Christmas part 2

Dear Michela,

Christmas is officially over for 2010.  You celebrated on December 18th with our Quillinan family and last weekend we celebrated with our Acres family.  You are a trooper and did a great job on the drive down (and back for that matter).  On Christmas Eve we met Heidi for lunch and heard probably the best comment about your helmet.  A man was eating soft serve ice cream while starring at you.  Finally he came over and asked,  "Is that a helmet?"  Daddy and I together said, "yes".  Then he said,  "That's bitchen!"  He's right - you are beyond cool in your helmet!

Around 2:30 on Christmas eve we headed to Grandma Doti's house for the annual Christmas party where you made out with lots of toys!  Daddy and I were proud that you stayed up past your bedtime and kept a smile on your beautiful face.

Christmas morning we went to Nana and Papi's house for breakfast and more presents.  Mommy made baked pumpkin french toast and Daddy made eggs and bacon.  It was fun making breakfast for everyone.  Next year you can have some too!  After breakfast we opened presents from Uncle Kyle, Nana, and Papi.  Uncle Kyle gave you Violet the dog.  Violet knows your name and spells it correctly too!  Nana and Papi gave you a singing kitchen, a doll, and lots of clothes that will fit you in a few months.

Playing on the floor with a new (loud) toy.

 

 Papi trying to teach you how to crawl.

I think you had a fantastic first Christmas.  You are loved by all.

This evening you are going to hang out with Grammy so Mommy and Daddy can go out to dinner for our 2nd wedding anniversary!  You are one lucky girl to have two parents who love each other very much.  Our love for each other grew when we welcomed you.  We love you baby girl!

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Mommy

Your Head

Dear Michela,

We had a follow up appointment about your helmet yesterday.  You are making great progress!  Nancy, the helmet expert, said that we want your numbers to be at 6 or below.  You started this whole journey at a 13.4 and yesterday you measured 8.5!!  That's a 5 point drop in 5.5 weeks of helmet wear!  Way to grow Meeka!  Daddy got to see you in the magician box for the first time.  Below is the scan from yesterday comparing your very first scan 2 weeks before you got the helmet on 10/28/10.   The red line is from 10/28 and the blue one is from yesterday (11/21).  Nancy said that we want your head to grow a little more in the front left so she gave you more space in your helmet.  

We'll go back in three weeks on 1/11/11 to see if you reached your goal!  If you're at a 5 or 6 we can discuss taking you out of the helmet or keep it on a little longer to get better results.  Daddy and I haven't decided what we'll do when we reach that point but we're thinking we'll take you out of it if your forehead cooperates.  We can't really see any 'lopsidedness' on your forehead as of now so we'll probably take it off.  From the diagram below you can see that your forehead can come out just a little bit on the left side but visually I can't tell.  And that's all that matters.

I love you Michela!

Love,

Mommy

Christmas part 1

Dear Michela,

Saturday, December 18th we celebrated Christmas with our Quillinan family.  It was very nice of them to move the Christmas celebration up a weekend so we can celebrate with everyone.   That morning we woke up and you opened your presents from Daddy and I.  You got a stuffed animal, a high chair toy, a couple books, a hairbrush, and a toothbrush.  You finally have hair and teeth to brush!

Speaking about teeth; you have five!  Three on the bottom and two on top!  You have always had a beautiful smile but it just gets cuter and cuter as your teeth grow in.  I love you cutie-pa-tootie!

After we opened our family gifts we headed to Grammy and Grandpa's house for the traditional Christmas breakfast.  Grammy made the eggs and bacon while Grandpa made the pancakes.  It was delicious - trust me.  You'll have some next Christmas. We were all spoiled this Christmas with love, laughter, food, and presents.

You received lots of great things:
Uncle Rob, Aunt Susan, and Caitlin gave you a Little Giraffe Security blanket, a flower rattle, a ladybug constellation night light, and a Dr. Seuss bib
Uncle Mike and Sophea gave you some really cute PJs and a pretty pink dress.
Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathie gave you a singing Christmas dog
Grammy and Grandpa gave you a soft photo album, The Quiet Book, a book read by Grammy, a puzzle, a couple pretty dresses and tights, a shape sorter, a bath toy, single use bibs for traveling, and they're putting money into a college fund account so you can go to college!!  

