Hasta la vista helmet!

Last week, we were supposed to go get Asher's head laser measured to see if we could be done with the helmet, but as luck had it, the scanner was down and we couldn't get an official measurement or suggestion on if we could stop with the helmet.  But the scanner is back up and running so I told them that we had to come in this week.  They fit us in the schedule and I got to spend some extra time with Asher around lunchtime.  He was happy to be sprung from school and even happier that there were toys to play with!

If you remember from the first scan, they put him in a little do-rag to hide his amazing hair, lay him down in the scanner and 2.5 seconds later, the scan is done.  A few buttons here, a few calculations there and voila, we are given the clear to stop using the helmet!  

Asher started off with a difference of 11.5mm from one side to the other.  The suggested level for a helmet is anything over 6mm and today, we measured at 4.2mm!  That means that we are done and that the helmet will find a new place to rest - and we can spend all day looking at Asher's adorable face with all that hair.  I think he looks like a totally different kid, and everyone keeps saying how grown up he looks without the helmet.  Now we just have to ease him into a few activities and remind him that he will hurt himself if he knocks around as there is nothing left to protect him.  Depending on the level of bonks, we may just put it back on him for protection!

I was hesitant at first to put on the helmet but 3.5 months flew by and besides getting knocked in the mouth a few times and having to work hair drying time into the schedule after bath, it really wasn't that big of a deal.  It absolutely worked the way we wanted it to and now moving forward, we will know that we did everything we could to keep him as perfect as possible!

Election Day

Well, Election Day has come and gone and while I am certainly not happy with the outcome, I can say that I am glad it is over.  The past 18 months has been an epic battle full of lies, mud slinging, frustration and fear but the country has voted and we will see what is to come.

I have never been political but found myself engaging in this election much more.  Thanks to Stacey for my daily education, I can say that I am more knowledgable on the subject of politics - and while I am certainly no expert - I feel confident in what I learned through the experience.  I hope that we also opened Riley's eyes to the idea of democracy.

We didn't watch much coverage through the primaries and debates because I didn't want him hearing and seeing much of what was happening, but instilling the idea of making your voice heard and voting as soon as you can is one that we will continue to focus on.  When he did see the nominees on tv, he would ask why the boy was mad and yelling and would ask if we wanted the girl to win.  Yes, we wanted the girl to win...  

We made a big deal of the fact that it was a special thing that we got to go and vote and Riley woke up on election morning and asked it it was time to go.  Although next time around, he will hopefully understand the difference between the fact that we are 'voting' rather than 'boating' - gosh was he disappointed when I told him that we weren't going on a boat...

People are now saying that they they are ready for the next four years to fly by and for the next election to come, but I can't say the same.  They next four years are when my babies will be growing up, so I want to enjoy the time and not wish it gone  I am apprehensive of what a Trump presidency means for the country but am confident in the fact that no matter what happens outside my door, I can always come home to my family where I will feel safe and loved and happy with a smile on my face!