Well, this is a blog I never wanted to post, actually never wanted to think about. But Jared and I have decided to be so incredibly thankful for this upcoming experience, and most importantly thankful that God chose our family to share this journey. We will humble ourselves before the Lord and commit in these next 90 days to share God's love with anyone who is curious about our Stella.
Trying to make a LONG story short, if you keep up with our family, or even our blog you know that precious Stella has been in Physical Therapy since she was 5 months to correct "torticollis". Basically this in greek means "twisted neck". She was diagnosed with this because as an infant she has only turned her head to the right. We noticed this at her 4 month check up and by that time she was bad enough to require therapy. I didn't go into the whole therapy thing on the blog because I thought it would be something easily treatable. Well during the therapy time her physical therapist noticed her head shape. She was becoming flat on the side she laid on the most and sort of "bulging" on the side that she never turned her head, so we took Stella back to her peditrician who then diagnosed Stella with "plagiocephaly". This in greek means "flat head". We were then referred to a specialist at Childrens Hospital. So thats where we were 3 weeks ago. We saw a wonderful doctor at Childrens who recommended we have Stella's head scanned to see if she was in the range that required a helmet. Soooooo, are you keeping up?? I feel scattered trying to type the whole story......anyway, Stella went for the scan and of course, she was HIGHLY recommended for a helmet. Thats where we are at.
Trying to make a LONG story short, if you keep up with our family, or even our blog you know that precious Stella has been in Physical Therapy since she was 5 months to correct "torticollis". Basically this in greek means "twisted neck". She was diagnosed with this because as an infant she has only turned her head to the right. We noticed this at her 4 month check up and by that time she was bad enough to require therapy. I didn't go into the whole therapy thing on the blog because I thought it would be something easily treatable. Well during the therapy time her physical therapist noticed her head shape. She was becoming flat on the side she laid on the most and sort of "bulging" on the side that she never turned her head, so we took Stella back to her peditrician who then diagnosed Stella with "plagiocephaly". This in greek means "flat head". We were then referred to a specialist at Childrens Hospital. So thats where we were 3 weeks ago. We saw a wonderful doctor at Childrens who recommended we have Stella's head scanned to see if she was in the range that required a helmet. Soooooo, are you keeping up?? I feel scattered trying to type the whole story......anyway, Stella went for the scan and of course, she was HIGHLY recommended for a helmet. Thats where we are at.
You might be asking what has caused all this?? We don't know for sure, we blame ourselves alot of the time for not noticing alot of signs early on, and then we have been told this is also a side effect to premature births or "trauma" births, which Stella had both being born at 34 weeks due to my preeclampsia. We are literally tired of trying to figure out the cause and now are focused on the solution, which is giving Stella the most beautiful, roundest head out there!!
I have had my pity party for my baby. It's OVER. Stella has to wear this helmet for the next 3 months for 23 hours a day. I cried alot during the 2 weeks we waited for her custom helmet, and today was my first day out of the house with Stella and "the helmet". Alot of stares, alot of abnormal looks, and I even had a man come up and ask me actually why she had a helmet on. Not to mention he called my baby in a pink helmet a BOY!!! Seriously, I am laughing. I have a feeling this next 90 days are going to probably be very interesting. But look what God has given me??!! An opportunity. wow. Our God has given my family an opportunity to shine His light. I am so thankful. It brings tears to my eyes to think that baby Stella can be a conversation starter to share the good news. Jesus saves. We said in the "about me" section of our blog that we wanted our blog to be inspirational.....its time to LIVE it. So we will, we will step out of our little all too comfortable comfort zone and get the word out. God gave us this journey and we will humble ourselves, knowing that we are faithfully working for the King. I hope to share stories that we encounter on our blog. But in advance thank you to all who support our family. We are so beyond thankful for our loving friends and family, there is nothing greater on Earth!
