A Few GREAT Days

I am ecstatic right now! Theo has made some big leaps over these last few days!

He rolled from his back to tummy and then from tummy to back; ate sweet potatoes and chocolate; is talking A LOT more; sat on my lap and held is head up (all by himself) for TWO minutes, AND he giggled!

My heart could explode!

[We got this super cool chair from his Physical Therapist. He loves it!]

Theo has been able to roll onto his side for some time now but anytime he starts to roll over he corrects himself. He really hates to be on his tummy. On Sunday, April 22nd, Theo rolled from his back to tummy and then immediately from his tummy to his back. I wasn't able to catch it on video but here are a few videos of him trying:

We've tried every type of baby food and Theo is just not that interested. Our only success has been apples baby food. And I consider it a success because I shove the apples in his mouth and he doesn't spit them out. Yesterday, April 26th, he tried Puffs for the first time and was not a fan. Later that night we tried sweet potatoes again and he ate half the container! I was even more excited because he was actually opening his mouth and eating off the spoon (instead of having the food shoved in his mouth). I am especially excited about this because the Early Interventions Developmental Therapist mentioned having a specialist in eating come and look at him. But now that he is eating correctly, we may not have to go through that additional therapy.

[Chocolate soul patch]

I've been waiting almost nine months to hear my son giggle and he did it the first time on Tuesday, April 24th. It's hard to capture it on video, but if you listen closely you can hear him giggle at the end of this video:

My heart could explode!

Early Interventions - Interview, Physical and Developmental Therapy Evaluations, and the Chiropractor Visits

On March 29th, Theo and I met with Elizabeth from Early Interventions. She came to the Raptor (how convenient!) and talked to us about the program. She said that due to Theo's aneurysm he was an automatic qualifier.

She asked me a lot of questions about Theo's birth, surgery, and development. Based on what she saw and heard she is recommending that Theo get evaluated by a Physical Therapist, Developmental Therapist, and an Occupational Therapist. She told me that the therapist should be contacting me within a week to set up appointments.

After we got back from Ohio, I decided I would check in with Elizabeth since I had not heard from anyone all week. She said she would talk to the Physical Therapist and get back to me. A few minutes later Katie, the Physical Therapist, called. She said she was so sorry she skipped over us and that she was available to come by the next day.

On Wednesday, April 10, Katie came to the Raptor to do her evaluation. Of course, Theo was crabby (he's usually in such a good mood), but she was able to get most of her evaluation done. I put Theo down for a nap and we discussed what she found. She said that Theo has pretty bad torticollis and that it could have been caused by my c-section. During rough births, the baby's spine can be affected and it's likely that his atlas (first vertebrae) slipped a little. She recommended that we go and see a Chiropractor in Ottawa who specializes in torticollis and atlas problems. She also showed me a few exercises to do with Theo in-between our appointments.

[Theo waiting for Katie]

After she left I called the chiropractor and made an appointment for later that day.

After Theo's nap we headed to Ottawa to see the chiropractors, Dr. Brett and Dr. Janet. They were very interested in Theo's birth and all his medical procedures. I explained what was going on and they said they would be happy to help! They then examined Theo and found that his atlas is out of alignment. This has also caused his hips to be out of alignment. The Chiropractor used a little device that gently pushed Theo's atlas back into place. She the adjusted his back and hips. The adjustment didn't bother Theo at all and he was in such a great mood! They gave us a bunch of literature and told us to come back on Friday.

We went back on Friday for another adjustment. The Chiropractors said that his atlas was still in line so they just did some small adjustments and worked on his neck muscles. Theo loved it! We are going back again on Monday.


[Dr. Janet saying "hi" to Theo]

[Checking his hip levels]  

[Dr. Brett working on Theo's alignment]

[He loves it!]

On April 16th, Theo and I saw the Developmental Therapist. She said he has great social skills (smiling and babbling), good movement (in his arms, legs, and hands), and she thinks he will start reaching for toys once his motor skills are further along. She is going to recommend that he doesn’t need full time Developmental Therapy, but she is going to recommend that a Developmental Therapist that specializes in eyes come by to see him. He follows toys, noise, and light, but he has a little lag. The Neurologist and Eye Doctor noticed it too and they both think it’s neurological. 

The Therapist are all going to meet together soon and come up with a plan. I’m so excited! Hopefully Theo will be lifting his head up and reaching for toys in no time!

Trip to See the Butterflies

On Monday, April 2nd, Theo and I headed down to spend the week with my family in Ohio! 

Highlights include a spa day with Missy (I got a heavenly 110 minute hot stone massage), a visit to the Conservatory to see the butterflies 🦋, and lots of snuggles and kisses from Theo’s cousins! 

[The boys LOVE Theo!]

[Missy and I went to Woodhouse Day Spa to get hot stone massages. I got a 110 minute massage and it was the best I have ever had! After the spa we went and got lunch at Olive Garden. A relaxing girls day is just what these two stressed out momma's needed!]

[Josh and I are keeping a bunch of our things in my parents basement (thanks mom and dad!). While I was there I decided to go through some of our boxes (they have been packed away since 2011) and get rid of things we don't need anymore. I found some of my old archaeology field notes and supplies and it made me miss those good old days!]

[Theo went on his first stroller walk with Grandma (this is actually the first time we have put him in the stroller like this). Once we got his head supported, we was much happier and had fun on their walk!]

[FaceTime with daddy every night]

[Grabbing his foot!]

[The boys were so sweet with baby Theo]

[On Saturday, April 7th, we went to the Krohn Conservatory to see their Butterfly Exhibit]

[I wish these "Corpse Flowers" were blooming. It doesn't happen very often but when they do they smell like rotting flesh! Kinda creepy, huh?]

[We had a busy week and Theo was exhausted]

Thanks mom and dad for hosting us!