, "just do it, just do it!!! It will work out. See you next year!"

My heart starts to race wildly as I pick up the bat, turn towards the pitcher and brace myself. I prep, hold my breath, close my eyes, and CRACK!!!!! I wake up!

This is not really a dream I had. Folks, this is my reality.

I have been told, more than once this week, that I need to "take a pill". I need to relax about it all..... Stop worrying. I should be happy with what I have, of how things have gone. Maybe I need to talk to someone, take something, etc... All from kind loving medical folks in my life. I love them and I know they are probably right.

You see, what they all don't realize or see is that I am the only one holding all the cards in our game together. In their lives, they see Sophie once every couple of weeks....In our lives we see them 3 times a week or more. (this week was a lovely 6 appointments in 5 days)

There is this amazing team of fantastic people that see her. Without them, Sophie would have a very poor prognosis. Without their intelligence, their innovative natures, their willingness to work together, their experience, we would be in a really bad place. The trick is that this great team has never really met...and I am the one that keeps all their advice, directions, and other pertinent info in my head. I have to tell the right hand what the left hand thinks...Now remember folks, I'm a smart lady...but before this baby came into our lives, I spent my days with children. I am not used to speaking medical jargon. I'm not used to reading and understanding x-rays, ct scans, mri's, head scans and medical reports....let alone the terminology. It is simply the game I don't know how to play!!! Unfortunately, this game is crucial. It's our daughter's life...the world series...for me. Who she will become depends on how smart I am about her care now. How much can I learn? What more can I understand? What other questions should I ask?? What other signs should I look for??

Most new mommies feel this way. I know this. But I say this with the upmost respect for those amazing mothers in my life...Most new mommies don't get dealt the cards we were dealt. The multiple issues to organize and tackle. Like I said before, I know I am a smart woman. I have always taken on things I don't understand with a sort of vigor and strength. I dive in, research, learn, and generally work my butt off to get it figured out...(those of you who ever saw me in a written theory class in college know this about me) I also am a "whatifer" What if THIS happens? or What if THAT takes place??? So, maybe I do need to take a pill and chill out..But if I do...who will take over the game when I'm on the bench???

So, if you see me..and I'm scattered, chattery, disorganized, disheveled, delirious, down in the dumps or otherwise hard to handle, realize this. I AM all those things and probably 10 more things that I didn't even list. I'm exhausted and my brain cells are spent. I'm still just doing my best to keep in the game! You see, I'd learn to be a major league baseball player if it meant that our little girl had be BEST POSSIBLE beginning into this world. I would never want to be sweetly oblivious about all of this..even though it would be alot easier...it is simply not the best thing for her.

On a final note...I LOVE SOPHIE!! I think she is the most amazing little person. She's a true champion. Although it may appear that sometimes I am constantly looking for deficits, I really just am focusing on my ineptness and lack of knowledge. YES friends...I am incredibly grateful for her abilities and feel truly blessed! That doesn't mean I'm going to quit trying to play the game!

Batter up!!!! The bases are loaded!

no more helmet for the girl!!! Hurrayayyy!!!

Friends and Family...

It's official! We have been advised by the neurosurgeon's office to quit the helmet. It is bitter sweet news. She wasn't completely shaped yet, however, due to the way Sophie's brain is filling in(or not filling in), it has caused a little indentation on the right side of her face. You see, you need the brain to be pushing out as she grows, so the helmet shapes the formation of the skull. It was working rather nicely, but in that one spot, it just got too snug and caused issues. (we think) We aren't sure if it is a mistake on this new helmet's formation or the way Sophie sleeps on the helmet. Take a look at this picture, then the one at the front of our blog taken in December. You will see the change in her face shape for the worse (on her right side). It happened all of a sudden with the new helmet..no longer than a week. Her jaw was also being pushed sideways.

The GOOD news is that the neurosurgeon believes it will simply fill back out in a month or so. It has already corrected significantly in the day we have not worn it. The Developmental Neurologist, Maggie Jaynes said "You don't need that thing anymore. Kid's heads will fill in on their own....or she'll grow hair and it just won't matter!!"

And to that I say, SO LONG STINKY HELMET!!!!

The family

We had a beautiful sunny and warm weekend in WV. We decided to take a walk at Tygart Lake with Sophie. She loves the grass and can't keep her eyes and hands off of it!

Showing teeth!!! Also, last night Sophie popped up on her knees and ALMOST took off. It only happens when she has her helmet off for washing...We think it might be too heavy to crawl with. Those of you who ever met my Grandma Jean....does that expression look familiar??Getting another break from the helmet on a walk to Grandma and Grandpa's. They weren't home, so we sat in their yard and played. Gotta love how the helmet has made her hair grow...in two opposite directions.This is the ONLY bottle Sophie will even think about drinking from. Mostly, she likes to chew on the bottom.

Sophie "rockin'" out