Friday, June 22, 2018

Car Shopping, Trip Prep, PT, and Theo's Doc Band

On June 12th, Josh, Theo, and I went back to Cranial Technologies to get a high resolution photo taken of Theo's head. Due to the severity of his plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, Theo qualified for a DOC Band, but he needed to be able to sit for the high resolution photo. The OT at Cranial Technologies was worried he would have a hard time with this, since he did last time, so she made sure that when we came back we had all hands on deck!

We ended up having four patient (and kind) ladies work for an HOUR to get a photo of Theo. He had a hard time sitting still and would get scared and move anytime they took the picture. After about 30 minutes, Theo started to get tired. We turned on some white noise, turned off the lights, and shut the door. I knelt in front of him, placed his head in my hands, and pressed our foreheads together. I whispered to him and gently rocked him until he fell asleep. Even after he fell asleep, they still had a hard time getting the photo. After another 30 minutes they thought they got a photo that COULD work. They had us take Theo and go into a waiting room while they sent the photo to the lab and made a few phone calls. After a few minutes the OT came back in and gave us the thumbs up! I was shocked!

[Patiently waiting for the thumbs up]




She said one of the photos they got would work and to come back in two weeks for his DOC Band!

On June 21st, Theo and I headed up to Shorewood for Theo's physical therapy. Our new PT, Rebeca, spent an hour with Theo and we both really like her. She suggested upping Theo's PT to twice a week. She is really excited to help Theo move forward.

After PT we met up with Josh (since he was done with work due to a "rain out"). We went to lunch and then to Car Max to get a quote for the truck. After Car Max we went to Costco to buy a new camera and to REI to get some new shoes for our South America Trip.






[Our next purchase]



The next day we all headed back to Cranial Technologies so Theo could get his Doc Band.

The OT came in and showed us how to put the helmet on and how to clean it. She put it on Theo and then took a pencil to make some markings where she was going to shave it down. After the adjustments were made, she had Josh and I practice putting it on Theo. She then checked Theo to make sure the Doc Band wasn't causing any irritation. She sent us home with a bunch of instructions and told us if it cases irritation or redness to make sure and call them if it doesn't go away within an hour.










After we got Theo's helmet we headed to D'Arcy Chevrolet Buick and Cadillac dealership in Morris to test drive a Chevy Traverse. I honestly had no intention of buy a new car, but we did anyways!

The dealership gave us a great deal on the Silverado trade in and this Traverse was the exact one we wanted (even the color was perfect). After much negotiating, we handed in the keys to the Silverado, and drove away in our new Traverse!

[Buy, buy Silverado! We had some good times, but you will not be missed!]

[My new sweet ride!]






I am so excited that I finally got my "mom car!" Theo's carseat fits perfectly in one of the middle "captain chairs", the third row folds down completely, it has heating and cooling seats, a trunk that opens when you kick your foot under the car, keyless entry, and so much more! AND I don't have to worry about getting stuck in a parking garage (done that), or not fitting through a drive-through (done that too), and I don't have to always park in the back! Thanks Josh! I love it! 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Trip to South America



Are you surprised? If you know me at all, you shouldn't be.

In early December, my parents, Josh, Theo, and I will be flying to South America where we will spend 10 days running around Peru before flying down to Chile to board the Zaandam for a 22-Day cruise!


While in Peru we will visit the Sacred Valley, Pisac Ruins, Pisac Market, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Sacsayhuaman, and Lake Titicaca.





After our Peruvian land adventure we will fly down to Santiago, Chile and board the Holland America Line's Zaandam. This beautiful ship will take us to four ports in Chile, through the Chilean Fjords, and then stop in Ushuaia (Argentina) before heading down to Antarctica! We will spend four days in the Antarctic Peninsula before heading to the Falkland Islands, a few ports in Argentina, Montevideo (Uruguay), and then finally docking in Buenos Aires.

During our adventure on the cruise we will visit Torres del Paine National Park (in the Andes), see King Penguins, and end the trip with a visit to Iguazu Falls.



Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to travel. I love to meet new people and learn about their history and cultures. I also love to see new places and I enjoy new experiences.

Bottom line is that I know this may be my only chance to go on this particular adventure. We don't know what is going to happen to Theo, no one does. He may end up in a wheelchair without the ability to walk, talk, or function without aid. He may have to have care for the rest of his life, which means he may always live with us. And I don't have a problem with that. He's my child and I will always love and take care of him.

Due to these unknown possibilities, I've decided to be selfish and go on a trip. I think that taking Theo while he is young and we are still able to carry him and easily get around, is the best choice for us. I asked my parents to come with us so that they can help with Theo. I am beyond thrilled that they are agreeing to come.

And, of course, I okayed this whole trip with Theo's doctors before I put down our deposit. His health comes first in my book!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Josh's dad, George, and to my dad, Rick!



I know this isn't Josh's first Father's Day, but it's first Father's Day as the father of my child. So, I want to wish him a very special Happy Father's Day!

I love how great of a father he is to Theo. He is patient and kind and Theo saves all of his best smiles for him!






Theo got Josh a "Hot and Spicy" Man Crate and a mint cupcake for Father's Day.




These crates are called "Man Crates" for a reason. You have to use a crowbar and hammer to get it open! Manly!







[Success!] 







After getting his "Man Crate" open we went to the Lone Buffalo (one of our favorite dinner restaurants in town) for brunch. It was delicious!


We love you Josh! Happy Father's Day!