Nolan's Helmet Follow-Up Appointment

This morning Nolan had his first helmet follow-up appointment at the Lab where his helmet was made.  Since Bill had to work, Nana and Aunt Kelby came to the appointment with Nolan and I.  We took a very small detour, darn Google maps, and made it to his appointment on time!!  Nolan and I went into the the room with the lab technician and he took  new measurements of Nolan's head without the helmet on.  The asymmetry of Nolan's head hasn't changed any, but the flatness and broadness of the back of his head have decreased from 95% to 92% after wearing his helmet for only eleven days.  The tech said Nolan is making good improvement.  We would like for Nolan's measurements to be decreased to 85% by the time he is finished with his helmet.

I don't know if anyone can see the difference in the shape of Nolan's head, but Bill and I sure can.  The back of his head is more rounded and not as flat. 

Nolan is doing amazing with his helmet.  Bill and I are so proud of him.  He doesn't whine or cry one bit while wearing it.  I think Nolan has become very accustomed to the helmet.  When Nolan is not wearing his helmet, during his four hour break, I will catch him feeling for it around his ears.  Ashlee, Nolan's babysitter, said when he becomes tired, he will sometimes rub his helmet above his ears.  When wearing a helmet, helmet hair is almost always expected.  We have been letting Nolan's hair grow to see if it will be curly like Bill's.  Since Nolan's hair is longer, it likes to stick out of the top of the helmet.  The spike do!!

Some other items that went on this week:

We were FINALLY able to take a picture of Nolan's two teeth!!  Kind of hard to see, but they are there.  Thanks Daddy for your assistance.

Nolan has returned to sucking on his paci.  He stopped taking his paci when he was about 3 months old.  One day he was fussy and I decided to try his paci one more time while the bottle was warming up.  Low and behold he took it and fell right to sleep. AMAZING!!  My little one has also been sleeping through the night for the past three nights.  I still wake up at 3am because my body is so used to it, but at least I fall right back to sleep instead of having to get up and feed a fussy baby.

Borders is going out of business, so Nolan and I made a shopping trip last Friday to find some deals.  I bought Nolan a few books and his very own V-Tech Laptop computer.  Now he is just like his daddy!!

Nolan is 7 Months Old

Today, my little boy is 7 months old!! Bill and I measured and weighed him tonight because he doesn't have to go back to the pediatrician until he is 9 months old.  Nolan measured 28 inches in length and weighed 19lbs 7oz.  Once again, we don't know how accurate these measurements are, but at least we know he is continuing to grow.  

Some things Nolan enjoys doing are as follows:
                  - sticking his fingers up his nose,
                     usually only his index fingers
                  - helping with the dishes
                  - jumping in his Jumparoo
                  - eating baby food (especially sweet potatoes)
                  - sticking out his tongue
                  - reading books and have books read to him
                  - splashing in the pool 
                  - smacking his hands on things to make noise
                  - SMILING and laughing
                  - sitting up alone
                  - chewing on EVERYTHING with his
                     two new teeth (letters O and P)

Hopefully, Nolan will still have an interest in his books when he becomes older.  Both Bill and I enjoy reading, so Nolan will be surrounded by plenty of books to choose from.  Tonight I went to Target and bought Nolan a book, 'The Bedtime Stories.'  It has 13 of the old classic bedtime stories, Bill and I cannot wait to start reading them to Nolan.

Nolan Henson,

You will never realize the love and happiness you bring to your daddy and I's lives.  You're a true blessing from God.  The small little quirks you've already started to develop are going to be great characteristics in your future.  From your crooked grin to laughing when I burp.  Your daddy and I talk all the time about how you're such a sweet baby boy, and we already know you're going to have such a kind and loving heart!!  These past 7 months have been an amazing adventure and I know you will continue to amaze and entertain your daddy and I as you grow.

I love you,
Mommy

The Blue Helmet

Today was the BIG day! Nolan received his helmet to help correct the "flat spot" on the left side of his head.  We left home a little early, so we could go to The Loop and grab something to eat.  Bill and I decided on Fitz's restaurant.  An ice cold root beer sounded great!!

The boys trying to figure out what to order.

After we finished our lunch, we zipped on over to the Orthotic & Prosthetic Lab. The doctor placed the helmet on Nolan's head for the first time and Nolan didn't mind at all!!  The doctor made a few marks on the helmet, so he knew where to make adjustments.  After one time of adjusting the helmet, it fit perfectly!

The doctor went over a list of instructions with us on how to take care of the helmet, directions on when Nolan has to wear the helmet, and how to keep Nolan comfortable for the first couple of days.  The visit only took about twenty minutes and then we were out the door with a new man on our hands! 

