Week 1: May 3 - May 10

We finally got our Doc Band on Friday, May 3, 2013. It was a day I was looking forward to for many reasons. I wanted to start treatment as soon as possible so we could correct Miso's head as soon as possible. I also was getting frustrated because we have been doing all of these positioning techniques and exercises for what felt like FOREVER!! And while we had not gotten any worse we had not gotten any better either.  We developed pretty good head control and neck strength but there was still that darn flat spot. But, with all of that I was also anxious and scared. I didn't want people to think something was "wrong" with my baby or that we had done something wrong. I also didn't want people to think my little guy was anything less than perfect. Despite his little flat spot, he is perfect to us.

So...Friday came and I really wanted to cry when we put the helmet on for the first time. He quickly got hot and upset and started throwing a fit because he was so hot.  I ended up stripping him down to just a onesie. Now, let me just say we are an undershirt family. Jose wears undershirts and Ipolito has always worn undershirts (onesies, t-shirts during fall and winter, and tanks during spring and summer). Miso has until now always worn onesies under his clothing.  We are strictly supposed to dress him down. He hardly ever wears socks and basically just a onesie for the first couple of days until he gets used to the helmet.

After we left the building I was still in shock. My little guy was cute and rockin' that helmet but still it was just so LARGE  and WHITE!!! That first night Miso was up every THREE hours. He ate so it was hard to know if it was due to hunger or the helmet.  He hasn't woken up more than once since he was a month old! It sleep has definitely been interrupted. I ordered some special vinyl stickers with Misael's name and I put his name on his helmet.  This is just temporary until we get it decorated May 17.

It took a few days to get used to the helmet but the first week went by without a hitch. We followed directions and basically Miso wears his helmet 23 hours a day. I take it off at night and clean it with alcohol and then let it air dry. We bathe him and make sure his head and helmet are dry before putting it back on.

At Church I have to admit I didn't make eye contact with anyone because I was scared of what I would see in people's eyes. I didn't want to see pity, curiosity, disgust, or anything. But, I did keep my head up and proceeded with life as always. Hopefully this will get easier in the coming weeks. All in all week one was a success.

4 months

Misael is 4 months old! I cannot believe it! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with him. He gets his final scan this Friday for his cranial helmet. We are scheduled to pick it up May 3 at 1 pm. Then we have to wait two weeks to have it decorated. I wish we got it decorated right away but the company that does it only does the wrap parties once a month.  I am anxious to get his treatment started. 

Misaelisms at four months:

• Weight: 14 lbs. (You are now out of the less than 5th percentile!! You have graduated to the 25th percentile!!!)
• Length: 24.01 inches (You are now out of the less than 5th percentile!! You have graduated to the 25th percentile!!!)
• Clothes: 3-6 months, 6 months, and some 3 months. I really still use the 3 month onesies from Carters. You aren't busting out of them yet, but you did bust out of the Gerber ones so in those I am using the 3-6 month ones. I was actually hoping to keep you in the 3 month pants until it was warm enough for shorts, but I found out the other day that your 3 month pants look like capris.  That isn't an option with a boy....at least not mine. I guess I will have to breakdown and buy you some 6 month pants, just not  too many.
• Diapers: Size 2
• Sleeping: You go to bed anywhere from 830-10. You have been sleeping through the night for the past 2.5 weeks. You sleep about 12-13 hours. We actually have to wake you up most days because you are still sleeping.  The past two days you have woken up at 4:30 to eat and/or get your diaper changed. I hope you go back to sleeping through the night.
• You have taken to throwing fits at least once a day for the past 3 weeks. These fits last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, typically in the afternoon or right before bedtime.You cry, get mad, and sweaty. Often these are around a feeding. I typically console you and get you to calm down. You go to sleep for about 30 minutes, wake up, and eat. After that everything is right in the world for you. You were skipping that feed which was worrying us, now I have figured if I let you sleep for a little bit you are okay and will eat. The doctor said today (which we have kind of figured out) to let you sleep in your crib for naps so you get at least 1 good nap in and aren't so tired at night. We should also try putting you to bed earlier at like 8ish (which I do when Papi isn't home). Hopefully this works.
• Serious. Oh so serious. He loves to look and study everything....Ipo did this as well.
• Smiles-when he isn't so serious
• Laughs often
• Kicks and plays with his activity mat
• Sitting in the Bumbo
• Sits in the jumper
• Still no teeth, but you love your hands. You love to have them in your mouth all of the time!
• Turns over from his tummy to his back (has been doing this off and on since 6 weeks)
• Tries to turn over from his back to his tummy (gets to his side)
• Moves around the living room on his back. Pushes his little feet to get everywhere.
• Really loves his big brother. He is smiling at him and gets so excited when he hears his voice or sees him.
• Loves to be carried (Ipolito did not). He loves to look around and be walked around in your arms.
• Loves his stroller...he sits in it like a big boy.
• Loves going on walks.
• LOVES. LOVES. LOVES. BATH. TIME.

