Saturday, December 18, 2010
Caroline's 2nd Birthday
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Physical Therapy
Today we went to physical therapy for Ryan's torticollis. He did such a good job while we were there - especially considering he didn't take a morning nap!
Since Ryan was born he has always favored looking left. If you have ever been around him (or you can tell just by looking at pics) he always has his head tilted one way - well the medical condition is called Torticollis. It means "twisted neck" and if a child has this condition, his head will be titled to one side while the chin is turned to the other side. It looks painful, but it isn't for them. I have read that about about 1 in 250 infants are born with this so it is fairly common.
As I mentioned before this was apparent from birth and it's due from the way he was positioned in the womb - little man was stuck! We always try to move his head when it goes to the side however, it wasn't until his four month check up that our pediatrician recommended seeing a physical therapist for it. It's not a severe case so hopefully a little stretching with fix him right up. Another side effect of torticollis is that a baby may develop positional plagiocephaly (asymmetrical head shape) because they'll often sleep with their head turned to one side - and this has started to happen with Ryan.
So today we saw a therapist and she showed us a bunch of stretches to do with Ryan. She pointed out some things (you wouldn't notice by looking at him) that are effects of this condition. While the list below seems extensive it's because everything is connected and causing the other. You really don't notice unless you are really studying him - I mean I hang with him everyday and I didn't notice most of this stuff until it was pointed out.
Since Ryan was born he has always favored looking left. If you have ever been around him (or you can tell just by looking at pics) he always has his head tilted one way - well the medical condition is called Torticollis. It means "twisted neck" and if a child has this condition, his head will be titled to one side while the chin is turned to the other side. It looks painful, but it isn't for them. I have read that about about 1 in 250 infants are born with this so it is fairly common.
As I mentioned before this was apparent from birth and it's due from the way he was positioned in the womb - little man was stuck! We always try to move his head when it goes to the side however, it wasn't until his four month check up that our pediatrician recommended seeing a physical therapist for it. It's not a severe case so hopefully a little stretching with fix him right up. Another side effect of torticollis is that a baby may develop positional plagiocephaly (asymmetrical head shape) because they'll often sleep with their head turned to one side - and this has started to happen with Ryan.
So today we saw a therapist and she showed us a bunch of stretches to do with Ryan. She pointed out some things (you wouldn't notice by looking at him) that are effects of this condition. While the list below seems extensive it's because everything is connected and causing the other. You really don't notice unless you are really studying him - I mean I hang with him everyday and I didn't notice most of this stuff until it was pointed out.
- He has red marks on his neck from his skin being creased on the right side
- The left side of his back has extra rolls in his skin because he curls over that way
- He always reaches with his left hand/arm - We thought this was because he was going to be left handed like his dad, but it is because the left shoulder blade is more developed and has more range.
- Something with his ears - one is further back than the other? Can't remember what she said.
- He has started to smile a little crooked
- His right shoulder is higher
- One side of his face is fuller, the other flatter
- One side of his head is flatter
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Santa - take two!
We went to Neiman Marcus downtown to see Santa today and it was great! There was no line and the photographer was so great at getting the kiddos to smile!
Audrey was not a fan of santa and did not want anything to do with him. The photographer tried his best to get a pic with santa and it was really funny. He was super serious as he explained two tactics that they could use #1. "Back up and Sit" or #2. Sneak Attack which he would just refer to as "SA". We tried both with Audrey. The first one didn't work to well - Audrey was too smart for that. It basically was for Sarah to face Audrey away from Santa and back up until she was right there at Santa's lap - quickly drop her in his hands and take the pic. However, as soon as Sarah turned her around she knew something was up. The second one worked well enough for them to get their Christmas pic. As soon as we decided we needed to move to plan #2, the photographer let santa know we were issuing a "SA". Santa then told Ethan and Lyla that he had to go feed his reindeer and he snuck out behind a curtain. With Santa away Audrey was willing to go near his chair. The kids all posed and then Santa snuck back in and stood behind all three kids and they didn't even notice!!! It was really funny and quite clever. Great teamwork between Santa and the photographer! This is definitely the place to go if your kiddo is scared of santa because they are willing to take extra time to help you get a good pic AND their santa is pretty great looking!
Neimans also has a super fun window display with a fun crawl through tunnels that take kids through the window displays (Kids have to be 4 years and 36 inches). There are videos in there so that you can see your kids crawl through - it was closed when we got there (closes at 4pm) but it was really cool to just look at on the street! They even have some augmented reality stuff that the kids could play with from the street. So fun!!!
Neiman Marcus Holiday Window 2010
Audrey was not a fan of santa and did not want anything to do with him. The photographer tried his best to get a pic with santa and it was really funny. He was super serious as he explained two tactics that they could use #1. "Back up and Sit" or #2. Sneak Attack which he would just refer to as "SA". We tried both with Audrey. The first one didn't work to well - Audrey was too smart for that. It basically was for Sarah to face Audrey away from Santa and back up until she was right there at Santa's lap - quickly drop her in his hands and take the pic. However, as soon as Sarah turned her around she knew something was up. The second one worked well enough for them to get their Christmas pic. As soon as we decided we needed to move to plan #2, the photographer let santa know we were issuing a "SA". Santa then told Ethan and Lyla that he had to go feed his reindeer and he snuck out behind a curtain. With Santa away Audrey was willing to go near his chair. The kids all posed and then Santa snuck back in and stood behind all three kids and they didn't even notice!!! It was really funny and quite clever. Great teamwork between Santa and the photographer! This is definitely the place to go if your kiddo is scared of santa because they are willing to take extra time to help you get a good pic AND their santa is pretty great looking!
