Graduation Celebration

In celebration of Linus' graduation from his helmet, and because we were looking for a way to display the helmet, we took a special trip to Build A Bear.

 Josie quickly chose a soft white bear to stuff.

 Linus grabbed onto a tan bear, and wouldn't let go.

 Josie did a great job stepping on the pedal to fill her bear up with fluff.

 Next, big sister helped Linus.

 Josie picked out a heart and Linus gave it a kiss.

The bear is now proudly showing off Linus' helmet.

Helmet Graduation Day

Yesterday, Linus had his bi-monthly appointment to check his helmet.  His head shape was looking good, so it was decided he would have a scan done to see the progress.

 Linus had a little cap placed on his head before going in the STARscanner.

The results were good.  His measurements went from a 10.4 to a 5.3, and his ears are lined up with each other.

 Linus has officially graduated from his helmet.

Thank you, George.

Avete vos

Zip Zip

Joe Boxer

The Red Baron

MotoTyke

Today started with a trip to the grocery store with the three littlest. Within 5 minutes of being in the store Pierre had to take Lucie “potty.” I took Josie and Linus to look for cookies. When Josie says, “cookie”and then signs and says “please” simultaneously, how could I possibly resist? Josie is a big fan of Chips Ahoy. Luckily, it always seems to be on sale when she asks. As she sat hugging that blue package of chocolatey goodness, she eyed the Oreos and said, “Oreos for Mama!” If you recall my post from yesterday, you'll know that yesterday was the 100^th Birthday of the Oreo cookie. Josie remembered. Then, my talkative little girl looked at me and said, “Tacos!” Off to the International Foods aisle we flew. It is a big deal when Josie uses her words around here.

One of Katie's coaches fell ill at the gym yesterday. She was doubled over in pain. She was scared and shaking. All I wanted to do was mother her. Am I that old, that I thought I could mother a 21 year old woman? From a very young age I knew I wanted to be a mother, whether it be for my dolls, a hurt bird, or my puppy. As I carried around 5 or 6 Cabbage Patch Dolls, I decided that I was not only going to be a mother, but I was going to mother many. I have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to raise 8 beautiful children.

Linus is still struggling with teething. Plus, we lost his pacifier this afternoon. He was in his bouncy seat sucking away, and then all of a sudden it was gone. I asked Josie if she had seen it. She ran excitedly into the living room. I ran excitedly after her because I thought she knew where it was. She just looked at me, smiled, and said “pacifier” as she pointed to the bouncy seat. I even resorted to asking the dog. She just looked at me, rather annoyed that I had disturbed her nap. I searched and searched but couldn't find it as Linus screamed at the top of his lungs. In the kitchen, I located another pacifier from the same package and I hurriedly boiled some water to sterilize it. Once he had that pacifier, he was out like a light.

Tonight, as I made tacos for my sweet Josie, she sat on the kitchen floor at my feet. Unfortunately, a trip to the grocery store, a visit from her OT, and no nap made her a very tired little girl. As I finished cooking, she lay asleep curled up in front of the dishwasher. I was so disappointed. I was looking forward to eating tacos, the dinner she asked for, with her. Leftovers are stored away for lunch tomorrow. I have a taco date with my Josie.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

We found a tick on Josie's head this morning. A big engorged tick took up residence under her beautiful red hair. I tried to get it out and it exploded (sorry, but really, it did.) Guiltily, I took her to Pulse MD and asked them to remove it. She smiled and showed the doctor where the bug was under her hair. The doctor couldn't find the right tweezers. She sat so patiently while he searched room to room. He didn't seem so confident that he was going to be able to do this. What was this? Super Tick? Josie didn't make a sound. I think she just wanted that nasty buggy off of her. I didn't expect to have to check for ticks yet. Super Tick's brothers and sisters will be back.

I brought Lucie to school a little late after dealing with Super Tick. The principal saw me signing in and asked the receptionist if I “was there to pick up my 17 kids.” Then, he said I couldn't have them because he liked them so much and that they are always smiling. As I stood there smiling and giggling, he looked at me and said they obviously must take after their mother.

