Better Late than Never

Caleb had his second evaluation with the orthotic specialist about 2 weeks ago (I know, I should have posted this earlier).


The doctor did another scan of Caleb's head and he had more good news. Caleb's measurements have improved 30% in one month without a helmet! The best the doctors can expect with a helmet is 10% in one month. That was great news to us!


The doctor is concerned about one spot still and wants to do another scan on December 1st. Hopefully we will see some more improvements!

Caleb's First Haircut

Caleb got his first haircut today. He really needed it and he did such a great job! Thank goodness for Jackie and her iPad!

Caleb's before picture

Caleb getting his hair cut

Caleb's after picture

(He looks like a little boy now instead of a baby)

Videos, Videos, and More Videos!

It seems like every day Caleb is doing something new. I took a lot of videos this past week. Here are some of them:



This one is short but sweet. Caleb started clapping his hands and will even do it if you ask him to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BCRCBnAFio



In this one, Caleb decides to attack Mommy and camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3UAm-8HFxM">



Daddy just finished reading Caleb his bedtime story. Now it is Caleb's turn to read. Amaya even listens to the story. (The lighting is pretty bad but Caleb was getting ready for bed.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHc0WYsyfa8



Caleb crawls like a big boy to his table to play but is distracted by Amaya.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsJ2tJpi2AM



Caleb thinks he is older than what he is and decides to crawl up the steps on the porch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAFfXy3g-vQ

Good News!

We took Caleb to see the orthotic specialist yesterday. He went to Midwest Orthotics in South Bend.


He had to have a Cranial Vault Assymetry scan done on his head. It measures a spot on the front of the head to a spot on the back of the head in a diagonal and does this all around his head. The farther apart the measurements are the more likely it is that he would need a Cranial Remolding Helmet. The biggest difference in measurements was 9 mm. That put him on the high end of having moderate Positional Plagiocephaly (which is a big term for meaning he has a flat spot on his head).


The doctor that we saw said that if Caleb were his child he would not put him in a helmet (and he does have a son a little older than Caleb). He doesn't think the measurements are that bad. He does want to do another scan next month to make sure that the measurements are not getting farther apart. If the scan is the same or better he will not need a helmet. That was a relief to hear. He told us to make sure that he is not laying on the side that is flat, which is his right side. This should be pretty easy since he always sleeps on his tummy now and when he is awake he is crawling around or standing up.


If Caleb's measurements were in the severe category we probably would have gone ahead and went with the helmet. The helmet is mostly for cosmetic purposes, so the head looks more symmetrical, but medical problems can also develop if the helmet is not used to correct the plagiocephaly. Some problems the doctor discussed were sinus issues, TMJ, vision problems, and speech problems.


Please pray that Caleb's head does not get worse over the next month and continues to correct itself. I would hate for him to have to wear a helmet for 23 hours a day for 6 months (that is how long the doctor said he would have to wear it if he did get it. The later you catch plagiocephaly the longer it takes to correct it.) Also, because his measurements were not in the severe category insurance would not pay for anything.


All in all we had some pretty good news. We will be praying quite a bit in the next month before his appointment on October 27th.

9 Months!

Caleb is now 9 months old! I can't believe this little guy will be a year old soon. He is growing up too fast.

He just had his 9 month check up. He was 29 1/4 inches and weighed 22 pounds and 14 ounces (pretty much 23 pounds). He is starting to level off and is now in the 75th percentile instead of the 90th. He didn't have to get any vaccines but we did opt for the flu vaccine. He has to go back next month to get the second dose. He also had has hemoglobin checked and the level was normal. Overall, he is a pretty healthy baby! The doctor is concerned about how flat the back of his head is still and referred us to an Orthotic specialist. I am praying his head continues to round out on its own without any help but the doctor was not hopeful.

He is getting around a lot better (and faster!). He is still army crawling but the doctor said that is considered crawling and is not worried about it. He is starting to pull himself up on everything and we got an "Ouch Report" from daycare this week because he fell and bumped his head. Caleb is also waving bye-bye but only when he feels like it. I can't get him to do it every time.

Here are a couple of videos that we have taken recently:

In this one he is army crawling. I took this at the beginning of August but forgot to post it. He is still army crawling but a lot faster.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AQ2GbmwxBY

In this one he pulled himself up on his knees to play with his toy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yquKThQIibU

Baby Proofing

Now that Caleb is 7 and 1/2 months old he is getting to be more and more active each day. He is rolling all over the place. He is also scooting around (mostly backwards and sideways.) He is still not crawling yet but he is working on it.

