Time Marches On

Just wanted to share with you guys a few pictures of our weekend.
I can't believe we are almost approaching week 2 of the cast.  Time is actually going pretty fast, and I hope it stays that way!  (Even faster would be nice!)
We have tried to keep things going as we normally would.  Of course, that is easier said than done when you are loading a big ol' baby in a huge cast into a car seat, or trying to do diaper changes in the car.  Good times... But we are doing it!
I can't stand being cooped up in the house, and neither can the baby girl.  Especially when our Arizona weather is beautiful right now!
On Saturday, my hubby had to work a 8-8 shift at work, so it was Goose and I all day.  We made the best of it!  We went to the park and fed the ducks.  We walked and walked then she started pointing to the play area.  Darn it!  That's where we always go and I would let her out of her stroller and cruise along the slide, climb on the little rock wall, etc.  My heart sank and it hurt!  It hurt really bad! :-( Then I said to myself, screw it! (Pardon my French) and I got her out, and held the babester and let her climb with her hands while I held her up.  My back muscles shred into a million pieces, but she had a blast!  That's all that matters to me.
She had a full on break down leaving the park, she wanted to get down so bad.  But... what are you gonna do?  To make her feel better, we went to McDonalds and shared an ice cream cone and that pretty much solved all of the problems in Lucy's world. :-)
We got home and Grandma and Grandpa Farrish came over to visit.  YAH!  It was awesome.  They played with me and read books.  THEN... my momma's friend Darla came over!  She brought me a book and a teddy bear!  WOOP WOOP!  And then... YEP it keeps going!  My Grandma and Grandpa Nelson and Nancy came over!  It was a day full of fun, family and friends... It's so great to help the time pass by.  A new lap to sit on... A new face.  I am sure Lucy is getting pretty sick of momma already 24-7 for the last 14 months of her life.  Well, maybe not.  She LOVES her mom!!
Sunday was Lucy's cousin Chase's 4th birthday bash.  There were tons of kids, a bounce house and pizza! I brought Lucy's little ride-on toy which she fits on perfectly.  We pushed her around and she had fun celebrating with her family.
When we got home, my sister and bro-in law came to visit and we went for wings at a grill near our house. BUSY DAY!
We also started signing her cast.  Only at the top part since I don't want to make the leg part look weird since it's pink and cute!  Aaron said for weeks that he is going to be the first to sign it.  He simply put 'Dad' xoxo in a heart, right on Lucy's heart!  SO cute.  I also signed it, Aunt Mel signed it, and I drew two paw prints, one for Slim and one for D, her bully brothers.
Wednesday we have our 2 week post-op check up at the surgeon's office.  I am going to try to schedule her 6 week cast change date then.  I don't want to go ONE single day over 6 weeks if we don't have to.  Since her surgeon is a huge VW fan, and my husband just so happens to work for VW, I plan on bringing him TONS of special gifts.  haha.  Yep, I am working it!  Anything with a VW emblem for him.  AND a big plate of fresh cookies.  It can't hurt.  So when I beg him... and I mean BEG him to take her cast off a few days early, he might think about it.  My cookies are pretty darn good. (smile)

Here are a few pics of my love as we just wait... Day by day... Minute by minute!

 Brothers Slim and D, the bulldogs!

 Love my chair!

 Grandma and Grandpa Farrish and her cousin Tyler!

 I can hang with the big kids!

 Blowing bubbles!

 My best friend, momma!

 Grandma Nancy let's me wear her Coach sunglasses!

Can you see why we love this park?!

She loves to play!

Watching Yo Gabba Gabba. Someone was seriously high when they created this...

Notice Slim in the background...

Momma's friend brought me this dish set!  SO cute!

California Dreamin'

