Hemangiomas

A few weeks after Allie was born I noticed a red mark on her forehead. It looked like her skin had been pinched and there were broken capillaries under the skin. I figured she had scratched herself, or they'd done something at the hospital. You can see it here, it's a light red spot.But it never went away. And when she was being discharged from the hospital the doctor told me it was called a hemangioma, that it was just a bunch of extra blood vessels that build up sometimes, that it was normal and harmless, and would most likely be gone by the time she was 5. Though she did say it might get huge. And with a smile she said if it bothers me, just stick a bow over it. Well, it didn't get huge, and I know because I made the mistake of googling it, and saw what amounts to a horror show. But it did get much bigger. And I did take the advise of the doctor of sticking a bow on it.

This is what it looks like now. I do keep it covered because it's not very attractive and I want people to look at her cute face. It's also kind of awkward, because people are too polite to mention it, but you know they're thinking "What the heck?" and kids ask about it, but I don't know how to explain it to them. Words like "hemangioma," "blood vessels," and even "birth mark" don't mean anything to them.

And also the headbands are really adorable.

She also has a little one on her right eyelid, one behind her ear, and one on her back. They can be treated with lasers or steroid shots, but since they are usually harmless, they are just left alone. The only concern is if they are in a bad spot, like on the lip or eyelid and interfere with vision or eating. Apparently one day they will just start shrinking, and in a matter of a couple weeks they'll be gone forever, and often the skin looks as if nothing was ever there.

I like baldies, but I admit I can't wait till she has hair to cover it up.

"I'm Adorable anyway!"