I hope I'm not missing anything.  Needless to say - you are loved by all.  It was fun watching you roll around and Caitlin crawling and standing.  You two are the cutest girls around!

Merry Christmas Michela!

With all my love,

Mommy

Presents for me?

Solids

Dear Michela,

Now that you're 6 months old you started eating solids - well purees.  We started with rice cereal on Monday.  You get a tablespoon twice a day and you like it.  Daddy and I think it tastes pretty bland but you're not used to much flavor variety.  Your doctor said to wait 4-5 days before offering a new food to make sure you don't have a reaction.  So we did.  Today, day 5 of solids, I offered peas. 

Rice cereal - yum!

Peas - not so tasty.

Daddy and I are having fun introducing new foods to you.  You have a spoon to practice with and Mommy or Daddy has a spoon to help get the food in your mouth.  We make a mess but most of it gets to your tummy.  

You are growing up so fast Michela.  You are one special baby girl.  

I love you!

Love, 

Mommy

It's so much fun to take a bath when you're 6 months old!

6 Months old!

6 month Stats:

18 lbs 4.5 oz  - 88th percentile

27 3/4 inches tall - 98th percentile

Question of the day!

"Is she wearing the helmet because she falls down a lot?"  

Dear Michela,

I must say that when I learned you needed a helmet I was worried about what people would think.  But now I'm excited to hear their thoughts!  I want to hear the crazy things people think - it makes me laugh!  We heard the question above from a sales lady today.  I didn't laugh (in front of her) or give a ridiculous comment back.  Instead I taught her about plagiocephaly and how we can correct it.  I like learning new things and I think it's fun teaching.  I guess that's why I have a credential and masters in special education.  That sales lady learned something new today so she doesn't have to ask a silly question to the next parent with a baby wearing a helmet.  I guess you can say I'm still a teacher through and through.

You are a super cute baby girl who is now rolling to your destinations.  Yes, rolling.  You have mastered the art to the point where it's pointless to put a blanket on the floor.  You just roll off!  It's fun seeing you learn new tricks!  You're growing up too fast though.  It's hard to believe that you are going to be 6 months old tomorrow.  You're half way to one!  That's 6 months of me (or you) not sleeping through the night - 6 months of cuddling and kissing the cutest person in the house (and world for that matter) - 6 months of lugging diapers, wipes, toys, blankets, a change of clothes, a car seat (or booster seat), and baby carrier when ever we want to leave the house - and 6 months of pure love and joy having you in our lives.

I love you Michela Grace!

Love,

Mommy

New Trick

Dear Michela,

You are very advanced for your age.  You don't like bottles; you're okay with sippy cups; but you really like your cup with a straw!  You drank 2.5 ounces of milk from your new Dora the Explorer straw cup today!  I think you would have drank more but that's all I defrosted.  The cup package said that it's for ages 12 months and above but you're advanced and can drink from it at almost 6 months old! Way to go baby girl!  Our plan is to give you milk in your cup every day this week to make sure you still like drinking from it.  I really don't want you to change your mind.  You're so cute when you drink from it!

I guess I'll have to start pumping at least once a day again.

Keep growing strong Michela.

With all my love,

Mommy

I love that I can see your teeth in this picture!

Shopping

Hi Baby Girl!

We saw Daddy and his students at Safeway today!  You definitely recognized Daddy when you saw him and gave him a big smile.  While in Safeway I passed two women shopping together and heard one of them say, "Look a baby in a helmet!  How cute!"  I don't know what to think of that comment.  I think she's right though, you are stinkin' cute!

After Safeway we made our way to Micheals.  I want to make you a Christmas ornament but they didn't have the wooden blocks that I wanted.  So we'll make a trip over there again in the next couple of weeks.  While shopping I over heard a man tell his wife "did you see that baby with the helmet?"  I paused and waited to shoot daggers with my stare if he said something rude.  But he said,  "I think that's a great idea!  Could you imagine if she slipped and hit the baby's head on a shelf or something?  That would be awful!"  I guess since I was wearing you in the Ergo carrier he thought that the helmet was a precautionary measure.  hehe.  

