A different type of Christmas photo

I have always tried very hard to make the best out of any situation I was faced with, this situation is Tucker's skull and cross bones helmet. Yes, it is going to be adorable, but how was it going to translate into our very first family Christmas photo? After some perusing on Cafe Press I had my answer. Skull Santas, of course! Here is a sneak peek at our shirts.

(Tucker's onesie, Nick's shirt and my shirt)

We plan to take the pictures in the Norfolk Harbor in hopes of getting some sailboats, or even better tall ships in the background. "Yo Ho Ho"

Fixing Tucker's Flat

On September 4th Tucker was diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly, specifically brachycephaly.

Positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) is defined as a condition most commonly found in infants and is characterized by a flat spot on the back or one side of the head caused by remaining in one position for too long. Brachycephaly is the flatness of the back of the head. Tucker has a sinking occipital bone. It can be caused by various things, but I suspect Tucker's was caused by him sleeping through the night at such an early age. I also believe some babies are more susceptible to the flattening of skull, and I think in 10-15 years pediatricians and doctors will have a better understanding of this issue.

(The picture on the left is the "model" baby for brachycephaly from the Cranial Tech website, Tucker is pictured on the right with the same condition.)

I noticed Tucker's head was less round, but thought it was just me being paranoid. My mom saw Tucker at 8 weeks old, then again at 14 weeks without me saying anything she made a comment about his flatness. I was convinced and scheduled an appointment his pediatrician. He was quickly diagnosed and we began a 2 month regiment of aggressive repositioning. Unfortunately if anything, I felt his condition worsened.

I was referred to a cranial facial pediatric doctor at the local children's hospital. The doctor initially thought Tucker had craniosynostosis, an early fusion of the skull bones. We were sent to get emergency x-rays. I was informed that if his bones had fused early he would require major surgery requiring a 4 inch incision across the back of his head during an 8 hour surgery, 24 hours in the ICU, followed by 4-5 days in the hospital recovering. Needless to say I was sick thinking something that severe was wrong and I had "let it go" for 2 months messing around with repositioning. The nurse assured me that she would call first thing in the morning with the results, by the time 2pm rolled around I called the office myself! I was greeted with the fabulous news that his sutures were open and normal. She then mentioned that I was first on her list to call. Looking back on that day it is comical, in the moment I could have strangled her through the phone.

I was then referred to Coastal Orthotics for a Starscan. I took Tucker in on Friday afternoon. The doctor noticed his flatness right away. After he discussed the process with me, he put a sock on Tucker's head to hold down his hair, and then stuck two arrow stickers to the sides of his head as reference points. I handed Tucker to the doctor who laid him in the Star Scanner, in three seconds the machine had scanned his head and transferred it to computer images. (As a side note, he smiled during the scan so the pictures of his skull show a big old smile. I was a proud mama) The doctor then did a few measurements and made his recommendation of a Starband helmet. He said Tucker's scan results were not a good indication of his need for the helmet because he is incredibly symmetrical in every way except the back of his head. On the traditional scale he is a 1.25/5 for severity, but the back of his head alone is a 4/5. He said the symmetry of the rest of his skull gives him good contact points to fit the helmet which will encourage positive growth.

I took the numbers and scans home to discuss with Nick and make our decision. I was sold on the need for the cranial remolding, if untreated it can cause undue pressure on the jaw and teeth causing an overbite and eyesight issues. Not to mention bicycle helmets, hats, and glasses may not fit properly. Nick agreed. Next was the issue of our insurance and finding the money to cover the outrageous cost of $3,000 of which has to be paid up front or in three installments over three months. Our insurance has cranial remolding helmets on the no-pay list and deems the treatment process cosmetic. Nick has been saving to pave our driveway...that dream will now be on hold for awhile longer. I am thankful he is good with money and we have this bit of wiggle room. 

Tucker will be fitted with his helmet within a week's time, we ordered it today and it is currently being custom made in Florida. Nick picked the design of skull and cross bones. Just wait for our Christmas photos!

It has been quite the journey and it has just begun. Look for weekly/bi-weekly updates as Tucker gets fitted and receives more scans.

Summer Wrap-Up and mid-fall update (super late)

I suppose since the calendar is telling me it is already the second week of November I need to blog about my summer. Obviously the biggest and most wonderful event that happened was Tucker's birth. I was so blessed that my Grandma was able to come out for the first few days, then my Mama came out for 5 weeks. Lastly, I was able to introduce Tucker to most of my extended family at my cousin's wedding in North Carolina over Labor Day. I have been very blessed this summer.

