12 weeks in a helmet.... 12 more to go...

So back on February 18 we had our big helmet appointment with the helmet doctor and the pediatric plastic surgeon (PPS).  The surgeon is the one who makes the final decision about the helmet.  After the scan with the helmet doc we headed over to the PPS.  I love both of these doctors, they make everything feel so normal.  Dr. Siddiqi (PPS) is located in Primary Children's hospital.  We love going there!  All the nurses and doctors are so sweet, nice and caring.  I can not say enough about the care given there.  

Anyway, about Oliver's head.  It looked good, but not where the doctors want it.  I could show you the notes and scans and numbers, but really that's all boring unless you understand it, and I'm still not 100% in all that even after all these months.  With out his helmet I think he looks pretty good.  with his helmet I think he looks good too.  I'm bias.

Any who.  Here's a few photos

 3 weeks into helmet wear

 8 weeks into helmet.  Looks really good honestly.

11 weeks into helmet.  
The front is just a little small, but all the correct plates are open (not fused). If you notice in the top right photo of the last one here that small red sore above his ear is a pressure sore. He also got a pretty bad one on the very back of his head.  This was caused by his helmet being too small.  So Oliver got to go a whole 2 weeks helmet free while we waited (again) for insurance coverage, and making the new helmet.  It was pretty awesome.  The goal now is to enlarge the front, near the temples, and to keep his head from reverting back to the old Scaphocephaly shape.  Helmets work people, no matter how annoying they are.

I'm also getting used to the stares and pointing and rude questions from young children who's parents haven't taught them it's rude to point and stare.  I'm sorry I said I wasn't going to do that, but really it bothers me.  He is a baby and has no idea what's going on.  I'm just being sensitive.  I feel like his new helmet is HUGE on his tiny little head.  

Wither way he's cute and I love him and we're already a week into the new helmet and will be done in June.  12 weeks isn't really that long right?

Oliver at 7 Months

Not much changed from 6 to 7 months, well Oliver learned to sit up, didn't get sick, and still isn't sleeping through the night.  By seven months he was only waking up once a night, which is totally do-able.

Oliver still wasn't a fan of solids by 7 months, and only tolerated 2 or 3 bites a day, but was always super interested in whatever Scott, Rivers or I were eating.  So we just pretty much give Oliver small bites of whatever it is we are having.  This is worked out really well.  We have had a few choking problems, the bites are small enough that he shouldn't be choking, but he still manages to do so.  It turns out Oliver LOVES food.  everything but veggies, go figure.

He is such a snuggle bug!  He loves being held, watching his big brother, watching mama cook or do the dishes, hates to be alone, flaps his arms and kicks his legs when happy or excited, loves going outside, hates his car seat, and is a total mama's boy!  I love my Oliver Eugene!

Valentines Day 2014

We kept Valentines day pretty low key this year.

Since being a waitress I've been totally turned off to whole whole romantic dinner, gift, blah blah blah.

My favorite thing is to celebrate those I love most.

I got the boys with teeth (sorry Ollie)

some Chocolate, and made a fun breakfast.

The boys and I made cookies and 

watched a movie and ate pizza and drank red soda.

The boys had a blast.

I feel so lucky and loved to have these wonderful guys in my life!

Oliver at 6 months

I was shocked when I realized my little Oliver was 6 months old!  I'm so in love with him even if he does wake up at 6:00 every morning.

 He's pretty great!  I can't believe how many challenges I have had to over come with this little guy.  I swear we have doctors appointments every week.  I still wouldn't change a thing, even though we have to see a handful of doctors to just deal with his crazy head shape, which doesn't include his regular pediatrician and well kid visits, and the fact that he's had to have CT scans, ultra sounds, and cranial scans, he has also been really sick. But that all seems to be behind us now!  No more sickies!!  

But he looks so cute taking his breathing treatments! Watching your child suffer is the hardest thing ever.  I know there are other children out there with much worse conditions and problems than his, and I know that his set backs are only temporary.  I also just enjoy him so much.  He is the sweetest little boy and had just been a joy to have.  

California 2013/14

We were so blessed to get to go to San Diego with Scott's parents and siblings, spouses, and kids.  Surprisingly we all fit into 3 cars.  18 of us in all. It was awesome.  We left the day after Christmas and had a blast!!  Rivers is still terribly upset to be home, and even now, being home for 2 months, Rivers still tells me he's only happy in California.  We had a great time going to the beach, playing in the pool and hot tub, going to the zoo, sea world, and safari park, and spending much needed time as a family.  Here are some pics, because I'm not wanting to post a travel log.

Last sunset of 2013

We had a great trip, and only a few rude comments about Ollie's helmet.  I won't get into that now.  

Rivers loved playing with his cousin Emily! Everyday all he wanted to do was play at the play ground with his cousin.

It was nice to soak up some sun and play with my babies and hubby!!

Christmas 2013

We had such a fun Christmas this year.  Rivers was so cute!  I love that he finally "gets" it.  We did lots of fun things this year before Christmas that really helped me get in the holiday spirit.  Here are a few photos highlights of our adventures.

 Dinner with Santa, Rivers loved this.  Our friends the Flynn's set this up.  It was pretty cool.

 Lights on temple square, a yearly tradition.  We went the day of heavy snowfall and it was so beautiful.  Going this night it was surprisingly warm and way less crowded.  

 Rivers and Scott built an awesome snow fort, that later became a tunnel.  Hours of fun.

 Christmas morning, Rivers was so cute.  He woke up and came in our room and quietly asked "Do you think Santa came?"  We left Santa a note with our cookies and he left us a reply about how good Rivers had been and how he left us some treats in the fridge (makings for a yummy breakfast).

Oliver just wanted to play with the wrapping paper.  Christmas could have cost me next to nothing. 

We spent the Sunday before Christmas with my Papa Gene (Ollie's namesake) and Grandma Connie, Grandma Jo, my Parents and brother Sean and my cousin Kristen.  It was a great time with lots of love and laughs.  Christmas eve morning was spent at my Grandparents Hulse's house with my cousins, aunts and uncles.  That evening we went to Scott's parents house and opened gifts with them and syked with Scott's brother Kyle who is serving a mission in Russia.  We spent Christmas morning at home and after a yummy breakfast we went to my parents house and spent the day with them.  

Then we came home and packed for our trip to San Diego.  More on that later.  

Oliver is 5 Months Old!!

I feel like I have been terrible about posting month to month about my sweet little boy.  I also feel like this 5 months has gone by so fast! Oliver has such sweet spirit, and I can't imagine our lives before him and he is such a good fit in our family.  Here are some Ollie facts
At 5 months Oliver:
Hates tummy time
Is a terrible sleeper, seriously he wakes up every 3-4 hours a night if not more.
Has a stinky head from his helmet.
Has the best laugh and smile.
Loves his mommy.
Hates solids, well he's only had a taste of rice cereal once I'm not in any hurry to start solids.
Loves to play with toys.
Hates his car seat.
Can almost sit up on his own.
Has successfully rolled from tummy to back and really wants to roll from back to tummy.
Loves to play peek-a-boo.
Only has two more months with his helmet!

I sure love my little Oliver Eugene!