New slide
Strawberry picking
California
We met Jake!
Liv and her friend Payton
Love
Too much love
Happy Birthday!
Not sure about the cake
Don't touch
Strawberry picking
Friday, July 12, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Beautiful Eyes
I have been holding off on this post for a while (or a year since he'll be one on the 30th!), but thought it was time to share.
People always comment on both of my kids' eyes. In the grocery store, at the library, or the park people are always telling them they have beautiful eyes. Olivia has these bright blueish gray eyes that just pop out and Wes' just seem to have a special something or maybe it's because he has two different eyes.
When Wes was born I noticed that something seemed different about his left eye. I didn't say anything in the hospital because they told me that everything was normal and we were good to go home. As the days went on and he was becoming more alert, I noticed that the pupil in his left eye didn't match the pupil in his right eye. The left pupil seemed to drip down and wasn't a perfect circle. I mentioned it to my mom, Erik, and the visiting nurse at her visit, but no one else seemed to see what I was talking about. I couldn't let it go because at this point I knew something was wrong. I didn't care what anyone else said, I needed to get it checked out.
When he was 6 days old I brought him back to the pediatrician and had her check his eyes again. This time she could see what I was talking about and sent us straight to the eye doctor. He was diagnosed with a Coloboma of the Iris. A coloboma is a hole in one of the structures of the eye and in Wes' case it's his iris. It happens in the early stages of pregnancy and affects 1 in 10,000 births. Wes has had to have some extra tests done to make sure nothing else is going on, but everything has come back normal.
We have been to the eye doctor many times to keep following his eye development, but our doctor just told us we don't have to go back for a year and he development is right on track! His vision is great and at this point we are just thinking of it as his birth mark.
Here's are few photos of Wes where you can see his cool eye! These are old pictures, but I'll post more of both kids soon.
People always comment on both of my kids' eyes. In the grocery store, at the library, or the park people are always telling them they have beautiful eyes. Olivia has these bright blueish gray eyes that just pop out and Wes' just seem to have a special something or maybe it's because he has two different eyes.
When Wes was born I noticed that something seemed different about his left eye. I didn't say anything in the hospital because they told me that everything was normal and we were good to go home. As the days went on and he was becoming more alert, I noticed that the pupil in his left eye didn't match the pupil in his right eye. The left pupil seemed to drip down and wasn't a perfect circle. I mentioned it to my mom, Erik, and the visiting nurse at her visit, but no one else seemed to see what I was talking about. I couldn't let it go because at this point I knew something was wrong. I didn't care what anyone else said, I needed to get it checked out.
When he was 6 days old I brought him back to the pediatrician and had her check his eyes again. This time she could see what I was talking about and sent us straight to the eye doctor. He was diagnosed with a Coloboma of the Iris. A coloboma is a hole in one of the structures of the eye and in Wes' case it's his iris. It happens in the early stages of pregnancy and affects 1 in 10,000 births. Wes has had to have some extra tests done to make sure nothing else is going on, but everything has come back normal.
We have been to the eye doctor many times to keep following his eye development, but our doctor just told us we don't have to go back for a year and he development is right on track! His vision is great and at this point we are just thinking of it as his birth mark.
Here's are few photos of Wes where you can see his cool eye! These are old pictures, but I'll post more of both kids soon.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Crawling and Potty Training
It's official, Wes is on the move and Olivia is potty trained.
A few weeks ago Wes started off with a slow army crawl and now there's no stopping him. He can be pretty fast when he wants to get somewhere and crawls on his hands and knees now, but goes back to the army crawl on the wood floor. It's so fun to see him go, but it's created some problems too. He gets into everything and I think Olivia liked it better when he was stationary. We're really learning how to share now! Wes is also loving solid food (pears might be his favorite) and just started eating finger food. We've even heard a few "mama" and "dadas" from the little man. I can't believe he'll be 8 months this weekend!
A few weeks ago Wes started off with a slow army crawl and now there's no stopping him. He can be pretty fast when he wants to get somewhere and crawls on his hands and knees now, but goes back to the army crawl on the wood floor. It's so fun to see him go, but it's created some problems too. He gets into everything and I think Olivia liked it better when he was stationary. We're really learning how to share now! Wes is also loving solid food (pears might be his favorite) and just started eating finger food. We've even heard a few "mama" and "dadas" from the little man. I can't believe he'll be 8 months this weekend!
About a month ago, Olivia woke up and decided she wanted to start going on the potty. She had been using it for a while, but not consistently. We decided to go for it. She did great that first day. On day two, she woke up and said, "I want to wear my undies!" With a few m&m's (maybe more than a few), a prize box, and little TV as her rewards, she's potty trained and doing awesome! We keep a potty in the car, but rarely have to use it and she doesn't even ask for a reward anymore! I never thought using the toilet would be so exciting!
I'm so proud of them both!!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Christmas in California
I finally feel settled back into our routine and found some time to go through all of the pictures we took in CA. We had a great trip and everybody managed to stay healthy this year until we got home (unlike last year). It's been one thing after another for the past three weeks. Olivia has had a cold, barfing, and another cold. Wes had a cold and had two teeth come in since we've been back. Then I found out that I have bronchitis. We are all finally feeling better! January has been a wonderful month!
Anyway, we had so much fun with our family in CA. Olivia loved playing with her cousins, Adella and Nolan, everyday. We went to Disneyland, saw some friends, went to the beach, and even went on a few dates!
I'm learning that a vacation is never really a vacation when you have kids.
