Our mini football player...

Oscar's helmet stickers FINALLY arrived in the mail, and after trips to about seven different stores looking for Denver Bronco decals, we finally have our finished product!  (BTW, why is is so flippin' hard to find NFL paraphernalia in off-season?  You'd think, especially in the home town of an NFL team, we would be able to find stickers year-round.  But, I digress...)

Right side

Front view; look at that cutie patootie!

Left side, with the elusive Bronco logo

Rear view :)

We've had a few nice people out in public inquire about Oscar's helmet, and thankfully I have had the grace and courage to explain Oscar's flat head without an issue.  Praise God, so far we haven't had any weird looks or rude comments! 

Oscar is completely adapted to the helmet now, although he still complains a little when I put it on.  During his one hour helmet-free time in the evening, he becomes overly happy and silly, and thoroughly enjoys his nightly hair-washing.  He screeches and giggles and wiggles throughout his head scrubbing; I'm sure it feels amazing to have your noggin scratched after sweating in a helmet all day.  :)  And speaking of sweat...MAN, that helmet smells like dirty gym shorts!  Ha ha!  Bill claims that his football pads never smelled that bad, but I'm not so sure I believe him.  As a former high school football team manager myself, I can attest to the rankness of a locker room after the game.  Phew!

I love this last picture so much...something about it just makes me smile.  Maybe you will too.

Oscar's Helmet - Day One

Yesterday was the big day - the day that Oscar was fitted with his shiny new helmet!  We went to the Orthotist's office where they put the helmet on for the first time, then made adjustments to the helmet by shaving off little bits of foam here and there.

What the heck is going on here, mom?

Our orthotist, Mark, removed some material from the front over Oscar's eyes, a little bit in front of his left ear, and some space around the lump on the left side of his head (where the calcified hematoma is) so that these areas don't rub too much.

 

Oscar thinks Mark is silly.

Okay, now I'm over this.  This game isn't fun anymore!

Once the helmet was fitted properly, I had to practice putting on and removing the helmet.  Oscar was not too happy about this process, since mommy isn't very good at it yet.  His little ear gets folded over when sliding the helmet on, but if I don't put the helmet all the way on at once (fixing his ear later), then it is uncomfortable and pinchy.  So, I have to just slide the helmet all the way on quickly, then readjust his ears and the fit as fast as I can.  You can imagine how difficult this can be with a wiggly and crabby 6-month-old who doesn't want to wear the helmet!  The more we practice, though, the better we get at it.

For the first five days, we are on a schedule of ever-increasing helmet wearing time.  On Day One, Oscar only had to wear the helmet for one hour, then he got a one hour break and he didn't have to wear it while sleeping.  By day five, he will be wearing his helmet for 23 hours a day, including sleeping time.

As Day One progressed, he seemed to be adjusting to the helmet with minimal fussing.  Occasionally he wanted to try to push off the helmet, but of course it wouldn't come off.  At those times when he started to get crabby about the helmet, we played distracting games and he usually forgot about it.  His head is pretty sweaty when we remove the helmet, but I am told his body will adjust to this over the next 2-3 weeks.  

Getting used to my new helmet during tummy time

Look at that smile!

So far, Oscar seems to be doing pretty well with this new appendage! I'm waiting on my stickers to arrive in the mail, and then we'll have a snazzy decorated helmet.  By the way, did you spot those two little teeth Oscar is showing off?  :)

Transparency and Plagiocephaly...Two big, heavy words.

I have something to share that is difficult for me, but I think it is time to face my own discomfort and be transparent with those who care about us.  It is time to be vulnerable and courageous in order that others can feel supported and comfortable sharing their own struggles with me, no matter what they might be.  So here goes...

I've been keeping something from most of you.  Because of my own discomfort, fear, and self-esteem I have avoided sharing the fact that our son has Plagiocephaly.  Plagiocephaly is just a fancy word that means he has a flat spot on the back of his head.  You may know already that when Oscar was born he had a difficult time and got stuck for a bit.  Because of this, he developed a lump on the top left side of his head, and a tightness in the muscles on one side of his neck (which is called Torticollis).  It caused him to keep his head turned to the left all the time.  Because babies lay on their backs for many months, Oscar eventually developed a flat area on the left back side of his head that is fairly severe.

