Nolan's Trip to Children's Hospital

Today we had quite an eventful day in St. Louis, Nolan had his appointment with a plastic surgeon to evaluate the shape of his head.  These last couple of months, Bill and I have noticed how the left side of Nolan's head is a little flatter than the right side in the back.  I brought this to Dr. Hulsen's attention at Nolan's 4 Month Check Up.  Dr. Hulsen and I decided together to try repositioning exercises to help Nolan use the right side of his head more, which may lead to an evening out of the back of his head.  At the 6 Month Check Up, Dr. Hulsen and I decided further reconstruction would need to be performed in order for Nolan to have the correct head shape.

I made an appointment at Children's Hospital with Dr. Naidoo.  Bill, Nolan, and I headed to St. Louis Children's Hospital at 8:00 this morning.  We arrived at the Joe Buck Imaging Center to have x-rays taken of Nolan's head.  Nolan did amazing during the xrays!! Bill and I stayed in the room with him, covered in lead aprons, while the xray technician ran in and out of the room repositioning Nolan.  Nolan did not fuss one time!!

After the xrays were taken, we went to Dr. Naidoo's office where further pictures were taken to save in the craniofacial archive.  Bill thought these pictures were cool!  There were four cameras set up around Nolan to capture and make a 3D picture.  The nurse, placed a "dew rag" on Nolan's head to help define the shape of his head in the pictures.  Nolan loved Nurse Deborah and she loved Nolan too, until he spit up on her!!  I've never seen someone so grossed out.  She was literally trying to keep from gagging.  I told her it wouldn't stink because it was breast milk and she felt better, she even held Nolan again.  Nolan had a smile on his face the entire time.

 Positioned for the cameras

Below are different images from the computer:

After meeting with Dr. Naidoo, she recommended we take Nolan to the Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab, located at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital, to have a mold taken of his head.  The mold will be used to make a helmet for Nolan to wear, so his head can be redefined.  Bill and I were not pleased with the professionalism of Dr. Naidoo.  She would not give us a straight forward answer and kept checking her computer the entire time Bill and I were asking her questions.  Needless to say, Bill and I were apprehensive about foregoing our journey with Nolan's helmet.  So, we decided to take a break, go to the zoo, and talk about our options.  We will get to the zoo post later.  Bill and I decided to go to the Lab and have a mold of Nolan's head taken.

We were very happy with the doctor at this department.  He was very thorough answering all questions we had regarding treatment and outcome.  We were finally given a diagnosis, Asymmetrical Brachycephaly, which means Nolan's head shape deformity is characterized by a head that is abnormally wide for its length with central, occipital flattening. Bill and I were very glad we ended up going to the Lab.  Since we decided to have a helmet made, the next step was to take a mold of Nolan's head.  In order to do this, the doctor had to place a "sock" over Nolan's head and then wrap the sock in a plaster.  The plaster had to dry for a few minutes, was then cut off, and taken to the lab were a model will be poured up, and a helmet will be made from the model.

 Cutting the "sock"

 Placing the sock

 The reindeer really helped to entertain Nolan

 Applying the plaster

 All done, waiting for the plaster to set up!

 Such a happy baby!

 Removing the mold

Plaster Hair

Our next step was to choose a color or pattern for Nolan.  The patterns were very busy, so we decided on a solid color.  Bill chose light blue for the first helmet and I chose dark blue for the second helmet.  The doctor told us solids are better because you can become creative and place stickers on them.  The doctor said one patient's dad placed stickers on his helmet that said, "under construction" and "speed bump".  I thought those ideas were a little tacky, but worth mentioning.

Bill and I left the lab feeling a lot better about our decision of having a helmet made for Nolan, after meeting with the second doctor!!  Our next step, is to have Nolan try on his helmet in about a week after it is made.  Nolan may have a  misshaped head, but we are truly blessed to have a healthy child!!  Being in Childrens Hospital makes one thank God for the blessings he bestowed upon you!

