Head Rounding in Progress

We went today for the results of Easton's CT.  The good news is that Easton's brain is functioning properly and had perfect growth and the sutures on his brain are still open. 

{source}

For a little lesson on the skull- you have sutures that run along the front, sides and back of the skull.  They are held together by fibrous connective tissues.  Those sutures don't typically close until about 18 months of age.  Sometimes they close prematurely and can cause problems.  One problem being that there is not enough room for the brain to grow or 2 if the head does have flattness, it cannot be corrected once those sutures are closed.  With that being said, Easton passed both of those test.

On to the 'other' news.  I won't call it bad...even though it's not what I wanted...but it needs to be done.

Dr. K (Craniofacial Plastic Surgeon) was very happy with Easton's scan.  Normal brain function and open sutures are a HUGE positive when working with a flat head.  There was no reason for me to believe he didn't have normal brain function- I really didn't even know that was a concern, however, to KNOW that everything is perfect in his noggin makes me very happy.  On to the cosmetic part of having a flat head.  He said that Easton was about a 5 on a scale of 1-10.  He said if we were happy with the shape of his head, we could just leave it alone.  He did say that there may be difficulties when he gets older with althletic helmets and shaved heads, etc but it was completely up to us.  The question he wanted us to ask ourselves  is 'would we be ok with Easton's head if it did NOT change shape?'  Lance's answer was 'no'. 

The window of time to do helmet therapy is idealy starting around 5 months because the child goes through so many growth spurts during this time and the change is faster.  They will not start helmet therapy after 12 months of age.  We are right at the line.  He did say that we would see some improvement, probably not a 'perfectly' round head, but improvement.

We met with an orthotist (BJ) after our appointment with Dr. K.  I was not looking forward to this visit based on our last visit with a different orthotist.  However, the minute he walked in the door he was warm and inviting and comforting.  He was first and foremost concerned with Easton and Easton's well being as well as making sure we knew that this was OUR decision and he was not going to push us one way or the other.  He wanted to know the results of the scan; when I told him the brain function was perfect and the sutures were open he said "well, praise the Lord, that's the most important thing."  He had me at PTL!  I knew this was our man.  I truly believe that God led Lance to this place for a reason.  Lance had done PLENTY of research on helmets and where he wanted to take Easton, so I have no doubt that God used is research to send us there.

After some discussion, we decided to go through with the helmet.  They did a scan of Easton's head by way of a digital device that looks like a radar gun.  He made several passes over Easton's head creating a digital image on his computer to send off to the design center to custom make Easton's helmet.  After a few tries we got a good scan and were on our way. 

They put this little mesh hat on to flatten down his hair so they get the exact shape of his head.

This process used to be making a cast of the head.  Yes, plaster.  With a Baby.

Let's just say this digital scanner is BRILLIANT!

This is BJ. 

We'll be seeing lots of him in the coming weeks.

Easton likes him, can't you tell!

In BJ's left hand is the scanner.

That would scan Easton's bean [head] and put a digital image on his laptop.

We chose a baby blue helmet and we'll pick it up next week.  He will begin his treatment with a week transition period where he wears the helmet 1 hr on 1 hr off for a day then gradually build up to during naps and then night time.  After that week he will wear the helmet 23 1\2 hours a day for 4-6 months.  He said we should see some results after the first full week of treatment.  I'm encouraged that we will see results that fast.  He also feels that even just the slightest improvement is going to make a big difference!  The results typically slow down towards the end of treatment so it will be interesting to watch how he progresses.  He's very hands on wanting to see us every few weeks to take measurements and make any adjustments necessary.  We will also see Dr. K monthly to do the same. 

I'll have to say I felt defeated when we left the doctors office.  This is not something I wanted for Easton.  This is not what I would chose for my son.  However, if his head were to never change and someone made fun of him one day for the shape of his head, my  heart would break.  I want to know that we did all we could for him to correct this problem. Cosmetic as it may be, I still think it's necessary for a boy to have a nicely shaped head.  His daddy definitely feels that way.  So, did I want to do this?  NO.  Do I want to have to deal with this?  NO.  But, my child is healthy and happy and smart and this is what needs to be done.  It's really no different than braces or glasses if you think about it.  Just a little less common than those 2.  I do feel blessed that we are able to provide this treatment for Easton, that God led us to the 2 doctors that we saw today, that his CT was perfect and that God gave Lance the nagging desire to do something about Easton's head.  We truly are blessed!

So, we begin our head rounding journey.  I'll keep you updated with our progress! 

