Torticollis

**if you scroll through my pictures, you will notice that he is always leaning his head to the same side****

Ever since Kayden has been old enough to start holding his head up, we have noticed that he leans his head to one side. I thought that this was because he was only 2ish months old and that they just didn't have strong enough head muscles yet. However, as he got better at holding his head up I noticed he still did it. Many people commented on it but I still just thought it was because his muscles weren't strong enough yet. We were starting to notice though that the left side of his face was fuller than the right side, along with the neck muscles. It was obvious that his left neck muscles were much more fuller than the right. My mom was showing pictures of Kayden to her boss today though and her boss asked my mom if Kayden had torticollis. Her grandson had it and he would constantly lean his head to one direction. My mom called me and told me so I decided I should go ahead and call the pediatrician instead of waiting for his 4 month appointment to bring it up. The more I read about it, the more obvious it was to me that he had it. We took him to the pediatrician where she confirmed that he did in fact have torticollis. The receptionist has called the physical therapy place to see if they take our insurance but had to leave a message, but either way we will start physical therapy soon in hopes of correcting it.

Some information on torticollis:
What is torticollis?

Torticollis means "twisted neck," and if a child has this condition, her head will be tilted to one side while the chin is turned to the other side. It's also sometimes called wryneck. While it may look painful, it usually isn't.
When a baby is born with the condition, it's called congenital torticollis. (There's also a condition called acquired torticollis that can develop at a later time. In some cases of acquired torticollis, the chin may be turned to the same side as the head.)
About 1 in 250 infants are born with torticollis. (Ten to 20 percent of babies with torticollis also have hip dysplasia, in which the hip joint is malformed.)

What causes congenital torticollis?

Congenital torticollis is most often due to tightness in the muscle that connects the breastbone and the collarbone to the skull. (It's called the sternocleidomastoid muscle). This is called congenital muscular torticollis. This tightness might have developed because of the way your baby was positioned in the uterus (with the head tilted to one side) or because the muscles were damaged during delivery.

Why does this happen?
Usually it's how the baby might be positioned in the womb or through some kind of trauma during delivery. This trauma or injury causes a shortening or contracture of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. If you notice the baby's head tilting to one side and they have trouble tilting or turning to the other take them to the doctor right away. Torticollis is easily corrected when found early.

Is it serious? Find out fast
Much less commonly, congenital torticollis is caused by abnormalities in the bones of the neck (the cervical vertebrae). The bones may be abnormally formed, stuck together (fused), or a combination of both. This condition is known as Klippel-Feil syndrome.
It's important to know whether Klippel-Feil is what's causing a baby's neck problem because many babies with this syndrome have other problems, especially with hearing and the kidneys. Also, the stretching exercises recommended for muscular torticollis are not only ineffective but potentially dangerous for a child with Klippel-Feil syndrome.
In rare cases, congenital torticollis may be inherited. Or it may be the result of a more serious underlying condition, such as a brain or spinal cord tumor that damages the nervous system or muscles.

How will I know if my baby has torticollis?

You'll probably notice that your baby holds her head to one side and has limited neck movement. Another telltale sign is a small bump on the side of her neck.
Congenital muscular torticollis is usually diagnosed within the first two months of a baby's life. Even if parents don't spot it, a pediatrician will.
Babies with torticollis may also develop positional plagiocephaly (asymmetrical head shape) because they'll often sleep with their head turned to the side.
In addition to a physical exam, the doctor may need to order X-rays of the neck to determine which form of torticollis your child has. The doctor may also order other tests, such as an ultrasound of the hips or kidneys, depending on the type of torticollis.

How is it treated?

Your child's doctor may refer you to a physical therapist or an orthopedic surgeon (bone and joint doctor).
Congenital muscular torticollis is typically treated with stretching and positioning. You'll need to perform these exercises on your baby several times a day. The moves aren't complicated, but make sure you understand them and are comfortable doing them before you leave the doctor's or physical therapist's office.
If your baby has muscular torticollis, you'll want to provide as many opportunities as possible for her to turn her head to the side that she normally doesn't turn to. If she has trouble turning her head to the right, for example, you could lay her on the changing table so you're standing at her right side. And position her in the crib so she has to look to her right to see anyone approaching her.
It's also important to give your baby plenty of time on her tummy when she's awake, to help develop the muscles in her neck.

