Life with Luna: DocBand Baby

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Over the past few weeks, my husband and I have been deciding how we should tackle Luna’s flat spot. We were referred to Cranial Technologies by our pediatrician, and their report suggested that Lu’s little noggin’ was on the severe end of moderate. Should we get her a helmet or just hope it rounds over time? People out there have a lot of opinions about this topic, and seem to be either vehemently against it or tout it as the best thing they have ever done for their child. Ultimately though, I knew it was our decision to make.

And we went with the helmet.

I couldn’t stomach the idea that if it didn’t round out on its own down the line, that there was something that could have helped her, but I decided to pass on it. I haven’t cried yet, which is nothing short of a miracle. I think I’m the only one with the problem though. Luna has not taken issue with it at all. She sleeps just as well, and although wasn’t as smiley the first couple of days, is now her usual happy self. One thing I have noticed is that she is really struggling with tummy time. The extra weight on her head (how ever light weight the helmet advertises to be) is really doing a number on her, and she is barely lifting her head up – often just laying down in total defeat with or without crying.

I asked multiple times if the helmet would stunt or stand in the way of her development, and I was assured it would not, so I’m hoping she is just adjusting to the new weight on the top of her head and will be raising it up higher and with better control in no time (at the time I wrote this post, we were only on day 3). We are scheduled for a 7 week treatment window, and I cross all my body parts that that was an accurate estimate. Although I’m looking forward to decorating this new accessory (look out for it on social media), I can’t wait for it to be retired. I soothe my mommy emoness by reminding myself that I am doing what’s best for my child, no matter what that may mean. And also by telling myself that if this is the worst I have to battle, then I’m the luckiest mommy on this planet.

 

Have any of your kiddos had to use the DocBand (or a similar cranial helmet)? Any advice to offer this newcomer?

2016

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Remembering where I was just a short year ago, it is hard to believe how far I have come, but I know how I got here. 2014 was hard, emotionally and physically for me {more on that here}, but when 2015 started, I was determined to turn that all around with the power of positive thinking. Sure, you may think that’s cheesy, but I was able to accomplish so much with something as simple as changing my mindset.

I’ve been following the really amazing and positive-thinking blogger, Gala Darling, for years now. She preaches about how you should love yourself and ways to make your life one you are proud of. One thing in particular that resonated with me was setting intentions for the new year (and throughout the year too), writing them down and meditating on them (with or without sage burning, tarot & crystals if that’s not your thing). I did just that one cool morning in January and also paired it with writing a list of toxic people/feelings/situations that I wanted to rid myself of for the upcoming year. I took this list and burned it. I can’t tell you how therapeutic and cathartic it was to watch all those people and things that cause me anxiety and negativity burn up until they were no more (full guide here).

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For the rest of the year, I focused on these goals hard, and made myself and my happiness a priority. I got pregnant & had a beautiful daughter, I was asked to join the Fashionably Nerdy team, I won a Geekie Award, I was asked to write an ongoing column for an online publication, I became a chapter officer for Geek Girl Brunch South Florida. But more importantly, I was happy and I truly believe having that positive mindset helped me achieve all those things (with a bunch of drive and hard work, of course).

So if you feel yourself going down a negative path, or are unhappy with how things unraveled, write down how you would like things to change in the new year and participate in this little ritual. It can be so powerful! I know I can’t wait to go shopping for my supplies for my own (yes, more goals for me – bigger & better!!!!).

I’m aware that this post was a little different from the usual, but I’ve noticed a lot of friends are down in the dumps this holiday season. I thought maybe this simple little activity could spark some positivity, anticipation and love for the year to come!

 

Life with Luna: 8 Weeks

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It’s incredible to me that I have a 2 month old baby! The days just meld into one another when you are at home with a newborn due to lack of sleep and the constant go-go-go, so it’s hard to keep track of time. I had to be reminded that Christmas is only a couple of weeks away. Where did 2015 go?

Anyways, Luna was quite a tough one for a couple of weeks, but has completely mellowed out once she hit the 8 week mark. She is sleeping almost as much as she did when she only a couple of weeks old, and often prefers to take those naps on me rather than in her rock ‘n play. This is totally cool with me – she is completely delicious and I’m slowly learning how to do most tasks with only one hand. She is also starting to respond more to social play – such as smiling and the beginning of giggles when I sing songs to her and giving me really big smiles when she sees me in the morning. It makes interacting with her even more fun.

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We are still homebound for a couple more weeks, and I cannot wait to start taking her out with us. I definitely have cabin fever and want to start adjusting her to our social life: Wynwood Sundays, brunch, and mini-adventures. It will be nice to wake up and be able to ask our usual weekend tag line again: What are we doing today?? Of course, her vaccinations mark the end of my maternity leave, so I am both wishing for time to speed up and slow down simultaneously. I can’t imagine not being with her every day, but thankfully, I still will be three times a week.

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Life with Luna: 6 Weeks

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Oh, this perfect little creature only gets better. Although we are struggling with constipation still and all the joys that come along with it (mainly hysterical screaming for hours), Luna is starting to become more aware of her surroundings. What does that mean? A whole lot of social smiling, silly expressions (I love her one eyebrow raise), and cooing. She’s awake a whole lot more during the day, which means I actually get to play with her instead of just stare at her sleeping. It’s pretty magical.

She still hates tummy time, but is ridiculously good at rolling over – as in, she does it over and over again anytime I put her in the activity gym. She’s now fitting into most 0-3M clothing, but her feet are so big, sometimes they don’t fit into the footsie pajamas (like father, like daughter). She is starting to snuggle after feedings, and whether it is involuntary or not, I love that she strokes my shoulder and back. It’s kind of the sweetest thing ever. 🙂

With the holidays upon us, I am so excited to start new traditions with Luna and incorporate her into old ones. Not being one for the holiday spirit, I’m thinking the tables may turn now that she is in the picture. What are your favorite holiday traditions with your fam?

ps; I realize this isn’t the cutest shot of the little moon, but I absolutely love it because she is making the same exact face I did in one of my own baby pictures! I gotta take what I can get since she looks just like her daddy! 😉