Is there a Cranial Band Grad in the Hiz-ouse?

Ella with her diploma. She looks so proud of herself doesn't she?

Today was a big day around here. It was Ella's last appointment for her Cranial Band and after 17 1/2 weeks of wearing it, she finally got it off and is now an official graduate. WOO-HOO!! Proud moment here, proud moment. Cranial Band...check. That's one thing we can check off the list of many things Ella has to overcome and though there is still much more ahead of her, today was a fun day for all of us to celebrate a huge success for her. And don't think I didn't pack a collection of bows in her diaper bag for her to wear on the big day because she definitely had a bow on asap that's fo sho.

We've come a long way and her head looks amazing compared to when we first got the band. Obviously, it's not perfect but it looks SO much better than it did and we all feel that all of this was worth it and something that needed to happen. I wish you could all see the before/after pictures to see what I'm talking about. Huge difference! Not that these pictures show the difference in her head shape but I just thought I would post some "first and last day of school" type pictures. :)

4 1/2 months ago on the first day she got the band.

Today, the last day to wear her band.

No more band, just a beautiful little head!

And what's even more fun, Ella's party favor from this whole shin-dig? That's right, her head on a stick! I'm not even kidding folks, this thing has brought me many a laugh throughout this process. This is a mold of her head that they did at the beginning so they could make her Cranial Band and they use it to measure and compare growth/change at each appointment. You remember Ella the mummy? Yes, it's a mold from that. This might not be funny to anyone else but I always found it quite humorous that at every appointment we had the technician would walk out into the waiting room to meet us with Ella's head on a stick in tow. Seriously, it cracks me up that this is the norm and we go to an appointment where no one thinks it's weird that there are life size molds of children's heads stuck on a big stick and they just carry them from place to place as if it's completely normal and not weird at all. Hilarious.


So, it's been a good day and we are so excited that Ella is done with all of this. She has been amazing through it all and is such a little trooper. We love her so much and are so proud of her. I'm constantly amazed that the Lord chose us to be Ella's family and though things are hard and not at all how we dreamed they would be, we are greatly blessed each and every day.

On a completely different note, thanks to all of you who called and texted me to offer your condolences on the death of Michael Jackson. Much appreciated my friends, much appreciated, even though I could sense a tad bit of sarcasm from all of you. True fans and friends you all are. :) You better believe we'll keep the legend of MJ alive in the Carder house with frequent MJ music education opportunities. I'm not ashamed that Eva and Ella will grow up possibly knowing every word to songs like "P.Y.T." and "Beat It", I mean why should I be? I think I still have some of my Michael Jackson posters from back in the day stashed away somewhere, I better find those bad boys and get the Remembering MJ party started. Peace.