Anyway, we had so much fun with our family in CA. Olivia loved playing with her cousins, Adella and Nolan, everyday. We went to Disneyland, saw some friends, went to the beach, and even went on a few dates!
Wes' first Christmas
Olivia's favorite present
Thank you for the m&ms uncle buck!
Waiting in line for monsters inc.
Churros!
Not sure about Goofy
Wes enjoying Disney
I'm learning that a vacation is never really a vacation when you have kids.
Friday, January 4, 2013
That's it? We're done?
I took Wes to his third helmet appointment on Tuesday. I knew they were going to take a scan of his head to get the most accurate measurements and then I thought they would adjust the helmet before going home. To my surprise his measurements came back within the normal range and we're now helmet free!!! Congratulations, Wes! You did it in just 5 weeks!
So, his head isn't perfectly round, but I think it looks great. According to the orthotist, the helmet did it's job and his head will continue to improve as he grows especially since he rolls onto his belly at night and can sit up on his own.
I never thought I would be sad to see it go so quickly. He was so cute in that helmet. I'm going to keep it safe, so I can show it to him when he's older. I'm so proud of my little man!
So, his head isn't perfectly round, but I think it looks great. According to the orthotist, the helmet did it's job and his head will continue to improve as he grows especially since he rolls onto his belly at night and can sit up on his own.
I never thought I would be sad to see it go so quickly. He was so cute in that helmet. I'm going to keep it safe, so I can show it to him when he's older. I'm so proud of my little man!
Bye bye, helmet!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Helmet Week 2
Wes is doing great and completely adjusted to the helmet. It's like a part of him now. I kind of get excited to take the helmet off in the morning for his half hour break because I can see a difference everyday! It's amazing!
He now rolls over from tummy to back and back to tummy. If I leave the room for a minute he's usually in a new position when I come back! He'll be on the move before we know it. He tried sweet potato this week and loved it.
He now rolls over from tummy to back and back to tummy. If I leave the room for a minute he's usually in a new position when I come back! He'll be on the move before we know it. He tried sweet potato this week and loved it.
Before helmet
Week 1
Week 2
Week 2
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
He Made the Team
Well, maybe it's a little too early for him to be on the hockey team, but his new cranial helmet makes him look the part. I first noticed Wes' head looked flat at about 6 weeks. I mentioned it to the pediatrician, but was told to do more tummy time and wait to see what happened. I became obsessed with tummy time and wearing him in the Baby Bjorn. I was terrified to put him on his back because I didn't want it to get any worse. The problem was that Wes looked straight up at the ceiling when he slept at night. I used to go in and turn his head at night, but he would move it right back as soon as I left the room.
Then at his two month appointment we were sent to see a specialist at Children's Hospital to discuss the flatness. We were told that Wes has a moderate case of Brachycephaly, which is when the head is flat and becomes wider than normal. I went home that day feeling guilty and blaming myself for the flatness. Did I put him on his back too much? I should have held him more? After doing some research, I learned how common this is and tried to stop blaming myself. Then I started to worry about how he was going to adapt to the helmet. I spent many nights worrying about it and wondering if we were making the right decision to put him in the helmet. Was he going to hate it? Would he cry all the time? It didn't help that we had to wait until Wes was just about 5 months to get the helmet. It was weeks of waiting, but it's finally here.
Last Monday I took Wes to get fitted for his helmet. I told myself that I was going to be strong and keep it together, but I sat down with the orthotist and started crying (I'm sure this is not a surprise to most). I was just so nervous about how he would react and the tears just started flowing. Luckily, the orthotist was very understanding and told me almost every mom cries at the fitting. Then he came in with the helmet, stuck it on Wes' head, and Wes gave me the biggest smile. That's when I was sure I did the right thing. We have had one minor issue with the way it was fitting last week, but we got it adjusted and Wes is doing great! We have noticed a huge difference in just a week! He'll have the roundest head in town before we know it!
Besides adjusting to his new life with a helmet, he has been very busy learning to roll over, eat oatmeal, and getting better at sitting up on his own! He is such a happy little guy!
I'll post more pictures after we decorate the helmet!
Then at his two month appointment we were sent to see a specialist at Children's Hospital to discuss the flatness. We were told that Wes has a moderate case of Brachycephaly, which is when the head is flat and becomes wider than normal. I went home that day feeling guilty and blaming myself for the flatness. Did I put him on his back too much? I should have held him more? After doing some research, I learned how common this is and tried to stop blaming myself. Then I started to worry about how he was going to adapt to the helmet. I spent many nights worrying about it and wondering if we were making the right decision to put him in the helmet. Was he going to hate it? Would he cry all the time? It didn't help that we had to wait until Wes was just about 5 months to get the helmet. It was weeks of waiting, but it's finally here.
Last Monday I took Wes to get fitted for his helmet. I told myself that I was going to be strong and keep it together, but I sat down with the orthotist and started crying (I'm sure this is not a surprise to most). I was just so nervous about how he would react and the tears just started flowing. Luckily, the orthotist was very understanding and told me almost every mom cries at the fitting. Then he came in with the helmet, stuck it on Wes' head, and Wes gave me the biggest smile. That's when I was sure I did the right thing. We have had one minor issue with the way it was fitting last week, but we got it adjusted and Wes is doing great! We have noticed a huge difference in just a week! He'll have the roundest head in town before we know it!
Besides adjusting to his new life with a helmet, he has been very busy learning to roll over, eat oatmeal, and getting better at sitting up on his own! He is such a happy little guy!
less than a week after
Before Helmet (not the best side profile, but you get the idea)
(less than a week after helmet)
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