June 27, 2010

June 23, 2010

Sitting-6 months 1 week and 2 days old

YAY! Ava is sitting really well all of the sudden. She starting sitting in a tripod position about 2 weeks ago but she would only last like 10-15 seconds. All the sudden the last couple days she LOVES to sit all by herself-sometimes with no hands!! Today she must of sat for 15 minutes straight while reaching out to play with toys and such.

Another new thing is now sucking on her lip-still no teeth but they must be coming in soon!!! She still LOVES to eat and is eating two meals a day-usually apple and oatmeal in the morning and a veggie and oatmeal at night. I hope Ava still loves food as much once those little toothers come in :)

On the tort issue, we went to Hanger who of course measured 7mm which they still said she would be a good candidate. Being neurotic like I am, I would rather go with Cranial Technology despite the fact they are all the way in Pasadena. We've been doing lots of stretches and I really think it's starting to work!!! I'll make an appointment for probably when we come home from Wisconsin to get fitted. I can't believe we're going to Wisconsin next week!!! I'm a little apprehensive about traveling with 2 kids but it will be really nice to see everybody and introduce them to Ava!

June 17, 2010

6 month appointment=even more confused

So today we went to a PT appointment and Masha remeasured Ava's head and got between 4-5mm (same as Savina did a couple weeks ago) Based on that they would not suggest getting a helmet for Ava. Problem is that CT measured 11mm and Dr Graham measured 14mm. Basically it comes down to anything over 8mm we would want to opt for a helmet. Anyways, I'm just absolutely confused, who's right? I'd much rather focus on Ava's tort and not worry about getting her a helmet...obviously...but then again if she needs it I want her to have it.

Then we went to Bromberg who really didn't have anything to add. I made an appointment with Hanger (another helmet company) for Monday and Bromberg wants to here what they have to say before moving forward. He said surgery is a last resort so wait on seeing Dr McComb at Childrens-the neurosurgeon.

Because of everything that's been going on we decided to give our little buggy a break and only do the oral vaccine today. She actually really liked the way it tasted and gulped it down. Other than the confusion it was a good appointment. Ava is hitting all her milestones, rolling, smiling, cooing, grabbing. No sitting yet but Bromberg didn't even mention it and I know older kids that aren't either so I'm not worried. As for measurements height is 25.25 inches, weight 14 lbs 2 oz and head is 41-Pretty much 20% across the board, my little peanut is growing, slowly but surely :)

John is on his way home from the Lakers Game-Game 7 of the Finals-Another victory!!! Lucky guy got to see 3 out of 7 of the finals games-what the heck??? He traded seeing the badger game in Vegas and footrubs for the rest of the year-so I guess we both lucked out :)

I have to say-her head looks pretty round to me?!?!?

June 14, 2010

DENIED

So John and I went to Cranial Technologies today and Ava was denied the DOC band due to her severe torticollis. The lady said to keep stretching her and come back in 3 weeks to see if we can do it at that time. My feeling=hopeless. I've been stretching for 6 months...I don't really know if 3 weeks is going to make any significant difference but we're going to give it our best shot. My poor little girl :( I love her with all my heart and just want her to get the help she deserves. I'm not a praying type of gal but I'm seriously praying that these next few weeks make a big enough difference so my baby can get her DOC band.

On a good note-I just posted the cutest video of Ava laughing at her doggies!!! She is seriously the cutest kid ever!!!


June 12, 2010

Appointment with Dr Graham=Bad News

So we went to Dr Graham last week at Cedars Sinai-he's the craniofacial specialist I've been waiting 2 months to see. Since Bromberg said at 4.5 months that Ava didn't need a helmet I just wanted to get a second opinion from somebody who knows what he's talking about. Anyways, Grandma, Ava and I drove down there last Wednesday and to be honest from what everybody has been telling me I really thought I was wasting all of our time. Even the nurse that checked us in was like "why are you here, for her head??? It looks good to me"

Anyways, we got in to Dr. Graham's office and he started to measure Ava's head. She wasn't thrilled about it but I appreciated that he was actually measuring her rather than "eyeballing" it like Bromberg. After taking many measurements, he said that Ava has "severe" torticollis and that she DOES need the helmet. He said that we need to kick up the stretching to 6-8 times a day daily and keep doing PT once a week for the next 4-6 months. He said that the there is transitional tissue that is tight in Ava's neck and that if I stretch it enough it will transition to muscles; if not it will turn to scar tissue which would have to be surgically removed.

Needless to say, my heart immediately dropped. I feel disappointed that I apparently haven't been doing enough and also really sad that my poor sweetheart has to wear a helmet :( I'm nervous about what people will say and how Ava will react to it. Summer is coming and I hope it's not too hot for her and I hope she can sleep comfortably with it. It's not even on yet and I can't wait til we can get rid of it!

I immediately made an appointment for Cranial Technologies in Pasadena. It's not the closest place, but it's the BEST. John and I are going on Monday so I'll have more to post then.

I've been constantly on the computer looking things up to make me feel better about of situation. Now I'm really worried because even though the helmet will correct her head shape, it does nothing for the tilt. Right now I feel hopeless. I keep on stretching her but every minute of it is hard on both of us. I'm happy I followed my intuition but I definitely doesn't feel good to know that I was right.

June 4, 2010

Rolling Rolling Rolling

Ava is Rolling both ways as of yesterday!!!! She's now 5 1/2 months old-she was rolling front to back at 3 weeks but just yesterday she rolled back to front :) So proud of my little girl

Also, today was Davis and Ava's first swimming lessons-with lauren berger!!! It went really well, Ava LOVES the water and Davis put his whole head in for the first time!!! I have the best kids ever!