One Week Down

We have one week under our belts and only 11 to go!  Katie is adjusting fine to being in the cast. However, she is not sleeping.  The poor thing is having terrible tummy issues since the cast has been put on...worse than she was having.  I am not able to burp her and that has always been very important for her.  I have tried Pedialyte at night to try and eliminate some of the night time screaming and it helped a little.  She wakes up at least once every hour.  I need to figure something out.  I've tried Mylicon drops and Tylenol but nothing seems to help.  Diaper have been a challenge but I am becoming quit the pro at changing her.  Her first 3 messy diapers had me in tears because I couldn't figure out how to clean the cast.  Now they are a little more manageable  She is the center of attention and LOVES it.  Even Garrett does what he can to entertain her and make her laugh.  Both of us had her laughing so hard the other day...it was cute.  The lack of sleep is starting to wear me down.  I have been very emotional lately.  We had some wonderful friends come over last night and prepare a wonderful meal. They would not allow me in the kitchen!  The church has provided meals all week which has truly been a blessing.  Our friends are taking over meals next week.  I feel guilty having others do my "job" but it has been nice not to have to worry about it.  Katie has a MRI in Boise on Tuesday.  She will have to be knocked out again.  If everything looks good we don't have to go back to Boise until it is time to change the cast (5weeks).  If it is not in the right place then we will head up sometime this coming week to redo the procedure and cast.  The Dr. said that is very rare but not impossible.  We had our first outing today.  It proved to be more challenging than we expected but we survived.  We got more bean bag chairs for the two Grandma's to have.  I had to set up a changing station in the back of the Durango since we have to use a Boppy and she won't fit on any changing table.  Her bean bag was the envy of the church crowd this morning as she lounged and listened to the music.  Davy wants to go camping next weekend but I am not sure that is the best idea right now.  It is so important to keep her clean and cool and I'm not sure I can do that in the mountains.  Plus, the thought of a tick of bug getting up inside her cast scares the daylights out of me.  Maybe later this summer when we know what we are doing a little better we can venture away from home more but for now we have a routine and I don't want to mess with it.  It was nice to have adult conversations though.

Katie's first day...and night in the cast.

Katie's surgery went very well.  They got us in an hour early and we were on our way home by noon.  She made it all the way to Bliss before she realized she couldn't move.  Then she was extremely frustrated.  She was also very hungry most of the day.  She enjoys being in the bean bag chair and playing with her toys but she really just wants held.  I think she has a bit of a tummy ache.  She had her first poop this morning and it was clear up the cast.  I can only hope I got it all.  Last night was...less than wonderful.  I think she may have slept an entire hour only twice.  I was up with her every few minutes.  I think that may have had to do a lot with the tummy.  She would snuggle up and go back to sleep.  I did notice at three this morning that her pillow was wet.  I panicked thinking we had already ruined the cast.  She wasn't very wet but I changed her shirt and everything anyway.  Not completely sure what happened.  Hopefully we can get some rest today.  A friend is bringing over a different swing.  Katie doesn't fit in ours anymore.  I also had to put away the high chair and bouncy seat.  I may not have been as completely prepared as I thought I was.  I have some pictures on my phone and will try to get some up today.  I am going to try and rest.  Garrett is going to go play at daycare for a while today.  He doesn't quite know about all of this.  We told him Katie had to get big bandaids on her legs and he seemed fine with them yesterday.

The Countdown Begins!

I thought I was prepared for Katie's surgery.  I stocked up on diapers, pillows, a bean bag chair, formula, and groceries.  I was keeping a positive attitude and was ready for this surgery to be over with so I could jump in with both feet and start caring for Katie in the cast.  The hospital called today to ask all the pre-op questions and tell me everything that I could expect the day of surgery and I fell apart.  I am not ready to see Katie in the body cast for the first time.  I have done lots of research this week and have looked at numerous pictures of kids in body casts but I know that it will be nothing like seeing my own baby in a cast.  Several of my questions were answered.  I am so glad they will provide a car seat so that is one less thing to worry about.  We have such an amazing support system.  Our church is providing meals the first week we are home so I can focus solely on Katie.  Then we have amazing parents that will be with us every step of the way.  I know that all will be fine.  I just need to get through Monday.

Concerned Mom

As Katie's surgery approaches I am trying to prepare myself both emotionally and get everything I think she will need to be comfortable at home. Some have suggested a bean bag chair.  I have also found a Nap Nanny.  It is pretty expensive so I don't want to get it unless I know it will be a good investment.   I have heard it will work great for acid reflux but I haven't found anything for a Spica Cast.