Then while checking out the cashier asked "is that a helmet?"  I said "yes."  "Is that just in case you slip and fall?"  I should have said, "yes, better safe then sorry."  But I didn't.  I told her the truth. "No, she has a flat spot that needs to be corrected."  And she replied by saying, " oh that's a great idea!"  As if I came up with the idea all on my own!  hehe.  People are funny.

Maybe since I always wear you in the Ergo people just think that I'm an over protective mom and not that there is anything wrong with you.  Of course there is nothing wrong with you.  It's just that sometimes I think that's what strangers are thinking when they see the helmet.  I guess I'm wrong.  I'm just the over protective mommy in their eyes and that's okay with me!

I love you Munchkin!

Love,

Mommy

We are just a helmet wearin' family!

Happy girl!

Dear Michela,

This week you started screaming when given a book.  Not every time, but often!  You're not upset, you're excited.  Now I'm a little hesitant to give you books because you let out these ear piercing screams!  Don't worry, you'll still get to read your books.  I just think it's funny!  Check it out!!!


And now some cute pictures of you this week!  As you can see, you started sitting unassisted!  Tuesday was the first day I could walk a few steps away to grab the camera.  You still weren't up for too long on Tuesday but the first picture below was taken on Wednesday and you sat there for a long time without toppling over!

As you can see, you're cute without and with a helmet on!  I love you Michela Grace!

Keep hitting your milestones and growing strong!

With all my love,

Mommy

Day Two

Dear Michela,

I am already feeling better about your helmet.  You of course are still a super star and haven't cared about the helmet.  Last night we went out to dinner with Grammy and Grandpa.  Daddy mentioned that people were looking at you in your helmet but I didn't notice and neither did you.  I guess I'm used to people looking at you because you're so darn cute with and without a helmet.  After we finished dinner a couple at the bar started talking to us and telling us about their experience with their daughter in a helmet.  It sounds like she had a similar head shape as you.  Now she's four years old with a perfectly round head and guess what - you will too!  I already think your head is perfect but soon it'll be round too.  It was really good for me to hear them share - I needed it.

I love you baby girl!  Keep smiling and growing strong!

Love,

Mommy

Day One

Dear Michela,

Today is the first day you get to wear your helmet.  We will slowly transition to wearing your helmet for 23 hours a day.   Today you will wear it for an hour, then get an hour break and so on until you go to bed.  Tomorrow you'll wear it for 2 hours then have an hour break and so on until bed time.  Sunday will be 4 hours on, 1 hour off, and you'll take naps in the helmet.  Monday will be 6 hours on with an hour break and you will wear it for naps and all night.  Tuesday you should be up to wearing it full time.  We'll take it off for an hour a day to wash it with rubbing alcohol and give you a bath.

I am so sorry Michela.  I picked a horrible pattern for your helmet.  When I saw the swatches the pattern was cute, but now that it's on your helmet it's ugly.  I'm sorry you're stuck with it for around 4 months. Luckily, you don't care.  

You are a trooper.  We are on your 2nd round of an hour with the helmet on and you haven't been phased at all.  I on the other hand am having a hard time adjusting.  I cry when I put it on you but after a few minutes I relax a bit.  I find myself counting down the minutes to take it off!  I know it's going to be more difficult tomorrow when I have to wait 2 hours, luckily Daddy will be home to help keep us distracted and Nana and Papi are visiting in the afternoon!

I love you Michela Grace!

Love,

Mommy

 You can see the pattern on the velcro strap is cute.  Then it stretches out on your helmet and it's not so cute anymore!  Sorry baby girl!

Oh the things we can say...

 "You like to skateboard."

"We're riding our bike and it's easier to keep your helmet on while out and about town."

"You just got a job crash testing car seats."

"We're going snowboarding!"

"We're first time parents and are afraid of dropping you so we had a helmet made."

"We can't afford a car seat and a police officer said that if we got a helmet we could hold you on our laps in the car."

"We just got back from rock climbing."

