Day 206 - Sitting up!!!

I love this exersaucer.  I don't think parents truly realize how valuable these things are for babies this age.  They get to sit up, explore, see things in an upright manner...and the parent does not have to worry about them rolling off somewhere they're not supposed to roll off to!

It also gives them strength to eventually do this!!  She's top heavy...but she can sit up for a few seconds at a time...with some help from a toy!

Day 200 - First odd reactions

It's been a busy week, so no photos until today.  We headed out to the mall today to get out and about.  This is the first time we've had Kaiya in the seat of the stroller whereas we've been putting her in the car  seat and attaching it into the stroller.  More people were able to see her today.

As we were strolling through the mall - I was on high alert to other's reactions.  For the most part - no one really paid attention.  As we've strolled through Fashion Place Mall - we've seen other babies doing helmet therapy.  It is actually more common than I realized.  However, I finally caught a glimpse of that  reaction that I was dreading, but knew was coming.  That stranger that looked at her and then at us - and gave us a sympathetic "Awe - look at that poor baby with something wrong..."

After we left the mall - I mentioned something to Brad about it and he told me I was thinking about it way too much.  He said it didn't bother him one bit and I need to really let it go.

So after much thought and consideration I came to the conclusion - he is right.  Why do I feel the need to explain to everyone why she's in the helmet?  If they ask - great.  If their child has been through similar therapy - great.  If they look at us like something is wrong - who cares?  We know why, we know what and that is all that matters.

Then we got home and Kaiya gave me this face.  And I realize how much this process has taught me - not only about plagiocephaly...but about life, in general.  My, my, my - how much children can teach us.

Day 192 - Our first "real" day out in public

The weather - although still a bit chilly - has been sunny and pretty enough that we though we'd head out to the park.  Today was the first time we've been out in public with Kaiya and her helmet...and I really didn't notice anyone's reaction.  Although - this is a pretty big park so we didn't really see that many folks face to face or close up.

Kaiya - still the same - not concerned at all!  She enjoyed getting out in the sun and seeing all the people out and about!

Day 191 - Adjustments for mommy

I am still having heartache with this helmet.  I just think that if Kaiya could talk...she would tell me how miserable she is in it. 

I mean, come on...look at that face...somehow - the thing seems to push her cheeks out, right??!  Oh wait - no - they were already that chubby!

I'm still adjusting to it.  It has definitely been harder on me than on her.  Thank goodness her daycare had a baby with plagiocephaly and went through helmet therapy too - so they know how to manage it.  One less thing.

Day 190 - H Day...Helmet Day

Well - after the mold was made - we took little Kaiya back in today to get her helmet.

We had to shape it a bit once she tried it on and the orthotic center said that her body temperature will adjust to the helmet (as you can see - she is sweating like crazy) in a few days...but here she is in all her glory!

She looks like a little astronaut and I'm still uneasy about what other people will think - but the most important thing is - this is helping shape her head back to normal and hopefully prevent any misalignment of her head and face that could cause complications in the future.  

I thought Kaiya would struggle with the helmet, but true to what we were told - we will struggle with the helmet more than she will.  It doesn't bother her at all.  It is weird to nurse her with it on...but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Day 189 - Sisterly love

Kaiya and Allie have definitely developed a loving relationship.  Allie can make Kaiya laugh when no one else can.  Allie truly does love her little baby sister.  How stinkin' cute are these two?!?!?

And then - here's a few of Kaiya hanging out...showin' off her milk belly...

 And here's a little interesting photo I put together.  Same outfit....different baby!  My, my, my - they look identical, huh?!?

Day 188 - Night lashes

How can anyone resist these eyelashes?  

Day 187 - Back to the doctor

Well - based on how little Kaiya did after her suctioning - I immediately thought she has RSV again.  She was fine after she was suctioned and then slowly filled up with snot again and had her typical labored breathing.

So off to the doctor we went again...

Tee-hee...I love this expression...

It's like - "Yep.  It's me.  Again.  Same as yesterday.  I have a bottle.  Now take your picture and move on."

Here we are waiting for the doctor.  Turns out - we dont' know if it is RSV or not - bottom line is - even if it is...the treatment will be the same.  We'll take her in to suction as we need, but she is not nearly as snotty as she was back in February, so we are playing it by ear.

So - we went back home and played for a bit.  First in the jungle gym...

...and then in the exersaucer!  She's happier...even with all the snot!

Day 186 - Back to the hospital

Kaiya is all snotty again, so we called to see if we could take her back to the suction clinic that we took her too for her RSV issues.  Since our "prescription" to the suction clinic was only good for two weeks - the quickest way to get her suctioned out was to take her through the Emergency Room.  So, off we went.  Had we not just gone through the whole RSV drama recently - this would have been scary for me - but it's old hat.