How long does it take to see results?

As long as your baby's muscular torticollis is discovered early enough – ideally by the age of 2 or 3 months – and you're following the prescribed stretching program, you'll probably see improvement within weeks. The condition should be fully corrected by age 1.
If, however, the muscles don't return to their normal length and your baby doesn't have a normal range of motion by the time she's 18 months old, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon, who may recommend surgery to lengthen the muscles. Surgery is performed in about 15 percent of cases.
Information from http://www.babycenter.com/0_torticollis_10912.bc?page=2

It was hard to hear that my baby has something wrong with him, but I am thankful that it is not more serious. He is a happy baby so I am thankful that this does not affect his mood or disposition, and he isn't in pain. We just need to get it corrected so that he does not have problems in the future.

Kayden's First Thanksgiving!!

Kayden got to meet lots of people on his first thanksgiving! Nick had to work that morning so Kayden and I went to my grandmother's house in Irvine to spend some time with my mom's side of the family. He had not meet a lot of people on that side so it was fun to show him off to everyone! I was worried about the drive up there and back since it's about an hour and a half away but he slept both up there and back so it was really easy!

We then met Nick over at his parents house for thanksgiving over there. It was fun to just hang out with Avery and Kayden and just to enjoy family. I can't wait for Kayden to get a little bit older so that he can interact with Avery.

Friday night we spent time with my dad's side of the family. There Audrey and Kayden got to play together. Audrey is starting to take more interest in Kayden. When he was first born she really didn't pay much attention to him but now she wants to try and figure him out. They are going to have a blast together!

Luckily Thanksgiving isn't too stressful with schedules so I didn't feel like we were having to run all over the place and that we were going a million different directions..... Christmas though, will be another story!

Giving Thanks

*****Yes my child has some AWESOME dance moves... he gets that from me :) *****

This thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for. Over the past year I have added an adorable nephew, another sister-in-law, a beautiful niece, and MY SON. I am so thankful for all the blessings that God has given us this past year, but as thanksgiving came and went I realized that I don't thank God for the blessings that he has given me enough. I have realized that instead of giving thanks for these things, I ask him for more. More money, a new car, a job where I can make good money but still stay at home with my child, a new house.... the list could go on. Why am I not content with what I have. I am not entitled to these things and I have realized that over the past year I have felt like I am. I see other people getting these things and think why isn't God blessing us but is blessing those who don't even acknowledge the fact that HE exists.

And then last night, it finally hit me. I AM blessed. No amount of money could pay for the blessings that HE has given me.

You could try and pay me 1 million dollars and I still would not give my nephew to you.

You could try and pay me 1 million dollars and I still would not give you my niece.

And you could try and give me the whole world, all the things and money in it, and I WOULD NEVER EVER give you my son, my husband, my sweet little family.

God did not have to give me these things. He didn't have to give me my nephew, He didn't have to give me my niece (who is a miracle in herself after years of trying), He didn't have to give me the house we live in thanks to our church, He didn't have to give my husband a job that has allowed me to not work for a year in order to finish school and stay at home with my child for at least 4 months, He didn't have to give my husband a promotion at work, He didn't have to give us parents that help whenever we need it, He didn't have to give us 2 working (even if old) cars, and he didn't have to give me MY SON, a perfect pregnancy, labor, delivery, and a happy, healthy, growing, beautiful boy, the greatest blessing of them all.

I hope I can continue to go through life looking at the blessings that God has given me and thank him for them every day. I don't want to dwell on what I don't have, because I have everything that ever matters. Happiness, Love, Peace, and my family.

2 months old!

Dear Kayden-
Where is the time going! I can't believe you are now 2 months old! You have learned so much during this past month! You smile all the time now. Especially in the mornings. Your dad and I love when you first get up in the morning because you just smile and talk to us. You also have lots of conversations! You love talking to your dad and I, and even your animals on your play mat! You all have some great conversations and it's just funny to listen to!

You have also started staying awake more during the day which is so much fun! We play on your play mat, swing in your swing, have conversations while you are lounging in your boppy.... I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you, or if I had to go back to work! I can't believe everything I would be missing. You are just a joy in my life and I love playing with you everyday!