If you haven't seen him in person, you never would know that he has this condition.  I have done a fabulous job of keeping it from you buy only showing pictures of him from his "good side".  :)  How silly of me.  And how vain. 

When I was a little girl, I was picked on for having a more oval-shaped head than my peers.  I was called names and teased.  My mom (bless her heart) would comfort me by saying that my head was shaped differently so it could hold my huge brain, and that I was the smartest kid in the world.  It worked, for the most part.  But I have realized that the wounds of childhood go deep, and they tend to resurface when you have your own little one who you think is perfect in every way. 

For the past three months, we have worked with a Physical Therapist to correct Oscar's torticollis, all the while watching his head shape to see if it would "round out" on its own.  Instead of getting better, it has gotten worse, and eventually Bill and I had to make a decision on how to proceed with treatment for the plagiocephaly.  The treatment of choice is called a cranial helmet. 

This is not Oscar :)

I knew this was a possibility, but I guess I hoped it wouldn't be necessary.  It hurt me to think about the funny looks that people would shoot in my cute little baby's direction, or the ignorant comments people might make about him.  He is the cutest, sweetest little boy in the whole world, and I couldn't bear the thought of going through that with him. 

The reality is, he isn't going to know or care about what other people think!  He is just going to smile that heart-melting toothless smile of his at everyone he meets.  It's mommy that has the heart issue here.  We have chosen to proceed with the helmet, so that our son will not have to face being teased for his head shape like I was.  We know there will be other reasons for him to deal with peer-pressure and meanness, but we will deal with that when the time comes.  This was something we could control. 

I am struggling with the fear of "what people will think", and the momma bear in me rears up and roars any time I think about someone making fun of my baby.  But I am working through my fears with the Lord.  And I hope that by sharing my fears and Oscar's story, others will feel supported and encouraged.

SO, we begin Oscar's journey to a more round melon.  We've already heard (and said) our own jokes about him becoming a football player...now he'll have a helmet to complete the package.  :)

Today Oscar got his head scanned and molded so his helmet can be fabricated.  We will receive his helmet in two weeks.  My plan is to provide regular updates and pictures on his progress, and hopefully keep a light-hearted feel to this journey (for my sake).

Look at this cutie!

Thank you all for listening, for supporting, for understanding.  One day we will look back on this and smile!

Wow.  Two months have gone by so fast.  It's amazing to see just how much our little man has changed since his birth day.  Already he is smiling, cooing, becoming absorbed in colorful toys, turning his head toward familiar voices, and trying to lift his head.  He eats like a champ and is growing in proportion to the amount he eats (in other words, lots!).  He is a charmer, immediately stealing the attention of everyone he meets with his bright eyes, attentive stare, huge toothless grin, and sweet efforts at conversation.  He certainly has stolen our hearts.

We spent the last month adjusting to what daily life looks like now that we have Oscar in our lives.  Bill has been hard at work, pounding the pavement and pushing lots of paper to continue to grow his business.  It's most challenging for him to leave the house in the morning, since that is the time of day when Oscar is most alert and interactive!  He loves to hear daddy's voice and play their special games.  My days are filled with caring for Oscar, perfecting my baby talk, washing endless amounts of laundry, catching up with friends I never got to see when I was working all the time, and trying to fit in the housework and errands between naps and feedings.  I am truly loving having the ability to stay home with my son and feel so blessed.  This mom thing is great!  There are tough moments, for sure, and I know it is the hardest job in the world to be a good parent, but no one was lying when they said it was all worth it.  I'm only two months into it, and I can already see that.