What's it take to get your chores done?

While I made more squash, mango and green peas for Eason,

he did this...

Hey- it got the job done!  Don't judge!

AND, not to mention how much fun he had!

That's what it's all about right?!?!?!

Praise!

ALL PRAISE to Jesus!  "The Plan" went as stated----GOD IS SO GOOD!  I will post details tonight!

Thank you for your prayers! 

**Here's the details of our emotion filled day**

As of last night, Sunday night, I had decided to go with Lance on his opionion to sedate.  I can't say I was happy with the decision but it was made.  I prayed, I tossed, I turned, I prayed, I felt sick to my stomach, I prayed.  Every time I woke up I was thinking about all the 'what if's' of today.  I thought all weekend about the what if's.  I don't know if I should even type this for fear that some might think I'm a loon...but whatever, it's my blog, so...I'll go on.  I kept thinking, what if this was the last bath I gave him, what if this was the last time we took him to church, what if this was the last time I nursed him.  What if, what if, what if?  You see, I have this tiny problem that I can get my mind worked into quite a mess over the what if's.  I'm a worrier by nature.  I'm also a planner. And when I don't know if my plan is going to work, I get a little worked up.  I worry.  So, I was worked up.  To say the least.  Somehow, Lance was cool as a cucumber---or either wasn't letting me in on his feelings; but, I kept praying...and worrying.  I rememeber somewhere  hearing a quote that said 'if you are worrying, you aren't praying' but I assure you I was doing both.  Right or wrong, I was doing both.

As previously mentioned, the last time Easton could eat was 3am.  So I woke him then to feed him and put him back down.  *He did pretty good when he got up considering he didn't have his morning feeding.*  And let me tell you, we.are.routine.  SO, for him to be out of his routine, I thought he did marvelous.  

After we got all checked in it was time to go back.  The nurse had a note in her chart that we were going to try it without sedation.  I told her we had changed our mind...that we didn't want to waste our time or hers if he wouldn't go to sleep.  She said families do this all the time without sedation.  All babies will eventually fall asleep.  *She was very open to the idea of doing it without sedation and very willing to let me try whatever I wanted.*  After asking Lance what he thought and him saying *'it's up to you'* my mind was made.  I wanted to try nursing him to get him to go to sleep.  She did inform us that he would have to be strapped down to a board to have the CT done and I could either nurse him strapped in, try to strap him in awake and get him to fall asleep or strap him in once asleep. 

So, she turned the lights down low, pulled the curtain shut and I nursed him.  He was wild as a buck.  He was tossing and turning, looking around, watching Lance, playing with the rocking chair.  Everything BUT falling to sleep.  When we were finished I could tell he was sleepy so we decided to try getting him to sleep on the board so we didn't have to move him once he was asleep.  The nurse came back in and strapped him in.  Ok, picture the board as a 3 foot piece of wood covered in some swaddling blankets with a foam piece at the head to keep his head still and 12 inch veclro sections to go over his body at his shoulder and at his knees...  He was all strapped in and she laid him across my lap in the rocking chair and we rocked.  I prayed.  Lance played solitare on his phone while we waited.  He was a bit peeved at this point (with me---for chosing to nurse and not get it over with quick).  I rocked.  And prayed.  Rocked. And prayed.  Every time I'd peek my eyes open Easton's were getting a little heavier with each sway of the chair.  I continued praying over him until the snoring distracted me.  I was beyond amazed.  This kid DOES NOT nap...much less strapped to a board, in a strange place with strange noises...and when I want him too.  But, today, the day it mattered, *he did.  HE.FELL.ASLEEP!*

Once he was good and asleep the nurse came and carried him to the CT room (out of the holding area, down a long bright hallway, into a dark CT room and onto the CT table with beeps and hums and noises) and he remained asleep.  Lance held his hands.  I stood back in awe.  Praising my Jesus.  Almost to the point of tears.  *My child was asleep on the CT table without meds.*  I could not help but stand there and smile as I watched the red laser pass over his face and scan his little head.  God heard my prayers, our prayers, and answered them.  Easton stayed asleep through the entire procedure only waking up when the tech undid the velcro on the board at the end. 

