Look Who's One

Has it really been a year since two tiny little boys made their way into our lives a tad bit too early?  It still feels like a dream to me.  A test of true patience and faith to know that some day we would be blessed with children. Every day that I get to see them and hold them is more exciting and wonderful than the first. They are the joys of our life, and we couldn't be happier that they're here with us. Happy Birthday Reid and Grant!

Mid-Treatment Photos

Last week we reached the half way point for Reid's DOC Band. Five more weeks to go! For the most part it hasn't changed Reid's life to much and we haven't had any problems. I definitely think the DOC Band was the way to go. The Band itself is easy to wear and clean and leaves so much of his little head free.  We also LOVE the staff at Cranial Tech. They are all wonderful and great with the boys.  I think Grant has a crush on their tech Amy. He is always trying to get her attention especially if she is talking to Reid.  Photos from his first visit are on the left and photos from this past week are on the right.  Hopefully if his head keeps growing the way it did in the beginning we can be out of the DOC Band a lot sooner than the 12 weeks.

We're excited about the progress and can't wait to see him when the process is complete.

4th of July

Reid's DOC Band for the 4th. We had a fun time using my Cricut to cut the stars and letters on vinyl. Real simple and quick but I think he looks super cute in his patriotic Band. Reid's head has been growing exceptionally well. We go once a week to get his head measured and the inside foam on the Band shaved to accommodate the growth. His growth the last 6 weeks has been a total of 17 mm. I can definitely see the difference. It was so noticeable even after the first week.  We've reached the half way point and he seems to have adjusted well to wearing it all day and night.  The Texas heat does not help his sweaty little head but he doesn't complain much. Bath time and swimming are definitely favorite activities now because he gets to take the helmet off.  

Doc Band Baby

Reid got his Doc Band helmet yesterday and so far he doesn't seem to mind it. It did not phase him one bit when it was placed on his head at the doctor's office.  After initially putting it on we waited for about 20 minutes to have his skin checked for pressure spots. The Doc Band was then shaved and shaped a little to fit his head better. He was a very good listener as the cranial tech clinician, Amy, was explaining how to care for it. He sat very still and watched her for a good twenty minutes.  The first two days we take the Doc Band off every 3-4 hours to check his skin for red spots. If the spot has not faded to a light pink within an hour we are to call the office for adjustments. Thankfully we have not had any problems with his skin.

Moments after having the helmet placed on his head he was all smiles.

I worried the most about how the helmet would effect his night time sleeping but again he didn't have any problems (However, as I'm writing this he is awake and crying upstairs). He slept through the first night just fine but because of his frequent head turning his helmet got a little twisted and he woke up with it slightly covering his eye. We were told that sometimes happens and as his head grows to fit the helmet it should stay in place better. Since we didn't have any problems with his skin the past two days tomorrow he starts the 23 hours a day. 

His last night without the Doc Band. He loves his bed. 

He looks so peaceful. Hope the Doc Band doesn't change this over the next three months. 

Bling My Band

It's decorating time!  I've thought a lot about how I want to decorate Reid's Doc Band and I thought I would start simple and pay homage to UT. I cut the stripes and numbers out of vinyl and Clay bought some stickers from UT. Simple, but I think he looks so cute in his little football helmet (future Longhorn lineman!) I think I'll change it up every few weeks so check back for his new bling in a few weeks. Still waiting to see another doctor so we can decide what to do with Grant's head.  He'll most likely be in a helmet as well in a few weeks.

10 months

Has it really been 10 months? The time is flying by and we're having so much fun with these boys. It is so fun to watch their different personalities develop as they interact with each other and those around them. 

Reid seems to already have a sense of humor and enjoys making silly sounds to make Grant laugh. He loves bath time (and the pool) and getting squirt with water or when someone gets "bonked" in the head with a toy. I love his laugh, it is so full of joy. He loves to stand and play more than sitting and I think he will be the first one to start moving. He's a solid little boy (weighing 25 lbs. now) that loves to hug and bury his head in your neck.  He recently learned how to clap and gets so proud of himself when he does it. He's a super sleeper and is still taking 3 naps during the day and 12 hours at night. I think Reid might be a little shy because he doesn't often respond to new people when they talk to him like he does with us. He's a happy boy though and always has a smile for us. 