A few nights ago we decided to move Oscar from his cradle beside our bed to his crib in the nursery.  He adapted quickly (faster than I thought he would), and more easily than mom!  I didn't realize how accustomed I had become to his little noises in the night, nor how much I would miss them once they weren't there anymore.  I find myself waking several times in the night, listening as hard as I can for the sounds of his breathing coming through the baby monitor.  But, I love the moment in the morning when I go into his room, peep over the side of his crib to sweetly wish him a good morning, and he greets me with the biggest smile you've ever seen.  We're still working on getting a good long stretch of sleep at night, but it's getting better.

Lest this blog becomes an all-about-Oscar journal, I wanted to share a life-changing housekeeping tip that I discovered this month.  No kidding, it has changed my life.  :) 

I promise, this is not MY microwave, but only an example.

I hate cleaning my microwave.  It takes forever to scrub all the cemented little bits of food splatter from off the walls and door.  The convenience of the microwave itself is under scrutiny simply because of the amount of time and effort it takes to keep it clean.  Until now...

I was informed that if you mix equal parts vinegar and warm water in a bowl and put it in the microwave for 1 minute - wonder of wonders! - the cemented food WIPES RIGHT OFF.  I am not even kidding you.  I was skeptical myself, but I tried it.  Heck, I would try anything to make this part of my housekeeping job easier.  It totally works.  Maybe I'm completely behind the times with this one and everyone already knew this, but it is the most awesome cleaning trick that I have learned to date.  Try it and be impressed.

I am also cooking a lot more these days (which is becoming a fun hobby for me) - fresh bread, new meals, baked goods...  all kinds of stuff.  Some have been duds, but I've achieved a few culinary stars as well.  Maybe I'll even share a recipe or two with you in the future.  :)

Love and hugs to all, and go clean your microwave.  Sheesh.

A look back at 2012

It's hard to remember anything about this past year now that we have the most wonderful little person in our lives.  My days are filled with snuggling, nursing, dirty diapers, tummy time, naps, and very little housework; it's easy to forget what life was like B.B. (Before Baby)!  Oscar is the joy in our lives now, our little blessing and gift from God, and everything else seems unimportant.  Call this our "honeymoon" phase if you like, but we're enjoying every minute. 

Besides Oscar's arrival, here are the bullet point highlights of our year:

• In January, while we (ironically) had beers at the Oskar Blues Brewery, Bill and I officially decided to expand our family.  We found out we were pregnant in March.
• In February, I spent a week in Georgia visiting with two of my greatest friends, Jess and Helen.  I had the pleasure of finally meeting Helen's twin babies, who we had been praying for for 8+ years.  What a wonderful trip! 

 

•  In June, Bill and I went on an Alaskan cruise vacation to celebrate our "babymoon".  It had long been a dream of mine to see Humpback Whales in their natural environment, and we were not disappointed.  Alaska is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. 

• Also in June, my premonitions regarding the gender of our baby were confirmed when the doctor told us we were having a boy.  We immediately went out and purchased the cutest little boy onesies in preparation for Oscar's arrival!
• In October, we were blessed immensely by our friends and family at our baby shower.  In typical DeWandeler fashion, there was beer, disc golf, and a meatball cook-off competition.  No girly baby showers for this momma!  
• November saw the beginning of my maternity leave and a very long, uncomfortable wait for Oscar to join us.  He finally arrived, 9 days late, on December 1st.  The funny thing is, sometime in the middle of my pregnancy I had a passing thought that 12/1/12 would be a cool birth date for my boy.  I was kicking myself for that thought when it turned out to be reality!
• December has flown by; the holidays this year have been mellow and a second thought for us, but there is a very special feeling to the end of this year since Oscar is now a part of our lives.

Wow, what a year.  I can't even begin to imagine what adventures and blessings 2013 has in store for us, but I am so overwhelmingly happy to be able to share it with my husband and my son.  Here's to the New Year!

Hello 2012!

I declare that 2012 will be the year of blessings, of success, and of enjoying life!  I hope you will join me in this statement of faith as we tackle a new year together! 