Misael, my little chunky monkey, you are a joy to have in our family and Mama, Papi, and Ipolito love you oh so much!

THREE Months!

 Misael you are THREE months! I know I am a couple of weeks late but it has just been so busy around here. This is literally the first Friday I have had off where I do not have a million things to do.

Misaelisms at three months:

• Weight: 13 lbs. 3 oz (just an estimate...we use our home scale)
• Length: 23.5 inches (this just an estimate...we just our tape measure here at the house
• Clothes: 3 months & 3-6 months. You can wear the 3 months pants still shorty
• Diapers: Size 1 (you are busting out at the seams though)
• Sleeping: goes to bed 9-10ish and sleeps 7-8 hours  then another 3-4 hours. We try to keep him awake as much as possible during the day. 
• Smiles-all of the time 
• Laughs often
• Kicks and plays with his activity mat
• Sitting in the Bumbo
• LOVES. LOVES. LOVES. BATH. TIME.

Misael, it is a joy being your mommy and I wouldn't trade it for the world. You are such a calm, happy baby. Your big brother adores you and loves to talk to you just like I do (in the same high pitched voice). The next month is filled with lots of activity...big brother's t-ball games, Easter, helmet maybe, and just spending time with us. 

I love you Misael!

It's been a few weeks.....

Well...it's been a while since I last posted, but in my defense it has been crazy busy around here.  I went back to work and we have been getting in the swing of things. Work has been great...busy but great! I really am fortunate work with such wonderful people.  On my first day back my wonderful partner, Nancy and our Practice Manager, Tamye sent me flowers!

The boys (including Papi) are adjusting to our new schedule.  Poor Papi had a rough few days this past week. Misael woke up during the night a little earlier and a little later than he had been and didn't want to go back to sleep, so Papi stayed up with him.  Jose and I are different in this aspect....I would go to sleep after the baby did regardless of if he was up for a little bit or not, but Jose does not. He just can't turn on his sleep.  Weirdo!! Hopefully this week will be better.

On Wednesday's the boys stay with my mother.  She lovingly takes care of both of them. She told me last week she has been having some serious prayer sessions with Misael.  She said she prays over his belly button (his huge hernia) and his head (he has plagiocephaly).  She does this each Wednesday.  I believe in the power of prayer but my mom must have a direct line to the Big Guy, St. Jude, St. Anthony, and Mary because Misael's hernia is basically gone. I say basically because I am scared to say gone. For the past 48 hours it hasn't popped out and is down all of the way.  I am not hearing the squishing sound or feeling it through his clothes.  I really hope it is gone because that is one less headache for us.

Around the first weekend of March....look at the hernia!

Around March 23. Look at the difference!

In regards to Misael's head, we have been doing the positioning techniques still. We have been to two places for the helmets and I have finally decided on one called Cranial Technologies.  Miso and I go this Friday to start the process. We had to "try" the positioning techniques for at least two months before insurance would consider covering the helmet.  Luckily I have been since he was about two weeks old.  I would like to say his head looks better and at times I do think it looks better and other times I do not.  The last place we went classified him as moderately severe.  I know the helmet will help and I am anxious to get it and start the process.  Miso has pretty good head control and I am hoping the coming weeks he gets full control.

Ipo is still Ipo.  He put some rubber ducky's on his chest in the bath tub...you know on top of his nipples. The next words out of his mouth were, "Look Mama! I have those things like you! I am a woman now!" I about died.  Oh I laughed so much I cried.  Poor thing.

I love my boys with all of my heart and I thank God each and every day for bringing them into my life.

Last weekend we went to the Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth to take some pictures of the boys in their Easter outfits. Ipo did very well (he might have had a little bribing), but Miso not so much. He wasn't bad or anthing.  There were no big crying fits, he just didn't want to take pictures. He was acting uncomfortable if we put him in Ipo's arms (hmm...I wonder why....who wouldn't be comfortable in a 4-year old's arms?!).  He just wanted to be held and look around.  I got some wonderful pictures of Ipolito.  I also got an okay one of the two of them.

Well...the boys are calling...I have to go for now. I will post on Misael at 3 months later (I hope!).

Work

Well, on Monday I go back to work. Before I had Misael I decided to only take 10 weeks off just so I could save my PTO.  I am blessed that in my current job I get 272 hours of PTO each year front loaded in January.  I love this little perk.  But this week I am starting to have doubts.

