Free at last!

(the closet of baby heads on sticks)

Fifteen weeks seemed like a long time to be trapped in a stinky, sweaty, unattractive helmet back in May, but today Sophie graduated and is free at last! We are so glad it's all over and done. Now we can see all of our curly haired kiddo again, and I can stop kissing plastic all the time. Hooray!

(in the bank robber stocking for the head scan)

(caliper measurements)

(off for good, and we get to keep the baby head on a stick!)

So, you probably want to know the results and if it was all worth it. I have pictures to share of the results below.

**First a disclaimer.** Sophie started her DOC band at 12.5 months of age. The optimum age to wear/use one is around the 6 month mark when the head is super soft and growing like crazy. So while there was still a small window of hope to bring some change to the shape of her head, we knew it would not be drastic and it would be very slow and gradual, thus needing the full 15 weeks. We decided to go ahead and give it a try any way, and see what growth, if any we could capture. The end result is small, but we are pleased. Not as much as we had hoped, but what was expected.

(before on the left, after on the right.  The top set you can see how the back of her head rounded out a bit.  The bottom set you can see how her forehead got a little more even.)

If I had to do it again I would. It was about giving it a try and not living with regrets with the would have, could have, should have, scenarios I live with in my head. We gave it our best shot and we gained a bit. I don't have to wonder if I should have done something more for my child.

(Luke tagged along)