Bean's favorite Christmas present

Bill and I had a lovely, quiet Christmas in Colorado.  This year we actually had several inches of snow on the ground at our house, and I was looking forward to making my annual snowman once we got to Uncle Dave and Aunt Ally's house for the Christmas Day gorge-fest.  Unfortunately for me, the little prairie town where they live had NO SNOW on the ground... what!  So disappointing... but we managed to have fun anyway by exchanging gifts, playing games, and stuffing ourselves with tons of yummy food.

Uncle Dave trying really hard not to knock over the Jenga tower, while Aunt Ally holds her breath.

Dora and Riley in time-out on Christmas Day

We celebrated the coming of the New Year in our pajamas with our friends, then a couple days later stole a three-day weekend for ourselves up in Estes Park.  If we didn't know any better, we would have thought it was spring time in Colorado - the temperatures were in the 50's and it was gorgeous!  We really love our little getaways; we completely unplug (no cell phones or internet), bring a good book or crafty project, and just relax with each other.  I highly recommend it for any married couple!

Rocky Mountain National Park vistas

We are excited about what God will do in us this year as we trust him to continue to grow Bill's business and my knowledge and skills as a Veterinarian.  Last year was hard for so many people in our country, and we are grateful that the Lord sustained us through it all.  More than any other year that I can remember, I feel excited about what is in store for us!   

Methinks it may be nigh time for a blog update....

I vow to try my hardest to write a monthly blog update, starting now.

Early New Year's resolution?  Hmmm... 

 ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The skyline of Florence, including the third largest cathedral in the world

Looking up the Arno River

Standing on Ponte Vecchio, the oldest remaining bridge in Florence

A view of the Tuscan countryside

Our first "real" pizza; nothing else will ever live up to this.

Romantic dinner at the Tuscan castle and vineyard

The Colosseum in Rome

Inside the Colosseum

Monument to all the Christian martyrs who fell inside the Colosseum

The Roman Forum, where Julius Caesar and Paul walked.

Ruins of the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum

The Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon

Having lunch outside Vatican City

The expansive dome of St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the world

And there are more here, with captions, if you are the "slide-show" type.  

We had an amazing, culture-filled, gluttonous, romantic, rejuvenating vacation in Italy - and we feel so blessed to have been able to take this trip.  This kind of thing never would have been possible for us if it weren't for Bill and his relentless hard work for an amazing company.

I bagged my first Fourteeners this summer!  The hike up Gray's and Torrey's Peaks was slippery, but fun!  And the company on the way to the top was excellent.  :)

Jen, me, Chris, and Adam at the summit of Torrey's Peak

Oh, Oktoberfest.  How we love thee, and your beer, and your brats, and your.... silly hats?

Uncle Dave, me, Bill, and beer

Bill enjoying his bratwurst

Chris is forced to wear a silly German hat, and looks thrilled about it.

We actually made it up to the mountains during the height of the Aspen color-changing season this year, and it was definitely worth the drive.  The Aspen is quickly becoming one of my favorite trees!

Bill's sister Angie visited us just before Thanksgiving.  Her short trip here included Rocky Mountain National Park, Ikea, The Wine and Cheese, a really crappy pizza, and a night on the town at Sing Sing in Denver (a dueling piano bar).  We love it when we have visitors!

Angie at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park

Angie and I at Sing Sing

Of course, no blog of ours would be complete without some furry kid pictures, right?  They are up to their usual shenanigans.  

A family picture is a rare occurrence!

Sleepy Goose

Sleepy Bean

Goose in a basket

Bean tormenting Goose in a basket

My mom came to visit last weekend!  Even though we won't have any visitors at Christmas this year, it was so nice to see my mom right before the holiday.  We have started acclimating her to the Colorado weather by forcing her to walk around outside, at night, in 25 degree weather, just to see pretty twinkle lights.  :)

Mom and our Christmas tree

Mom and I at the Blossoms of Light display at Denver Botanical Gardens

Pretty twinkle lights

And now we are in the thick of it - the Christmas season, that is.  Baking, shopping, wrapping, shipping, decorations, parties, gift-giving and receiving, counting blessings, treasuring family and friends.  We wish you the most heartfelt Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!