We got her in - got her suctioned and the world is right again!

Look how chubby...  :-)

Day 182 - Sleeping Cheeks

I love, more than anything, to watch my children sleep.  There's something about the peacefulness of a sleeping child that just warms my heart.  I could sit and watch Allie or Kaiya sleep for hours...and then I remember the long list of things that need to be done in the non dream world!!

So here's a small example of what I get to look at every night before I go to bed...and it makes me so happy!

Day 180 Eating, eating, eating...

Kaiya has been doing an excellent job at eating more and more solids...even though I haven't been the world's best at FEEDING her!!  We seem to get it all over the both of us when we have dinner!!

Day 179 - TV already?

I left Kaiya with Brad for a few moments while I did some things around the house only to come back into the living room to see Kaiya asleep...so I thought. Upon further inspection - I noticed that she was just chillin' using one of her toys as a pillow as she watched a movie with her daddy....oh geez.

Day 178 - Belly, belly

Ever since she learned to roll over, she's been rolling over A LOT!!! And she's finally getting to that age where everything goes into her mouth...so we've really had to keep our eyes on her with the rolling and eating... :-)

Day 177 - My two mini meeeees!!!

I love that my two girls are close in age...for now anyway! I have no idea or way to prepare myself for what lies ahead for these two and how they'll get along in the future. So for now - I'm am LOVING the fact that they adore each other...AND that they are so freakin' adorable!!

For some reason, whenever Allie is with Kaiya and I want to take their picture together...Allie immediately places her hand on top of Kaiya's head! It cracks me up!

I still can't figure out who's going to be the more serious one...for now, in this photo...Kaiya wins.

Day 175 - Getting fitted

Today we went to get Kaiya fitted for a helmet. By fitted, I mean a plaster mold needed to be made of her head.

I asked Brad to join me because I thought it was going to be bad. Once they apply the plaster, she has to stay still until it dries...otherwise we have to start the whole process over.

The entire molding took about 30 minutes and wasn't as bad as I thought. In my head, I envisioned them dipping her head into plaster or taking a big ball of clay and molding it to her head. But instead, they dipped these small sheets of plaster in water and then put it on her head...but before they put this CAH-UTE little....thing... on her head! How cute is she? She looks like a little Amish baby!

Well, after the last sheet went on, the back of her neck had to be molded. That is where she was a handled a little rough and did NOT appreciate it as you can see below! It only took a few more minutes and she was out of the mold..but she sure was cute.

Now we just have to wait a few more weeks for the actual helmet to be made and then fitted.

Yay.

Day 173 - Sometimes, all you need is a pacifier

Kaiya sometimes needs a little help falling asleep. She's not typically a fan of a pacifier...but tonight, she needed a little extra help falling asleep and the soothie seemed to do the trick.

Night night little angel.

Day 171 - My hangout

This is where Kaiya has been spending most her time. It's the easiest place to keep her put and she seems to love it.

She has been extra drooly lately so I'm wondering if teeth are in our near future. We'll keep our eye on it...until then...

Jumpy, jumpy!

Day 167 - Kaiya and Mr. Peek

I believe I've mentioned in a previous post that Allie has named one of her stuffed animals, Mr. Peek. Allie sleeps with this one all the time...so it warms my heart to see her offer it up to her little sister in the mornings as we're hanging out in bed together!

Day 165 - Out like trout

I remember when Allie was this age...I used to wait on her to make one tiny little peep so I could rush in, pick her up and play with her.

With two - I literally wait for nap time and do a little happy dance when they both go to nap at the same time!!

I will say...I do like to watch them sleep. They look extra special cute when they sleep, don't they?

Day 164 - A little bath bunny

Bana sent us this bath towel for Allie when we first moved to Utah. This, among many other things, have been passed down to Baby Kaiya...and I must say - she looks pretty darn cute in it!!

Day 158 - Kaiya's first photo shoot

It's a generic little photo shoot like the ones I used to set up for Allie when she was this age. Black sheet and a few outfits. No fancy lights - only window light.

Kaiya wasn't too sure what the big black box was that I was holding...

Still a little hesitant...
But then we had a little outfit change and she was good to go!!

I did this same photo with Allie but she was a bit older. Allie was able to sit up on her own...whereas in the photo below - Kaiya is not yet sitting. So, I'll redo the photo when Kaiya is sitting on her own to truly compare the pics!

I do love this little snuggle bunny! Allie was a happy baby...but Kaiya is a super happy baby!!

Day 157 - Mommy has a real camera!!

With the invention and recent acquisition of an iPhone 4 and included camera phone - It is difficult for me to actually pick up my real camera.

So today's post is in honor of my real camera...that doesn't get used much these days. Nikon D300 - here's to you!

Isn't she kaaaah-ute though?!?!