Mason's new "hat"

When Mason was a newborn, he would only sleep on one side of his head... and that resulted in a pretty dramatic flat spot.  When we first new about it, I was worried that he would have to get a helmet to correct it.  Now I wonder why I worried so much. 

Clear back in August we went to a Plastic Surgeon that specializes in orthotic helmets to help reshape misshapen heads.  He will give a prescription to get a helmet for anything he deems over a 6 on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst shaped head.  Mason was a 7 1/2.  We set up an appointment with the orthotic center to measure his head and send in a pre-approval from our insurance company.  We were told it would take 6-8 weeks.  After weeks of pressing the insurance company, we finally got an approval after 9 1/2 weeks.

We went back in on October 12th to get a mold of his head.  Then we went back on the 27th to pick up our new helmet.  It hit me hard as we were sitting there testing the helmet.  Mason started crying and I naturally bent down and kissed his head, but I wasn't kissing his head... I was kissing the helmet.  I got a bit teary at the realization that natural mommy comforts were going to change. 

The first few nights with his helmet were tough.  He didn't sleep well.  And I felt really bad for him.  But then he got into the groove of wearing it and has been great ever since.  We went back to the plastic surgeon at the beginning of December and he told us it would probably only be 6 more weeks.  He was happy with the progress.  Here's to hoping that we only have two more weeks.  We shall see.  Still kind of waiting on another good growth spurt to fill in the last little bit of flatness.

I have been able to have fun with decorating his helmet though.

Mason the day he got his helmet.

The same day, I decorated it right away.

Go Utes!

Our Christmas candycane.

Mason's birthday theme was "Bubbles and Balls"  We decorated his helmet with a Happy Birthday sign, bubbles, balls, and balloons.

We will see if he really only has two more weeks, or if we will have to endure another 6 weeks after that.  Wish us luck!

Visit to Cedar City

I forgot this visit that we took down south back at the beginning of September.  My cap for one of my root canals had popped loose, so we knew we needed to head down and see our WONDERFUL dentist... also my brother-in-law Dr. Chase Williams.  :)

It was also a good excuse to get to see my sister, Teresa, at 8 months pregnant with twins.  I hadn't seen her for awhile, so I was excited.  I just wish that I had some pics of my visit with her.

Chase, Teresa, Adam and I got a sitter for the kiddos and headed out for a double date.  We went to dinner at Wingers and then to a movie...Contagion.  It was a lot of fun to get out on a double, let alone a date period.  It is very needed.

The next day we had our dental appointments.  I went in first to get my teeth cleaned and then check the cap situation.  Without fail, the teeth cleaning tickled like crazy, but felt great afterward... and my cap situation wasn't great.  It was so stinky when he pulled the cap out of my mouth.  Chase ended up cementing my cap back on for the time being because I didn't have much root to put the post in.  Here's to hoping it lasts a little while. 

Adam got his teeth cleaned and everything seemed to be fine...I think.  I can't remember.

Brody had his FIRST real dentist appointment too!  They had a TV on the ceiling and turned on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Brody was in heaven.

Halloween 2011

This Halloween, we followed our tradition (that will probably change soon) of going to visit all the grandparents (but we missed Great Grandma Romig and grandma and grandpa Dowland this year).  We had a trunk or treat on Saturday night that was fun to go to.  We had a lot of people compliment our costumes.

Then on actual Halloween, we went to visit Mama and Papa...

Us as s'mores..

Mason made a GREAT marshmallow.

Papa and Mason.

Mama and Mason

Papa and Brody

Mama and Brody.

Then we stopped by Great Grandma Semos' for a quick second, and then headed over to Great Grandma Dowland's for a quick visit.  We decided to drive up by the Draper Temple and then headed home.  By the time we got home it was already bedtime, so we didn't do any more trick or treating at home.  It was a lot of fun to see grandparents, but we may have to shorten our visits or just send pictures in the future so we can have "Halloween" at home. :)

Fall 2011 Dowland Family Pics

Relief Society Women's Choir...

