Lily's Birth Story

Hi all!
I am actually writing this post for Lily to read someday. (Lucy too!)
Someone I know wrote the birth story of her daughter and I thought it was pretty cool to write, since it's still fresh in my mind...
Lily was born Saturday January 19th.  It was a pretty interesting labor experience since it was totally different than Lucy's birth.
I was induced with both girls, but Lily was 39 weeks and 2 days... 10 days earlier than Lucy.  Thank goodness since Lily was 8.2 pounds already and may have been around 9 if we waited much longer!

We checked in to Banner Gateway Hospital at 3 pm, and by 3:40 pitocin was started.  I chose to be induced because:
A) My dr. was on call that weekend and I adore him!
B)  I did not want to risk my fluid getting low, or the baby getting too big. Hip Dysplasia scares me!
C)  I wanted to plan babysitters for Lucy. I don't think I could have relaxed leaving the house in a rush. I am so glad I got the whole night before to rock my Lucy to sleep and yes... I cried... I cried like a baby knowing this was the last time my sidekick and I will be alone together.  Everything was about to change... for the better, of course, but still... The last 2 years with Lucy every single day have been the best of my life.  Now I can look forward to our new family of four. :)

So, pitocin is pumping, and the anesthesiologist nurse comes in around 7 pm... I go through the entire explanation of my last epidural and how it ruined my time with my new baby for 6 months.  I believe that they hit a muscle after trying to insert the needle multiple times... Then I pushed with Lucy for close to 3 hours, the muscle in my back working overtime... Needless to say- it was hell.  So I explained to this lady that I wanted THE anesthesiologist, not the nurse that does them.  She was very sweet and agreed to get her boss.  He asked me 'are you SURE you want to do another epidural.'  I wasn't sure.  BUT I know what labor pain feels like and I am the biggest wuss in the world, so I rolled the dice.  Aaron stood in front of me and kept my shoulders down, and I just started shaking and crying.  I was SO scared to have the same thing happen again.  The anesthesiologist explained he is going to do this in a different area, that way there is no chance of hitting the same spot again.  In about 2 seconds, it was in.  The meds were inserted and BAM... all was good!  What a difference it makes to have someone who knows what they are doing...
We ended up being pretty bored actually... We watched that movie 'The Help' on TV and kept wondering when little Lily was going to make her appearance.  Would it be January 19th or 20th?!  Every time my OB came in I asked him, 'do you think we will have a baby before midnight?'  His answer was 'absolutely!'  I didn't think it was possible.
My parents came up to keep us company and stayed until 10:30 pm.  They told us 'we will have our phones on til about 3 am, so please keep us posted!'  Sure enough, right when they left, the nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 7.  They asked if my pain was under control, and it sure was.  I only felt a little pressure, no pain.  The nurse, Heather, left the room and all of a sudden, like a wave I felt the baby drop and so much pressure AND pain.  I looked at Aaron and said, 'I need to push right now!'  He got the nurse and she came back in, checked me, and said 'CALL DR. HAZELRIGG NOW, the baby is crowning!'  People were running all over the room, these crazy bright lights were switched on, the bottom of the bed dropped down and I am literally crawling up the bed in pain.  I told them 'I need more meds!' and her answer was, 'it's pointless now, the epidural won't do a thing once the baby is crowning.  $HIT!!!!!!!!!!!  I am yelling 'NICK NICK!!!!'  Nick was the anesthesiologist who can give more meds, and he comes in and tells me the same thing.  I am like, 'well, give it a try at least!'  It hurt so bad...
I was so thirsty so Aaron gives me a cup full of ice and spoons the ice in my mouth, damn near choking me.  On top of pushing, I am gagging on ice.  Thanks Aaron. :-P  Poor guy, he was so nervous!
I am literally screaming like a banchee at this point, praying that each contraction is the last!   10 mins later, this little tiny being is placed on my chest, looked me right in the eyes- just like Lucy did.  Lily was born at 11:02 pm!
It all happened SO fast.  It was like a dream.
It's so surreal... I can't believe Lily, who we have talked about every day for the last 9 months is finally here.  She is beautiful.
The nurses took her to the warming table to do her Apgar scores, and Aaron immediately goes over to take pictures and video.  Of course, crazy me... I am delivering the placenta (barf!) and yelling across the room, 'Aaron, check her hips!'  'Are the creases even?'  He is yelling back, 'the nurse said she looks great, babe!'
YAY!
2 hospital pediatricians have examined her hips, all gave the ok!  Our pediatrician also saw her a few days ago and said all is good!  BUT... you know how I am.  Dr. Segal will be doing a 6 week ultrasound and exam.  Once I hear it from him, I will feel better.  I mean, come on... I trusted him with Lucy's life.  Not many people in the world have been trusted with my child...