It was Oreo's 100^th birthday today and I didn't have any Oreo's in the house. I told Pierre that Linus wanted an Oreo, but he wasn't buying it.

I hope my kids are always happy and smiling, but I bet they'd smile more if we had some Oreos.

Splash!

Linus' helmet was giving him a bit of trouble today. He has been drooling a lot and he has an irritated spot under the helmet in the sideburn area. I let it air out for a little while and it looks so much better.

Linus' ongoing (EI) came today to do his intake this afternoon. I had to answer a bunch of questions about my pregnancy. How was my pregnancy?  Too short. Did I have problems?  More than I care to remember. I didn't really say those things, but I was thinking them. Then I had to grab all my folders to remind myself what day Linus came off oxygen, which medicines he took , and how many blood transfusions he had. My poor little man went through so much, but you could never tell by looking at him. Thank goodness for those wonderful nurses who cared for him when I couldn't.

Linus' ongoing is also Josie's ongoing, so she stayed to observe Josie with her speech therapist, Lynn.  Lynn has been with Josie the longest, since about 7 months old. When Lynn started coming, Josie wouldn't even look at her. She cried and really didn't want anything to do with her. Now, when Lynn's car pulls in the driveway, Josie runs to the door squealing, “Lynn! Lynn!” Every day Josie does more and more. We are very lucky to have a great team of EI providers working with her.

Linus had an appointment with his orthotist this afternoon.   In the waiting room, there were these cute coloring books entitled, My Brother Has A Crooked Head.  It tells the story of a boy with a little brother who needs a STARband because he has Plagiocephaly.  The older brother imagines his brother in his helmet as an astronaut, a race car driver, and a football player.  We were laughing because those are all the adventures Linus has taken in his helmet already.  I picked up a few of the books for the little girls to read and color.

I pointed out the red areas on Linus' head and cheek, and the orthotist shaved the inside of the helmet so it fits loosely again. We need to go every 2 weeks to check the fit and progress. The orthotist also pointed out we still had the newborn padding in the car seat, which we pulled out. I guess my baby is not such a tiny guy anymore.  

The Climb

Pierre, Katie, and Evan were up bright and early this morning to meet up with Den 1 to hike part of the Appalachian trail. Last night, like a good Boy Scout, Evan made sure he and Katie both had all their supplies packed in their backpacks. He made a mental checklist...extra sweatshirt – check, water bottle – check, bandaids – check. I had no doubt that they would be well prepared if Evan was in charge.

Camping is one of Evan's favorite things to do. The only thing you need to know about Evan is that he is overly eager to help and be involved, and he has no fear. Watch him around the campfire, he has been known to get his shirt, gloves, and eyebrows singed.   

Someday, I picture Evan serving as Den Chief for Linus, teaching him how to build a fire or practicing carving a piece of soap. Which reminds me that Evan asked for soap when I go shopping this week.  I am thinking this extra soap is not going to be used in the bath.

Everyone has a mountain that they need to climb. Linus' first mountain was being born at 24 weeks. He grew stronger and overcame that obstacle. Linus' next challenge is to stretch and strengthen his neck through physical therapy and wear his helmet. Before he knows it, that will be behind him as well.

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” - Sir Edmund Hillary

Sir Linus

We had a very early start to our day today. Josie woke up sometime around 2am and she quietly went downstairs. She climbed on Abigail's bed and tried to wake her up to play with her. There are a bunch of missed calls on our cell phones at 2:27am from Abigail. Unfortunately, we had left our phones in the kitchen last night so we were unaware of what was happening until Abigail finally dragged Josie upstairs, broken leg and all. At some point later on, Josie went back downstairs and started to play the piano which woke up a very confused Emilie. We never had a use for a gate at the top of stairs as Josie has never showed any interest in going down the steps. Diane, who is Josie's Physical Therapist too, has been working on stairs with Josie. I guess it is working. I have a very mobile and independent girl these days, and I love it.