Just today you started sitting up in your bumbo and you look like such a big boy! It won't be long until you are sitting up all by yourself without any help! You are starting to roll too! You haven't completely rolled yet but when you get mad or excited you roll to the side. I just know one day soon I'm going to walk out of the kitchen and you are going to have rolled over all by yourself! I don't think you will like it much though because you hate being on your belly. We still have to do the majority of tummy time when you are laying on mommy or daddy's chest because of how much you hate being on your belly... but you are getting really good at holding your head up so we aren't too concerned :)

You have also started sleeping for long stretches at night which makes your mommy very happy! You will consistently go about 5 hours during the night, feed, and then sleep for another 4 hours! You are an amazing sleeper!!

We tried getting you to sleep in your crib for nap times but you did not like that at all! That's ok though, I'm sure you will get use to it eventually....and until then, you will just continue sleeping in your swing or when mommy holds you.. because I don't mind :)

On your 2 month birthday you got your first big set of shots! Mommy was so nervous for you but you were just a trooper! You screamed when they gave them to you but as soon as it was over you started smiling! Mommy cried, but you did so well!

You are such an amazing little boy. I am so thankful that God gave you to me and has blessed us with you. We couldn't have asked for a better baby!

We love you so much baby boy!
Love, your mommy!

2 month stats!

At Kayden's 2 month appointment (yes a week ago... i'm a little behind) he weighed 10 pounds 12 1/2 ounces and was 22.5 inches long. He's in the low percentile for weight (our pediatrician doesn't do percentiles but I found a percentile calculator online) but I kind of expected that, especially for his weight since he was only 6 pounds when he was born. He's just going to be tall and skinny.... but we already knew that would bet he case as he really didn't have much choice.

He also had to get his first round of shots. Poor thing! He screamed when they gave him the shots but he was fine and smiling once they were over... before Nick even picked him up. I couldn't handle watching so I sat in the chair away from the action and then went over there when they were finished. He took the shots like a champ... mommy on the other hand did have a tear or two roll down her face. I just couldn't handle hearing my baby cry like that in pain. I know it's for the best though!

The night of the shots however was a bear! The pediatrician told us not to give him tylenol unless he runs a fever or is extremely fussy as studies have shown tylenol to interfer with vaccinations. He slept for most of the time after his vaccinations, but when he woke up he screamed and screamed and screamed. There was nothing I could do to calm him down and he would barely eat. I decided to give him some tylenol as this qualified to me as extremely fussy. Less then 10 minutes later he was back to sleep peacefully. The next morning, he woke up his normal happy self! Thank goodness!

I'm already dreading the 4 month shots :(

Kayden's 2 month letter will be up shortly... it's in drafts right now as I'm not completely finished with it :)

45 minute intruder...

And if you have read the book Baby Wise... you know about the 45 minute intruder... and it's happened this past week (as it said it would between weeks 7 and 8) and it's frustrating...

it's been 45 minutes into his nap time and he's awake, not wanting to go back to sleep..

Baby Wise

*Sleeping peacefully in his crib.... for all of 5 seconds!*


Baby Wise was a book that I had started reading when I first found out I was pregnant. I had heard about it a couple years ago and that person just praised it! However, when I told some people that I was reading it when I first found out I was pregnant they had some pretty negative comments about it and acted like the book had some crazy ideas so I decided to stop reading it and just forget about it.

Well, the other day I was talking to a friend who has a little boy that is 3 weeks younger than Kayden and she said that her son slept 9 hours straight the other night and has been going at least 7 hours most nights. I was VERY jealous :) and asked her what she was doing and she said Baby Wise. I trusted this friend and knew she wasn't a nut job and wouldn't do some crazy stuff just to get her baby to sleep through the night so I decided to start reading it again. I really only read the parts about scheduling and sleeping, as I had already read the first couple of chapters and they really didn't appeal to me. However, I found the other chapters beneficial.

