One more month and then we will start saying years instead of months.  It has gone by so fast. Porter is now walking.  This actually started right before the Fourth of July so a little before he was eleven months.  I am done pumping completely. I thought I would never say this but I kind of miss it. It definitely allowed me to eat whatever I wanted.

We took our first family trip to Silver Dollar City
in Branson, MO. Even though I have been there many times it is totally different to travel with a family, let alone a baby. Here are a few tips I will keep in mind for future trips:

A Cranial Remolding Orthosis is a helmet that babies can wear to help correct an asymmetrical head shape.  Porter has a flat spot or "asymmetry" on the back part of his head and to try to make it as symmetrical as possible he will be wearing this helmet for two-three months.

We started to notice the flatness on one side of his head at about three months old.  This could have been caused by sleeping on his back.  Helmets have become more common now that babies spend most of the time on their backs.  There are many factors that could have played a part in causing this, but what we believed caused it is something to consider since I think it could happen to anyone.  Every night we would complete our nightly routine: Drew would read from our baby Bible and I would breast feed on the left side and then the right.  I would carry Porter into his crib and lay him down the exact same way every time.  (Porter slept in his crib at three weeks and slept through the night at about nine weeks, so we did not want to change this routine since it worked!)  Laying him down with his head facing the same way every night caused one side of his neck to have more range of flexibility than the other.  This is known as torticollis in the medical world. So not only was Porter favoring one side at night in his crib but he was also doing this in his car seat, swing, high chair, etc... This lead to a flatness on one side.

Our pediatrician was not worried at all.  She suggested some positioning to try in the crib using a wedge to allow Porter to lean to the other side.  Drew is a newly certified orthotist and actually works in the office that fits children for helmets.  We decided to take him to the lady in his office who specializes in this area and get her opinion.  They measure the distance diagonally across the head on both sides, and compare the difference between the two. This measurement is called the cranial vault asymmetry. Porters asymmetry was 9mm of difference from one side to the other.
 This is what it looks like while scanning the head with the "wand."  It's actually kind of cool.  They scan to get the exact shape and measurements of the head to make a helmet that would perfectly fit the head.  (Drew says this is how they make masks for movies and such.)   After scanning, this brought up the conversation that his head is still not symmetrical.  As parents who want to do what is best for their child we discussed again doing the helmet for Porter.  Our deciding factors were it could only benefit Porter in the long run, and since Drew works for the company it would be at no cost to us.  We felt this was an opportunity we would regret not taking.  Not to mention the timing is good since I am home for the summer and we will not have to put this off on our baby sitter.

We  have been given this opportunity to make Porter's head more symmetrical.  I know Porter will struggle a little with the change and extra head gear that has to be worn at least 23 hours a day.  Please keep Porter in your prayers and I hope this can help other parents prevent this from happening to their baby.  Look for more post to come or follow my blog.

Only two more months and our little boy will be one! How crazy fast this year has gone by.  Summer has started and I am getting to be home with my little one.  It has been a bit rainy but we have made the most of our time.  So far we have been to the pool, worlds of fun, Royals game, shopping, to see baby Addalynn, swinging at the park, to the library, Hillbilly party, to see daddy at work, crown center  and much more. We are participating in the summer reading program for the Mid continent Public Library. For every 24 books Porter reads he gets a free book.  So far I have recorded on the log that we have read 12....getting there.  Porters having some separation anxiety but mainly around people who are completely unfamiliar.  Starting to play in his crib when he wakes up in the morning and before he falls asleep for his nap.  Patty cake and Itsy Bitsy Spider are our favorites to do right now thanks to Scout the dog.

1. Car seat: the hospital must inspect your car seat before you leave so this is a must.  We prefer Britax brand due to the reputation it has in the accident trials.  My husband says it is worth the extra because if anything ever happened to Porter because we were cheap he doesn't know how he could live with himself...it's just money right!? http://www.britaxusa.com/
2. Crib: you are going to need somewhere for the baby to sleep.  We used a bassinet the first three weeks but probably would've been fine with out it.  Mattresses are usually sold separate.  Don't forget sheets and a water proof mattress pad.
3. (Nursing items if you plan on breastfeeding)
A.nipple shield: porter had a high palette so we had to use a nipple shield.  Most people ween their babies off of it, but I still use it 4 months later.  It has kept me from having really any issues with breastfeeding at all.  My nipples have not bleed, calloused, cracked, etc... And I is all thanks to my shield.  The hospital gave me one and I went and bought 3 more when I got home.
B. Soothies gel pads: we used the Lansolin brand but they have many kinds.  I did not use the cream except at first to take hot showers.  The nurse in the hospital said to rub the milk on it and that actually worked to strengthen them.

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C. Burp cloths: if I could I would invent a burp cloth that tucks into your bra under the breast your baby is feeding on.  This would save me having to change my bra or top after every feeding.
D. Nursing tank for the early days with the feedings so close together.
E. The Boppy Pillow: this was preference for me especially in the beginning when I was still weak from giving birth I really needed the support while feeding for 30 minutes or more.
F. Pump: if you are going back to work this is a must! I went back at 7 weeks and there would have been no way to keep up with out the Freestyle Medela pump.

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4. Changing items
A. Diapers diapers diapers....not going to tell where we buy ours only because I don't want my secret place to go up in price or run out ;) but we are able to buy a box of 250 diapers pampers swaddlers for $29.99!
B. wipes I just pick up whatever is on sale or look for coupons
C. Changing station to keep all of your items in.  This really came in handy with frequent changes in the beginning.
D. Diaper cream or vasoline especially for boys circumcision.
E. Diaper champ used to dispose diapers. You can use your own bags and don't need the expensive ones.
5. Monitor we love our video monitor the summer infant touch screen. Although it did stop working randomly about 4 months after porter was born. We just took back to Target and they exchanged for a new one. (If our rooms were closer to his we could probably do without the video but we are thankful to have)

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6. Bottle/nipples/bottle drying rack: although we breastfed we did use bottles when I went back to work. We used Dr.Brown bottles and loved these. The only time Porter ever spit up was when he was sick. Although we never tried any other brand and he was strictly on breastmilk which I have heard that helps. The drying rack was a life saver since washing and drying bottles pretty much becomes a part time job...especially when you go strictly to bottles.