As I sit here, relaxing... Lucy is napping... Dog's are snoring...
I am dreaming of our family vacation 2012!
To celebrate my little girl's new life, cast free and perfect hip... we decided to go all out and book a trip for 2 weeks.
Destination: La Jolla, California.  Heck yes.  Can we say AMAZING?!  Amazing shopping, food, beach and weather.  It truly doesn't get any better!  Especially when Phoenix will be topping the charts at 110 degrees daily, a nice 78 degree day will feel so great!
For those of you who don't know where La Jolla is, it's just north of San Diego.  Which means... you guessed it!  We will TOTALLY be hitting Sea World!
Our family will all be in and out at different times throughout the 2 weeks due to work.  Since my mom, Lucy and I are lucky... we will be there the entire time.  You are going to have to evict me outta there!
We were going to book this trip for July, but decided to do August because we want the most time we can for Lucy's hip to be perfect.  Just in case... better safe than sorry.  I want her to build her muscle strength back so she can run like the wind in the sand.
So like I said, we went all out.  Not only are we hitting 'THE' best vacation spot, we rented a beautiful house only SIX houses from the beach.  YEP.  You can peek out of your front door and see the beach.  About 50 steps out of our front door and Lucy's tiny little feet will be in the sand.  (smile)
If you are going to do a trip, DO a trip.  No half-assing it.  (haha)  This is a celebration trip and we are going to party it up!
We rented a crib and a beach wagon.  I am also planning on bringing a blow up pool for the backyard for those beautiful nights when we can sit outside and grill.  Oh wait.  Who are we kidding?!  I mean, sit outside, drink some wine, then GO OUT for a fabulous dinner.  (haha)  Remember, it's a vacation.  No cooking for this momma.  Unless it's cereal or a sandwich...
Of course, my baby doll is going to need a new swimming suit... They have tons of cute ones out now, but I have no clue what size she will be, so I will hold off until July to buy one...
This trip has really kept me going, and given me something to look forward to.  It brings a smile to my face to think that this whole experience will be behind us, and we will all be there together... as a family... to celebrate.  I will be the happiest gal in California once I see Lucy's face light up when she sees the ocean.
:-)
My parents, sister, bro-in-law and husband are all going.
I can't wait!

Is it August yet?!
Here is the link to our beach house.
Are you totally dying over how cute it is?!

 I can see us out there right now!

Windansea beach, just steps from our house!

Keeping it all in perspective

Well, week 1 is almost complete!  I am blown away at how fast this week has gone.
I am trying not to see this whole experience in 'weeks', but in days.  Every night before bed I say to myself, 'ok, one more day down.'
For those of you who know Lucy, know she is just about the most amazing thing in the world. Duh! :-)  BUT... I never thought that her being in a cast where she can't move, can't bend and can't crawl or walk would keep her in perfect spirits.  This kid is amazing.  Of course, people told me that and I never believed them.  She acts just like Lucy.  She kisses, hugs, barks at the dogs and enjoys going places with mommy.
We have tried to keep our 'going out' limited since she is still healing, but man... next week I think we will be at her Gymboree class again!  I am going to take her to the younger class so she doesn't have to watch the other kids walk and crawl... she can sit on my lap and do songs and games.  (I don't want to make her sad!)
Sleeping has not been a happening around here much, but I can't blame her.  She is trying to roll at night and can't.  So... mommy gets up and re-positions her as often as needed.  The bags under my eyes are HUGE, but guess what, oh well.
Keeping this whole journey in perspective... I keep thinking about the parents and families of children who have to do this EVERY day of their lives, with no end in sight.  I have 3 months.  90 days.  Big whoop.  Suck it up!  Children with cerebral palsy and many other special needs don't have the luxury of having their casts or limitations over with in 90 days.  They live like this.  So therefore I have decided NOT to complain about this or feel sorry for myself.  Those parents are TOUGH.  They have no choice but to be tough.
Soon her cast will be off, and our lives will resume.  Not everyone is that lucky.  Her hip (under this cast) is PERFECT!  It's healing and getting better every single day.  If I am going to have to deal with any medical issues with my baby girl, I will choose this.  Something fixable.
Brings me to another point that our surgeon said.  He said a lot of parents are so scared of dealing with the surgery and the cast that they 'stick their heads in the sand' and don't fix this.  They say, 'well, I will take my chances and she can have a hip replacement and deal with it in 20 years.'  Ummm, not my kid.  If I can jump off a freaking mountain to make her life better, I will do it!  ANYTHING.  This has been a stressful ordeal, but when I see her walk for the first time, PERFECT and without a hobble, the entire world will stop for a second, and I will look back on this and know we chose the right option.  YAY for my baby!

Speaking of Lucy's surgeon, Dr. Lee Segal.  Have I said how much I adore him?  He told us after her surgery how it was 'his privilege' to do her surgery.  He is the director of Orthopedics at the Hospital.  What a guy.  Seriously.  I emailed him a few questions the other day, within an hour I had a reply.  If anyone reading this is wanting the kind of surgeon who you feel truly cares, PLEASE contact him!  He is truly a step above the others.

