Melisa and I took Zoey to the neurologist yesterday for a formal evaluation. We received word from our pediatrician late last week that Zoey was in no immediate danger nor had any serious issues, so we were planning on a quick meeting and exam. Things didn’t quite work out like we planned, but they weren’t necessarily bad either. The basic idea we took from yesterday is we’re not out of the woods yet, so Zoey will require more evaluation and monitoring.

The doctor is concerned about three things:

1) Benign excess craniocerebral fluid. Basically there is an elevated (but still within normal levels) amount of fluid between her brain and skull. She said this is fairly common and should correct itself by the time Zoey is 2 years old.

2) Craniosynostosis. Occurs in one in 2,000 live births. This is when the skull bones fuse together too quickly and can cause problems with skull and brain growth. Zoey’s CT scan did not show evidence of this, but due to her physical characteristics (larger head, forehead shape, and ridge at suture line on left side of head), the doctor would like to monitor Zoey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniosynostosis

3) Hydrocephalus. (aka “water on the brain”) Occurs in one in 500 live births. Once again, physical characteristics (larger head, sometimes tense fontanel, ridge on left suture, prominent scalp veins) lead us to caution, but symptoms such as weak appetite, seizures, and sleepiness are not present at all. The neurologist wants to monitor this as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocephalus

So, with that said, we’re heading back to Children’s in one month for another CT scan and evaluation. This time we’ll get to meet with the neurologist right after the CT scan, so no waiting a week to hear the results.

My gut says Zoey is OK – she’s hitting milestones and seems pretty normal otherwise, but I am also glad we’re following through to make sure she is OK and continues to develop normally. It seems like diagnosing and taking care of these problems before the end of the first year is important, so if she does need help we’re definitely doing the right thing at the right time.

We appreciate all the support and well wishes we’ve received over the last couple weeks! We’ll keep everyone posted as we receive updates.

We go in for a CT scan of Zoey’s head tomorrow.  I am really not worried, but we are going in because I noticed on the right side of her head there is a wider gap between her cranial bones than on the left side.  I mentioned it to the Dr. and she seemed to think it was fine at first considering it takes up to 24 months for the bones to suture together, but on second thought she figured we should get it checked out as a precaution, just to make sure things are indeed fine.  So, I am going with the “not worried until I have something to worry about” attitude… or at least trying to.  The Dr. said that she thought the worst case scenario would be that she’d have to wear a helmet to help her bones seal together.  Which, is kinda cute I have to admit, in a funny mommy sort of way.  Anyway, she is hitting all the typical baby milestones and some of them, even ahead of time, so I don’t think there is anything huge to worry about.  Again, at least that is what I am going with for now.  Unfortunately, we have to wait a week, until next Monday, to have the Pediatric Neurosurgeon read the thing… ugh.  That seems like a long time to wait.

In other news, both babies are eating cereal and started “yellow/orange” vegetables.  Seeing that they eat enough for a small village (especially Zoey) we are going to work on making our own baby food (I may be out of my mind, but I am always saying to myself, “I had twins- how hard could this be?”).  This makes sense for a lot of reasons: 1) its darn expensive with two (hence the nursing), 2) I was never completely sure what was in those neat little factory packed containers of baby food anyway 3)baby food is notoriously wasteful in its packaging.  After all, its just water and blended veggies or fruit.  Again, how hard could it be?  On the other hand, I am a bit anxious about keeping all their food likes and dislikes and particulars straight.  But, at each step forward I am always a little nervous and nothing feels like a big deal after a first try.  I am sure it’ll be fine.

I already can’t imagine not doing things in doubles (or triples with Lucy) as is the case around here.  Three bottles, sets of clothes, snowsuits, hats, car seats, checking of seat belt straps, picking up blankets, giving kisses, making cereal, finding pacifiers long gone under the table, etc.  Dress up to go out, undress when we get there, dress up to go back in the car and undress when we get back inside x 3.  Then Lucy snack, feed both babies, change all 3 diapers, put 3 down for naps (or attempt to), breathe, get them all up from naps, change diapers, feed and finally, smile and laugh with them.  Whew.  Never felt more alive in my life.  And tired. 

Wish us luck tomorrow as we watch our “middle” baby girl from a window as she gets strapped down to a table and moved through a tube.  I don’t know if I am more worried for her or the technicians that have to hear her deafening, ear piercing, totally pissed off cries.  That’s my girl.