"We are trying to get your hair to only grow on the top of your head through the hole in the helmet.  Wouldn't that be a great hairdo?"

"You developed a flat spot on the right side of your skull so you need a helmet to correct it."

5 months old

Dear Michela,

Today you are 5 months old!  You are growing so fast!  I weighed you this morning and you now weigh 17 lbs 6 oz!  You almost gained a whole pound in a month.  You are my big girl and I love you so much!

You're now a rolling machine.  You haven't figured out how to roll from your tummy to your back yet but you now roll from your back to your tummy almost instantly.  I think it's funny because you only tolerate being on your belly for a few minutes before getting frustrated.  You are a goofy girl.

I love you Meeka!

Love,
Mommy

rolling over video

Super Meeka

Happy Halloween

 You are one adorable little girl.

A baby party

Your beautiful head

 Dear Michela,

My sweet Michela, you now have two teeth poking through your bottom gums.  In my last letter I mentioned that we felt your first one on a Saturday.  Daddy felt the second tooth poke through the following Tuesday.  He said, "either Michela has a really long tooth, or she now has two teeth."  Guess what, you have two teeth!  They grow a little more each day.

Last Saturday you went to your first Stanford tailgate and you were the hit of the party!  Grandpa and Daddy were excited to show you off.  You, Grammy, and I went home after the tailgate while Daddy and Grandpa went to the game.  Stanford won of course!  Now all you have to do is convince Daddy and Grandpa to pick up a Stanford t-shirt or onesie for you!  :)

Yesterday we went to see a specialist about the shape of your head.  It turns out that you have what they call plagiocephaly.  In other words, you have a flat spot on the side of your head that probably started developing  when you were still in the womb.  It all has to do with how you lied in the womb and then continued to lie on your right side after birth.  The doctor took some measurements of your head and recommended that you wear a helmet.  :(  He then told me that the shape of your head will not hinder your brain development and it's purely cosmetic.   Since Daddy's school district pays for excellent insurance the helmet will cost nothing!  Without insurance it is $3,000!  


Today we went to Palo Alto and you lied in a magicians box for 5 seconds so they could scan your head.  It was super easy and you did a fabulous job!  The technician then pulled your scan on the computer and we saw a digital image of you.  He then explained what we were looking at and confirmed that you have 'moderate flattening' on your right side.  


The helmet does not squeeze your head into shape.  It is made of foam that puts light pressure on your head except the flat area.  This tells your brain that the only place for it to grow is into the flat area.  They recommend that we get the helmet now because development slows down after 9 months of age.  According to the technician, you will probably have to wear the helmet for 4-6 months.  We will go back to pick up your helmet on November 11th.


I am bummed that you need the helmet but I'm grateful that you will only remember it through this letter and pictures.  


Now let me show you how beautiful you are.

Having fun in your bouncy toy!

 Monkeying around with Daddy.

 Our little bumble bee!

 One of my all time favorite pictures of you and Daddy.

 You took Daddy's glasses.

 Look at your attitude!

 Auntie Vale came to meet you on Tuesday!

Your first balloon from auntie Vale.

I love my Michela Grace!

Love,

Mommy

Uh oh!

Dear Michela,

You have discovered your feet!  It seems as though your legs are built on springs.  Whenever you lie down on the changing table your legs spring up and your feet are in your hands.  The other day you looked back and forth between your left foot and your right foot.  You couldn't decide which one to put in your mouth!  I think it's great that you found two new toys - feet!

I discovered something on Saturday while we were driving to Nana and Papi's house.  You have a pearly white tooth poking out your gums!  It is the front lower tooth on the right.  You're four and a half months old and you have a little tooth coming in!  To be honest with you, I'm a little scared.  Please don't bite me while breastfeeding!  I don't really want to endure that pain so please be polite and eat like a little lady.  Thank you!

We had a good time visiting with Nana and Papi.  You let everyone hold you once you warmed up.  That melted everyones hearts.  After dinner you laughed at Nana when she coughed.  You thought she was pretty funny and giggled at every cough.  Your laugh made everyone's night!  We all love you very much Meeka.

With all my love,

Mommy