MLK Day

 Martin Luther King Day used to always remind me of my mom's birthday, but now it also reminds me of the day that Grant got his helmet.  As a baby, Grant was unable to turn his head to the left, which resulted in him always sleeping in the same position.  Since babies are supposed to sleep on their backs, and we followed those guidelines, a flat spot developed on his head.  After physical therapy and chiropractics his neck muscles strengthened and he was able to turn his head fully to both sides, but the damage had already been done. Like most things, it takes a lot longer to fix them then it does to mess them up!  For two months we did everything possible to keep Grant off his head, in hopes of it rounding out by itself.  He didn't love tummy time and wasn't sitting up on his own, so this resulted in mommy holding him...a lot!  I can thank Grant for my strong arms!  In the end it was decided that he would be an excellent candidate for helmet therapy. 

6 months old

 Grant has always had hair!  I was worried that once he started wearing the helmet that might change, so I refused to cut his hair until the helmet came off!  At the time I thought this wild, carefree hairdo was adorable.  Looking back, maybe we should have given him a trim!  And in case you are wondering, that is Grant's hair completely au natural! 

 Brandon always has MLK day off, and that happened to be the day of the appointment.  I really dreaded the whole thing.  Most of all I didn't want people staring at my baby.  I didn't want them wondering what was wrong with him.  I was very lucky to have a good friend who's older son had gone through this and were going through it again with their little boy who is Grant's age.  It gave me someone to complain to and who completely understood where I was coming from.  We shared some good laughs about "helmet stories" and the smell.  You have never seen a boy's head sweat so much!  He wore it 23 hours a day for just over four months and got it off just before my birthday/Easter.  It never really bothered him and we achieved over 95% symmetry, so it worked! To be honest, I got more smiles than I ever did funny looks and only had a few odd conversations.  One person thought he was wearing it because he was having seizures and another thought he some fatal childhood illness.  When you looked at it that way it was easy to laugh it off and just say, "he just has a flat spot!"  and be relieved that other than this minor thing your baby was going to be just fine. 

He wore his helmet while we were on a cruise with my parent's.  We probably got most the questions in that week!

We actually got a little used to the helmet protecting his head and when it came off we had to be careful that he wouldn't tip over and hit his head on something!  Sometimes if the kids roughhousing too much I tell Elizabeth, "remember when your brother wore a helmet? We have to protect his head! Be careful!"

It all seems like a long time ago now, but a chapter we will not forget!  

This year daddy thought we should all go to Chuck E Cheeses'.  Secretly, I think Brandon likes to play the games himself!  The kids had a great time and ChuckE took this wonderful sketch picture of us!  Thankfully, the KenChuckEDerby ride was working this time, because this horse ride is Elizabeth's favorite!  Grant seemed to be content walking around and pushing buttons!  Our family can still be entertained for an hour with just a handful of tokens! How much longer do you think that will last?!