So keep your fingers crossed that all is ok!  I will also be posting a healthy hip swaddle that I do on Lily.

Meeting Lily for the first time
Lily Ann Farrish 

Swollen mama and our last night as a family of 3

LOVE

Daddy and Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, my amazing OB

Proud daddy

I am thinking 'oh my gosh what just happened'

Going home to meet my sister!

No words can describe.  

Goodbye to PT... For now!

Well, hello there and Happy New Year!
I can't believe I am sitting here, on the day before January 8th typing this.
Why you ask?!
January 8 last year was the day we took Lucy in to our old pediatrician for her 1 year wellness visit.  This is when she recommended we 'go whenever' to get an x-ray since she finally noticed her leg creases weren't even. (Let's not get on that subject)
Anyways, of course, we left the peds office and went straight to the imaging place. I remember hearing Lucy scream down the hall. (Daddy took her in.)  I sat in the waiting room and bawled like a baby, because I KNEW something wasn't right.  Reminder: the hospital pediatrician had told us that Lucy's hip wasn't right the day she was born.  We passed this info on to our pediatrician and she told us 'oh, her hips are fine!'  So blindly, we walked around for an entire year with an issue that should have been corrected at birth- and has a 95% success rate if treated at birth.  I can't talk much more about this without my blood boiling- so moving on...
Jan. 8 is D-Day AKA the day that I will remember forever. The day I felt my world collapse and my heart sink like you can't imagine.  So tomorrow is going to be a hard day.  I am going to try a 'positive spin' and think of our accomplishments over the last year, but it still makes me so so sad.
Today was pretty exciting since it marks 6 months of physical therapy.  Lucy walked in there today and was like 'yep, I am doing the stairs' and then yep- over to the obstacle course, and yep- carrying the weighted balls... she rocked it.  Hilary is so impressed with Lucy that she said we can now just see her quarterly!  We still may go next week if the baby isn't born yet... I really, really LOVE taking her to PT.  I learn SO much every time I go.  This week we basically went over what I need to be continuing at home for the next few months.
1.  Shoe inserts.  Lucy's ankles roll in, so this will help stabilize her ankles.
2.  Stairs.  Helps with hip and knee flexion.
3.  Kicking.
4.  Jumping. (We got her a trampoline so this will be fun!)
5.  Stretching... still making her work for things and stretching and reaching for items.
6.  Pressure point therapy.  Massage.  Especially on her hips and feet.  (I will upload those asap)

I talked to Hilary about how many people I have met on mom's groups that are having sensory issues.  SO many kids seem to have some issue with sensory.  I asked Hilary to tell me more about it so she did.  What I am getting is this... Lucy's sensory issues come from her being in a spica cast from chest to ankles for 16 weeks.  Other kids just happen... Sensory is HUGE from birth-2 years old.  That's when most of it develops.  Hilary suggested with the new baby that we don't do a lot of the things that we did with Lucy... such as, jumpers, excersaucers, etc... She said a lot of children are SO overstimulated with toys that flash, tv, iPads (GUILTY!), etc... she said that for a little baby, a blanket on the floor and a simple rattle.  That's it.  No flashing lights, toys that sing, etc... Of course, there is a little give on this since we all know a rattle on the floor isn't going to entertain them for long, but I get what she is saying.  Us, as a society, are so visually stimulated, that we forget about the gross motor skills and just letting kids play.  She gave an example of a baby in a car seat carrier.  Totally immobilized, with dangling light up toys from the handle to look at.  She recommends a carrier to strap to yourself to carry the baby with you, that way the baby gets movement and motion.  OF course, we will have a carrier and use it, but now that I am aware of these little things, I will do my very best to make sure Lily gets more gross motor time on the floor and free play as opposed to being stuck in a jumper...(Until I need to shower or go to the bathroom. HA!)