Due to his mobility we have started to baby proof everything. The baby gates are up on the stairs, electrical outlets are covered, and the pads are on the corners of the coffe table. Our next step is to put the locks on the cabinets and safety straps on the back of the TVs so they don't topple over.

Caleb has also gotten his bottom two front teeth! I will take a picture when they are more visible. Right now you can feel them but not see them very well.

Up on his hands and knees.

Doing sit-ups.

Doing push-ups instead of napping.

Playing with Amaya (trying to at least).

Our Little Fish

Caleb just finished his two week long swimming lessons. He did a great job! He was even swimming underwater on the first day. He really seemed to like it (at least there were no tears) and we will sign him up again next summer. Mom and Dad aslo had a good time swimming with Caleb. Here are a couple pictures and videos from his lessons:

Having fun with Daddy.
Doing a good job floating on his back.

Caleb jumping into the pool with Daddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnvuNGGoydw

Caleb swimming to Daddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seqCHfLrdOg

Caleb swimming with Mommy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75P37O3aQDA

Silly Caleb!

Caleb is developing a sense of humor. Here he is laughing at Mommy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3GkqoMrcxs&feature=channel_video_title

Road Trip to Oklahoma

Caleb went on his first long car ride to see his family in Oklahoma. He did an amazing job traveling. He entertained himself most of the time and only cried when he was hungry or fighting his naps (which is very normal).

Caleb got to meet his GG, Nanny, Uncle Shane, many great aunts and great uncles, and cousins.

Here are a few pictures of our time in Oklahoma:

Caleb and his Papa

Caleb and GG
Caleb and Nanny

Caleb and Uncle Shane

Caleb Swimming

Jumperoo Time!

Caleb loves his Jumperoo. Here is a video of him playing in it.

Almost 6 Months!

I can't believe Caleb is almost 6 months old already! He will have his half-year birthday on June 6th. The time has really gone by fast! Here are some pictures to show what he has been up to lately.

Videos

Brandon got me a Flip Video camera for my birthday. I have been playing around with it and finally had the time to upload some videos. They are not too exciting but they are of Caleb! Enjoy!

Happy Baby

Watching TV

Caleb is 4 Months Old!

Caleb had his 4 month check up and more immunizations this past week.

He is doing really well! He weighs 16 pounds 8 ounces and measured 26 inches. He is now in the 90th percentile! That is a big jump from the 50th percentile at his last check up. The doctor said he is growing at a good rate and we might notice him level off in his growth around 6 to 9 months. I hope so! He is growing out of all of his clothes. We just had to buy him some 6 month outfits.

The doctor also said we could start playing around with some spoon feedings. He said they would not replace his normal feedings but he could try things we eat if it is the consistency of baby food. Grandpa already let him have some ice cream and some licks of a Fudgesicle.

He goes back to the doctor on June 16th for his 6 month check up!

So...it has been too long since I posted a new blog update. Life is very busy with me back at work.

Since I posted last, Caleb started daycare at New Creation Childcare Ministry. It is a mouthful but we feel like it is a really good place! Caleb is also doing really well there and likes Ms. Jai. She can't stop talking about how he is such a happy baby and he can't stop smiling at her when he sees her.

Brandon is busy with football and I am starting to be a football widow already this year with football clinics, meetings, and workouts. At least this year I will have Caleb at home to keep me company.

My class is doing very well. It is like I wasn't even gone for 3 months! Maybe I can take another 3 months off :)

Caleb had his first illness this past week...a sinus infection. He is taking after his mommy already. He loves his bubblegum flavored amoxicillin but is not liking the bulb syringe that I am using obsessively. Some other firsts he has had lately: rolled over from his tummy to his back; slept from 10:00 to 5:00 (only has happened a couple times but it was great); and went for a walk in his stroller with Daddy, Mommy, and Amaya.

He has his 4 month appointment next week which means shots and updates on his weight and length.

Here are a few of the newest pictures we have taken.

I love this picture! He looks so cute!

Our happy family!

He is getting so much better at tummy time and is starting to like it! (Amaya had to sneak into the picture)

On his first walk! I don't know if he liked it or not because he slept the whole time.

Caleb's Room...The Finished Product

I have been meaning to post pictures of Caleb's room now that we have everything up on the walls. Here are some pictures I took today.

His crib with his name above it. (Amaya tried to sneak into this picture.)

