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.

• 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

So yeah - sounds pretty crazy. Mommy has lots of work to do!! Lot's of stretching!! We are going back on Monday and will probably go every week for a little while. Hopefully with all the stretching everything will slip back into place. There is still a chance that he might have to wear a helmet but hopefully this stretching will prevent it. Wish us luck!

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

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!

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!

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!

Happy 4 months!

Dear Little R, 

I know I say this every month - but I can't believe I have a four month old! It really does go so fast. 

Yay for 4 months!

Love to smile but not sure what to do with my tongue

You have been growing like a little weed! We go to the doctor on Tuesday to get your official stats but I am thinking you are around 12lbs and 25 inches (per my own measurements).  You have found your voice and it is so cute when you are talking to me! I love it so much - sometimes you just have sooo much to tell me.  You found your hands really early in this month and sometimes you just stare away at them. You really love sucking on them and make such a rukus while doing so. You also found your feet but are less intersted in those at this time. Sometimes when you lay on your back, you kick your little legs so much - you look like a little ninja. You did roll over once earlier in the month but you haven't done it since so I am not sure that was on purpose.  Your favorite toys these days are a little green ball that you grip and little plastic play rings. We built your activity center and you really enjoy playing in that as well. You are still to small for it so I have books underneath so your feet don't dangle. We also have to move you around in it so that you can see all the fun things to play with. We started using your Bob stroller and you love it! You can fit into it without your car seat. Bob loves it too - you both ride in it while mommy pushes it!

Over the past month your routine had adjusted so that you wake up around 7am--there are still some 5:30am mornings but for the most part you sleep till 7am. A couple of times you have even slept until 8:30! You also take your last bottle at 10pm regardless of your last feeding. You have no interest staying up past 10pm and you let us know that. You usually take an hour and sometimes two hour nap midday and you still take a mini-snooze between each feeding which is nice for mommy. You still get a bath every night with daddy and absolutely LOVE it! I can't wait until the summer because I think you will be such a little water baby!

Sticking out my tongue

You grabbed some leaves and stuck them right into your mouth - in true boy form

Sticking out your little lizard tounge

Here I go sucking my fist

Ok mommy I am DONE with the picture taking....

We took another flight down to Houston and you did great. Flying is pretty easy so far - we have another trip coming up in December so hopefully it will go just as well.


Thumbs up:
- Getting up in the morning = BIG smiles
- Bouncer & Swing
- Activity Center - you love the bird and will even reach out to hit it. The panda's on the see-saw make you jump every time they go up and down -it's really funny!
- Green grip ball & play rings
- Bath time with daddy
- Bob


Thumbs down
- Getting into car seat 
- Waiting on your nightly bottle to be warmed

Here are some fun pics from the past month! 

Me and daddy!

Love riding daddy's neck

Hanging out in my swing

Mommy's little chef! I sit here while mommy makes dinner

Hanging out with my cousin Ethan

Chillin with Audrey

Audrey is teaching me about her toys

Uncle Steve!