I am amazed.  I am in awe of the power of prayer.  We prayed.  He answered.  I want to shout it from the roof tops "look what my God did!"  I want to paint my truck "God answered my prayers."  I want to put out a news cast.  I want to tell everyone exactly what I prayed for and got exactly what I asked for.  I want to sit at the feet of Jesus and praise Him for who He is and for His power.  There is no doubt to me that He was present with us today.  I have no doubt that it was ALL HIM who got Easton to sleep.  I have no doubt that it was HIS plan, not MINE, for me to nurse him and not have him sedated.  God is so good.  He is so faithful.  He is so compassionate.  He is so gracious.  He is so merciful.  He is love. 

I praise God tonight for how the day went. 

I also praise God for how Brooke's day went.  My bestie went through nearly the same thing today.  Her baby girl had to have an MRI.  *She was sedated but everything went just fine.* 

It was a long day for them but so glad to have both of these tests behind us.

Bev, Brooke's mom sent us this verse last night and I took it with me today on an index card. 

*He did go before us.

He was with us.

He never left us.

I was not afraid (once I decided not to sedate).

I was not discouraged.*

Praise Jesus for His many blessings today.

*where I saw God's hand visibly today*

We'd appreciate your prayers

As I'm sure most of you have noticed, Easton has a bit of a flat head.  It's been a nagging issue in our house for some time now. We've asked his pediatrician for months what he thought about it and he kept saying 'when he starts sleeping on his belly, sitting up, crawling, etc it will round out.' Well, he's been doing all of those things for almost 4 months now, and it's still pretty flat. It's not near as coned as it used to be but it's still flat in the back. We visited an orthopedist (the man who SELLS the helmets) to see if he thought Easton was a candidate for a helmet and he said that he was (big shocker- that's his money maker!!!). I'm sorry- I'm a little bitter about that whole situation.  He took some measurements of his head and his head is about the same size width as it is length so a helmet would help mold it into a more round shape.

In order to see if he is TRULY a candidate for a helmet we first have to get a CT scan of his head and then meet with a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon who will then refer us to a specialist.  They would then take a digital scan of Easton's head and fit him with a helmet that he would wear for 3-6 months. 

With that being said, we go Monday for the CT.  This absolutely scares the bajeebers out of me.  I don't want to do it.  I don't want him to have to be sedated to have this scan.  A friend at his school had this same procedure on her son and she told them she didn't want to have him sedated so they allowed her to nurse him and get him to sleep and then they did the scan.  My prayer is that this will work on Easton as well. 

He cannot have anything to eat after 3am on Monday morning.  The procedure will be at 8am.  My prayer is that we can get him up a little earlier than normal and once we get to the hospital he'll be so tired and hungry, he'll nurse then konk out.  If this does not work we would have to wait 4 hours (so his tummy is empty) and do the procedure with the medicine.  Now, this is NOT full anesthesia, this is simply a little 'elixir' that will make him sleepy and still.  So, that helps me, but still, I want to try it first without the meds and see if he'll be still.  If he does have the medicine he can't go to school (and I can't go to work) so we might as well try it first without the medicine. 

I've been praying about this day for a while now.  We've had it scheduled for 6 weeks I guess.  I don't think I really realized just how nervous I am about it until today.  The what if's fill my mind and my thoughts daily.  I know that's Satan.  I know that's fear and fear is not of God.  I know these things, but I still think on them.  I wish I could banish them from my mind and thoughts.   I can really get myself in quite a mess when I let my mind wander. 

Instead of continuing the what if's I will say this...

Please be in prayer for our day on Monday.  I will be a nervous wreck.  Easton will not be happy that he can't eat.  Lance will have to deal with us both.  Please pray that Easton will lay on that table for the procedure and be still as a mouse and that he won't need to be sedated.  I'm going to believe that he WILL lay there still enough for them to get the images that they need.  And if he doesn't, please be in prayer for the sedation.  Pray that everything goes smoothly and he wakes up just fine from it.  Just pray.  Pray for us, please. 

We won't have any results until Wednesday when we meet with the doctor.  At this point, I don't even care about the results I just want everything to be ok on Monday.  I'll update as soon as possible on Monday!

We appreciate your prayers!

Love,

Gigi's

For Moi???

HUBS....you shouldn't have!

Wedding Cake

Red Velvet

Caramel-Sugar Babies

Cupcakes make.my.day!

Thanks Boo- you're the greatest!

Mmmm...DELISH!

10 Months

Seriously, 2 months away from a year???  Where did the time go??? 

I feel like I say that every 18th, but it's how I feel. 

I feel like it was just yesterday I looked like this...

{dang, I like blonde hair better!}

and Easton looked like this...

and now he looks like this...

Easton, you are the joy of our lives.

You brighten every day with your smiles and laughter.

