Fixing the Flat - Done

We are finished with the DOC band.  Yeah.  In truth it was not that painful of an experience but we did get lucky catching Callen's plagiocephaly at such an young age (he was just 3.5 months when he got the band).  Callen only had to wear the band for 5.5 weeks and now that we are a month post band, it all seams a distant memory.

Callen officially finished his band on March 31st while we were on vacation.  While the plan was to have a very eventful day at Disney and then retire the helmet this was not the case (we got rained out at Disney) but none the less I did take a few picture of his last day in the band.

 Last Offical Day in the Band - New design too

My Climber

All Done

I must admit I was a bit disappointed that I did not get to take him out in his newly painted band (we switched up designs as I had one more design planned - I did  not think he'd be out of the band so fast) but we did put the band back on him for one last photo op when we got home (I had to take him climbing in his climbing themed band)

 Hitting the Rocks

 Getting Ready for the Big Climb

 Look at that Focus

 Pure Natural

 That's a long way up

Here let me give you a hand

 Tavish's turn to climb - notice his helmet too

Before and After Image

Here is a before and after image for those who are interested

4 Months Old and Fixing the Flat

Fixing the Flat - 3 weeks in the band and 3 weeks to go.  7mm growth and looking good.

 4 months 14lbs 3oz and 25.75 inches (aprox we find out the official values on the 22nd)

My boys

In 4 Months Callen has been to:
Virginia
Maryland
District of Columbia
Delaware
Pennsylvania
New Jersey

Fixing the Flat - 2 weeks

Callen has been in his band for 2 weeks now and things have been going really well.  His head grew 5mm in the first week and 0mm this week.  I'm not to worried about the lack of growth this week because of his massive growth the first week.  His head is starting to look much better and it looks like he'll be out of his band in 4 more weeks (6 weeks in the band).  Here are the latest pictures of my little man in his band and one of him out of it.

My Happy Camper

My little man without his band

Chilling outside

We're Roughin' it

Mr. Drool

Ummm

I love this shirt, I don't think I'm overprotective

 but I did get asked if he was in the helmet to protect his head while in the Ergo

Philly Here We Come

My husband and I decided that we needed to get away for a few days and I've been telling him that I would really like to go to Philadelphia. Philadelphia has some great museums there I'd love to see, so off to Philly we went. Philly is a 3 hour drive from where we live and this would be our first road trip with Callen.  Callen is pretty good in the car most of the time and when he does get upset it's nothing that a soother and my terrible singing can't fix (I don't know why my terrible singing calms my boys down in the car when they are mad but it really does work).  However, 3 hours in a car is a long time and Callen was only 3 days into his new head gear so I was a bit worried.  Tavish on the other hand is no rookie at road trips and while we had not been on one for awhile I know he travels well.

As our travel plans evolved we decided to do a Saturday-Monday road trip instead of our traditional Friday-Sunday plans.  This worked out great for us because Tavish was sick on Friday and this also meant we could leave early Saturday morning and not have to worry about any rush hour traffic.  We left around six and with only one stop for breakfast and pee break we arrived at our destination at 9:30.  Here are a few of my tips for an easy road trip without a DVD player (I'm not against these but I only plan on using ours for an extreme emergency)

Toddler and Older

•  snacks - pack all of your kids favorite snacks and keep them close by.  You don't want your snacks packed in a hard to reach spot.  Also you want easy to clean snacks, I'm a fan of raisins, fruit leather, granola bars, and animal crackers.  I try not to get anything messy or sticky.
• toys and books - pack lots of different toys and books and have them either accessible to you or your child.  Again you don't want to be digging around for new toys when they get bored of what they have. 
• have a special road trip toy or game - something that you only use when on long road trip.  We have a tag/tag jr. (review to come later) which Tavish can use when he's in the car for more than an hour.  This way it's a special treat and won't get bored of it after 5 minutes
• bring great music - have a variety of music that  you and your kids both like.  To me there is nothing worse than having to listen to the same terrible CD over and over again
• books on tape or pod casts - these are great for older children and even adults.  Listening to a good story/book can make a trip go by much faster.  My husband and I are huge fans of the Vinyl Cafe pod cast and it's kid friendly too
• tell stories - my 3 year old love stories and he love ones that I tell.  I tell my own version of choose your own story and he love it.  I really need to record one as they get pretty silly.

Babies - Traveling with your baby can be really easy or really tricky depending on the age of your baby and their temperament.  I have a very easy baby when it comes to traveling so my tips may or may not work for you 

• start off happy - make sure all the immediate needs are met: food, clean diaper, comfortable.  I try to make sure that I top up any feeding and have a fresh diaper before I start, this way I know if my baby is crying it's not because he needs a basic need met.
• entertainment - babies usually like something to look at besides the back of the car seat.  Mirrors work great as it allows you to look at your baby and they can also be entertained by themselves.  I also put in a few soft toys to keep him entertained
• be prepared - be prepared for anything and have extra's of everything.  Make sure you have a second or third soother on hand and with easy access if you need one.  Bring extra clothes, diapers, and wipes just in case you need a change of clothes.  
• plastic bags - bring some, you never know if you'll have a blow out that requires a clean up
• stop when you need to - you'll need to stop more often with a baby then you would on your own so plan for these stops
• sing - when you can't stop and your baby is cranky just sing.  I don't think it matters how terrible or good your voice is, the sound of your voice can be soothing or at least it makes you feel like your doing something until you can pull over.

Keeping these things in mind we had an easy trip to Philly and we were ready to being sight seeing.  First stop was the Please Touch Museum...

Fixing the Flat - First Day

Callen got his band today.  I must say so far so good but we'll see how tonight goes.  He sure is cute though.

 All Smiles

Fixing the Flat - Last Day of Helmetless Fluffy Hair and Our Activities

Tomorrow Callen will enter into Cranial Technologies with a head full of fluff (I'm not sure I'd call it hair) and will exit with a helmet full of fluff.  He'll have an adjustment period but will have to wear it for 23 hours a day for about 6-8 weeks.  Here are the few pictures of his fluffy head before he gets banded:

100 Days Old - good thing I won't have to hide his eye lashes

 See not much hair, just fluff

 My cutie

 And because this is a trip and travel blog here are some pictures of our activities over the last few days:

 Friday was such a nice day - Tavish had a great time playing in his shorts

Today: no shorts but fun sledding

 Callen not too sure about this sledding thing

 This is how Callen fell asleep with his arms up

 3...2...1... Blast-Off

Mission Control

 Now time for a snack (frozen breastmilk in a bag) Yum.

With a combination of bad weather and the fact I'm still not feeling great, we spent the last few days at home but we did have fun.

Fixing the Flat

Well as some of you might know Callen has plagiocephaly or a flat head.  Today we went in to get a 3D image of his head so that they can make his band aka helmet.  The photo process was pretty painless and they did get a good photo.  I am thankful he did not have to get a cast made as that looks much more uncomfortable.  It was really interesting seeing the 3D afterward and where his flat spots are.  Callen's plagiocephaly was mainly formed while in utero which which makes me feel better.  I really did try to prevent it by switching the side of the crib he sleeps on, giving him lots of tummy time, and using the carrier a lot.  While I think had I gone to the chriopractor right off the bat it would not have been so bad but hind sight is alway 20/20.  Regardless he has to get a band and I'm going to make the most of it.  I must say I'm looking forward to decorating it.

Callen getting the 3D image taken (minus the nylon they had to put on his head)