To helmet or not to helmet...

I took Benjamin to his 9 month appointment about 3 weeks ago and the pediatrician asked if we had talked about his head shape.  She mentioned that he might have a mild case of positional plagiocephaly- an asymmetry in the shape of the skull due to the baby favoring a certain position for laying his head. Click here for an example.  She referred us to a plastic surgeon.  She recommended getting him an orthotic helmet.  I did alot of homework into cost, maintenance, support, etc for helmets.  BTW I also found some cute websites that help parents with decals for the helmets so they can make them "cute."  I know, minor in importance, but if you have to have it on for 23 hours of each day for at least a few months then it might as well be fun. :)

This week we met with the orthotist and Benjamin was measured and given a scan that would give us accurate numbers.  See how that works here.  We got the call today that his numbers are actually too good to get a helmet.  His case is mild enough that a helmet is not necessary.   WAHOOO!  It's crazy to go from expecting that Ben would be wearing a helmet for the next 3 months to hearing that it's not really needed.  Thank God!

Learn more about plagio and support for it: http://community.babycenter.com/post/a22249005/welcome

Awwwwww

Something about this pic just gets me. I think it's because he looks like such a big boy standing there in his plaid shorts... well, they're supposed to be shorts :)

Gotta post some video of his walking, he's going everywhere these days! Every moment he is awake I have to be near him or I fear for what corner he may fall on. He's definitely getting better though!

Walk this Way...

I apologize for no updates in the last month.  I got out of the habit!

Meanwhile... Benjamin is on his way to walking!  He took a couple of steps between Joe and I just this evening.  He's still creeping around on his tummy but pulling up on anything he can so he can get on his feet.  He's getting to be more interactive as well, I'm not sure if it's on purpose but he tends to clap when he needs another cheerio on his tray and when he sees other people clapping.  I just noticed the other day that he tried to cough after hearing me clear my throat.  I just love knowing that each day will bring new things for him to see and learn!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day- I got some lovely cards and organizing racks for my thread and bobbins which will help with my sewing projects and the three of us went out to breakfast together.  (on Saturday, of course, because there was no way I was going to fight crowds)

Joe has been working SOOOOO hard on his masters classes.  He just finished another final yesterday so he has a couple of weeks before some intense summer classes.  I admire his dedication so much.  I know that I would struggle so much more than him trying to work full time and take grad classes and have a family.  Just one more reason that I love my husband.

Testing

I've been working on trying to understand this whole "feed burning" thing relating to google and blogger.  All I wanted was a way for people to subscribe to this blog and get an email when I update it because I don't update daily (far from it).  We'll see if we're back up and emailing after this post...  If you did get an email check out my last post from Friday for a snapshot of my life...

7 quick takes...

 ... that don’t include how I found Ben’s banana from 5 days ago...
smooshed and rotting in the bottom of the baby bag.
And I found it by putting my hand down into it.

7 Quick Takes Friday

1. Doing laundry today reminded me of a college moment. While sitting in the lounge area of a guys’ dorm with some friends I witnessed the following conversation:
    Boy A: “I see you use dryer sheets?”   
    Boy B: “no, oh, you mean this? I must have forgotten to throw it away after scraping the screen thing”
    Boy A: “wait. You mean you’ve been using dryer sheets just to clean out the lint trap and then throw them away?!”
    Boy B: “isn’t that why they are there for us?”
    Boy A: “um, no… and they’re not provided… who’s are you stealing to waste?!”

2. Burps in the face following a meal of Cheerios, banana, mixed fruit and breastmilk are both disgusting and humbling.

3. It’s a good thing that Benjamin’s a good sleeper because when he’s awake he’s getting to be a heavy and busy handful.

4. There’s nothing so therapeutic as some time in the sun shine- call it vitamin D, call it spring break, call it brightness, heat, or "non-snow," it doesn’t matter. I often think heaven will be like closing your eyes and basking in perfect warmth and brightness after not seeing the sun for a lifetime (literally). How much would I love that!