You bless us with your sweet eyes every time you look at us.

Your little mouth doing all its little tricks is so cute.

I have no idea what we did before you.

I had no idea I could love someone so much.

You love to clap, you throw out the occasional wave, you smile non stop, you pat my chest when I say 'where's momma', you open your mouth and put it on my face like your kissing,

you stand up all the time, you chatter non stop, you love to dance to your leap frog desk,

you love to play in the tupperware while I'm in the kitchen, you are a good eater- now eating cheerios, puffs and chicken all with your hands.  You think you're a big boy when you use a sippy cup.

You are the sweetest baby in the world.

AND....the CUTEST KID EVER!

YOU ARE AMAZING!

We love you SO MUCH!

Chicken-n-Dumplins

So, I thought I'd post my (mom's---adapted slightly) recipe for Chicken-n-dumplins. 

This is MAJOR comfort food and so super easy, even I can do it. 

Ingredients:

Large Can (or box) of Chicken Broth.  I use Publix Low Sodium Chicken Broth

5-6 Chicken Tenderloins.  I use Publix Frozen Tenderloins in the bag.  I should buy stock in those things!

Bisquick

Milk

Directions:

Pour broth in large pan

Add Chicken Tenders

Let simmer until chicken is done...or until you are ready to take them out...or until you are finished preparing the dumplins...you can't really overcook the tenders.

Prepare Dumplins: 

Combine 2 1/4 cups of bisquick and 2/3 cup of milk (or 1/3 milk, 1/3 water like I do)

Mix in a bowl until its well combined.

Let rest and take a picture.

Remove chicken from broth.

Then sprinkle some bisquick on your counter so you can roll out your dough

Pat out your dough and cut into small squares.  I use the pizza cutter here for ease of cutting.

Sprinkle a little of the bisquick on pizza cutter so it doesn't stick.

Oooo....that's nice...all lined up just perfectly....

While broth is boiling drop dough in on top of the 'boil'

Continue adding dough until you can't see any more broth

Stir occasionally

Drop in more dough as the first batch 'cooks'

Continue until all dough is in the pot

Broth will thicken as dough turns magically into dumplins

Cut up your chicken into tiny pieces and add into dumplins

Continue stirring until consistency is thick but not dry

{This pic really bothers me because I like to have 3 items at least on a plate---it just seems so off.  Have we talked about my food issues-this includes plating of food? banana vapors, crunchy with soft, 3 items on a plate, consistency issues, color of plates, the list could go on...my old co-workers said they were going to write a book about all of my issues.  Either way....this picture bothers me.}

I served with baked apples.  Something green would have been nice, but I was in a hurry...

and no one (Lance) touches greens around here.

So, run and go make these dumplins.

They are DELISH!

True Love

This my friends....

is what you call TRUE LOVE!

I gave him the BEST BITE of the piece of toast...

the center bite of my map-o-spread covered toast.

What's Map-O-Spread you ask?

Map-O-Spread is HEAVEN on earth, I mean...toast!

This is STRAIGHT FROM CANADA, compliments of Andree, a long time family friend who lives in Rhode Island and has some Canadian connections.  Andree got us started on this a long time ago when we used to go visit her in the summer.  It's GOOD STUFF!  Mom gave me some for Christmas. It's THAT good!

Its thick rich maple flavor will make you want to slap yo grandpappy!

Thanks mom and Andree!

Lance thanks you too!  Even though he'll never admit its the bomb dot com!

We've got the sickies again

Well, seems as if little Easton picked up a germ at school! I dropped him off Thursday healthy and when I picked him up he was snotty. Ah, the joys of daycare!

AND- Not to mention, what it takes to use the boogie sucker on him! I have to lay him on the floor- between my legs, head at my crotch and his arms under my thighs. Then I proceed to go to town with the blue bulb! Who came up with that thing anyways??? After that I squirt a little saline on a q-tip and swirl that around in his nose. Finally comes the vasoline under the nose and on his little chapped cheeks. It's quite a process but we do our best!

Oh yes, and I'm sitting here with tissue up my nose cause its running down my face.  LOVELY!  I'll save you the photos!  ;)  Guess we're going to have to sanitize the house again!  GERMS BEWARE!

 Happy Saturday!

 

Embrace The Camera 1-13-11

Daddy snapped this picture the week I was sick.

Easton LOVES his Mirror Me book!

He loves when the green frog sticks out his long pink tongue.

Click on over and check out Emily's blog.

There's lot of other cute blogs over there doing the same thing!

Another First...