We get more use out of that changing table than anything else. (Amaya is keeping guard by the crib.)

A lady I work with (Cindy Andrews) painted those pictures on the wall and then framed them! She did an awesome job!

Sleeping baby completes the room. He fell asleep while I was taking the pictures. I guess I took too long.

Caleb is 2 Months Old...Wow!!!

Caleb had his 2 month appointment yesterday and had to get his immunizations too. He was a trooper. He only cried for a little bit and then fell right to sleep. He weighed 12 pounds and 5 ounces and measured 23 inches long. He is growing so fast! His next check up will be over spring break.


Well...the countdown for me to go back to work begins...unfortunately. My maternity leave is over in 2 and a half weeks. That means I have to go back to school on February 28th. I have already begun the countdown to spring break and summer vacation.


I don't think I am prepared to take Caleb to daycare. Physically we are prepared. I have everything bought and ready to go such as diapers, wipes, and even extra pacifiers but emotionally I will probably never be ready. That will be a hard day. I just need to enjoy these last few weeks I have with him during the day.


Caleb is so much fun to be around! I know a 2 month old doesn't do much but as you can see from these pictures he is such a happy baby. He is starting to grab on to toys and put them in his mouth. We try to give him a lot of tummy time too so he can build his muscles up but he gets so frustrated.

Busy, Busy

So...it has been awhile since I have updated our blog. We have been busy with a lot of family staying with us. Brandon's mom came up from Tennessee and stayed with us from December 14th to the 20th. Then my mom and step-dad came from Arizona and stayed from December 24th to the 30th. While they were here my brother and his family came up from Tennessee along with my sister and hers from Rochester. After they left, Brandon's dad and step-mom from Oklahoma were with us from January 2nd to the 7th. We also went down to Rochester this past weekend to finally have Christmas with my dad and step-mom and sister and her family.

As you can see we have had a LOT of company. It was a good time seeing everybody considering we don't get to see them that much since they all live across the country. I had not seen my brother in 3 years and that meant meeting my new nephew who is now 2. Now that our company is gone, we are now ready to get used to it being just the three of us. This past week was the first week Caleb and I were home without any help. We had a good time playing, singing, and reading books when he was awake (which is not that long). Amaya is also getting more used to him. She doesn't run away when we get close to her with him like she did at first. She is even laying right next to him when he is on the floor.

Brandon and I are doing pretty good and adjusting pretty well to having a newborn in the house. The lack of sleep is what gets us. Caleb has a pretty consistent schedule already. He eats every 3 hours so that means we only sleep for a few hours at a time. It wasn't so bad when we had all of our family here to help and when Brandon was home for Christmas vacation. Our routine was I would feed him and Brandon would change his diaper then put him back to sleep. Now that he has gone back to school that leaves me doing all of it. I am pretty exhausted at those middle of the night feedings. I keep telling myself eventually he will sleep for longer periods of time. Right?!?

Caleb is doing really well and eating really good. Sometimes I am afraid he is eating too much. We weighed him tonight and he weighs 10 pounds 6 ounces. I am not sure how accurate our scale is but at his doctor appointment on the 5th he weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces. That seems like a huge weight gain in only 11 days! We also had a little scare with him the week before last. While changing his diaper I noticed a hard knot in his groin area. We thought it was a hernia and took him to the doctor the next day. The doctor also thought it was a hernia and tried to reduce it but it did not go away. She was concerned about it and sent us to the ER to see a surgeon who was on call. That surgeon was not able to see him but about 3 or 4 other doctors did. After being in the hospital for 6 hours and having to have a CT scan and Ultrasound they diagnosed him with a hydrocele. We took him to see a vascular surgeon last week and the surgeon diagnosed him with the same thing. It is nothing scary. Only a fluid filled cyst on his spermadic chord. It is not doing any harm to him and he does not even act like it bothers him. The surgeon said to watch it and hopefully it goes away by his first birthday. He said most of the time they do. If it doesn't though, he may have to have surgery to remove it. Pray that it goes away. I hope that is all the drama we have with him health wise. Needless to say we probably met our insurance deductible for the year.

Caleb goes back to the doctor on February 7th for his 2 month appointment. He will have to get his immunizations at that appointment. I am not looking forward to that. I scheduled the appointment for later in the afternoon so Brandon will have to go with me. There is no way I would be able to handle that on my own.

I have a few more pictures that I need to add to his photo album on Facebook. I will try to get that done this next week. Hopefully I will have another update sooner than this past one.