Baby Steps

We were thrilled to find out this weekend the results of Gwyneth's MRI.  The doctor has assured us that everything is normal and there is absolutely nothing for us to worry about...such a relief!  Although the procedure made me a nervous wreck, I am so glad we did it and now know that Gwyneth is a health 13 month old who just happens to have a larger than normal head. :)

She started taking a few steps on her own last week.  She's up to about 4 or 5 before she plops down to the ground.  My guess is that she will be walking in a matter of weeks.  We are excited but also know this means she will be getting into even more stuff than before!  At least we will be getting more exercise chasing her around.

Last night we took Gwyneth to The Rainforest Cafe for dinner and she loved it!  We knew going in that she would either love it or be scared and we were certainly hoping for option one.  She was so entertained and amused by all of her surroundings we actually got to eat our food at the same time (usually one person is eating while the other person is entertaining her).  It was also great catching up with our dear friend Jeremy Lawley who was in town for business.  This was Lawley's first time meeting Gwyneth and they hit it off although he was a little scared to hold her. :)

MRI

From three months on, Gwyneth's head circumference has been on the large side.  We have had several extra appointments between her standard check-ups to measure her head growth.  All babies heads continually grow, but what alarmed the doctor was the rate at which her head circumference grew in relation to her height and weight.  After our last appointment with our doctor in Northern California, she was satisfied that the growth had plateaued.

We had Gwyneth's one year check-up here in Southern California just last month.  Her measurements for height and weight were a little above average, both in the 75th percentile.  On the other hand, her head circumference was off the charts.  I of course was very concerned, but I remembered pictures of me as a child and boy was my head huge!  My parents said our pediatrician was never concerned about my head circumference.  Looking at my baby pictures I find it hard to believe nobody even had a thought that there could be something wrong.

I am fairly convinced that Gwyneth is perfectly fine.  She is meeting all her milestones with no problem and she is the smartest and happiest little girl.  I keep telling the doctors that she is just a brainiac and is uber smart like her mommy and daddy, but just to be safe the doctor would like to have an MRI done to confirm everything is ok.  The concern is that there may be too much fluid and pressure on her brain.

We had her pre-MRI appointment this afternoon and to be honest, I am more concerned about the actual procedure than the prospect of finding something on the MRI.  Gwyneth cannot have any food or milk after midnight tonight.  She can have water or juice up to three hours before the procedure but since the procedure is at 7:30 in the morning that means she cannot have any food or drink when she wakes up.  When we get there, she will be given medication orally that will make her tired and relaxed.  Then she will be taken into the procedure room where they will place a gas mask on her to make her fall asleep.  Once asleep they will administer the general anesthesia via IV and a breathing tube will be placed down her throat.  The entire procedure should take approximately 30 minutes.  Afterwards, she will be in recovery until they are satisfied that she is ok to leave.

We should have the results back in a week.  Until then, I will be anxiously awaiting the good news that Gwyneth is perfectly fine.  I am ready to put the worry behind us once and for all!  

Mt. Rubidoux

We've started exploring the area more and have found there is a lot to do around here.  This past weekend the weather was perfect so we decided to go on a family hike at Mt. Rubidoux.

Mt. Rubidoux is a park in downtown Riverside.  Although I would not technically classify it as a mountain, it was still quite a trek.  The path up and down the mountain is a round trip of approximately 3 miles.  It is fully paved so it was perfect taking Gwyneth in her jogging stroller.

When we got to the top, we could see all of downtown Riverside.

There is a large cross on the top of Mt. Rubidoux.  In 1909 the first outside non-denominational Easter service was help atop the mountain.  The tradition still continues and the service has been held every year since.

The Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge, built in1925.

All tuckered out!