The time has come...

...for Bryson to learn to accessorize! That's right Bryce is now sporting the latest in fashion accessories! His new 'band'. We often call it a helmet but that is not the correct phrase for it. We also thought we'd call it a hat to make it easier on Bryce but decided that we didn't want to ruin him on hats for life... so we've decided to call it by it's official name which is 'band' (though we are teaching Bryce the sign for hat so that he can refer to it easier).

Just to bring everyone up to speed. Nate and I noticed Bryce's misshapen head around 4-6 months. We mentioned it to our original pediatrician who assured us it would correct itself. At our new doctor, shortly before Bryce's first birthday, it was brought up again but this time by the doctor who recommended that we go see a specialist. We toyed with the idea but knew that the consultation was free and we were interested to see what they said. After a session of special digital photos and measurements were taken they determined that not only did Bryson have plagiocephaly, he actually had a borderline severe case of it. The interesting part is that the way it presented in Bryson is actually the opposite of the way it typically presents. The doctor is attributing this to Bryson's growth and positioning in utero.... which boils down to there was no way to prevent it and nothing we could have done differently to stop it! So after a small battle with the insurance company to cover the 'insane' cost of the band we went ahead with the procedure. Bryson is now sporting his cranial band which he will have to wear for 23 hours a day for a minimum of 4 months. It is very difficult for Nate and I to see him with it on, but we are taking comfort in the fact that it doesn't seem to bother him too much. He's tried to take it off a few times today but did manage to take a nap and go to bed the same as usual.
We just wanted everyone to know that this was going on with him/us and to give you a sneak peak at his latest accessory so you wouldn't be surprised the next time you saw him!

**One more thing to share. We went to visit our friend Anya who has an older brother, Andy, who is 10 year old. Andy and his friends were over while we were visiting and after noticing Byrce's band each of them commented with such sweetness to Bryce (as though he could understand them) that they liked his helmet and how they wish they could get a cool helmet and that he looked tough like a football player... it took all my will power not to tear up at these boys being so kind to my little guy!!