Earwells

Kate's right ear had a teeny-tiny little crease in the top part of it, so the pediatrician recommended that we see a pediatric plastic surgeon.  After taking photographs and an assessment by the plastic surgeon, he said there was also a piece of cartilage across the outer ear of both ears (outside of the ear canal). While it wasn't a malformation per se, the doc did say it could lead to her ears sticking out when she got older.

This doctor co-invented the Earwell system, which for Kate basically meant an ear cuff (think the 80s ear cuff things) and a small "button" on the right ear and a button on the left ear. Then these "cages" are placed over the ears to prevent the babies from removing the plastic things under them. You can see some pics on the website. The Earwells don't look that bad and don't bother her at all. Kate will wear them for 4-6 weeks as the cartilage in her ears firms and then she'll be good to go.

Here you can see Princess Leia's Lobot ears:

Kate's face in this pic cracks me up.

Either way, she is absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't be prouder to be her Mommy. It's still SO surreal.