I read about you Christopher!

This has been a very busy week here in the Kozar household, actually everyday is busy! Nonetheless, it has been a productive week as well. We met with Sara yesterday, our physical therapist, and she is encouraged by how well Christopher is doing. He is getting stronger by the week, and more confident. He has begun to crawl, not quickly but slowly figuring it out and then lunging forward to retrieve whatever he has his sights on. Max is right on his heels, they are adorable but really what will I do when they are on the move!
Our visit to see Laura at Union was also very positive. She measured another mm of growth in the back right it was 1 whole mm! They are changing the format of the scan so we decided to wait to post the original. His next scheduled scan is in 2 months so we will be able to compare the first scan and scheduled scan to see the differences that we have been measuring. We also double checked and it has been 1 month and 2 days Christopher has been wearing his helmet.
Since it was just Christopher and I, we went to Mcginnis Sisters and Christopher was recognized from the article in the South Hills Record. He was smiling and singing and the ladies who work in the bakery and deli all read the article and made such a fuss, it was a lot of fun! He is our little rock star! Today was a great day!

Slow and Steady......

Christopher is making great strides with his physical therapy, Sara our therapist is amazing with him. She did work with the yoga ball this week, he loved it! She got him to prop himself up on all fours, and stretch to get what he needed! Max, is a mad man and a very good teacher to his brother, it is interesting how different they are in their development. Max seems to be very quick to figure out how to get around, Christopher takes a slower approach!
I have slowed things down at bath time for Christopher. He gets to have a break from the helmet and he seems to love touching his hair and holding his head. He also seems to sit well by himself in the water and lean to reach toys, he and I are quite proud of his accomplishments!
Today I spoke to a mom who is just starting the process of PT and getting the helmet, I helped her to relax and it felt great. I also decided it is time to really put the word out there, this is affecting many families and we can all help one another, one mom and dad at a time!
I was also told by my aunt there is a class action lawsuit on behalf of United health care, to be continued.......

Just another Rainy Monday......

Christopher and I had a great visit with Laura from Union Orthotics. Christopher measured 0 growth in the front and 1 mm in the back, which is perfect! Laura adjusted his helmet above his eyes and a little behind his ears.
Christopher's bath time routine has become one of his favorite things to do, he is aware of his hair and keeps one hand on his head at all times! He cracks up when I wash his hair! I try to keep the helmet off for the entire hour, but sometimes its a race to put it on before he falls asleep. I have had to put it on while he is sleeping, not an easy task, but I have gotten pretty good at it and he sleeps right through it! Playtime on the floor is proving to be a little more successful, he is sitting by himself in the tub, but with assistance on the floor, he is getting stronger everyday.

My daughter wore a helmet too!

In my travels yesterday while returning recalled Tylenol and lucky for me purchasing the last 2 bottles of generic, I had a wonderful experience! At checkout I noticed a woman looking at Christopher and she was smiling, I thought it very nice of her, while also wondering what she was thinking, then she said "my daughter wore a helmet too!" She was standing alongside her 9 year old, a lovely blond haired blue eyed little girl with a beautiful smile! She said it was the first time she saw another child in a helmet, and noted how far they have come! She also remembered how hard it was on her, the mom, and that it brought back memories, and confirmed that the babies have no idea! $100 later and a positive experience, priceless! lol!!!

Sniffles, sneezes and crankiness a plenty!

Its been a crazy couple of days, to say the least! Mother's Day was a great day, I spent the morning with my mom, sister Jennifer, sister-in-law Colleen and neighbor Karen and did the Race For The Cure. It was crazy cold, who would have thought you needed gloves in May, nevertheless we finished 1 hour and 17 minutes. I came home and spent the afternoon with the kids and Johnny watching old movies and absolutely nothing else! It was perfect!
We didn't have an appointment this week, they are usually on Mondays, we had an off week.
This is officially the first cold the babies have had, the runny noses and disrupted sleep at night are making them cranky, Christopher has been rubbing his helmet, it seems to be bothering him along with everything else right now, otherwise he is fine. Ave', Sophia and John Morgan are all starting now with the sneezing and coughing, this weather is our of control!
I have to be diligent with Christopher keeping an eye on his temp, if he does develop a fever the helmet stays off until the fever subsides.
Of all things to happen this morning, the furnace broke, go figure, its May! Luckily it was all under warranty! I guess we won't have to service it now in the fall!
We see Sara on Friday, hopefully he will be feeling better!

TGIF!

Another week has gone by, we seem to start the week with Union and end it with Sara, Christopher's physical therapist! He is doing really well with turning his head, still have a lot of work to do with sitting and getting him up on all fours! Max is starting to rock back and forth, this will be getting more interesting everyday!

The girls had their first game this past Tuesday, it was the first time I took the twins, it was strange, nobody asked why he was wearing the helmet, and with him sitting next to his twin brother it was quite noticeable!

I loved the article about alexandrasphate in the South Hills Record, and the pictures were so cute! I went and bought a couple of issues! I am so proud to be involved with this organization.

This Sunday is Mothers Day, and we are doing the race for the cure, I wasn't allowed to do it last year, I am looking forward to taking the kids and spending the morning with them. How lucky I am to have 5 beautiful children, I am truly blessed!

Happy Mothers Day to all of my friends and family!

Just another manic monday!

Today was Christopher's first appointment since receiving his helmet, and he measured 1 mm different! The helmet is fitting him perfectly, very little irritation and already doing its job! He isn't bothered by it very much, he is a trooper!

I also spent the afternoon with Gary and Valerie and Miss Alexandra, being interviewed by the South Hills Record about Alexandrasphate.org, it was really nice to be part of the story, and they got to meet our children! Also, a peek into our busy household!

Getting around town!

We were out and about this weekend, visiting family in Ohio and celebrating my mom's birthday. Everybody agreed Christopher is absolutely adorable in his helmet! We have a busy day tomorrow, Christopher has an appointment for his adjustment in the morning and in the afternoon an interview with the South Hills Record.
I was worried about Christopher being uncomfortable this weekend with the heat, and he seems to be adjusting really well. He is up to 23 hours in his helmet, 1 hour off at bath time. I have to be careful while cleaning the helmet, wiping it out with alcohol, or a mild baby shampoo, and it is imperative the helmet and Christopher's head be dry when I put it back on.
We are so proud of our little man, Max is mesmerized by the stickers, and his older sisters and brother have done such great job looking out for him! I am a lucky mom!