 Leaving the Lab

 On our way back home....

I know Nolan only has to wear his helmet for a few months and he doesn't have any major health issue, but it really makes a parent defensive when others stare at your child.  As we were leaving the hospital, little kids would  stare at Nolan and adults would smile and have looks on their faces as if to say, "I'm Sorry."  I wanted to look at them and say, "He only has a flat spot, so what's the big deal?"  I am a very defensive person when it comes to someone I love.  I'm sure no one meant any harm in their looks, but it really makes one think twice about the looks he/she gives parents of children with disabilities.

For the first day, Nolan only has to wear the helmet for a total of 3 times for an hour each time.  The second day, 3 times for 2 hours each time.  The third day, 3 times with 3 hours each time and a nap should be taken with the helmet on.  On the fourth day, Nolan needs to wear the helmet 20 hours a day with half hour breaks throughout the day because it is so hot outside, and he will sleep in his helmet every night.  This will continue to be our normal schedule until we go back to the doctor and he says, Nolan no longer needs to wear the helmet.  Our first check up is in a couple of weeks and once a month after the initial post op visit.

Nolan is all smiles and laughs, exactly like he always has!  It makes it a lot easier to know Nolan is comfortable while wearing the helmet.  We are still deciding on how to decorate the helmet.  Bill being the minimalist he is, doesn't want to decorate.  I think we should at least put his name on it.  I played around with my photo editor to see what different fonts look good, so the picture with his name was edited; no stickers as of yet!!

 Front

 Left Side

 Back

 Right Side

Happy Baby

Here is a little video I made to prove Nolan is happy as a lark in his helmet.

Nolan's 6 Month Photos

Nolan had his 6 Month Photos taken June 24th.  Here are a few of our favorite photos from his photo shoot!! Nolan did a great job again,  he is a natural in front of the camera.

Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump Around.....

Since Nolan is becoming more active, Bill and I decided we needed to broaden his mobility activities.  We looked into a walker and a jumparoo both.  The walker made me a little nervous because of the stairs we have in our house, so we decided to go with the Jumparoo by Fischer Price.  Nolan didn't know what to think of it at first, but around the third day he started going to town, jumping up and down.  I put the noise setting on action, which makes a sound whenever Nolan jumps up and down.  He loves it!!  He'll sit in front of the television and work out his little legs.

Nolan now has a habit of sucking on his bottom lip instead of a paci.  I've tried numerous times to have Nolan take the paci, but he only chews on it.  Oh well, one less thing we will have to worry about breaking him of.

 Big beautiful eyes!

Nolan has also had a tooth come in!!!  Finally, it was a rough two weeks, but letter P popped through on Monday.  Letter P is the lower right central incisor.  Bill and I have tried many times to take a picture of the tooth, but since it is only in a little bit it doesn't really show up in the picture.  Also, Nolan likes to stick his tongue out when we pull his lip down.  Stay tuned for teeth pictures as it erupts more!!  For now, I'll put a cute picture of my little man up!

Nolan has a new toy Grandma Donna bought for him, a cell phone!! Oh goodness, Nolan is going to be a little techno junkie at the age of 6 1/2 months!!  He likes to stare at the bright lights, but mostly he chews on the antenna.  

"Mom seriously, I'm on the phone!!"

Nolan's First Trip to the Zoo

As mentioned in the earlier post, we took a little break from the doctors, and we visited The St. Louis Zoo!! 

Bill, Nolan, and I had a great time at the zoo.  It was our first BIG outing together as a family. A lady even offered to take a family picture for us.  She chopped Nolan out of the picture a little bit, but at least his head is at the bottom.

Upon entering the zoo, there was a cartoon artist on the right hand side.  I told Bill it was the perfect opportunity for a family portrait.  Of course, Bill was in!!  We sat for about twenty minutes as the artist transformed us into cartoon characters.  The end result was great!! I look a little freaky, but the boys look amazing!  The artist really nailed Nolan's eyes!!

With the family portrait completed, we decided to venture into the zoo to see some animals.  Since it was so hot outside, most of the animals were asleep or hiding.  We were able to capture a few photos before Nolan fell asleep in his stroller.

The one photo I wanted to take was of Nolan in the hippo's mouth.  When I was about Nolan's age, my mom took a picture of my dad standing next to the hippo with me in the hippo's mouth.  I really wanted to recreate this picture with Nolan.  We searched high and low throughout the zoo, but no hippo was to be found.  Since, we had to go back to the hospital, our search came to an end.  Bill made me feel better by reminding me we will be back in St. Louis quite a bit to have Nolan's helmet adjusted, so we can come back to the zoo another time and recreate the photo.  What would I do without my husband!?!