I have had my pity party for my baby. It's OVER. Stella has to wear this helmet for the next 3 months for 23 hours a day. I cried alot during the 2 weeks we waited for her custom helmet, and today was my first day out of the house with Stella and "the helmet". Alot of stares, alot of abnormal looks, and I even had a man come up and ask me actually why she had a helmet on. Not to mention he called my baby in a pink helmet a BOY!!! Seriously, I am laughing. I have a feeling this next 90 days are going to probably be very interesting. But look what God has given me??!! An opportunity. wow. Our God has given my family an opportunity to shine His light. I am so thankful. It brings tears to my eyes to think that baby Stella can be a conversation starter to share the good news. Jesus saves. We said in the "about me" section of our blog that we wanted our blog to be inspirational.....its time to LIVE it. So we will, we will step out of our little all too comfortable comfort zone and get the word out. God gave us this journey and we will humble ourselves, knowing that we are faithfully working for the King. I hope to share stories that we encounter on our blog. But in advance thank you to all who support our family. We are so beyond thankful for our loving friends and family, there is nothing greater on Earth!
Here we go, on a journey that won't last long but will prayerfully make a big impact in someone's life. To God be the Glory.
Stella- turns 9 months October 29th
Truly an angel.
Kristen this is a GREAT way to share the gospel. that's awesome! God has worked in your life in the past 2-3 years and it has been amazing to watch. You are a beautiful women inside and out. Stella looks so cute in her pink helmet! Only pink for the princess =) i love you and your family!
ReplyDeleteOh Kristen she looks beautiful in that pink helmet! It will be over before you know it. Just tell everyone she was riding her bike earlier and just refuses to take it off! ;) Stay strong!
ReplyDeleteYou ought to get her a big bow made to go right over that green arrow too! You could velcro it on.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lori! Kristen - she's gorgeous. She's still a child of God. She's a princess in His eyes and in yours. No matter what her head is like, Stella is beautiful because God created her. Glad you decided to post because her little face is filling out so much! She has grown tremendously since I saw her in September! WOW!! Love you all and I'm so glad we saw each other Saturday!! Miss you tons!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this blog. Our daughter Annsley, who was born the same day as Sitre... at the same hospital..., had torticollis. She had it at 4 months as well. We went through intensive Physical Therapy and it didn't require a helmet. However, we went through some of the same emotions and questioned what went wrong, etc as well. Annsley wasn't early - Pamela was induced right at her due date - and she didn't have a traumatic birth. We tried to figure out why, but were thankful that it wasn't something that was terminal. Pamela and I prayed a lot through the diagnosis as well as through the therapy. She came out fine after weeks of therapy at St. Vincent's as well as home therapy.
ReplyDeleteAnnsley went to her grandparents for the weekend and it was either as we were driving to pick her up or to take her there, I can't remember, but I remember looking in the rear view mirror at her watching her DVD in the car to see if her head tilted or anything. I don't know why I did that b/c that's been 3 1/2 years ago, but she doesn't show any signs any more that she ever had the condition. We give God the praise! Pamela and I will be praying for Stella and for you guys as well that God will do an amazing work on her behalf! And, I must say, you guys are doing a tremendous job of having faith and turning this situation into something positive for the Kingdom and for God's glory! These things are what you will be rewarded for in Heaven! God will give you guys tremendous favor, not b/c you're doing good things, but b/c He loves you and will honor your prayers!
What an awesome testimony and way to share what God has done in your life and what He can do in the lives of others as well.
ReplyDeleteStella is PRECIOUS in her pink helmet!!
Love you all and we will be in prayer that this pink helmet on the cutest 9 month old ever will change lives for HIS Kingdom!! :)
Beth and Parrish
Thank you so much guys!! We love support!! We wouldn't be anywhere without it!! We love you guys so much!! THank you for sharing your stories and hearts with us!!
ReplyDeleteJared and Kristen
Ahh, she's beautiful. I LOVE her helmet. Just think how beautiful she is now and how perfect God created her. Thank you Lord for the technology you have given men to detect and treat Stella's sweet head. God picked you and Jared especially for Stella and for His purpose. Love you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a PRECIOUS doll baby! Like Lauren said, she is BEAUTIFUL in the sight of God AND to us! You have such a positive attitude about it, and we are all certainly praying for ya'll. We love ya'll!
ReplyDeleteJodie and DRew
We will definitely keep you in our prayers. I am confident that God will use you to speak to others that need to know him. Attitude is everything!! You never know how God is going to use you, you just have to be willing to be his hands and feet. Love you guys!
ReplyDelete