I thought all this time, I am ready to go back. I am ready for my routine back. I am not going to cry. I have done this before with Ipolito.  Well, guess what?! I was wrong. All of a sudden on Monday I was starting to feel apprehensive. What am I going to do without my little guy all of the time?! Will he eat for others? Will he sleep well? Will I ever get sleep? How in the world am I going to get everyone ready and out the door in time?

At least I don't have to be at work at a specific time. But I have come to realize that I need at least an hour just to get myself ready. This just includes showering and pumping.  Then I need another 30-45 minutes to get the baby fed and dressed. This doesn't include spit ups or poops everywhere.  I also need about 10-15 minutes to get Ipolito ready as well. Then I have to drop the boys off at my mom's or the sitters.  Ughhh...I would like to be at work by 0630 so that means I need to wake up at like 330 or 4!!! I am tired just thinking about all of this!! How in the world will all of this get done?! I know it will all work out and that is what I keep telling myself.

Here is our schedule for the weeks to come:

Monday & Tuesday- Papi takes care of Misael & takes Ipo to sitter
Wednesday- Mama takes the boys to Grandma's house
Thursday - Mama takes the boys to Shari's house
Friday - Mama is off and takes care of Misael and Ipo goes to the sitter.

Then every other Friday Ipo spends the night with Grandma so Papi can sleep the next day.

I hope everyone is ready for this crazy train this week.

Does he really love me?!

Does he really love me?!! Ipolito that is. Sometimes here lately I have been wondering.  He has not been wanting kisses or snuggle time with me as he always has in the past.  He is normally a very affectionate little boy.  Lately, not so much. He doesn't want me to kiss him. If I do he wipes it off. In fact he will lick his hand and THEN wipe it off. He is always talking about how he doesn't like girls either. It is always him and his Papi he says.

Jose says this is just a phase and that it is probably stemming from jealousy. Jealousy over the baby and all of the time I spend with him, hold him, etc.  Well...I hope that is it and it passes. FAST. I do not like it. I know it shouldn't but it hurts my feelings.  I wonder how can I be a better mom? How can I be nicer?

I know at times I am a little short with him especially when both boys are crying, it's late, time for bed, etc.  But I do love my Ipolito. I love him so much.  I told Jose he needs to teach Ipolito how to treat a lady, especially his mother and he has been trying.  He tells him we don't talk to Mama like that, Mama is our queen, etc.  I just hope this works and it passes. FAST.

My little ninja turtle....with my blue headband on

TWO Months

Misael is two months old today!! I can't believe it. He is truly a joy to have.  We went to the doctor today for his two-month check-up. He got three shots and did not like them one bit. I can't blame him though. The doctor also said more than likely he will have to have his hernia fixed when he is 4 or 5 because of all the extra skin he has around the actual hernia and in her experience these have to be fixed.

Mama & Misael snuggling

A couple of minutes later we were talking about his head and she said it was "significantly worse". Great. I thought so too but I was trying to be optimistic. I have been working so hard with him too. I have been doing exercises and bought him a head positioner. Grr.  I feel so defeated because I have been doing so much and it seems for naught. I got a pamphlet from her for a place that does the evaluations and helmet placements. I guess my little guy will have a helmet for his plagiocephaly. I know in the long run this is for the best. It won't be for long (I hope). I was shown the progression of what we are looking at if he doesn't get a helmet and let me tell you it isn't pretty. I don't want my child with a deformed face. The problem is insurance doesn't cover these and they are expensive ($2000 at least). If he needs multiple then that is more money. I guess this is why we have good jobs.

Of course I worry about what people will say if we don't do the helmet but I also worry about what they will say once we do. I don't want them to think he is "special" in a not so special kind of way. I won't but most people are ignorant and uneducated. Most of our family don't even see the flatness but it is there.  Grrr. I know that in the long run we are doing what is best for Misael. I told Jose that Misael is trying to make sure we have no more children. This child is super expensive.

Mr. Cool

Misaelisms at two months:

• Weight: 10 lbs. 10.7 oz
• Length: 21 inches
• Clothes: 0-3 & 3 months
• Diapers: Size 1
• Sleeping: goes to bed 9-10ish and sleeps 4-5 hours (mainly about 5 hrs) then another 4 hours. We try to keep him awake as much as possible during the day. 
• Smiles-mainly at Papi
• Kicks and plays with his activity mat
• Started sitting in the Bumbo

Two Months

Not feeling the two month pics

Watching big brother take a bath

Playing on his activity mat

I love being a Mama again and I wouldn't trade this for anything.  I know some aspects this time around are easier and some are harder but all in all we will get through it. I love you Misael & Ipolito.