I was called in to the bishop's office in July and was asked if I wanted to and would be willing to sing with a few of the ladies in our ward and a big women's choir compiled together by Saratoga Springs Stakes and Eagle Mountain Stakes.  We would be singing for the Relief Society General Broadcast on September 24.

I was so excited and jumped on the opportunity.  We practiced every Sunday for weeks leading up to it for HOURS.  The very first practice was probably the most memorable for me.  As I walked into the designated church, I heard women singing and it literally sounded like the Mormon Tabernacle.   The spirit hit me like a tall, strong wave.  We weren't late, but most of the women were already there and they sounded like angels. I originally thought that they were playing a MoTab CD for us to listen to, but NOPE... it was the ladies I was going to be singing with.  Our music director was wonderful!  She brought the spirit so strong into every one of our practices and I am so grateful for that once in a lifetime opportunity I had to partake in.

Our dress rehearsal was on the 17th up at the conference center and it was open to our family members to come watch us rehearse.  My family, mom, and grandma were able to make it.

And a few of the boys together.

Brody shots over Summer 2011

Some Mason shots over Summer 2011

Loss and gain...

On August 11, I left this in Adam's drawer...

Hard to see, but definitely there.

On August 16th, I started a miscarriage.  We went to see my NP, and had my progesterone tested (my sisters have had progesterone problems, so I knew it was a possibility that mine would be low).  They checked it, and at 6 weeks pregnant, the absolute LOWEST my progesterone should have been was 10... as in TEN.  Mine was at 0.9... as in zero POINT nine.  So my NP gave me a prescription for Progesterone for the next time we wanted to get pregnant.  I would start taking it right away, once I received a postitive result.

The miscarriage was hard.  I was really down the first day and I asked for a blessing from Adam.  Heavenly Father told me that I would receive the righteous desires of my heart.  I was so comforted that I almost felt guilty for not feeling so bad anymore.  The Holy Ghost is truly a comforter.

Well, September 18 rolled around and this is what we got.

I actually did this test a week later so I would have a more solid positive (after we already knew we were pregnant).

We had decided not to wait any cycles, and to just let nature run its course... and of course... since we are so fertile, we were pregnant again right away.  I started Progesterone meds and they kicked my butt.  I had to take them until 10 weeks.  And then I felt more normal again. Well, as normal as ANY woman can feel while being pregnant.

 I know Heavenly Father has His hand in my life.  I know that the baby I was pregnant with before either wasn't ready or wasn't going to live...so Heavenly Father allowed it to stay with Him.  I also know that Heavenly Father blessed us so soon after that loss because of the promise he made to me in my blessing.  I am truly grateful for the ability to bear children and that I haven't had the trials that so many of my loved ones have had to go through. My heart goes out to them and I count myself very lucky.

24th of July Tradition

This year was no different than past years.  We went down to Fairview for our annual 24th of July Demolition Derby and Parade.

We got to stay in the trailer because there were lots of guests (The Winterton family AND Great Grandpa Semos) coming to stay at the Dowland's.  It was actually really nice, because it was just our little family... and they got the air conditioning working for us to use.

The celebrations were all held on the 23rd since Pioneer day fell on a Sunday.
We went to the parade that morning:

Grandma and Mason..

Waiting for the parade to stop.

Four generations, minus Adam.

Great grandpa Semos and Mason.

Our little family.

Nicole and Melanie were making a "blockade" for Brody so other kids wouldn't run in front of him to grab the candy thrown to him...  The other kids were DRIVING US CRAZY!

Naught-head and Mason.

Brody with his bag of goods.

Brody wearing a t-shirt daddy caught.  Made for a good sun block.

We headed to the demo derby that night...

See those scratches on Mason's cheek?  Yeah, Brody did that... *sigh*

Another fun year at the Demolition Derby...