Pantyhose head (the start of our DOC Band adventure)...

Pretty much from the minute we brought Grace home from the hospital and had a second to ogle every sweet, little inch of her, we noticed that her head was pretty darned flat.  As time went on, it seemed to get worse (particularly after she started sleeping in her crib), and when I brought it up to her pediatrician, she mentioned the possibility of Grace having to wear the DOC Band, but she wanted to give her some time and see if her head might round out on its own.

But it definitely didn't, so when her pediatrician suggested at her four-month appointment that we go see a specialist, it wasn't altogether shocking.  Girlfriend's totally got the pancake head, and I knew there were legitimate medical reasons that we should look into trying to fix it (in addition to the fact that she probably won't appreciate having a block head when she gets old enough to pay attention to what her ponytail looks like).

After the initial appointment, she was confirmed as a candidate for the DOC Band treatment, and we scheduled a follow-up appointment so that she could get fitted for her band.  

First, they put a little nylon cap over her head.

(How funny does our little bank robber look?  It's amazing how different she looks without her crazy hair.)

She was seriously so chill about it, which gives me hope that maybe the band won't be too terribly uncomfortable for her. (A mom can dream, right?)

And then they took several images of her head so that they can create a mold from which to make the band.

Again, Miss Priss was so well-behaved.  Except that about two minutes after they sat her up, I heard her telltale burp and knew a disaster was coming.  Just as I went to grab her burp cloth, she spit up everywhere.  These ladies were a pro, though, and just got her cleaned up, put a new cap on her, and kept right on going.  They had several light-up toys to draw her gaze up so that they could get the images they needed.

We headed back to the little exam room to get her dressed, and I asked Micah to snap a picture of Grace and me.

We did actually get a decent one... and then...

...she erupted again.  Micah caught this just as I was turning her away from me in an attempt to shield my dress from exposure.  This picture makes me laugh because it is so typical.  It's a good thing she's so cute... ;)

We head back next week to pick her band up and make sure it fits correctly.  And then she'll have to wear it nearly 24/7 for two to three months while her head (hopefully) grows in the direction the band encourages it to so that she ends up with a rounded out noggin.

The whole process definitely isn't something I'd choose to endure, but I am keeping it all in perspective.  I mean, I know keeping the band clean and dealing with the added complication of a baby who spits up all the time won't be super fun.

But honestly?  I'm just thanking the Lord that this little girl is otherwise a completely healthy and happy baby.  In the grand scheme of things, I know this time is so short, and, just like my struggles with breastfeeding, I refuse to spend it stressed out about things I can't control.  We could be dealing with some very serious condition or disease, and we aren't.  We could be struggling with some developmental disorder, and we aren't.  Just a little flat head that will hopefully round itself out with the aid of a super styling DOC Band.  (And you'd better believe I'm already brainstorming ideas for blinging that sucker out...)

I'll keep you guys updated on how things are progressing.  But until then, be expecting plenty of pictures of our girl in her newest accessory. :)