My son, Benjamin Gordon, is everything I could want:  he is adorable, with big, dark blue eyes in an oval-shaped face, a tiny snub nose, a huge smile that can light up the room, thick, black hair, and freckles sprinkling his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.  He is absolutely perfect.

Or at least I think so.

Yet he is anything but.  He seems perfect enough, but he has a misshapen skull.  Part of it is flatter than normal.  The bones in his skull closed prematurely, and because of it, his brain doesn't have the room to grow properly.  This could cause problems down the road, but for now, the only thing the dcotor suggested is that he wear a helmet to protect his head.

He looks like a little football player.  He wears this helmet at all times, but maybe in several months, he can have it taken off.  The helmet is a blessing in disquise because if he falls, it can protect his head from further injury, and it also helps mold his skull into a more desirable shape.

Benjie was born with a condition known as plagiocephaly.  There are several causes, but his was caused by the premature fusing of his skull bones.  His particular condition is known as "craniosynotosis".  Doctors have to monitor the rate of his skull growth as well as the growth of his brain; he goes for checkups every few months.  So far, there haven't been any significant problems, but Benjie seems delayed somehow: he is behind his peers in development.

There's a chance he might have learning disabilities when he enters school, but for now, he is learning his name and naming simple objects.  He can talk, but not nearly as much as his peers.  This worries me.  This is why he has physical and speech therapy several times a week, so he can play catch up.

Doctors have told me that as he grows, his condition will improve, but for now the helmet and the therapies will have to do.  All the more reason to hope and believe.

Benjamin is our second child.  Our firstborn, Moriah Grace, does not have plagiocephaly.  She is as healthy as they come.  (Moriah is seven; as for Benjamin, he is 18 1/2 months. He will be two in October, on the second.)  Benjamin keeps us on our toes; Moriah, on the other hand, is quiet and would be happiest keeping to herself.  She is very well behaved.

Well, I have to go.  Benjamin is screeching for his breakfast; it's time for him to start his day.  I will write in here again another time with another update on our family, in particular, Benjamin.  Until then, this is Maddie Brown saying so long; may God bless you always!

~Maddie.