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
July 15, 2010
July 13, 2010
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.
July 11, 2010
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 :)
July 7, 2010
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 :)
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 :)
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!
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?!?!?
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!!!
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.
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!
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!
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