You've been masked!

Mask desensitization is our task. 

We can't start the trial with a CPAP machine until Owen shows that he can tolerate the mask. Our mission is now to get him to feel comfortable with it. Make it seem cool. Make him feel like a superstar in it. If this is going to work and help the little guy sleep he must wear the mask.

We started a few days early by taking out his nebulizer mask and asking him to wear it. New Years Day he had it on most of the day, carrying it around and either putting it over his mouth or pushing it up to rest on his forehead. We were surprised at how much fun he was having with it. I guess that is what happens when we act like it is the BEST thing in the world ;)

The nebulizer mask is at least a little fun since it has little fish pattern on it. We kept calling him Fish Man.

Today they came out for "the fitting" There were about 6 different masks to choose from. We asked him to try them all on. He cooperated. He was great. Some were to big, some seemed like he would pull them off or it wouldn't stay on since he moves around so much. And in the end we narrowed it down to 2 and let him choose. He hasn't wanted to wear it much since this but it is the first day. I think we need to dress it up a little, add some sort of stickers, give it a cool name, make it fun. Because calling it a mask just isn't going to cut it.

For good measure, Olivia tried it on to show Owen how cool it was to wear a mask.

Dad did too but I wasn't quick enough to snap a photo!

I hope this desensitization process goes as smoothly as the fitting went. Once we make it to 10-30 minutes of consistently wearing the mask we will move on to trying the machine. These situations always remind us how lucky we are to have Owen. To remind us how to appreciate little milestones like wearing a silly little mask can be such a big deal. He doesn't know why he has to do it but he knows it makes us happy. That is what drives him and we are so proud of him.