Neimans also has a super fun window display with a fun crawl through tunnels that take kids through the window displays (Kids have to be 4 years and 36 inches). There are videos in there so that you can see your kids crawl through - it was closed when we got there (closes at 4pm) but it was really cool to just look at on the street! They even have some augmented reality stuff that the kids could play with from the street. So fun!!!
Neiman Marcus Holiday Window 2010
Twinkle Toes
I found my TOES!!! And I LOVE them! Ryan found his feet about a month ago but this was the first time he has ever grabbed and held on to them. He really loves his feet a lot - when he is in his bouncer he kicks the hanging fish with hit little feet instead of grabbing at them with his hands. Whatever floats his boat!
Weekend Getaway
We just got back from a super fun weekend down in San Antonio with friends and can't wait to plan another trip together! We went to The Westin La Cantera Resort down in San Antonio with the Aston's and the Meeks. It is such a great family resort we can't wait to go back when all of the kids are a little older so they can take advantage of all the fun "kid" things to do! Here are some pics from our weekend!
Playing Jenga with Caroline at happy hour
Caleb & Lauren
Kevin & Ryan
Talking to Thompson
Ryan (4.5 mo) & Caleb (5.5 mo)
Caleb was showing us all his tricks
Caroline wants to play with the boys!
Daddy & Ryan in front of the Mexican tree
Family pic in hotel lobby
Cody & Caroline
Ryan & Daddy at Zoomagination - we saw all sorts of exotic animals! So fun!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Santa
We went to visit Santa!
I didn't know it was such a process to see Santa at North Park but I guess he is one of the best in town so he is very popular! It was so great that my mom is here because she was able to go up to North Park at 9am to get a ticket for Santa. We went up around noon and only had to wait about 15 min (with our ticket). Ryan did so well - he wasn't quite sure who he was sitting with but he didn't cry. We couldn't get a big smile but he still looks as handsome as ever!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
4 month check-up
So we went to the doctor on Tuesday for Ryan's four month appointment and it was a doozy. He did so well while Dr. Halsell poked and prodded him. He was smily and so happy! That was until they gave him his shots! Ryan was not a happy camper. He went from being so cheery and happy to an angry little hornet. He was so upset! He calmed down long enough to get him to the car but then cried the whole way home. It was also getting close to feeding time so I think he was hungry too. He had worked himself up so much that he wouldn't nurse. Eventually we had to make him a bottle because he wouldn't calm down - this was the most we had ever seen him cry and it wasn't fun. Poor little man was exhausted after his bottle and fell right asleep! He slept up until his next feeding which he was able to nurse - thank goodness!
We put him to bed at 10:30 and he slept until 9:45 the next morning! He really was exhausted! He was generally pleasant on Wednesday but a little sensitive. At his 4pm and 7pm feedings he started crying and working himself up and wouldn't latch on. I really hope he doesn't continue doing that because he was always so good at nursing. It's so weird that he is doing this because he has never had this problem. Eventually I was able to get him to nurse each time but now I am starting to worry about giving him a bottle! I hope this doesn't continue because I don't want to stop nursing yet. I am trying to get to him sooner for feedings so he doesn't have time to get himself all worked up.
4 month stats:
Weight: 11 lbs 12 oz - 7%
Height: 24 1/4 inches - 25%
Head: 39.7 cm - 5%
He is still a little man at this time. The doctor said since he was premature they usually don't catch up until 12 to 15 months. We also asked about his head - he has a MAJOR preference for looking to the left side. At night he lays on the left side and he has a slight flat head from it. We try working with him during the day and do lots of tummy time but he still wants to look left. The doctor told us what it was called) but neither Kevin and I can remember) but basically its rather common (especially in premature babies). Anyhow, she said we could go see a physical therapist if we wanted to so we are going to - just to be safe!
We put him to bed at 10:30 and he slept until 9:45 the next morning! He really was exhausted! He was generally pleasant on Wednesday but a little sensitive. At his 4pm and 7pm feedings he started crying and working himself up and wouldn't latch on. I really hope he doesn't continue doing that because he was always so good at nursing. It's so weird that he is doing this because he has never had this problem. Eventually I was able to get him to nurse each time but now I am starting to worry about giving him a bottle! I hope this doesn't continue because I don't want to stop nursing yet. I am trying to get to him sooner for feedings so he doesn't have time to get himself all worked up.
4 month stats:
Weight: 11 lbs 12 oz - 7%
Height: 24 1/4 inches - 25%
Head: 39.7 cm - 5%
He is still a little man at this time. The doctor said since he was premature they usually don't catch up until 12 to 15 months. We also asked about his head - he has a MAJOR preference for looking to the left side. At night he lays on the left side and he has a slight flat head from it. We try working with him during the day and do lots of tummy time but he still wants to look left. The doctor told us what it was called) but neither Kevin and I can remember) but basically its rather common (especially in premature babies). Anyhow, she said we could go see a physical therapist if we wanted to so we are going to - just to be safe!
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