Graduation Day!

Lawson graduated from his DOC band on 3-14-12. Truthfully, he didn't wear it much the last week because there was a mix up at the clinic we use for his 7 week appointment (their fault), and we didn't get to have an adjustment. I knew his exit was coming up, and we were happy with is head shape, so we didn't make him wear it. Well, I didn't. Practical Chris reminded me daily that we had paid for the band and he should wear it. I'm really not sure it would have made much of a difference...

Now for the results! First, let me say, we are so so so grateful to Cranial Technologies and Lawson's therapist Cindy for all of their work with us. We were skeptical about the band at first, but looking at the results we couldn't be happier with our decision. We know it was the right one and Lawson will benefit from this is the long run. If you or anyone you know ever finds yourself with a little one with Plagiocephaly, I would HIGHLY recommend Cranial Technologies and the DOC band. We looked at the Star Band as well (Star Cranial), and we felt that the overall results weren't going to be as good as with DOC band. We had to pay more since insurance doesn't cover the DOC band (it does cover STAR), but we knew that going in. Obviously we'll never know for sure, but we feel like we made the right decision!

The photos below show Lawson's progress. The photos on the left are from 12-21 (3 weeks before being fit for the band), and on the right are from 3-14 (Exit appointment after 8 weeks of wear).

Not much difference from the front or back. The others show more. I just think his little face is precious, ha! :)

These probably show the most- look at how his head isn't flat or "coned" anymore! He had a huge slope on the front of his head and it flattened out in back (that's the Plagiocephaly part). The band didn't push the growth back in (that's impossible for a head bone), but it forced more growth in the other areas (front and back) that made his head look more proportioned. :) I think these photos show that he looks MUCH different and has a better overall head shape.


This one also shows quite a bit. The bottom set are supposed to show facial asymmetry, but he never had much of that, so they aren't very telling. The top set of photos show the actual reason that we even decided to get the band. The flat spot in the back right of his head (Brachiocephaly) really bothered us. It made his head look "out of round" and just funny, lol! I am so so so pleased with the difference the band has made! Just so you can see how AWESOME the difference is, I edited the photos below for you... :)
The front looks kind of funny because my selection tool wasn't on high sensitivity, so ignore that. The important part is the back! You can clearly see the misshape of his head before the band and how the band has made that virtually disappear!

Overall, the band was great for us! It never bothered Lawson (in fact, when we would take it off for bathtime and cleaning, he would shake his head and reach for it like he missed it, ha!). He got the band at 4 months 2 weeks and got it off at 6 months 1 week. He only had to wear it for 8 weeks. For the results he received in just 8 weeks, we are thrilled! We are so glad we chose to do it earlier so that he wouldn't have to wear it for long and he won't remember it. I know I keep saying how happy we are, but really, that's how happy we are with the results, ha!

Thanks Cranial Technologies! We will miss our weekly appointments with Miss Cindy! :)

ONE HALF!!!

Happy One Half Birthday Lawson!

I CANNOT believe you are six whole months old! It seems like just yesterday Daddy put you in my arms for the first time in the hospital.

Here is what you are up to at SIX months:

• You weigh 15 pounds, 7 ounces, which is in the 13th percentile.
• You are 26 3/4 inches tall, which is in the 62nd percentile.
• Your head circumference is 16 1/4 inches, which is in the 3rd percentile. Oh my small headed little boy. I'm so glad you aren't fatter, or you might look un-proportioned with your tiny head ha!
• Weight for height, you are in the SECOND percentile. Your doctor isn't concerned. You've lost a little weight, but you have gotten more mobile too. She says you have fat in all the right places, just not much of it. You eat well too, so we aren't worried. :)
• You have one tooth, and at least one other on it's way up. I can see it below your gum. You have been teething on your hands like CRAZY this week, so hopefully it comes up soon. :) I can't get a picture of it because you won't open your mouth with the camera out, ha!
  
• You wear a size 2 diaper during the day, and a size 3 at night to keep you dry.
  
• You wear some 3-6 months still, but I am going to pack most of that up over Spring Break and get out your 6-9 month clothes. YAY for new clothes! :)
• You are a GREAT sleeper FINALLY!!! After your pediatrician increased your Prevacid dosage again, you are a different baby, especially when it comes to sleep! You go to bed at night around 6:30 or 7, and wake up around 6 or 7 in the morning. Occasionally you'll have a night wake up, but go right back to sleep with your paci. You really LOVE your bed and start fussing for it when you get tired.
  
• You are a great eater, and are on a good schedule. You have four six ounce bottles a day about 4 hours apart. You eat 1-2 ounces of solids in between each bottle. Today you started drinking water from a sippy cup. You are a pro. :) So far you have tried rice cereal, peas, squash, zucchini, banana, apple, pear, sweet potato, avocado, oatmeal, carrots, and green beans. You hate rice, and don't care for peas or green beans. You still eat them though because we mix them in your sweet potato or carrots, ha! You are trying broccoli this month! You aren't great at eating finger foods because you gag. We will stick with purees and try again later. :)
• You are SO.CLOSE. to crawling! You started rocking on your hands and knees and inching towards what you want. I think you'll be crawling by 7 months for sure.
• You haven't really wanted to snuggle since 3 months or so because you are always so busy, but you have been letting me snuggle you for naps lately and this momma is LOVING it! You are so sweet!
• You are such a happy boy and so BUSY! You are all smiles but we can't ever catch one on camera because you are too curious. As soon as the camera or phone comes out, you stop smiling and start concentrating on how you can grab it and get it in your mouth!
• Your pediatrician was SO impressed with your social skills and overall development today. She thinks you will be very smart. Handsome too (even though I am a little biased!).
• You love bath time. It's pretty much your favorite time of day. Actually, any time you can be naked is your favorite time of day, ha!
  

Random pictures from the last month:

Watching Baby Einstein. You like the animals.

Just playing. Busy body!

You were reading a book about your Daddy while waiting on the doctor today, ha!

You hold your own bottle!

You are growing SO FAST! Slow down sweet boy!

This is an outtake from your six month pictures that just CRACKED me up! So expressive, hahahah!!

Happy SIX months sweet boy! We can't believe you are halfway to ONE. Time is flying, and we are cherishing every moment with you. We love watching you grow up, but I wish you would stay little forever! You are our joy, and we couldn't imagine life without you!

P. S. - Lawson is out of his DOC band! A post about that is coming soon! We are going to the zoo tomorrow with all of the cousins, so I hope to do a post about that as well. :)