Just have to say...

Another bonus to Isabela having a Doc Band, is that she is permanently baby proofed! Now that she's crawling, pulling herself up, rolling, sitting (fun but potentially hurtful milestones), I'm not as worried that she's going to crack her head open! Of course I watch her like a hawk, but she has some good protection! She was crawling under our coffee table the other day and bonked her head...didn't even flinch! She hit herself in the head with a big plastic toy, didn't even notice!

I'm concerned that once her helmet comes off she's going to think she is invincible! That's going to be tough, I'm sure we'll be seeing some bumps until she learns otherwise!!

 

Another great visit!

I know I sound like a broken record saying over and over again how great Isabela's doing...but I can't help it! We had our appointment today and Therese, our orthotist, said she's making great progress. Her head has gotten rounder and the bottom has filled out more too (it's not just a straight, flat drop). The circumference of her head increased by about a cm, which is good because that means it's gotten fuller/rounder. She's very pleased with how she's looking! :)

I forgot to take a picture of her head mold or headsicle as I heard another mom call it! It's the mold they make of her head, that they used to design her helmet. That's how they measure her progress. It's hilarious, I have to remember to take a picture at our next visit!

In other news: now that she's crawling and sitting up like a pro, she decided to tackle a new skill...pulling herself up and standing, oy!!! It's adorable. She's done it on her Bumbo, a few toys and the couch once! We're in for it...I feel like it won't be long before she's pulling herself up on everything!

3 Weeks and Looking Fab!!

So today is 3 weeks in the Doc Band and let me tell you...the results are amazing! We go tomorrow for her checkup and I cannot wait to hear what they have to say!!!

 

Not quite as wide from the back

 

 

Her forehead isn't as narrow anymore

 

 

 

Look how beautiful and round the profile views are!!

 

My only concern right now is above her right ear. With Brachycephaly (flatness of the head), the babies head is wider starting above the ears to the top of the head. Her band is correcting that but she has a noticeable bump above her right ear. I know this is just part of the adjustment and movement, but I have to ask about that tomorrow.

 

Whatever the treatment period is, it is. If she has to wear it for 6 months we're fine with that. But...since she's looking so good already, I'm still hopeful it will be shorter. She looks so stinkin' cute in her band and doesn't mind it at all, but when it's off for bath time and I see her perfect head uncovered, I miss it. I can't wait to put her headbands on again :)

2 Weeks Down!!

It's been 2 weeks and we are so amazed at how Isabela's head is changing!

The difference is so obvious, we can't wait until our appointment next week to see what the orthotist says!

She's still doing great with the band. In fact, when it's off for her hour break each day, she seems to miss it! When we put it back on, she gets the biggest smile on her face :)

First checkup...success!

We had Bela's first checkup with Cranial Tech yesterday. The orthotist said she could see some progress in her forehead and the back had rounded a little! I was so happy to hear this! I thought I saw some changes, but it's nice to hear it from her as well!

They shaved some of the foam in the back of her band to give her head more room to grow. Every time they see her head getting rounder they will shave more foam to continue shaping her head. Once they shave out all of the foam...we're done! :)

We go back in two weeks for another visit. Hopefully they'll continue seeing great progress. We're so proud of our little girl :)

Here are some pictures of her head after 1 week in the Doc Band...

The sides of her head are not quite as wide as before. This has allowed her forehead to get a little wider, it was narrow before.

See how it's round?! Well we can...it's amazing after only one week!

Looks flatter from this side. We still have a lot of work to go until her melon's fully ripe ;)



We have a crawler!

Our little munchkin started crawling!! She isn't going very far but she's got the motion down! She tries and if she falls, she gets up again and starts over! I can't believe it :)



Her Doc Band definitely isn't holding her back!

We're already noticing some progress, and it's only been 6 days! If we stopped using the band now her head would go back to it's flatter shape.  But, I'm very happy to see that progress has begun. I was hoping this would be a 6 week journey, but seeing how she's adjusted and how freaking adorable she looks, I'd be fine if it winds up being 3-4 months.

We've gone out a number of times and haven't had any stupid comments or whispers.  One little boy asked "why is that baby wearing a helmet?" So my mom and I explained why and he was very happy with our answer.  A few people have given a quick glance, but then said how cute she is and they love the flower on the front. There was one woman who walked by and stared at Bel.  She was trying to be sly about it, but didn't think about the fact that I was standing right there, and could see her (and was watching her) stare as she walked by.  She was the only person whose look was a little discomforting.  But if she's ignorant, and didn't want to ask why she was wearing it, that's her problem. I don't have time for people like her when I have this amazing little girl to take care of!

Two of her stickers have started to peel on the back! BUMMER!! I am going to replace them with a few more rhinestones, I think it will look just as cute.  I'm sure we'll have to take everything off in a few weeks, thinking of new ideas. I really like what she has now though, we might just have to do it all over again :)

All Blinged Out!

I had a good time decorating Isabela's band! I was a little nervous at first that I was going to screw it up, but I let my creative side take over, and I think it looks pretty good...

Rhinestones around the band. Gives some sparkle and pizzazz, without adding too much.

Pretty as a princess is correct! A little rose for her middle name, Rose.

Notice the color of the flower changes in the next pictures...velcro baby! I put a piece of velcro on the band and on her flowers so they can be switched out depending on what she's wearing!! :)

A coat of ModgePodge to seal everything and it was done. I'm sure these will only last a few weeks, so I'm already thinking of what to do next!