Carter Update:

Turns out that Carter had a severe heat rash. He kept sweating against the helmet and that caused his skin breakdown. I can't begin to tell you how bad it stunk! Who knew? Cranial Tech called me first thing on Monday morning and got us in immediately. They didn't seem bothered by the rash and said it's very common. Carter sweats at night, so we have to make an effort to keep him cool in bed. No more footies, run the ceiling fan and towel his head off if he gets up at night. During the day, we have to take the Band off every couple of hours and towel off the helmet and his head.

The day Carter got the infection it was only 70 degrees outside. So I'm a bit apprehensive about the summer. When it gets really hot I think we'll have to take a few small breaks throughout the day in order to avoid situations like these. I'm his mother so of course I worry, but all in all, it was good news from Cranial Tech and Carter will be back in treatment starting tomorrow.

Skin Breakdown

So, one of your major concerns with the DOC Band is skin breakdown. Cranial Tech makes you do skin checks every 3 hours the first 2 days of therapy. If there aren't any concerns then you can proceed to the 23 hour a day schedule. Carter's skin was recovering nicely from his pressure areas so we were able to go to the 23 hour schedule on time. But today (our 3rd full day of treatment) we all noticed a funny odor and I could see something yellowish coming out from the band. So when I took it off, Carter had a huge 'angry' spot on his right side and across the back. The inside of his band has turned yellow on the edges which is a major concern for me. I've already washed the helmet per Cranial Tech's instructions and Carter will not be wearing it until we get into see someone on Monday. Sensitive skin runs in this family and Carter might just be cursed in that department. His father and brother both have skin issues. I'm just concerned about what happens next. Especially now that there is a yellowing to Carter's band. I'll let you know more after our next appointment.

Helmetized

On Tuesday Carter had his fitting with Cranial Tech. It was a difficult appointment for me, but Chris and Nolan were there. We wanted to make sure that Nolan included in the process. He walks around now saying 'See my brother's round head!?' He means the helmet, but we told him that Carter was getting a helmet so he'd have a round head. I guess he shortened it.

Our first 2 days home we had to do skin checks every 2-3 hours. They want you to keep an eye on the pressure points where the helmet is applying resistance. You don't want anything to red or dark, they call them 'angry' spots. If he has 'angry' spots you want to see them disappear within an hour. The skin needs to recover, if it doesn't you can have problems. Fortunately, Carter didn't have any of these. So we could proceed as planned, from here on out Carter has to wear for 23 hours out of the day. During the one hour, I have to wash it everyday in rubbing alcohol and in the summer months the helmet can start to stink from all the perspiration. Great. We got DOC Band put on in May...Carter will wear it for a minimum of 3 months...May, JUNE, JULY. We'll be in nasty Oklahoma heat and humidity in July. That'll smell fantastic!!

So then painting process began. It was definitely trial and (A LOT of) error. But in the end it turned out really cute. I had to apply 3 coats of acrylic paint. The third coat crackled instead of looking smooth. I cried, but then just went with it. Then I put his name on in sticker and then painted his flame details. I wish I could have enjoyed the process more, but I was stressing out about it and having an allergy attack all at the same time. It was a mess. Once I had painted it all I then had to apply three coats of Modge Podge to keep the paint from peeling. The Modge Podge really helped it look shiny and polished and disguised some of the cracked paint. I'll probably do a coat of Modge Podge a week to help maintain the AWESOMENESS.

It's going to be quite a process, but I'm glad we are finally in it instead of just talking about it. Again, if you have any questions about this please comment and I'm happy to answer them!!

Nolan hiking with Dad & Uncle Ben

Some inaudible/slightly audible dialogue:

Nolan: I like my mommy.

Chris: I like your mommy too.

Nolan: I like you too dad.

Chris: Thanks Bud.

Nolan: I like you.

Chris: I like you too bud.

Carter needs a helmet...

As most of you know, Carter now needs the DOC band which is an orthopedic helmet. Carter has a severe case of Brachycephaly (flat head syndrome) with a minor case of Plagiocephaly. The difference between the two is simply the location of the head flatness. Most of Carter's flatness is directly on the back of head and Plagio is usually located on one side or the other. This is condition hasn't really existed until recently and with the awareness of SIDS came the Back to Sleep Program. Before SIDS most parents placed their babies on their bellies to sleep, but my generation has been taught to do the exact opposite. At this crucial stage of brain and head development, the soft skull is now lying on a flat surface that essentially deforms the head. Young babies also have a tendency to be in bouncy seats, car seats and play mats, all flat surfaces. Without the ability to sit up the child has no opportunity to get their weight off the back of their head. So, it's plain and simple. My son has a very large noggin and he lied on it too much. Therefore it is flat in the back, the crown of his head is too high and it has pushed the majority of his brain forward of his spine. Don't be alarmed. This does not seem to affect his milestones, brain or cognitive development. I just don't want him to be an SNL alien skit for the rest of his life!

So, Tuesday, through a company called Cranial Technologies, Carter will be fitted for a DOC Band to correct this defect. The 'helmet' only weighs 6 ounces and he will have to wear it for 23 hours a day for the next 3 months. We will be traveling weekly to Clinton, CT for fittings, which is about an hour and 15 minute drive. We went last Tuesday and he had a digital 3D image taken of his skull and from that they make a cast of his head and from that they handcraft his helmet. Each helmet is unique to each child and we will be painting ours so people feel more comfortable approaching him. The poor child is such a flirt and so social, I can't image him not being able to make eyes at ladies in the grocery store. I have attached a couple of links below so you can understand his condition. Please feel free to leave questions or comments for us. I am happy to answer anything you might be curious about. I will also try to buy more memory space on my page and post some before and after photos for you so you can understand more about what's going on. We have taken this on with gusto. Now that we know our insurance will cover his procedure, we are just running with it. As soon as I have them, I will post photos of Carter rockin' the helmet!

http://www.cranialtech.com/

http://www.brachycephaly.info/

Taylor and Nolan take flight

Stamford Balloon Parade 1

Stamford has a tradition to have their Balloon Parade the weekend before Thanksgiving. It's an adorable local version of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our friends Justin and Destiny watched Carter so Nolan and I could have a day to ourselves. He loved it.

Stamford Balloon Parade 2

Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak is Chris's nickname for Carter because of the gorgeous new baby sounds he makes. This is for the Grandmas...