 

Grant is our dramatic little boy that loves to babble and shout when he talks to you. He always has something to say and will let us know how he feels. He can be very sweet though and enjoys reaching out to touch our faces and pat our cheeks. He loves his brother so much. He is constantly trying to get Reid's attention. Reid doesn't have to do much to make him laugh. Even a sneeze from Reid will get a laugh from Grant. Grant also loves Niko and Jack. Jack's jumping and barking always bring a smile or laugh to Grant's face and he often gets mad if he can't reach out and touch the dogs when they are near. I think getting to the dogs is going to one day be the reason for his crawling. In case you couldn't tell this boy loves to eat. When he gets a spoonful of baby food he says "mmm" afterward. He's a flirt with people at the stores and loves to flash them his cute little smile.

 

I'm so glad these boys have each other. Having a baby is wonderful but having twins is the best. The most exciting thing to watch with their development is how they have grown to recognize and respond to each other. They already seem like great friends and I can't wait to watch them get closer. 

 

I had to throw this one in because it is shows how most of our pictures turn out. Reid is usually looking at something other than us and Grant is shouting at us either in anger or happiness. This time he was not in the mood for pictures. 

  

Last month we flew to Denver for my sister-in-law's graduation (way to go Dr. Kelly!) The boys got to see all their cousins and enjoyed the attention.

We took a little drive down to Colorado Springs to visit the Air Force Academy where Clay started out.

Heads Up

As the boys near their ten month mark we are facing some new challenges in their development. For awhile now we have noticed their head shapes changing. Reid more noticeable than Grant. Reid loves his back and even though he can roll over and sit up he prefers to play on his back.  He also hated turning his head while sleeping. All this together has caused a flat spot on his head that has been getting bigger. For the past several months we have been working on neck stretches and repositioning while sleeping and more tummy time but alas his little melon isn't changing so we have decided to put him in a helmet. This will hopefully round things out. Grant's head shape is a little different. He may have craniosynostosis which is the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, often resulting in an abnormal head shape. We are seeing more doctors later next month to confirm and decide on his course of treatment which may include surgery and will likely end in helmet treatment as well. We are going through Cranial Technologies for this treatment.  The staff has been very helpful so far in answering our questions and very friendly. Most helmet treatment is not covered by insurance but we should be able to get a portion paid through reimbursement.  The upfront cost is $3,500 each. I knew having kids would be expensive but these little boys know how to spend some money. They're worth every bit and we are happy to do whatever we can to ensure a good start for them in their lives. Reid will be in his helmet for about 3 months 23 hours a day. Grant will be around the same but probably longer because we are waiting on starting his treatment.  The earlier the better is also the case with this kind of treatment.

Reid's before picture. I'll post pictures through the process to see how his little head is shaping up.

 At Cranial Tech before his digital scan. He had to wear this stocking while sitting in the middle of several cameras so that a 3D digital image could be taken of the surface of his head. He did fabulous and sat very still so it was over rather quickly. We'll go back in another week to pick the helmet up and then return every two weeks to check the progress. 

I've been struggling with guilt over this situation wondering what I did wrong. I think most mothers going through this have similar feelings but ultimately it doesn't matter how this happened but that we are trying to fix it.  I don't want to have any regrets later and so we're going to get through this challenge the best we can. If motherhood has taught me anything it is patience. Not the kind of patience you need to raise two infants at the same time but the patience to trust in the Lord and know that the blessings and desires of our hearts come in his time. Of course I wanted my pregnancy, their birth and first year to be as normal as it could be but I'm learning and growing so much more through the challenges we've faced so far. I have faith and know that we are extremely blessed to have them and these minor challenges. I have two happy babies that eat and sleep well, and love each other and us.  I'd say we're pretty lucky.