We have spent our first week keeping so busy!  Momma's back muscles are SO strong now!
We had our very first outing at Home Depot.  Fun Fun!  I was shocked at how many people were staring at Lucy.  Seriously people?!  It's a cast.  Get over it.  Obviously they don't know this momma very well, because any more staring will get them a swift right left to the face!  haha!  (I watch WAY too much reality TV guys... Mob Wives is my favorite, and when I start talking 'tough' my husband says, 'OK Mob Wife.')
We also went to Fresh and Easy market where we got some yummy snacks for the babester.  Tons of family have come to be with us this week, which has been so great!
Grandpa Bob came over yesterday with a huge bucket of toys.  He sat with Lucy and played and played so I could get my nasty car washed. :-)
Grandma Nancy came over last night, and brought me some more nightgowns.  I LIVE in these!  Forget dresses.  They don't fit as well!  These are a MUST for any baby girl in this cast and who wants to look and feel amazing!  Carters Nightgowns!

Here are some pictures of our first week. Can you believe it?!  OH, and no diaper grossness in the cast yet. I don't even want to explain how I clean her.  It's just way too graphic.  LOL!  But hey, it works!
I hope you guys are enjoying keeping up to date with Lucy via this blog.  I am so lucky to have such great friends that have been calling and e-mailing so much... It's just nice to be able to post updates one time every few days to keep friends and family all up to date. :-)

Hugs and kisses from a girl in a bright pink cast.....

                                                             At Home Depot with momma

            I still look amazing!  I stole momma's sunglasses and now I ride in my car seat like this.

                                             Bumpin up and down in my little red wagon.....

                                                                       PERFECTION

                                                        Thank you Kelly for my new toy!

                                                    Chillin' and drinkin' on my daily walk

                                                             I love my Grandma Nancy

                                                                      HORSIES!!!!!!!!

Our first few days home...

Ahh...
We are finally home from the hospital with the babester.  (Yep, that's her nickname... Sometimes it's just simply 'sters'... :)
The first day home was pretty much horrible.  We didn't know how to hold her, we didn't know how to move her, she knew we were nervous. etc... She was uncomfortable, fussy and momma had a full on breakdown.  Not pretty.
The first night she would wake up with muscle spasms, jerking and jumping and crying pretty much every 15 minutes.  I brought her in bed with me, and she literally squeezed onto my arm and held me all night.  As a parent, that RIPS your heart out.  I just kept stroking her forehead and telling her 'the owie will be gone in a few months,  I promise.'  KILLS ME!
Well, here we are now... the weekend has passed and we are doing so good!  She is happy, feeling good, and a true rock star! :)  She still does her signature 'touchdown' move, bobs her head to music, and kicks her one leg that is still moveable!  GO GOOSE!  Get it!!!  (Goose is her other nickname... as you can tell, there are many!)
Her incision is visible through the cast, so it looks good, and doesn't seem to hurt her anymore.
I know most people think it's 'just a cast' but it's not.  It's freaking body armor! It goes up to her chest and there is an opening the size of your hand for her privates to get cleaned.  Yep, you heard it.  A small opening to shove a tiny diaper UP IN the cast, then put a bigger diaper on the outside to hold it in.  It sucks!  Every time I have seen her make the 'I'm gonna poop face' I am like 'Oh dear Lord, please don't let it leak into the cast.'  So far so good.
So diaper changes happen often.  I am such a freak with Lucy being clean and fresh, and the cast is really screwing that up!  She got her first sponge bath yesterday, along with a head dunk in the sink to wash her stinky hair... She thought that was pretty funny.
It's been so nice to have family and friends come visit us, a new lap to sit on, a new face to look at.
I already hate this cast... BUT... under the cast is my squishy baby girl with a beautiful perfect hip!  It's all fixed, this is just the healing time.
We have had to make many changes in our house.  The spare bed is now the 'diaper room.'  I put her on a boppy pillow to change her now on top of the bed since she can't fit on the diaper changing table.
Her crib mattress had to be moved up to the top again since it's impossible to lift her in and out if it was lower. There are special tables, strollers, wagons... you name it.  I have more things in my house to accommodate this darn cast, and don't you know... every single item is getting donated to another family.  I am going to ask our Dr. if we can leave the items with him when we are done with the cast and another family facing this cast can have it all.  Take it.  Bye bye.  I don't ever want to be reminded of this cast again!
We have a long way to go still.  I got her first post-op check appointment set for next week... Then it will be her cast change appointment.  (Requires anesthesia yet again... UGH!) BUT... after that... this darn thing is coming off.  I just keep dreaming of that day. I am seriously going to hold Lucy that entire day and just pet her thighs!  (haha)
Anywho... one day at a time.  That's what I keep thinking.
For any parent facing this surgery thinking, 'my kid's spirit will be broken'... So not true.  Lucy has been a joy the last few days, even with the pain medicine backing off.  She has been herself.  Just not moving. :-(
BUT.. no cast. No person, no NOTHING is going to keep me from loving on this baby.
If this is even possible, I almost feel like I love her more (again, I thought that was impossible) because of her strength. I am SO proud of her. What a trooper.
I think the next 3 months is the only time in my life that I want time to go fast.
Here are a few pictures....

