One week down!

We did it (insert Dora theme music!)!!!! We have officially gotten through week one. To be honest, most days and nights were not as horrible as we thought it would be (did I just jinx us?!?!?). Natalie is a true rock star and is doing incredible. Hopefully just 11 weeks to go and then into the brace. I'm pretty sure nothing is worse than this horrible spica cast. Even though things are going as smooth as possible, let's be honest...this thing SUCKS!!! Not having my little nugget be able to move is still gut wrenching and heart breaking.

Here's to keeping the count down going and the nappy hair at bay. Are baby wigs frowned upon????

The Case of Nappy Hair!

Let's discuss a major issue I have with the cast. NAPPY HAIR!!! The cast causes it. It is totally the cast's fault. Ugh...no amount of water brings it down.

It might be a little difficult to tell in the picture, but believe me it's there!

The Ivy Rose Spica Chair

Yes, an entire post should be written about this chair. It came less than 24 hours ago and has already been a HUGE blessing! Natalie is now able to sit up and play and eat without being held all day. She plays with her puzzles and farm animals too! One side is even a chalk board which she is sort of getting the hang of when she isn't trying to eat the eraser or chalk.

This chair is awesome!!! Plus, we can now have her outside (her favorite place) in the mornings. :)

A happy face

Natalie has been a true trooper these first couple of days. Although the first night was a little rough, she made it 7 hours through the second night before she woke up. She is learning to adjust to not moving much but has some how figured out how to squiggle around a little. Clay has been incredible as the main caregiver while Kristen has started back to school.

Casting Call

So here is where are journey begins! Natalie's surgery was successful and noninvasive. Dr. Meehan was able to place her hip, only having to release one tendon to put her leg in the proper position. I went to the back to see her to assist with the CT scan.

The few turns down and around the halls seemed like a mile-long hike. The only thing running through my mind is took me back to when she was born. I was the only one that walked back to see her for the first time in the NICU while Kristen recovered and I felt in that same place. (my dad walked with me this time) It took everything I had to not shed a tear because I knew I had to be strong for Natalie... And it was hard!!!! Every little cry was tug on my heart strings, and every time somebody shifted or touched her the wrong way made me want to go crazy!!!

To my surprise, we were only there until 12:30PM. Our sweet little girl did all she could to cooperate but she was beyond tired and hungry! :( I felt so bad for her and would trade places with her at the drop of a hat. The ride home seemed to be the longest drive as well. I felt every bump in the road, and felt worse for Nat each time. We finally made it home, and now her road to recovery begins! 42 days to go and the countdown starts NOW!

The last night...

So this is it...Natalie's last night of freedom from a cast. She of course has no idea what's coming but I'm convinced her amazing little spirit will shine through...along with her flair for dramatics and possible Morris temper.

I have to wear what?!?!?

So not a happy camper about the cast...

The Beginning

Hi everyone and welcome to our new family blog!  We are starting this journey a little late but I guess it's better late than never.  It has been a year filled with love, laughter, and growth.  We have seen Natalie go from snuggle and cuddle to cut loose and fun in a short 12 months.  She is definitely one of the most active kids I have ever seen.  From the start, Natalie pushed to be independent and was happy to scoot around on her own.  She picked up crawling and walking quickly.  This is where our story really begins...

On her 1st birthday, we took her for her 12 month check up.  Kristen noticed that as she scooted around the house, her right leg was lagging a bit and she didn't seem to want to put any weight on it.  Being the overbearing mom that she is (hehehe), she asked the doctor if there was anything wrong when everyone else said Natalie just favored one leg.  Her mommy intuition was right.  The doctor took x-rays and found that her right hip was dislocated.  She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.  This was a condition she was born with but it was unnoticed until her first birthday when she truly starting walking.  Once we saw the x-rays, the next step was to schedule her an appointment with a pediatric orthopedic.  Thankfully, by the grace of God and some connections with amazing orthos, we got an appointment with one of the top ped ortho docs in the nation.  He told us that her hip was definitely dislocated and needed surgery.  So, here we are.  Two weeks after her first birthday and surgery scheduled for Tuesday.  Once there, Natalie will be under general anesthesia and the surgery should take about 2 hours.  She will be in a Spica Cast (mid waist all the way down) for 3 to 6 months. 

This cast is going to turn our lives upside down, but we are prepared.  We have bought the diapers, chairs (check out ivyrosespicachairs.com), bean bags, and dresses.  We will not let this get the best of us.  This is our journey...

Oh, and clearly she will be sporting a hot pink cast!!!