In the Summertime....When the Weather is High

Since Nolan enjoys being in the water so much, Bill decided we should bring out the turtle Nana bought Nolan for Easter and fill it with water.  Bill tediously began filling the turtle with water, making sure the water was the perfect temperature for Poot.  Bill changed Nolan into his Little Swimmer diaper and put him in the pool.  Of course, I had to add his bath toys as well, so it would be fun.  When I returned with the bath toys, I noticed Nolan's head was wet, but didn't think anything of it because I figured Bill dumped water on his head.  Boy, was I wrong!!! 

After we came back inside, I was showing Bill the pictures and he started to laugh.  I asked him what was so funny and he said, "Poot fell face first into the pool, which is why only the front part of his head is wet!!"  Oh my goodness, what am I going to do with these two boys!?!

 Right in the eye

 Num Num

Thanks Daddy for a fun filled afternoon!!

Nolan's First Independence Day

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!  Nolan had a great first Independence Day.  Bill, Nolan, and I traveled to The Martinez's for a cookout and a swimming party on Monday.  Nolan enjoys the pool so much!! It was Bill's first time seeing Nolan in a pool, so it was fun to watch Bill enjoy Nolan splashing around.  The Kellers came over too!! What a fun play date.  After a little time in the pool, it started to cloud up and even stormed for a little while.  Since it started to storm, it was the opportune moment to go inside and eat all of the delicious food.  Madison and the boys, Grant and Nolan, hung out in the living room while we ate.  Thankfully, the sky cleared up later and Madison and Sam were able to light their sparklers!! 

 Nolan is always sticking out his tongue and blowing bubbles

 Splish Splash.......

 Drying off

After we all dried off and put our wet clothes in Sam's amazing new dryer, we sat down and ate.  The kids played on the floor and chilled for a little bit while the adults ate, and then it was their turn to eat next.  Madison is such a good big sister to Grant, and I know Nolan will look up to her as a big sister as he grows too.

 Can you believe how much these boys have grown!?!

This picture was taken January 11th, 2011

We finished eating and went outside to light the sparklers.  How pretty!!  Nolan stared at the bright lights and smiled.  Maddie had a cool butterfly mask that had  places to put glow sticks in its, so it lit up.  Needless to say, Nolan did not approve of the mask and ripped it off as soon as I stuck it on him.

We hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July!!

Thank you Al and Sam for the great time at your house,  We really enjoyed ourselves.

Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, Fry!!

It is so much fun watching Nolan discover new things.  Nolan is adapting well to solid foods.  We have attempted peas and sweet potatoes, which Nolan loves!!  I was a little worried because he wouldn't eat solid foods at first, but as soon as I put the first spoonful of sweet potatoes in his mouth he went nuts.  He would become excited every time I would bring the spoon back in front of him!!  Solid foods and a mess go hand in hand, among other things.  Nolan is now taking a bath every night after his feedings.  Since, he is sitting up so well, we are giving him quick baths in the kitchen sink.  It is so much easier to give him a bath in the sink!!  Along with solid foods also comes solid poop!! Oh my goodness, Nolan's diapers have taken on a whole new odor.

 PEAS!!

 Peas everywhere....

 Sweet Potatoes

 He stares at the Brita filter the whole time

At Nolan's 6 Month Check Up, the pediatrician said it was okay for Nolan to start drinking water from a sippy cup.  Drinking isn't exactly what Nolan does, but he loves to chew on the sippy cup!  Every once in awhile he will take a good swig of water and have the funniest look on his face, like what is this?!?

Nolan enjoys being outside!! We took him outside the other night and he had a smile on his face the entire time.  He loves exploring and feeling new objects.  Nolan thinks the leaves are pretty cool and so are the prickly balls.  Don't worry I grabbed the ball from him before he took a bite out of it.

Nolan also enjoys pounding away at the keyboard like his daddy!!  He thinks he is such a big boy when Bill let's Nolan sit on his lap and play with the laptop.  I think Nolan likes the bright screen and the noises the keyboard makes when the keys are pressed.