Neurosurgeon Appointment

We met with Dr Myung today at her Tarzana office. She usually works at Childrens with Dr McComb, who referred us. Dr Myung said that I am doing everything right and surgery is a last resort once we have absolutely exhausted all other options. She told us that the tilt does not affect the child and that she just performed surgery on a 16 year old, only because she wanted to become a model. Anyways, after 16 years the girl finally had her tilt corrected and the only negative side effect she had was that she felt a little seasick for 3 months which was her eyes adjusting. Not like I would EVER wait 16 years, but it's nice to know there is no rush.

We will meet with Dr Myung again after the MRI on August 10th.

I'm a BIG kid now!

So we're going up to Paso for the 311 concert tomorrow and Mom and Dad are going to watch Ava for the night. My mom thinks carrying Ava in the carseat is way too heavy so we decided to run to Target and experiment with Ava in the cart! I totally didn't have my little cover but we did it anyways and it went really well!!! She was so cute hanging on to the side of the cart for balance. I can't believe my little girl is really growing up!

Ringling Brothers Circus

We missed the 330 show so we ended up spending the whole day in LA. The circus was amazing!!! ***Note baby Ava crossing her legs in the cars-she's so ladylike!

6 month pictures

So Far So Good

So the first two nights have been great so I'm hoping we're in the clear!!! Ava has actually been sleeping BETTER with the band on-go figure! We've been putting her down about 7, then dream feeding her at 10 and she sleeps till like 730 with only waking up once in the middle of the night for her paci.


The only thing that really freaks me out is the heat! My car said it was 111 today in the valley and she was burning up while we ate lunch outside at Marmalade-never doing that again!!! I'll just have to be sooo careful because it really does trap the heat in there. Luckily with the blinds and the fan, her room is the coolest one in the house. Thank God we don't still live in Woodland Hills!

Another update-I learned how to install baseboard!!! Our kitchen was in desperate need-there was just a gap between the wall and floor, so I've been going to home Depot and each time I go I have some nice guy help me with the cuts and measuring and so far I've done 2 walls!!! I'm hoping to finish my little project next weeks so I'll post pics

Band On :)

7 months old and finally banded!! Today Ava and I went to CT in Pasadena to get her fitted in her brand new accessory. I was expecting her to scream like when I first put on tot collar so I was thrilled when the technician put the helmet on Ava without her even noticing. After Ava had the band on for about 10 minutes, the lady came back in and showed me how to take the band off her head. We then noticed a few red spots which she said is perfectly normal. The band was a little low on her face (you want to be able to see her eyebrows) and because of the tort she also wanted to shape the left side so that it doesn't rest on her shoulder. She went out to make the adjustments to the band and then came back in and showed me how to put the band on. Ava's eye seemed to be a little pushed down which she called the "mad dog" look so she showed me how to readjust it a little without taking it completely off.

So today and tomorrow Ava is supposed to wear the band for 3 hours straight, then we have to remove it for up to an hour (just really until the red spots go away) and she should sleep in it. Well, so far she wore it on the way home and actually FELL ASLEEP IN THE CAR WITH IT ON!!! After the first 3 hours I took it off for about 30 minutes because she really didn't have any red spots then we put it back on. It was just enough time for me to sneak some really cute stickers on! Then we took it off for bathtime and a stroll then put it back on for bedtime. Even with it on, she fell asleep in 15 minutes, which is actually better then she's been lately. So....so far, so good!!!

After the first two days, Ava will wear her band for 23 hours a day. We will take it off for an hour a day while she takes her bath (and we'll probably take her on her walk at this time too!) While the band is off you're supposed to wash the band with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. We skipped that part tonight-oops! Anyways, this will be part of the routine for the next 2-4 months :)

As for my reaction, I'm actually doing much better with the whole situation than I expected. I actually think the band is quite cute!!! When I took Ava to the office today I ran into Lisa in the hall and she had a couple questions but she was so sweet and kept saying what a beautiful baby Ava is. John says he thinks it's cute too so that's good. It'll be interesting to see peoples reactions over the next couple days...but the only reactions I care about have all been positive. Nothing can take away Ava's adorable little face and personality.

I was a little Peanut 2!

Turns out I was a small baby too! My mom called today and said she found my baby book with a record of all my measurements...I was basically the same size as Ava. I weighed 14lbs13oz at my 6 month visit and I think our head circumference was about the same too. I was 27in, so a little taller but pretty much the same. It's so funny cause mom was always wondering why Ava was small because she just doesn't remember how small I was. I always knew baby Ava was perfect but it's good to know that I was a peanut baby too because I was under the impression I was a huge baby and just didn't know where her size came from. Anyways, my mom showed us a 6 month picture of me too and Ava even looks exactly like me but with more hair and not as long of a face. Awwww, I love my little Mini Me :)

Home from Wisconsin

We had a great trip to Wisconsin for 4th of July but I'm so glad to be home!!! Traveling with two kids was surprisingly a breeze-they both were so well behaved the entire trip.

We went to the world famous Dr. McComb yesterday at Children's Hospital. He suggested that Ava have an MRI to rule out any neurological or bone abnormalities. Ava has to be sedated which makes me really sad. McComb is also referring us to an Orthopedic Surgeon who will be able to tell us whether she'll need surgery in the future.

Also, Ava was approved for her helmet right before we left for Wisconsin!!! We'll pick it up on July 14th. I already went to Blingyourband.com and bought really cute tickerbell stickers and some other bling I bought at target. I heard sleeping is an issue the first week so I also bought Ava a memory foam mattress topper so it's nice and cozy for her :) I have a feeling it's going to be like having a newborn again for a little while-all well worth it though :)