Noggin' News

Today was Felicity's bi-weekly helmet appointment and we received the best news...she only has to wear her helmet for 3 more weeks and not 8 weeks as we were originally told!!! I was so excited when I heard the news that I had to hold back my tears of joy before I looked like an idiot. :) You see, this helmet has been a huge part of our lives over the last couple of months and it's going to be wonderful, yet a little odd to see our baby girl without this thing on her head 24/7.  She has literally had to wear this helmet everyday, for 23 hours a day. It's almost become a part of her and we don't even really notice it anymore. I surely won't miss the constant removal for clothing changes, cleaning it everyday,  poor F's sweaty head and constantly worrying if she's too hot or if she's developing a skin rash.  I've dreamt of the days where I could just lay with her and kiss her little head without having to worry about this chunky block of plastic being in my way.

The decision to have Felicity wear this helmet was very hard on me in the beginning. The first day she wore it I was so angry and torn. I just wanted to burn it and I regretted our decision immediately after we got home from our first appointment. Luckily, I had my other half (Mat) to talk me into going through with it because at the end of the day, it's what's best for our daughter. Of course I always want what's best for her. I just didn't want my beautiful baby girl to have to wear this hunk of plastic and have random strangers gawk at her like she's a mutant from outer space. Most people we've encountered don't even mention the helmet but others have given rude stares and it makes you want to punch them in the face. People are just ignorant and have no idea what the helmet's about. That's just something that I've had to accept over time.

As trivial as this helmet may seem to some people, it's always a bigger deal to the parents and children who have to go through it. There is a plagiocephaly support group of over 3,000 members on the Babycenter website dedicated to lending a shoulder for one another going through the same situation. No one wants their child to be considered "different." Most people say that they don't care what others think, but deep down, we all know that's not the truth. It's sad, but true.

We are so blessed beyond measure to have this wonderful, healthy baby in our lives and I'm sure this is just one of many bumps in the road of parenthood that we will encounter. Good thing Felicity had her helmet for this part of the journey! ;)