Alvin's photostudy

The results have been posted. Check out his blog.

Alvin's Photostudy

Well, its officially been a week since Alvin was banded. He is adjusting well to it. He still gets upset when it's time to lay down with it on, but other than that, he is doing well.

We have his photostudy back. So here goes:

Alvin is a 9 month old male referred to Cranial Technologies for treatment of his brachycephaly. He presents with left occipital flattening, right frontal flattening, and associated facial asymmetery. He has an ear shift with the left ear anterior to the right and an increased head width to length ratio.

Increased posterior head height and a sloped forehead.

Left occipital flattening; right frontal flattening; increased head width to height ratio; left eye and cheek anterior to the right

Alvin's Photostudy

Well, its officially been a week since Alvin was banded. He is adjusting well to it. He still gets upset when it's time to lay down with it on, but other than that, he is doing well.

We have his photostudy back. So here goes:

Alvin is a 9 month old male referred to Cranial Technologies for treatment of his brachycephaly. He presents with left occipital flattening, right frontal flattening, and associated facial asymmetery. He has an ear shift with the left ear anterior to the right and an increased head width to length ratio.

Increased posterior head height and a sloped forehead.

Left occipital flattening; right frontal flattening; increased head width to height ratio; left eye and cheek anterior to the right

Day 3

His helmet once we decorated it

So, he is still having fits while the band is on. But, it is getting better. We are up to 5 hours on, 1 hour off. We start going down for a nap today with it on. Then, to 7 hours on, 1 hour off tommorrow. Then finally on Saturday night, he will go to bed with it on and on Sunday be wearing it for the full 23 hours a day.

He has been banded!

So, today was the day. He will wear the band for approx. 14 weeks. That is all dependant on how well this works.

New Puppy Pics!

One of these little guys will be ours!

9 month checkup

Well, today was Alvin's 9 month check up. Wonderful.

He is 26 1/2 inches long (<5th %ile) and weighs 16 pounds, 9 ounces.(<5th %ile). His head circumference is 17 1/2 inches.(25th %ile).

So, what does this mean? Well, he is a little guy, with a big head. But, it also means that he is severely underweight. So, we have 3 weeks to put weight on him, or he gets a feeding tube and diagnostic tests to see what is wrong with him.

Also, he was referred out to 2 different developmental specialists because of his delay in development. Bleah.

I dont even want to think about all this right now.

Um...where'd ya go?

Nowhere really. Just been insanely busy around here. Eric had a boat holiday. Which, for those not in the know, means that the boat had some days off. No work. Still had to pull duty, but hey. That isnt so bad to have your hubs around for the better part of 5 days.

So, what all have we done in the past week?

We are furiously cleaning and organizing the house. Some people do this in the spring. I tend to do it towards winter when I notice that the night comes way too close to when Emali gets off the bus from school. The doldrums set in and I realize that for the next 5 or so months, our house will be our oasis from the ickiness that is sure to creep in outside. I love snow, but I hate the dark and cold.

Also, Eric's Dad and Step-mom have hinted that they are coming for Thanksgiving. So, that will be interesting. I had already scoured the stores to find a turkey just the right size for the 5 of us. (did you know its virtually impossible to find a turkey under 10 pounds?). Now, I have to go on the search again, cause the 6 pounder I actually did manage to find wont be big enough. Now, I could just get one of those monster 14+ pound turkeys. Problem with that. I have a 15in wall oven. It just wouldnt fit.

Then Saturday, I went to the Lia Sophia party at Samantha's house. MMmmmmmmm, cheese and wine and jewelry. Well, ok. The jewelry part really isnt all that much my favorite, but the brie she had was! Yummy. I did end up ordering a slide that perfectly matches my engagment ring and a necklace with a very interesting pendant. Then, it was off to shop. BY MYSELF! woo hoo! No kids for a whole afternoon. Dont get me wrong, I love my kids, but sometimes, you just need a break. Time for yourself where you dont hear "Mommy, mommy, MOMMY!"

Sun, Mon, and yesterday. Kind of a blur. I really dont remember what we did. But, I know it involved cleaning and relaxing. The one thing I do remember is. We got Emali's hair cut. She looks wonderful.

9 months old already

For an update on his progress, go visit his blog. The link is on the right. or, just go to alvin-rice.blogspot.com

Cranial Tech-Visit 1

So, we went to Cranial Technologies yesterday and started on the journey of cranial banding. We had a nurses consultation, then a head scan with digital imaging, then off to the photo study and "headsicling".

I feel bad for my little man. He -hates- his head being messed with and that is all they did yesterday.

Getting his consultation done. He was happy at this point.




The horrid stocking they had to put on his head to do the digital imaging and all that. He hated it.


Waiting on the photostudy to begin.

Background Information

Well, since some of you might be new to his story, or some may just not know fully. Here is the background to Alvin's story.

He was born almost a month early and after severe circumstances during his pregnancy. Around 2 months of age, the Pediatrician noticed that Alvin could not move his head to the right, and that his head was becoming increasingly more deformed.

This led to many hours of "tummy time" per day. Up to 8 hours on some days. No marked improvement was made. In fact, his head only got worse. So, then it was off to Dr John Persing at Yale Medical in New Haven. Dr Persing is a craniofacial specialist.

Once their, he diagnosed my baby with severe Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly. This was partially being caused by his Torticollis. Their suggestion on treatment was a DOC Band. So, this diagnosis began the 5 month fight to get Tricare to pay for this treatment. They refused and continue to refuse.

So, today begins Alvin's journey. We are paying for his treatment out of pocket. Today we are going to have a head cast made and Alvin to have a full work up on any other underlying issues he may have. Cross you fingers, this might get bumpy.




**For more information on Prevention of head deformities, please visit: Heads Up Baby and Cranial Technologies **

What the f%^k? Seriously.

Ok, I am pissed. Whole heartedly pissed off. Why?

The ex, who has not paid child support in a couple of years, calls yesterday to inform me that he has moved to Hampton Roads, VA. He sold his horses, bought a Ford 150 and a pop up camper and moved to VA. How the hell does he afford all this crap? Simple, he doesnt pay support. He hasnt even called to talk to the kids since April. And that was at 11:30 at night.

So, yeah, he is training to be an aviation mechanic. He has a free and clear truck, a camper and tons of cash in his pocket. (his words). I have nothing from him for the girls. It pisses me off. The girls are well taken care of, so its not like they are lacking but still. This makes me so angry.

Grr..

New Pics

The entire album can be seen at : http"//fiestydink.shutterfly.com Enjoy!