On our walk to see the horses down the road

YAY my brother D! (Notice the chucking of the bottle)

Watching TV with my Aunt

My Auntie Melanie loves me!  She helped with my first sponge bath

High Five Uncle TJ!

This pic is blurry because Daddy was dancing with me!  WOOHOO!

Cold baby girl this morning

               My grandma and grandpa Farrish came to visit me! They brought a balloon too! Score!

My special Ivy Rose Spica Cast table!  Made just for me. Bulldogs of course!

(Link: http://www.freewebs.com/arymanth/)

This is where I eat and play with toys

Dang, my chair is so cute!

Thanks Stephanie for this table!

There are no side restrictions on it so I can sit comfortably

                          Yah, and for those who think it's 'just a cast'... Ummm, NO.  Body armor.
                                                    85 more days. But who is counting?!

Day 1- surgery and a cast

OK.  Well, it's almost 9 pm, and this day is almost over.

We arrived at PCH (Phoenix Children's Hospital) at 5:30 am to check in.  We were directed to the orthopedic floor after paying our crazy deductible!
We waited... and waited... every other kid was checked in... we are waiting.... and waiting some more. Our surgery was scheduled for 7 am.
Lucy is starving, cranky, tired... you name it.  Mom and Dad are stressed to the max.
We get called into pre-op, and they have us change her into a gown and wait for the doctor.  HOURS go by.  No joke.  Hours.
Lucky us, we got bumped due to the fact the surgery AFTER ours wouldn't work at that time, so we got moved.
Lucy keeps going in my bag and getting out the puffs to eat!  She was so hungry, but couldn't eat or drink.
Finally, after walking the halls, going to the playroom, singing, iPad-ding, dancing, peek-a-boo-ing... I was outta tricks!  We turned off the lights and I laid down with Lucy in the bed and she napped.
(I love this kid!)
All of this going on, of course, with shaking from the inside out and bursts of tears when the baby isn't looking.
Ok, so finally, Dr. Segal comes in, turns the lights on and is ready to talk about surgery...
CRAP!  It's really happening!
I sit up in the bed (Lucy still asleep) and have a full on- medical grade breakdown.  The Dr. has a resident training with him, and his eyes were as big as saucers.  Again... yes, they have seen it before.  I don't know if they have seen it 'Karen-style.'
Long story short, Dr. Segal said 'I will take care of her as if she was my own.' This made me bawl even more!  Dang it!
His nurse (super cool male nurse) kept trying to take Lucy and I kept telling him to give me a few more minutes... back off dude! I told him I still like the fact that I can change my mind and run outta here.
He gave me my time to squeeze those adorable thighs, kiss her legs, and hold her close.  Word to the wise: don't mess with a momma and her cub!
Just as I went to hand Lucy over to him (mind you, Lucy hates strangers...) Lucy smiled at me and waved bye bye!  Are you kidding me?!  It warmed my heart and left me standing there, the saddest and most proud mother in the world.  My little girl is tougher than me.  Dang, I love this kid.
Ok... so since our Dr. knew I am a total freak... (and people say all parents are... not true.  We were in the waiting room with some pretty calm people that were all staring at me like an insane person.)
Our Dr. kept sending out people to talk to us and update us.  It made me feel so good.  Surgeons don't have to do this.  No one else in the waiting room got that kind of care.  Their surgeons barely peeked their head around the corner to yell at them that their child was in the recovery room.  This made it final that Dr. Segal was/is the best choice.  I knew it the minute I met him.  I told him he is now a member of my family. haha. He is probably like, 'Oh Lord, please no.'
3 long hours later, I see Dr. Segal walk out... slowly.  My heart was pounding so hard, and he put his hands out and said, 'she's great!'
HOLY COW if this wasn't the best feeling in the world.  I don't care what her cast looks like.  MY BABY IS OKAY.  He showed us her x-rays and said he wants a CT scan asap to make sure the hip is in place.
We go with him back to see Lucy.  Aaron and I have never moved so fast.  It was like a marathon.
There she was.
In a hospital bed hooked up to an IV.  MY BABY.  MY LOVE.  MY EVERYTHING.
She was on oxygen, and just waking up.  I can't explain the feeling.  The worst is over.
The nurse brought Lucy a bottle of apple juice and she sucked it down like nobody's business.  That's my girl.  Never missed a meal!
Dr. Segal came in to discuss her CT scan and said, 'it's perfect, the femur is EXACTLY where it's supposed to be, so now it just has to heal.'  Did I ever doubt this surgeon?  Nope!
The cast is heavy as heck, bulky and awkward.
I seriously don't care.  I am the happiest mom in the world to have my baby safe.
No fever, eating, drinking, perfect heart rate, and came through this like a champ.
That's MY GIRL.