Along with waving our little fella has started clapping!  YAY EASTON!  He's been waving about a week now but tonight he clapped!  It's sad in a way because he's growing up so fast but so rewarding to see him doing things that he's seen us do.  We've been clapping with him (or at him) for a few weeks now, so to see him clap back was awesome.  He was so tickled with himself when he figured out what he was doing! 

Oh little Easton, you are so much fun!

It's the little things in life now that make the most impact.  A smile, or a wave, or a little pat on my chest (which started Friday) when I ask 'where's momma?' those are the things that matter now. 

Life is Beautiful!

Snow Day! AGAIN

I feel like we've had lots of snow already this year...FINE BY ME!

We got MORE today!

We had a great time staying at home and playing in the snow!

I didn't want to mess up the perfectness of the snow on the deck forgot to stick a ruler down in the snow to see how deep but I'm pretty sure it was 3-4 inches!

Momma, plllllleeeeeaaaaassseee can we go play in the snow???

We went down to Honey's house this afternoon to go sledding with the brothers!

Um...mom, I can't see...

I was having a jim dandy time...easton, not so much!

This was as good as it got!  Daddy pulling us in Honey's yard!

FUN TIMES!

Sorry E, we're making memories honey!  Cooperate Please! 

Ah, yes, that's better.  He LOVES him some daddy!

This was our attempt at Easton sledding on his own.

He couldn't sit up because he had too many layers on!

He DID NOT like it ONE.BIT.

Maybe if I can piece together some video's I'll show you just HOW MUCH he didn't like it!

Hope you all enjoyed your day as much as we did!

Happy New Year! Happy 9th Anniversary! Happy To Be ALIVE!

**UPDATED- pix**

Well, I'm back, amongst the living.  I was hit with yet another stomach virus.  And folks, let me tell you, this one was a doozy.  This one made Christmas Eve\Morning Virus look like a vacation on a white sandy beach.  I promise, this was as bad as the plague!  It hit me Monday morning, and I'm just now really feeling better.  The queasy stomach, churning, nauseas at the sight of food, wanna throw up while preparing baby food times come and go all through out the day.  I know what you're thinking...Annie, are you pregnant?  Why...thank you for asking, but NO, I'm not.  I've taken 3, yes 3, tests and all 3 were negative thankyouverymuch.  But, this has pretty much wiped me out for the past 5 days.  It also hit 4 other family members at the same time so we've all been down for the count. 

Luckily, I didn't get this until Monday- so we did get to usher in 2011 without sickness.  Don't get too excited about what we did for NYE- but we went to Sonic and made slice-and-bake cookies at home...and went to bed by 11.  HOLLA!  I know you're jealous!  But seriously, late nights are over-rated, unless of course they include a skein of yarn and a crochet hook.  This one didn't.  This one had a cheeseburger and fries and a little Ryan Seacrest sprinkled in. 

Easton says HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Saturday afternoon we had Christmas with Nanny's Gang. We have a tradition that we play Dirty Christmas there and it's always a lot of fun. Uncle David got every gift he chose stollen from him. Again, I have pix, but I've yet to get the USB cord for my camera...so until then, you'll just have to read and not look. SORRY!

Wednesday Lance and I 'celebrated' our 9 year anniversary. I can't even believe that 9 years have passed.  Where has the time gone?  We have been through so much in our 9 years but I wouldn't rather go through those ups and downs with anyone but him.  He gets me.  He knows what makes me tick...and tickED.  He is the only man I ever want raising our son.  He IS the cream of the crop.  He is a hard worker.  He is dedicated.  He is on my side.  I am so blessed to have him as my hubby.  We had dinner at Panera.  I know, fancy.  But since I had the plague we didn't want to test the waters too much.  Turkey sandwich was safe.

As for baby news, Easton is growing and reaching new milestones every day.  He's standing up on his own as long as he's holding on, he's babbling a lot, da da da da is a favorite.  Today I asked him where mommy was and he patted me in the chest.  Talk about melting my heart.  This kid does it.  He LOVES to dance!  His little leap frog table plays the abc's and he bounces to it.  Lance sings this little song that one of his toys plays and he dances to that too.  He gets so tickled at himself when he dances.  He's got this new little laugh, like, look at me I'm funny, laugh.  Ah, ah, ah.  For sure, this child is the joy of my heart.  He is lifes greatest blessing.

HOPEFULLY by the end of the weekend, these post will be UPDATED with some pictures so just be patient...and check back!

Happy Friday y'all!