Helmet life

We are so thankful for the many many prayers over Clark. He is adjusting well to life in his helmet. Yesterday was our first full 23 hour day of wear and he rocked it!

Not a single tear all day 

Slept 13 hours last night

Woke up with a sweaty and smelly head

Right on track

We will head back to the clinic this Thursday for a check up and a few minor adjustments to small areas of the helmet causing irritation. Besides that, all is looking good and we should be seeing a round noggin in no time! 

Chris and I spent thanksgiving at our home this year (just the three of us) and enjoyed talking about the many blessings in our lives and reminiscing over thanksgiving last year when we announced our pregnancy! Man how time flies! So much has changed in a year! 

Currently we are preparing for an extremely busy holiday season and a trip home to Texas! Decorating is done and we have 6 Christmas parties, a wedding, Chris' Bday, and our own little family Christmas to celebrate all before the 17th! On top of that, Chris is writing essays for his application for a doctoral degree program. 

Like I said ...BUSY

On the 17th we will be heading home to see family and are so excited to be staying through to New Years Day this time around. 

Thanksgiving Day

Tree decorating// Clark's first tree farm

Ways to pray:

1) Safe travel for our little family and for a happy baby on the plane

2) Clark's continued treatment and adjustment to helmet life

3) Chris' application process and admittance to the doctoral degree program

4) An uneventful, restful, wonderful holiday with family and friends

Next post will be in 2015 so until then... 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 

Life with Plagiocephaly

Many of you have asked for details or heard mention of a helmet in little Clark's future. We appreciate the prayers for baby and parents as we tackle this next chapter. Clark has been diagnosed with Plagiocephaly (a fancy term for flat head syndrome) and will indeed be getting a helmet. Our little guy was born with a partially flat area on the back of his head due to placement in the womb. After birth, he continued to settle in to that spot while sleeping. As time has progressed the spot became increasingly worse. Our pediatrician recommended that we see a specialist, which we did, at Seattle Children's hospital. He was diagnosed and given a prescription for helmet therapy. We weren't sure quite what to expect from that point. Chris and I were then refered to the hanger clinic in Everett. Clark was examined and had his noggin scanned for his new helmet. It should arrive in about a week and therapy will begin. 

What will this look like for the Taylors? 

For Clark it means 23 hours per day for 6 months in his new stylish helmet. We will begin with just a few hours each day as he makes the adjustment. They say it is harder on mom and dad than on baby.

For Chris and I it means being very proactive about keeping up with the proper adjustments and treatment to ensure maximum results. It also means continuing life as normal... proud to be the parents of our little flat head, helmet wearing blessing from God. We are preparing ourselves for the fact that people will stare, ask questions, and make comments. We are trusting the Lord and know that he is not surprised by any of this. We are praying for maximum results in the minimum amount of time. I hope this helps to clear up

Some of the many questions we have already been receiving. Your prayers for all three of us are welcome as we begin this transition in to helmet life! 

A busy busy fall

Things have been go go go in the lives of the Taylor's. Fall is always a busy season in ministry (so is winter, spring and summer). There has been an event every weekend for the past several weeks, my family was in town last weekend, and we have disciple now approaching in just a few short days! I am blessed to have a wonderful husband that constantly makes time for his family in the midst of busy busy busy. Clark is growing and changing so quickly! Everything looked great as of his last appointment on Oct 31st. He weighed in at 18lbs and is 27in long! 

Can you say linebacker? 

Since the last post he has learned to grab his feet, sit up without support, feed himself, started eating solid foods, laughing ALL the time, and he is attempting to roll from his back to tummy. Here are some of our favorite pictures lately: 

Real men wear pink...

Our visit with my parents was wonderful, quick, but wonderful! Clark loved having his Dodie around. Chris and my dad spent the afternoon fishing (of course) and we got to go to our life group (like a sundayschool class for you southerners) baby free! We are looking forward to spending more time with ALL of the family over the (rapidly approaching) holidays! 

This past weekend we had the privilege of spending some time in beautiful Leavenworth, Wa with our college students. Clark decided it would be fun to keep the whole cabin up all night but that's another story for another time. It was a wonderful weekend of food, fellowship, fun, and time spends on Gods word. 

Ways to pray: 

1) Chris grandfather is in the hospital and not doing well. Please pray for him, his wife, and the rest of the family in this time

2) Clark will be seeing a specialist at Seattle Children's hospital this Monday to discuss helmet therapy for his head. 

3) energy in this busy season! And for disciple now this weekend! 

Once again I will leave you with pictures by Veronicacolemanphotography: 

 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Lately we have been enjoying the beauty of Gods creation at Kayak Point. It has been such a joy and tremendous blessing to witness the painted skies and crashing waves with the sounds of baby giggles filling the air. That's right... baby giggles! Little CT is finally giggling and it is the sweetest of all sounds. These next few photos are some of my favorites (unedited) from our trips to the beach. 

Chris' mom was able to join us for our most recent trip there! ...and Clark is wearing his outfit she bought him! 

And every baby needs a hat!

Clark also seems to be fond of spitting on his daddy...

but he is so cute that we usually let it slide

He also got a new toy! Because he is spoiled rotten 

How could anyone say no to this face?!

Needless to say, we are loving every minute with this little guy. He has recently started a new medication for reflux so we are praying it will help with his spitting up issues. ASM is back in full swing with an event happening almost every weekend this fall. Please continue to pray for energy and wisdom for Chris in his ministry. We have enjoyed time with Chris' mom this past week and were even able to have a little date day! Looking forward to more family time my mom and dad in a few weeks! 

3 months already?!

Exactly one year ago today, after a very long, hard, and emotional journey, Chris and I found out we were expecting a baby. We couldn't believe it was actually happening and were beyond excited and anxious to meet our bundle. Our precious boy is 3 months old already! Where has the time gone?! 

He is attempting to giggle, grabbing everything he can get his hands (and mouth) on, rolling over, and growing so fast! We love every minute with this little guy. He is now successfully staying in the nursery on Sunday's and we took our first family trip to the zoo with the Doran clan! It is so much fun watching Clark interact more and more with his environment. 

Now that baby T is on a good schedule, Chris and I have also been able to manage our time as a couple a little better. We even snuck away for a date day on the lake with some great fried a a few weekends ago! We missed the little guy but it was wonderful to have some much needed time together! 

In other news, ASM is back in full swing and we had our fall kick off event (camp Casey) last weekend. I was not able to go since there was no place for Clark and I to stay but it sounded like everyone had a great time! 

I am back to working on Tuesday mornings again as well which is a nice break from being at home. Added bonus... Clark gets to go with me! 

We are enjoying the last days of sunshine around here the best way we know how... getting out in it! I can't say that I am looking forward to the rain. The cold, I don't mind. But the rain... so much rain. We took Clark to the beach for the first time on Monday and I'm pretty sure he loved it, but I'll let the pictures do the talking. 

 

Not much else is going on for the time being. I mean besides youth ministry of course! Oh and we are having our first garage sale this weekend. 

Ways you can be praying: 

Chris: This is such a busy time of year in ministry so mainly Chris needs prayer for energy to endure! And of course we always desire to see kids come to the Lord. 

Clark: The next doctor appointment is right around the corner and we are praying he is still developing on schedule and will remain healthy and strong! 

Haley: I have missed having family around more than ever lately and it has proven to be more of a struggle than I anticipated. Skeeter and Dodie will be coming for a visit in October along with Chris' mom (gram) a separate weekend! Hooray! 

I will leave you with some baby Cuteness by Veronica Coleman: