The Great Gazoo
I’m not sure how it happened, but we’ve managed to completely fail at both mention and posting pictures of Nathan’s helmet. (well, the lack of pictures probably shouldn’t take you by surprise.)
On September 20th Nathan got a helmet to help correct the flat spot on his head. It works like a retainer, guiding the growth of his head. The outside is hard plastic and the inside is stiff foam that gets carved away as Nathan’s head grows. It slows the growth of the already round side and provides protection for the flat spot while it rounds itself out. Nathan’s is green with jungle animals. (We’ve told you his favorite color is green, right? And have you seen the jungle in his room?) We were told since he started it at a young age (7 months, or 4 months, depending how you count) he’d have it for about 3 months. 6 weeks later, he’s all done. That’s 6 weeks instead of 12 weeks. Yay! Because Nathan’s growth is likely more in line with his due date than his birthday date he’ll keep wearing the helmet at night and on really long (like 4+ hour) car trips, just to make sure he doesn’t develop a new flat spot. But really, this kid won’t even lie on his back to bet his diaper changed, so we’re not worried.
The green helmet was of course the starting point for Nathan’s Halloween costume. I mean, how many baby’s do you know who own and are willing to wear a helmet? None. We got lots of suggestions throughout October, but being the lame-o parents that we are, as of 1pm on October 31st there was no costume. Thanks to an errand-running auntie and a Flintstone-loving daddy, a kelly green onesie was found and the Great Gazoo was pulled together in about five minutes – just in time for the first trick-or-treater (since Halloween wasn’t canceled in Arlington).
So there you have it – a helmet and martian, come and gone. I wonder what else November has in store for us?