Tomorrow we should be able to go home!

THANK YOU to all of my friends and wonderful family for their support via texts, hanging out with us here at the hospital (Jana I LOVE you and Leia too!) emails, and a very special Backyardigan balloon came all the way from our dear friend Naomi in California.
It just brings me to tears to know the LOVE out there and care for my baby.
I even got a text from the VP of operations at The Venetian Hotel in Vegas.  Yes, I know him. :-)
Lucy has friends in high places.  I am truly BLESSED.
Tonight, as I sleep (probably for an hour until L wakes up to be changed) I am seriously thanking God for my friends and family and little baby.
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.

Night all. <3

More pics to come. She's been sleeping so I don't wanna bug her with the cast pics.

Here she is about 2 mins out of anesthesia

The first day of the next 90...

Well, here I am.
3:11 am on Friday, February 17th.

For those of you who know me, even some who know me well... have no idea that today is going to be the longest, hardest day of my life.
I know it's hard to believe with the pictures I post on Facebook, and how I love to brag about my wonderful family- that I am actually a VERY private person.
I have said to many people before, 'you will never know when/if my husband and I have a fight, or if there is something going on in my life.'  I bottle things in to be strong, but sometimes being strong for too long makes you explode with emotions.
Well, today my perfect little Lucy is having surgery. Yep.  Today... actually in about 4 hours.  Why am I up now? Momma can't sleep of course.  Xanax is not working, my nerves are shot and I just want to get this over with already!
Some of you guys do know about this... some of you lucky ones have gotten the 'AHHHH LUCY IS HAVING SURGERY' phone call followed by tears and a full breakdown. (Lucky you!)
It's not that I wanted to leave anyone out of knowing, I just felt the people who I told are the ones who needed to know, and that's it.
It was too painful to talk about.  I  barely could without breaking down in tears. Not to mention, it's horrible to hear from people, 'Oh my gosh, that's SO scary!!!'  Yah... not what you need to hear.  So the least amount of times I had to go through the whole story, the better.
I wasn't planning on blogging about this.  No way.  BUT... the only way I have met other parents who have been in the same boat as me is by searching blogs.  The info I have learned to prepare myself is amazing.  The websites Doctors put together just aren't the same when you can hear it from parents who have been through it and have all come out stronger.  That's what parents need!
Anyway, you are probably wondering why she is needing surgery.
When she was first born, (best day of my life!) the hospital Pediatrician said, 'her hips are a little 'clicky' so just be sure to mention that to her doctor.'  Ok fine.  At her 3-5 day doctor appt, we told the pediatrician and she examined her and said they were fine... sometimes 'going through the birth canal can cause hips to click temporarily.'
Now here we are, a year later.
Lucy had her 1 year well visit appointment and her doctor noticed that her little chub rolls on her legs weren't symmetrical.  Ok, who knew?!
We were sent for x-rays.  The waiting for days to hear from the doctor about sent me into a state of panic... then we got the call... Yep.  Her left hip isn't right and she wants us to see a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.  My heart literally sank like the Titanic.
I started looking online, and FREAKED out.  What Lucy has is called DDH.  Developmental Dislocation of the Hip.  It's only on her left.  Supposedly this is 1 in every 2000 first born females.  How does it happen?  Who knows.  The femur just grows outside of the hip socket.  It just does.  Looking at her, you would never tell.  She plays, climbs and is a star at her Gymboree class!  She is hobbly, however.  She also stands and will tippy toe her left foot.  I am assuming because it feels weird to her.
On January 24th, we went to Phoenix Children's Hospital for her appointment with the orthopedic surgeon.
He came in and was basically like, 'Oh yah, come check out the x-ray.  She needs a surgery with a body cast for a few months.'  UMMMMMM, WHAT?!  Excuse me?!  I handed the baby to my hubby and said, 'give me a minute while I FREAK OUT!'  Since I really refused to look all this up, surgery never came into my mind.  She honestly looks normal!  What it is, is her femur sits on top of the hip, and it's rubbing her hip bone with nowhere to sit.  It's nowhere close to where it should be.
