Helmet Adventures - weeks 3, 4 and 5

Time has gotten away from me, and my personal goal to post about Geoffrey's helmet adventures on a weekly basis.  I will use this post to try to rectify that and get back on track (Maddie's birthday events, family vacation, and a hectic time getting back into our normal family routine are all to blame!). 

The past three weeks have certainly moved a bit quicker than the first two, again, due to all the exciting activity we've had going on around here as of late. The heat rash comes and goes in waves, and we continue to do our best to keep it at bay.  The clear helmet has definitely been helpful in that capacity, allowing us to see what is going on, or at least to note when his head is sweaty and could use a breather. 

Maddie has figured out how to pull the helmet off, once without even unstrapping the velcro.  Needless to say, although it is not okay for her to do this, and we made ourselves quite clear, it has happened out of concern for her little brother's comfort.  She will tell me, "Mommy, Geoffrey wants his helmet off.  He doesn't like it!  He's sad."  How sweet is that?  I think she has overheard my conversations with other people, when I have been exasperated and exclaimed how much "he doesn't like it." (It's probably a bit more accurate to say that I am the one who really does not like it).  I had to explain to her yesterday that his helmet is like a band-aid, and we have to keep it on to help his head feel better (this seems to be working, as she is BIG into band-aids at the moment). 

Speaking of Maddie and the helmet, it is kind of cute how she thinks "the helmet" is its own being as well.  For example, today we went to the park.  Maddie started to swing, and after a few minutes, I put Geoffrey into the swing next to her.  She laughed and said, "Look, Mommy!  Geoffrey is swinging and the helmet likes to swing, too!"  :)  I love her.

It continues to amaze me how different Geoffrey looks when the helmet is off his head.  It may sound so obvious, but truly, his entire person takes on a completely new look when the plastic comes off.  Our sweet baby boy forms a grin out of the corner of his mouth, as he realizes that his head is free, giving us a glimpse at the happy baby that will *soon enough* be like this 24 hours a day.  I can hardly wait.

I will end this post with a few pictures that capture Geoffrey and his helmet over the past few weeks.  Our next appointment is in 2 weeks from today, where they will conduct another head scan, giving us exact measurements and statistics as to where we stand.  We might possibly be given a loose ending date at this point, too - I can only hope!

He sure is a handsome boy, even with the helmet on! :)

Pink! Pink! Pink!

Our little Madelyn Mae turned 3 on June 19, but we celebrated in grand PINK fashion, a week earlier.  As I mentioned a few months ago, we threw Maddie a Pinkalicious birthday party, and let me tell you, it was pinkatastic!!  Everything was pink, from the streamers, to Maddie's pink toe-nails; nothing was overlooked!  The look on Maddie's face as she took in this special party that was "just for her," made the hours of preparation more than worth it.  We held the party her favorite park, about 5 minutes from our house.  She couldn't decide what was better - a party for her, or playing on the super fun playground!  We had asked her what she wanted for her birthday leading up to the big day, and all she told us was, "Balloons, cupcakes and candles!"  I'd say she got everything she wished for this year, and then some!

Pinkalicious!

How many pink jelly beans? 336.

I found these fun water bottle labels from this blog.

Our little pinky!

Our little pink family!

I'm very proud of these cupcakes.  The cupcake is actually pink, not just the frosting.  Yes, a labor of love, but SO worth it!

Geoffrey wasn't in pink, but Daddy didn't hesitate!

It was pretty windy, but you can make out the banner I created, "Happy Birthday, Maddie!"

Pin the cupcake on Pinkalicious!

Time to light the candles!  The kids were soo ready to dive into those cupcakes!

 
She was so happy to blow out her 3 candles!

My favorite little pinkalicious!

Most of our small group, there to celebrate Maddie!

Some of my girlfriends from our apartment building.

The party pavilion.

I love this shot - Maddie, frolicking in the field, with her fairy wings and pink balloon.

After the party, our exhausted, and overly blessed, little pinkalicious, exploring her new treasures. What a wonderful, memorable day, for our beautiful and sweet daughter.  We love you, Maddie Mae!!

Helmet Adventures - week 2

Well, today marks the completion of 2 full weeks of helmet adventures!  I don't know if that exclamation point indicates more of excitement that 2 weeks have passed, or exhaustion that its only been 2 weeks...

Geoffrey is hanging in there, to be honest.  It has been a rough week for him (and all of us), as he has really suffered from a bad heat rash on the back of his head.  We knew this was going to happen, so we are not surprised, however, the foreseen knowledge of this side effect has not made it any easier to handle.  We are in a trial and error sort of stage, figuring out the best ointments to apply to his head during the blasted 1 hour window we have to take the helmet off.  It can become quite stressful and frustrating, to say the least.

I hate being in this position: watching my baby in so much discomfort, and lately, pain, knowing the cause and (rightfully) not doing anything to stop it (i.e. taking off the helmet).  Ugh.  I'm trying, but each day I get worn down by the time the end of the day comes and we are all exhausted with the process.  I'm personifying this, I know, but I feel like his superhero when I remove the helmet, and then I feel like his worst enemy when I put it back on.  Geoffrey is scratching at the plastic throughout the day with no relief, and the moment we take the helmet off, his hands find the large red spots on his scalp and just start scratching (which of course doesn't exactly relieve his discomfort, it only makes it worse).

I sound pretty negative I suppose, but I am just writing out my honest thoughts of the past week.  This is hard.  I think I will do SO much better when I actually have an ending date to look forward to.  Unfortunately, I have no idea when that will be given to me - at the very earliest, I still have to wait 2 months to find out any date at all! 

Maddie insists on getting her picture taken while holding Geoffrey, probably because we don't let her do it enough! :)

I think its pitiful and funny at the same time...especially the fact that the flash actually reflects off of his "shiny head."

Geoffrey has been so tired, mainly due to the fact that he doesn't sleep very well anymore.

After having put Little G to bed 35 minutes prior to this picture, he woke up, only needing someone to comfort him.  Standing in front of the fan also helps, as his head gets so sweaty when he sleeps! I love this picture.

And, yes.  Even through all the trauma and discomfort, I can still get my blue-eyed boy to smile for me. :)  This was taken this afternoon, marking 2 weeks!

Little helmet man.

It's like they were laughing at some hysterical punchline to a joke. :)

I love their joy!  This is what sustains me.

2 weeks down, and counting!!