Dylan was born in November of 2006. Jim and I really wanted to get a gorgeous picture of him to send out for our Christmas cards, since there was no time for birth announcements. To say it was tough would be a huge understatement. Here are a few examples of the pictures that didn't become the card...
That first picture pretty much sums up the first four months of Dylan's colic- filled life for me... a big screaming blur.
This one didn't make the card either, but look at it...
See how far his little head is tilted to the left? At that point, we had never heard of the word "torticollis", and we had no idea what was in store for us and Dylan. When I look at pictures like these...
...I get sad, thinking of the painful stretches this little boy had to endure, the endless specialist appointments, the uncomfortable helmet that he had to wear. Then, I get mad. Mad that his pediatrician ignored my questions about his head tilting for so long. Mad that I didn't force the issue sooner. Mad that it took so long for us to start doing all the things that would help him.
This is the picture I chose for this year's Christmas card...
Many, many people, including some of you, thanked me for the picture, or commented on how cute it was. Yes, it is cute, and yes, he does have a great smile, but no one realized the significance of the card. Even I didn't, until Jim pointed it out to me. His head is tilted to the right. Not because his physical therapist, or his mommy or his daddy are forcing his head into that position. He is tilting his head to the right, because HE CAN. And that, is the best Christmas present I got in 2009.
9 comments:
Dear Jen, now, every time I walk past my fridge and see that photo -- "our Dylan" (as I refer to him when I tell Jonathan about him) I will think of this and I will smile...again.
(By the way, last night I found your Christmas card. It was sitting with a pile of about six other cards I never sent out because I ran out of stamps and then forgot about. Did I already tell you this? I think I did....um....well, I'm telling you again.)
Love this year's picture, and the 2006 pictures! We have a similar collection of Christmas 2007 photos of our 1-month-old, complete with the tilt.
Many cheers to Dylan for conquering his torticollis. I think Peanut is clear now, too, but I can't help but worry still...
Love this year's picture, and the 2006 pictures! We have a similar collection of Christmas 2007 photos of our 1-month-old, complete with the tilt.
Many cheers to Dylan for conquering his torticollis. I think Peanut is clear now, too, but I can't help but worry still...
what a great hurdle, it seems! you know, us moms can beat ourselves up about not catching something sooner, or not reacting quicker, or not knowingeverythingateverymomentand
thenknowingexactlywhattodoonthespot!
phew. thank god we're just human. not expected to know such stuff.
let yourself off the hook. he's fine and healthy and just...perfect!
He is as cute as cute gets, Jen. Adorable picture this year. And, those screaming baby shots are priceless, although I know colic well, and it wasn't fun.
Happiest of New Year's to you!
Very cute! You are truly blessed.
Tim
Send Out Cards
Wahoo!!!!!!
You card has been hanging above the rack where I hang my keys, and Dylan gives me the biggest smile every time I walk past it! I am so amazed at how far he has come, and I know that is the result of a HUGE amount of work by you and Jim. What an awesome gift!
That is a perfect Christmas card picture.
I know from screaming, colicky newborns--that was my MVP. It's rough, alright.
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