In doing all this, I had planned on trying to start to get Kayden to take naps in his crib. He still sleeps in our bedroom in his cradle and I wanted to start transitioning him into his own room. I thought it would be better to do naps, and because he is still eating every 4 -4.5 hours at night. We also got our video monitors in, but the speaker was broken so I didn't want to put him in there at night until we got the replacement ones in. However, the naps didn't work out. It took me 30 minutes to get him to actually fall asleep, and then he slept for maybe 10 minutes before waking up screaming. I would go calm him back down, and he went back to sleep for maybe 5 minutes and woke up again screaming. I was done with that nap time and decided I would try again with the next nap.... it was even worse. I continued to try the rest of that day but by the end of the day both of us were more exhausted and cranky. Kayden was overtired since he really hadn't slept all day, and I was frustrated from all the crying. So much so where I had to call Nick and tell him to come home from practice because I was at my breaking point.... which has not happened at all yet. Never the less to say, we were done with nap times in the cribs for a couple more weeks... he is sleeping peacefully in his swing as we speak.

In talking to yet another friend who did Baby Wise, she said that she started with bedtimes in the crib and then worked on nap times in the crib. She said that bedtimes in the crib were easier for her daughter for some reason, but she refused to sleep in the crib at nap times. She eventually got her in the crib for naps at 12 weeks, so I'm thinking we are going to go that route.

We just started Baby Wise on Monday and I'm starting to see a difference thank goodness! We start our day at 8 a.m. (or within 30 minutes of that time) and I make sure he eats every 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours and try to make sure he gets full feedings each time. I try to feed him closer to every 2 1/2 hours so that he gets a lot of feedings during the day. He "plays" for about 20 minutes after his feedings and then goes down for a 1 1/2 - 2 hour nap and then we do the whole routine all over again. I try not to feed him earlier than every 2 1/2 hours so we can get on a schedule unless he is showing signs of being hungry before that. If he wakes up 20 minutes or so before a feeding I can usually hold him off with his pacifier or give him a change of scenery and he is fine. This is where I heard a lot of negative comments about Baby Wise. People said I'm going to feed my child when he is hungry, not make him wait... but Baby Wise clearly stated, if the baby is showing signs of hunger before his next feeding, then feed him. So maybe people just didn't read it correctly. I, too, feed my child when he shows signs of hunger, but I'm not just going to feed him every time he cries just to make him stop crying. Sometimes, babies just cry. And with breastfeeding, I am doing everything possible to keep him from "snacking" and so far, we have done good with him not snacking. Thank goodness!

With this schedule, he should be able to start going longer throughout the night. The book says that from 7-12 weeks they should start sleeping through the night, but we started late so I have a feeling it will be close to the 12. However the past couple nights he has gone one 5 1/2 hour stretch and another 4 1/2 hour stretch. He has always been good about going straight back to sleep after eating during the night so that's a blessing. You are supposed to give them a late night feeding around 10-11 p.m. and that's usually the first feeding to go as they get older, but he is sleeping so well after his 9-9:30 feeding that I don't wake him up and just wait until he wakes up around 1-2 to feed. I have a feeling he would sleep longer if I woke him up for his 11 p.m. feeding, but it scares me that he will be fussy and I'll have a hard time getting him back to sleep. Maybe we will try it tonight and see what happens!

Over all I'm pleased with the results and think that it's a great approach to getting a baby on a schedule. You wake him up at the same time every day so that he can start getting his "internal clock" figured out and realize ok this is when I'm awake and then they also realize night time. I failed today at waking him up at 8 (or within 30 minutes of it) though so I'm feeling a little guilty about that! I was just so tired and when my alarm went off at 8:30 (he ate at 6:30 and had a hard time going back to sleep after that feeding but eventually did... and so did i) I just turned the alarm off and went back to sleep until he woke back up at 9:30.

And of course, I would be the one to try and put this child on a schedule the week before "falling back". So i'm starting to think that maybe the fact that I let him go until 9:30 today is actually what i should be doing all week so that come sunday morning he doesn't wake up at 7:00-7:30 thinking that it's 8. This scheduling thing is a lot harder than I thought!

Happy Halloween!

For Kayden's first halloween he was a giraffe! If you have ever been to my house you know I am obsessed with giraffes, so since he obviously doesn't have any say on what he was going to be this year, I chose :)

We went to the Fall Festival that church was having with my mom and dad. Unfortunately Jeremy, Paige, and Audrey couldn't go because Audrey had the stomach virus all weekend :( But we went over later and got some pictures with her in her monkey costume.... as you can tell from the looks on their faces, they weren't really thrilled :)