My Grandma arrived two days after Tucker's grand arrival. The timing worked out wonderfully as that was the day we were being discharged from the hospital. Nick went to go check-out from work that morning and swung past the airport on his way back to pick up Tucker and me. Silly me, I had waived my lunch from the hospital cafeteria because I was told I would be discharged early morning. Never again! I was starving! Of course, the hospital had gotten busy and other patients needed the nurses' attention more immediately than I did. Finally we were discharged and on our way home, with a short stop at the Burger King drive-thru for a chicken sandwich a smoothie. I scarfed it down.

My Grandma was a wonderful house guest, although I think she probably felt more like the maid. She kept my house clean, cooked all the meals, gave Haley love and attention, and even walked the floor with Tucker a few nights. I felt horrible as our "on demand" water heater chose to be anything but that week. She had to boil water to do dishes and we had to coax it to cooperate for showers. It was miserable, but she never complained. We joked about living like Laura from "Little House on the Prairie" It was sad to see her visit come to an end, but knowing that I would see her in a little over two months at my cousin's wedding made it bearable.

A little less than a week after my Grandma left, my Mama arrived. I hurried over to her and handed her Tucker, her first and currently only, grand-baby. I don't even think we hugged until later. I figured Tucker deserved some "Nana love" as we have now coined it. Having my Mama around was such a blessing. Motherhood is such an uncertain thing, everyday is a new adventure. Since she had raised us three kids with ease, she fell right back into her old habits and gave me a bounty of knowledge. Tucker adores her. Aside from seeing her and getting to spend so much time with her, I was so incredibly thankful to have her by my side as Tucker got his tongue clipped. As it turned out he was almost too relaxed, the doctor mentioned it is an easier procedure when the babies cry and open their mouths wide. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that Tucker would not have been so calm if I hadn't had my Mama's strength to depend on.

Ever, the teacher and student, my Mama wanted to immerse herself in the history of Virginia. She was able to meet up with a friend from high school who now resides in Fredericksburg, VA. We went on a historic walk through town, toured an old fashioned apothecary, had lunch at a tavern, went to a distillery, then enjoyed some wonderful conversation and dinner at their house. It was a wonderful introduction to the first of two historic weekends. From Fredericksburg we headed north to DC (yes I realize locals just call it Washington, but being from the true Washington, state that is, I cannot fully conform to the southern ways.)We took in most of the monuments, went to the Natural History Museum and Air and Space museum, and wrapped up the visit touring the Holocaust Museum.

While we were in the Natural History Museum we ran into one of my Mama's former coworkers from Moscow, Idaho. It was quite a surprise. The following weekend we took a quick ferry ride to Historic Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg. For a quick visit, I think we gave my Mama a great taste of the local history. She loved every minute of it. I'm not sure how her suitcases passed the weigh-in because she purchased at least one book at every gift shop. I come by my love of reading honestly.

Over Labor Day weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to see my family again so soon, at my cousin's wedding in Asheville, NC. My Grandma flew into Norfolk and we drove down to Greensboro, NC and met up with my Mama and my older brother Nathan. Then we continued on down the road to the wedding site. It was a beautiful weekend and felt like a family reunion as we spent much of our time gathered around the kitchen table just chatting and enjoying each others' company.

With the onset of fall we ventured out to a local pumpkin patch and gathered three pumpkins. It was a fun experience. I hope it becomes a fall tradition so someday my son can be the kid who sits on the rotten pumpkin and falls in. LOL Joking, mostly. I hope Tucker loves the outdoors and doesn't mind being dirty. Nick and I spent most of our childhoods outside regardless of the season or weather.

After carving our pumpkins I decided to pull an Anne Geddes and put Tucker in a pumpkin. He was less than pleased. He may or may not have gotten stuck in the pumpkin and had to be cut out. Oh the joys of being a helpless little baby.

Tucker and I handed out candy downtown on Halloween. He was a spider and I was a web. I'm pretty sure he was the most adorable spider, ever.

 

Now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and the holiday season. I am thrilled to be starting family traditions of our own. I so loved the holiday season in our house growing up. That's all for now. I will try and update more often, as it is hard to condense 5 months of excitement into one blog post. Happy holidays one and all!