playroom

We have an extra bedroom that we have always had set up as a guest room.  Because I am all about efficiency and practicality, I got to thinking that having a guest room was a very unwise use of space in such a small home like ours.  I feel the insane need to maximize the use of each room in our home as best as we can.  So, friends and family who have ever stayed the night or several nights with us at our home; they will still be welcome, but instead of a bed, they will have an air mattress in this same room.  (which quite honestly, I think the air mattress is more comfy than the bed we had in there!)

 

 Introducing Dare's new playroom, and mommy's new "exercise corner"  It is so nice to have a place for all his stuff, and books. 

 

Before:

 

Now:

Ryan's only request in the transformation of this room was that we have a lovesac so that he could sit/lay with Dare and read books together.  So sweet.

lake powell on coral cliffs

We went to Lake Powell. 

 

The 2 boys did great on the ride down.  Not one fight.  Bogey was Dare's little buddy, and stayed close by him to keep him happy.

We stopped in Cedar City to see Tay, Dave, and Ty.

 

 

Grandpa and Daddy Ryan

The Pollock's and Dare

 

 

Captain Tex

Captain Jack

 

Dare loves the water

some water kickin time with Jack Jack

Hanging with my Biffy

Ryan helping Tex wake board

Ryan on the board

Chal doing what she does best: assisting her short and awkward friend

this is where I am most comfortable and at home

beautiful

Ryan building a sandcastle with the kids

They LOVE Ryan

Did I say sandcastle?!  Well, then how about an alligator?

Again, they LOVE Ryan...

The Poll kids, Savvy and Joe Joe loving on Dare

Bath time on the Coral Cliffs

And, bedtime too!

Dare slept in a beanie most nights.  It got kinda chipper

Bailey family photo op

afternoon snooze

It's always so sad when we have to go home...

A beautiful place indeed...

must read

 

If you read AT ALL, you NEED to get this book on Amazon.  My good friend just became published for the first time, and it is promised to be a gem.  Can't wait to read it this week while at Powell. 

....more on this to come... when I have my own review to share.

 

blessed

Blessing Day of Navy Marchae.

The beautiful Wilde's.

Dare was so chill throughout the whole event.  Here he is with Mag. 

The Bailey 3.

cc loves and barber bailey

Auntie CC wanted to see Dare so bad, she made a special trip up to our house this evening to visit.  She was so happy to have some D time.

 

She brought Caleb with her for a haircut from the Bailey Barbershop. 

He wanted lines in his mullet that he is growing out so he can be just like hid dad.

 

Here is his dad Stan when he had his mullet.

 

 

Caleb's rendition....anything to be "just like dad" and feel closer to him.

Thanks uncle Ryan for helping him out!

Super Sweet!!

torticollis

Since the day he was born, we noticed that Dare preferred his left side for turning and sleeping.  But, that is where we left it.  Just a fact.  He likes his left side.  It made his daddy proud, because to him, that meant he'll be a lefty, just like dad. 

About a month ago Chal pointed out to us that Dare has a flat spot on his head that is starting to become more pronounced.  Until she said that, I didn't really pay attention.  He is always in such close proximity to me when I am interacting with him, and loving on him, that it was hard to see, and I  never took notice.  But, after she pointed it out, it became more apparent to me that I needed to have it looked at.  I asked Dr. Paul at his 4 month check-up what he thought I should do about it, and that is when he referred me to the Primary Children's PT clinic in Bountiful. 

Dare's first appointment was on Thursday.  His therapist Megan, took a quick assessment of him, and pretty much immediately told me he has  a "common" diagnosis: Torticollis.  Not so common sounding to me, but I was anxious to know what to do about it.  Apparently, if left without therapy and recognition, it will cause his skull to shift more and more to the right, making his ear, cheek, and eye off center as he further develops.  If not addressed, he could end up having to wear a helmet to correct the problem.  

The assumption is, he was tightly fit into the womb, with not much room to stretch and move, which may have caused him to favor his left side in utero, simply for reasons of comfort, and lack of room.  So, when he was born, his muscles on the left side of his neck, that allow him to move to the right, were tight from the get-go, and now 4 months later, even more so.  In PT, they teach him (and mom) how to do stretches and activities that promote his use of his right side.  It is a hard habit to break, due to the discomfort it causes him when using and stretching those tight muscles. 

Here he is with Megan

 

I am determined to do all I can to help our little guy.  We have been doing lots of activities that involve the use of his right side.  I have to get creative on how to get him to stay in that position for any amount of time, because he DOES NOT like his right side at all. 

 

so tired from therapy

Hopefully it will get easier as time goes on.