By the time I got out of bed this morning, I had a bed full of kids, and a husband hanging on to the edge for dear life. Luckily, Linus slept through everything in his cradle next to our bed.

The back of Linus' head was a little red and irritated when I removed his helmet today. After a nice bath, and a little breather from his helmet, he was fine. Maybe his little noggin is growing. I will ask the Orthotist when we see him on Monday.

Today was Platypus Day, according to Disney Channel. While the kids played outside on this beautiful spring-like day, I set to work crafting Platypi/Platypuses for dessert tonight. They were a big hit, but licking the icing bowl was a close second.

 

Phineas and Ferb is a popular show in our house. The show is about two brothers who come up with amazing creations, with the help of their friends. Their older sister, Candace, tries to get them in trouble by tattling to their mom, but she never succeeds in busting her brothers. Perry the Platupus is their pet, and a secret agent, Agent P. Have I lost you yet?

Evan is very much like Phineas. Every day starts with a “What are we going to do today?” Then he spends his day crafting something amazing, while dealing with many Candaces. Now Evan has his “Ferb” in Linus. I am sure that someday they will go on great adventures together.

Oh The Places Linus Will Go

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

I spent the morning helping an excited Lucie pick out pajamas to wear to school today. She was going to a very special birthday party this afternoon. The party was for someone she had never met, but held dear to her heart. The questions excitedly poured out of her mouth. “What do green eggs and ham taste like?” “Do you think we'll wear hats?” The excitement built and built until it was time to get on the bus dressed in her most colorful pjs with her hair up in pigtails. Little did she know of the surprises in store.

After finishing up with Josie's OT, Pierre and I headed over to school to surprise her. I was greeted by a very happy girl sporting a grin from ear to ear. She jumped into my arms and couldn't get the words out fast enough. “Green eggs and ham are yummy!” “Let me show you my hat!” After coloring, and pasting, and finishing her craft, we were on our way home when a little voice was heard. “Can we have birthday cake?”

Linus' physical therapy went well today. He was a little cranky, but was easily soothed by his singing toy frog and his two big sisters who tried to keep him entertained while stretching.

Linus is in full teething mode with two fists in his mouth and lots of drool. Maybe a few familiar stories will comfort him tonight, along with a little birthday cake.

Happy 108^th birthday Dr. Seuss. May we always remember, “A person's a person, no matter how small.”

Ready R2?

Today is my 1 week anniversary of blogging at “Adventures From Beyond the Crib.” Also, today, my blog reached 1,000 page views. I was told that was a pretty big accomplishment. I am sending a great big thank you to all my readers. Please, come follow me, keep reading, and share my blog with your friends. I hope you are having as good of a time reading as I am writing. I cannot wait until I have a full gallery of photos for Linus to look at when he is older (and for me to show all his future girlfriends.)

I was excited today to receive an email that I had received a few generous donations for the March For Babies. I am walking for the March of Dimes on May 6 at the Walkway Over the Hudson. If you are local, and want to join my team, Linus' Lemmings, please click on the March of Dimes link in the left hand column of this page.

For those of you who do not know, Linus was a micro-preemie, born at 24 weeks and 5 days. He spent the first three months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was three months of ups and downs (mostly ups.) Thanks to the wonderful nurses, caring doctors, and the March of Dimes, our time in the NICU was that much easier. Every day babies are born prematurely, small, and oftentimes sick. I am walking for these babies. I am walking for Linus' older brothers, Bennett and Elijah, who left this earth too soon due to pre-term birth. I am walking for Linus.

Linus has been a cranky boy today. If only those teeth would just break through. I hope Linus gets a good night sleep. Diane, the Physical Therapist, will be here at 8:30 tomorrow morning. Time to get ready to stretch, stretch, stretch.

I hoped that a little Star Wars would brighten Linus' day. I can still remember watching Star Wars for the first time. My cousin had all the figurines in a case with a handle. I was only allowed to touch the extra Storm Trooper, but, boy, was that case cool.