Long story short, we left the appointment and it was NOT pretty when we got home.  Lucy went down for her nap and mom and dad broke down.  :-(  Very sad day.
My husband started looking online at this procedure and cast, but I couldn't.  I didn't want to see the pictures, I didn't want to know what was going to happen.
DENIAL.  Big time.
After we somewhat settled down, we started discussing getting a second opinion.  BUT... how do you know who is good?!  I mean, I want THE BEST.  Period.  I will fly across the globe to have THE BEST for my kid.  No doubt.  So, we called our pediatrician back and asked for a few other referrals.  All were at the same hospital.  We look online.  Read reviews.  I found who I want.  THIS GUY!!! Dr. Lee Segal.  The chairman of orthopedics at the hospital.  His publications, awards... duh.. who wouldn't want him?
I called for a consult.  His nurse said there were no openings for a consult til MAY, and no surgery openings til the end of the year.  DARN!
So we got an appointment with another Dr. in the group.
I prayed every minute of the day for God to bring me comfort and to lead us to the right doctor.  I wasn't comfortable with the first one.  The week got worse, waiting for the 2nd opinion.  I woke up with night terrors, sweating and an absolute wreck.  (If some of you are reading this awaiting your child's appt, you know what I mean!) I finally said, 'God, where are you?! Why aren't you helping me?????'
So we kept trucking along, trying not to break down in front of Lucy.
I just wanted it done.  It's going to be getting hot here in AZ, and it's not fair to have her in a cast while the heat is blazing.
We show up for our 2nd opinion, and guess what.  We have the wrong day.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  UGH!  Lucy was cranky, and now this receptionist is telling me it's for the 6th and not the 1st?!  NO WAY.  I gather up my things... I told Aaron, 'let's just book with the first guy, I want this over!'
On the way out the door, she runs out and says, 'wait a second, there is one other doctor in, and I can see if he can at least squeeze you in for a few minute second opinion.'  Perfect.
We get back to the room, and guess who walks in.  The chairman of orthopedics.  Dr. Segal.
My heart smiled.
I just happened to show up on the wrong date, and the ONE day this doctor was at this location is the same day/time I show up?!
Then, not so fast I thought.  I am holding up his day, and he is booked through the end of the year, and I expected him to be 'not so friendly' since he was a big time surgeon.
He came in, all smiles, shook our hands and told us how beautiful Lucy was.  I immediately felt like a warm and fuzzy blanket was put over me... Relief.
Turns out he has rescue dogs... (For those who don't know, animal rescue has and always be a huge part of my life!)... AND, he has a VW that needs repairs, which my husband works for VW. I feel like I have known him for years.  We clicked.
He took over an hour and half explaining to us what needs to be done and why.
I remember thinking, 'Ok God, you had this the whole time.'  (smile)
I asked Dr. Segal about surgery.  I expressed my worry with summer here in AZ, and he said, "I will be right back."  He comes in and says, 'Wow.  This is weird.  I had a speaking engagement in San Francisco that just cancelled.  I can do it on the 17th of Feb.'
Thank-you God.
Not only thank-you God for sending me to the Doctor who I am comfortable with, but for EVERY blessing in my life!  I have too many to count, but my favorite one is about 2 and a half feet tall, babbles most of the day away, kisses with her mouth open, barks at the dogs, just learned where her EAR is, loves to feed the ducks at the park, and ALWAYS wants her mom.  No matter who is the room, her eyes are on her momma.
Well, we are leaving for the hospital in 45 minutes.
When my baby girl wakes up from surgery she will be in a cast.  The cast will be changed at 6 weeks, and we will have 12 weeks total.  12 weeks with no walking, crawling or moving basically.  I am going to need some creative entertainment ideas... Hopefully that's the end of this.

Yesterday was the hardest day. Giving her a bath that she loves so much, which we can't do for 12 weeks.  Squeezing those chubby thighs since I won't see them for 12 weeks.
What I keep reminding myself is that this is TEMPORARY.  So many parents have to deal with much worse, so I need to keep it in perspective.

I bet Lucy will read this in about 10 years. If you are baby girl, MOMMY LOVES YOU!

Here are a few pics of my princess before I go wake her up and get on our way.