5. I can’t imagine playing this game of life without my VIP husband. Thanks God!

6. I think our microwave may have to go. I just burnt popcorn in it for the 2nd time in 2 years and it smells so bad I want to leave the room. One more reason that I’m done with microwave popcorn and moving to only stovetop or air popped. (besides reading that the microwave popcorn bags contain toxic chemicals) -- Update: the microwave is in the garage and we're taking our food out there to heat it up... I almost don't mind it.. ha ha.

7. It’s good to take some time and remember what it is that distracts us from Jesus. It’s not that the things we have or do are necessarily bad sometimes but they need to be held in moderation by us, not us being held by them. Is there anything holding you?



PS Remember to SUBSCRIBE to my blog with your email... I just changed the subscription application on the site over to google's version.  Otherwise you may forget to read the blog seeing as how I only update about once a week!  Remind other family members too!

Playtime for little boys and parents

Benjamin has been moving around all over the place when he decides he wants to travel, but when I put him down for some sitting play time he's been so cute!  I HUGE thank you goes out to my college roommates who got him a bus with some Fisher-Price Little People building blocks.  He mainly just trys to eat them but he does like to put his hand in the bus and swirl them around to hear the loud sounds.  Joe's glad that he's already liking building blocks. :)

On a separate note, Joe and I got to go to a good friends' wedding yesterday and Ben got to spend some time with his grandparents while we went to the reception last night.  We had such a wonderful time!  The place was beautiful, the food was unique and fun, and most of all, we got to be with some great friends. 
It was liberating to know that Ben was taken care of, I was with the man I love, I felt good and I got to dance!

Friday morning fun...
Benjamin looked up from his playing to make some funny noises between laughing and sneezing.  Then he added a little singing. :)

Creepy Crawling

We have forward motion!  Benjamin is creeping all over the living room now.  I can't leave him alone on the floor for more than a few minutes at a time because I"m always unsure of how far he'll get.  We switched out the coffee table for the plush ottoman but there's still plenty of hard things for him to head butt.  He often concentrates harder on getting moving than how close he is to something :)

Ben and I got to spend a week with my parents and it was wonderful.  It's great to have so much help around all the time!  I walk in the door and hand him over.  It was also great to see so many friends and extended family as well.  I have a couple fabulous friends who are a step ahead of me in the mommy game and it was such a strengthening grace I was able to receive to simply be around them and witness their lives.  It still cracks me up to think back to our high school days and contrast that to our lives now.  It takes such humility and confidence to be a mother and I'm in awe of women who do it well, I hope I'm on that path.

Peas mom, no more?

To continue with entertaining videos...

Ben tried peas a few weeks ago and sadly was not thrilled by the idea.

Happy Benjamin

Dad time

never know where he'll roll

Benjamin has been up to some fun stuff.  He's getting more mobile so the house is going to be getting some changes soon- padding on the fireplace, a padded toybox instead of the coffee table, etc.  He mobility comes mainly from just rolling and pivoting but we're starting to see signs of crawling.  He's started to pull his knees up to push his tush in the air :)

The last few Saturdays I've been busy with different things that have pulled me out of the house for extended periods of time- bridal shower, baby shower, lunch with a friend, and this Saturday is the Behold Conference.  Joe's been able to have some time alone with Benjamin.  It's so nice to be able to leave the house and do something without carting Ben and his stuff along and to know that he's having good bonding time with Dad. 

the list of foods we
like is getting longer!

I head to my parents' house on Sunday with Benjamin to spend the week there.  I haven't seen them since Christmas so I'm excited to get some time there!  I think I'll also get some time with the grandparents' up north, high school friends and more.

Gotta run to Moms and Tots at church...  I'll leave you with a quote from my morning -

Cat in the Hat: "Some birds like to eat seeds like a soup, then they carry them far away in their poop."