Time to pop some popcorn, put in the DVD and snuggle on the couch with my favorite little ones

“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.” -Yoda

What is your favorite Star Wars memory?  Please comment below.

Leapin' Linus

Happy Leap Day!  Linus enjoyed the snowstorm today. He spent the last day of February warm and cozy.  If Linus could talk, I am sure he would have been asking for hot cocoa with marshmallows.  Warm Neosure with rice cereal will have to do.

Geronimo!

Now I know why we were told to buy some fragrant shampoo for Linus.  That helmet gets very sweaty.  23 hours a day is a long time.

I brought Linus to gymnastics so he could watch the girls.  One of the moms there listed a bunch of kids she knows that needed to wear helmets for Plagiocephaly.  She said it seems to be very common these days.  Honestly, Linus is the first baby I know to have a helmet.  She also told me about her cousin, who needed to have surgery to correct her Plagiocephaly at 18 months, back before they used helmets.  I am very thankful Linus can be treated non-surgically.

Waiting for snow, wondering if we will have a snow day tomorrow, or Thursday.  It all depends on the timing and how much we actually get.  Maybe snowboarding or skiing will be in Linus' future.

The Viking Warrior

Linus had his first physical therapy session this afternoon. Miss Diane came to play today and the helmet came off for the hour. Now, whenever he sees Diane, I am sure he will be kicking his feet with happiness. Physical therapy went well, and after some stretching exercise, we saw that Linus, does indeed, have a neck.

As he has proven before, Linus was a warrior today. He took everything Diane gave him with a smile.

Start your engines

Dad, Can I borrow the keys?

Linus needs to wear his helmet for 23 hours a day from now on.  He seems to be doing well with it, and I think he is used to having it on.

Linus went to the Pinewood Derby today to cheer on his brother, Evan.  All the moms were happy to see Linus and there was hardly a mention of his helmet, except to tell me how cute he looked in it.  One of the boys asked what the helmet was for.  After I explained it, he told Linus how cute he was and that "he was going to be a great kid some day!"

There was a little bit of excitement this afternoon. While at the Pinewood Derby, Abigail went to the playground to hang out with her friends (who have younger siblings in Boy Scouts), fell climbing a rock, and broke her leg.  So as Linus raced around in his race car today, I had the opportunity to speed through town in an ambulance.

The Amazing Linus

Today was a cranky day. Linus needed to wear his helmet for 8 hours at a time with a 1 hour break. I am not sure if the crying was from the helmet or from those teeth that are soon to break through. Once he had a break from his helmet (and a little bit of Tylenol) he was happy. He started blowing raspberries at me, flashing those big gummy smiles and laughing. That's my boy!

Linus is like a (human)cannonball. He came barreling, full speed ahead, into our lives 16 weeks early. It was scary and exciting, not knowing what we should expect. Once he successfully completed his journey, we stood in awe and celebrated. Thank you, Linus, for amazing us every day.

Half(pint)back

1st Down

Home field advantage

Today was Linus' second day with  his helmet.  He had to wear it for 4 hours at a time with1 hour off .  When I took the helmet off of Linus last night to get him ready for bed, he breathed a loud sigh of relief.  Tomorrow, Linus will wear it 8 hours at a time with a 1 hour reprieve.  I still haven't let him know that once Sunday comes, it needs to be on his head for 23 hours.

Maybe, when Linus gets older, he will be a football player like his big brother, Evan.  Evan lives and breathes football.  He can't wait for his season to start in August and now, he will have his biggest fan cheering him on from the sidelines.

Blast off!

Astronaut Linus reporting for duty.

Lost in Space

Today is Linus' first full day in his new helmet.  He needs to wear it for 2 hours at a time, and then we are allowed to take it off of him for 1 hour.  He doesn't need to keep it on for naps or sleeping today.  Tomorrow, we go to 4 hours on and 1 hour off.

Hoping that zero gravity will help it to weigh less!