What's up, DOC?

So, when we took Charlotte in to see the doctor just after Christmas I asked Dr. Hunt to look again at the shape of Charlotte's head. When she was brand new, she had a tendency to spend most of her time looking to the left. Luckily, I noticed this right away and immediately started stretching her neck out so her muscles would develop evenly. Even so, she spent some extra time on that side of her head and I had been concerned for several months about some asymmetry in her face and the back of her head. Dr. Hunt wasn't terribly concerned, but referred us to Cranial Technologies to ease my mind. Well... they didn't ease my mind exactly - instead they validated my concerns. Charlotte was diagnosed with plagiocephaly and mild brachycephaly. To correct this, she was prescribed a DOC band for 2-3 months. The band will basically apply mild pressure in her prominent areas while encouraging growth in the flatter parts of her head. Essentially, we are working on rounding out that noggin!

Here is a shot of Baby Girl as they were fitting her band. It's a little scarier looking when it's all white and "medical", but we quickly remedied that!

Ryan's sister, Melissa, is a wonderful artist and was sweet enough to paint Charlotte's band for her. (Thanks, Missy!) This was no small task because the band needs to be worn 23 hours a day, so we needed to get it back on her head ASAP. Melissa created THIS masterpiece in less than a day! (Doesn't it seem so much less scary now?)

(Of course I added a bow!)

Here are some additional shots from every angle...

Baby's First Food

Guess who started eating solids?! As you can tell, she's a little piglet (with barky doggy sisters!)

5 months!

Well pretty girl, you are now FIVE months old! Mama and Dada can't believe how big you are getting - and how quickly time is passing! Here's what we know about you so far...

• Weight: 14 lb. 10 oz.
• You're wearing mostly 3-6 month clothes, but growing like a weed so I see a move to the next size happening soon.
• You're wearing size 1 shoes now, which is very exciting for Mama. Now we have SO many more cute shoe options!
• You started daycare this month. Your first day wasn't great - Mommy couldn't stop crying and you pooped on your new teacher, but we got it together the next day! No tears and no poo on your 2nd day!
• You have also started eating rice cereal this month and you're doing great! Mama was very impressed with your skills!
• And speaking of skills, you can now roll over onto your tummy. There's no stopping you now when you roll across the floor!
• Your motor skills are getting really good now and you like to reach out and grab things - including Mama's hair and earrings!
• You also really like to stand up. All the time. This makes sitting and holding you a little more complicated now, because you are not content unless you're standing in our lap. So grown up!
• Your finger nails grow like crazy! Daddy has to clip them because Mama is scared she will cut your little fingers. It's a trade off though, because Mama always has to suck out your boogers :)
• Mama and Dada love to listen to you laugh. You have the cutest little giggle in the world!
• Mama really feels like you need to be sleeping in your bed in your room, so we tried it for a couple of nights but Dada got tired of walking all the way to your room in the middle of the night to give your pacifier back. Sooo... you're still in Mama and Dada's room (for now) but that will be changing very soon!

First day of "school"

Little Miss started "school" today at the district's Early Childhood Development Center. I was able to have Ryan snap this picture before we headed out the door (bright and early!)...

I will update with how things go later this week. Don't worry though - I couldn't make it past noon before I called to check on her! I'm THAT mom...

I Got Skills, They're Multiplyin...

You totally sang that title, didn't you? Didn't you? Ha! There's a little girl in this house who learned a new trick...

2010... Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Hmmm... let's see... GAVE BIRTH? ;)

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't usually make resolutions, but this year I definitely have a goal to work out more and lose the last few pregnancy pounds that are hanging on for dear life!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes - Jenn (The Borg Brood) had Miss Ella Reese and my close friend Laura had sweet Mitchell one week after Charlotte was born. Lots of other teacher friends had babes this year and there are lots of pregnancies too! Babies, babies, and more babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no but I did lose a former student to cancer recently. He was a wonderfully positive and genuine young man. So many were sad to see him pass. :(

5. What countries did you visit?
For the first time in a few years... none! I did go to LA one weekend with Ryan, but that was all of my travels this year. Lame!! We will fix that in 2011, FOR SURE!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A positive and loving relationship with my entire extended family. I'm so happy that we are on the right track with that now! God is good!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 5, 2010: The date Miss Charlotte was born :)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I'm sure this is probably pretty redundant right about now, but really isn't having a baby a pretty big achievment?

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope - nothing crazy. Praise God!

10. What was the best thing you bought?
We replaced all the carpet in our house this summer. Eventually, we want all hardwoods, but that's just not in the budget yet. For now, we are loving our nice, new, cushiony carpet! :)

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My wonderful, amazing, loving husband. He was so supportive of me throughout my pregnancy and is growing into an outstanding father. I love you, Ryan!

12. Where did most of your money go?
Oh boy... what a question! We had a nursery to furnish, baby items to buy, and Charlotte's medical bills to take care of so basically BABY, BABY, BABY. It only gets worse from here, right? Good thing she's worth it!

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Hide yo kids, hide yo wife..." Ha!

14. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier, MUCH happier :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Well... fatter, but see #2 for more thoughts on this!
iii. richer or poorer? Probably a little poorer. Sigh.

15. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I truly wish I had appreciated my pregnancy more and taken more photos to document the process. I never thought I would be the woman that MISSED being pregnant, but I sure am!

16. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Tying back to the last question... I wish I'd obsessed less about all the pregnancy weight gain and been more proud of my beautiful belly :)

17. How did you spend Christmas?
You may need to read previous blog posts for details on this one! Christmas Eve we hosted a cookie decorating breakfast and the Ledbetter family lunch. Christmas day was spent with Ryan's family. All in all, a great Christmas, but I can't wait for next year when Charlotte doesn't sleep through all the presents :)

18. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Sure did. I fell in love with my beautiful daughter and fell in love all over again watching my husband become a father.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
I L.O.V.E. Glee!! It's a dance party every week around here!

20. What was the best book you read?
I got really into the Sookie Stackhouse series this year. Don't judge me.

21. What did you want and get?
I wanted a beautiful and healthy baby and my wish most definitely came true :)

22. What did you want and not get?
Let's see... we have lived in our house for 2.5 years now and I'm STILL waiting for those granite countertops. Someday.

23. What was your favorite film of this year?
This is hard for me because rarely do I NOT enjoy a movie, but I remember really liking Easy A.

24. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
On my last birthday I turned 27 and spent it with good friends at Babe's. Ryan brought a massive cookie cake (my favorite) with a pony on it. Yes, that's right, I said pony. He said it was the girliest option, haha!

25. Who was the best new person you met?
I wouldn't say "met" but I became much closer to the Normans this year. I just love them and love having a good Christian couple to spend time with. Plus, Chris can COOK, y'all! ;)

26. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Ryan and I spent so much time and energy trying to "fix" the issues that troubled us. When we finally decided to let it go and allow God to handle things with His purpose and intention, things improved almost immediately. Some things are just too big for us, and I God WANTS to help - if we would just let go and stop fighting Him. We definitely learned our lesson!