6 Months Down, 6 More to Go

We started off the week by seeing Kristin at Dr. Puccioni's office.  She's the physician's assistant to Dr. Puccioni and she is super nice.  When she walked in she was amazed at how great Braydon looked cosmetically.  Like Dr. Miller, she was sure that Braydon wouldn't need another surgery to remodel his skull.  Braydon was giving her the stare down, it sure does take awhile for him to warm up to someone.  But at least he didn't cry when she was touching his head.

She thought he was doing really good.   She told us that it would probably take awhile for the soft spot to close, but in case it doesn't they can take a portion from the other side of his head and split the skull and use it to fill the hole.  And then put the remaining piece back.  Then it should grow back in.  She also told us we can start putting Neosporin on his incision site and start scraping off the scabs.  I'm not sure about the picking part, but we definately could put some Neosporin on his head.  We have to go back the first part of April to see Dr. Puccioni and hopefully he will clear us and hopefully we won't ever have to see him again.  Not that we don't think he's a nice guy, I just don't ever want to have to deal with this again.

Kristin was also very helpful in answering our questions.  As long as Braydon's skull fills in the big holes, he won't be restricted in any activities.  He'll be able to play football, baseball or any sport that he wants to.  Or if he wants to be a dancer, he'll be able to do that to.  My money is on a Steven Tyler replica.  That boy can scream.  :)  I also asked her about the possibility of some brain damage because Braydon won't roll over from his tummy to his back and he was having a hard time sitting up by himself.  My fears were put to ease by her and also by Dr. Davey at his appointment.  Kristin said that she doesn't believe that there was any damage, and said if you had all those headaches all you would want to do is lay on the couch.  So it probably made him feel better to lay down.

We then met with Dr. Davey for his 6 Month Check-up.  His stats were 18 lbs 5 oz in weight (he gained a pound since surgery), 25 3/4 inches in height and head circumference was 46 cms.  His head size didn't increase since his surgery.  He is now in the 62nd percentile for weight, 23rd for height and 94 for head circumference.  Since Braydon had his surgery, he finally got on a curve line for his head.  Before he was way off the charts.  :)  I would have thought that since his surgery, his head size would have decreased a lot.  But Dr. Davey told us that most of the time Cranio doesn't really affect the head size to much.  He just told us Braydon is going to have to have a big hat size.

His check-up went great from all other standpoints as well.  I told Dr. Davey about Dr. Byrne's concerns about his eyes and my fears were put to ease.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with his eyes.  Thank you to the lord that nothing else is wrong.  also he told us that his little pee-pee is getting better.  We still have to pull the skin back, but we may not have to surgically fix it after all.  He told us that developmentally he is right on par.  Since he can at least roll over one way, that is perfectly fine and as long as he can sit up while being supported he is right on track.

From a diet standpoint we still need to give him about 32 ounces in breast milk and formula.  Once we get through the fruits (we have apples, pears and peaches to get through), we can start pureeing what we are having for dinner and give it to him.  He also can have Biter Biscuits, but I have no idea what those are.  So if someone could tell me that would be great.  In a couple of weeks we can start Cheerios and Puffs along with crackers and yogurt.  By the time he is 8 months old he can have bread and some soft food.  By the time he is 9 months old he should be eating finger food.  I'm sure I will have to wrap my house in plastic wrap when that happens because he is already throwing stuff.  :)  Or Dakota is going to become a fat dog because I'm sure Dakota will eat more than Braydon.

Braydon had to get 3 shots and the drink.  Poor little guy, but he did so well.  We do think that he had a little reaction to the flu shot, because he was running a fever on Friday.  And that has never happened and that was the only new shot they introduced.  I guess we can confirm our suspicions when we bring him back in a month to get his second dose.

We took him to get his pictures taken after his appointment.  I know it was a genius decision to take pictures after his shots.  But it was the only time we really had.  It took him awhile to warm up and he only lasted about 20 minutes.  But we got enough good shots.  I'll share some of our favorites with you.  Until the next time Braydon says keep on smiling.