Sensory issues affect speech, personality and SO many other things with a developing child.  I never knew it was this big of an issue until I started meeting other parents that are going through things with their little ones.  Now, I am not saying all of these issues are caused by parents not letting their kids play... some kids just don't develop the sensory that they need in the time they need it... therefore there is a huge need for therapists... speech, physical and occupational.  Like Hilary says, Lucy's isn't 'gone' it just needs to be nurtured and developed.  Most kids are the same, we just need to develop their sensory system in their time frame and with ways that make that individual child feel good...For example, weighted blankets are supposed to be great for kids with sensory issues... Here is a link to one:
WEIGHTED BLANKET
You can also make your own!  I am actually going to make one on Saturday...

What else is going on?!  Well, Lucy is officially TWO years old now.  I couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments.  Hilary said today that Lucy has done so well because LUCY is amazing and has the drive to succeed.  Thinking back on our first physical therapy appt... She was just about a week out of her brace full time, and would tuck her leg under her and shuffle across the ground.  She could barely pull herself up (This was at 17 months) and wasn't walking. She was weak and I honestly would cry every day wondering if she would be able to walk. Of course, everyone said 'she will, she will' but in the back of my mind, I just saw my frail little girl scooting on the floor when all of her peers were running and playing.  I remember that feeling of going out with her where other parents were and them asking 'how old is she? And she doesn't walk?' It was like 'shut the hell up and mind your business because you don't know what we have been through as a family!'  Of course, I wanted to shout that but I didn't... well, not all the time at least... Every little thing over the last year has been a constant reminder of Lucy's hip issues, and quite frankly, I am mentally exhausted with it.  It's something that will always be a scare, especially now with the new baby due any minute!  But like I have said all along, we trust God that he is always going to lead us where we need to be, even if we aren't happy about it!  I remember a year ago crying and saying 'God, why MY kid?? Can't this be someone else's kid???'  Of course not that I want it to be ANYONE'S kid, but at that stage of panic, you don't want it to be yours.

So, as this year of hip dysplasia for my girl wraps up, I am full of emotion, good and bad-- but most of all, full of PRIDE.  Lucy makes me SO proud every single day.  She is now trying to run, she says JUMP and tries, but isn't there yet... She is talking SO much more and even sings her ABC's with me.  She loves to go around the room and give each person and hug and say 'ahhhh' when you squeeze her back.  She is honestly the most perfect natured, sweet, amazing little girl you will meet. Bias?!  :-)
This year has taught me a lot about sensitivity to others and to help and support other parents that have any sort of issues with their child.  No one is immune from their lives being changed at any given moment.  Things can hit you like a ton of bricks... I just hope my blog has helped someone out there have hope that their little one will soon be running and playing just like Lucy is now.

Sorry for the long post, but L is actually napping today (first time this week!) so I am trying to catch up. :)
Happy 2013, and YES!  Pictures of Lily aka Lucy's sissy will/should be up soon... Prayers for healthy and perfect hips for her...

This was my little star today!  Hurdles?!  What hurdles?! I GOT THIS!

Bringing puzzle pieces to the puzzle while doing an obstacle and balance beam

Yep. What a little doll, I know... She is turning into a kid now, not a baby... LOVE

Not only am I SO proud of her, I am blessed that God chose ME to be her mom.  Couldn't be luckier...
This was at her birthday party on January 5th

Big girl... but yes... still has a binky and clip at night. What can I say, she loves it...

We are getting ready for Lucy's sissy around here

This was Lucy months ago when first learning her balance on the air mattress at therapy. Now she cruises this thing like nothing!

Always makes me cry looking at these pictures, but I want to show the world how far we have come. This was just after her cast was removed and she was in this brace full time for 6 weeks. She looks so thin and fragile to me. Her muscles were non existent. :-(

Not always the easiest rule to follow, but it's true... (said the biggest worry wart in the world...)

And we trust him!

Yep.

Do you guys remember this? Even though the smile is on my face, I was honestly crumbling inside. This was in her 2nd cast, and she was so scared she laid on me ALL day.  I mean, 8 hours... all day. Breaks my heart to see her like this, but tried to stay positive for her sake...

Remember:  GOD knows what he is doing!

Merry Christmas

Well, hello everyone and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Finally, it's Christmas Day.  The best day of the year!
Aaron and I are just relaxing right now on the couch after a super busy, super stressful month.  The beautiful babe is napping like an angel, and I told him I wanted to work on my blog.  I honestly don't know if anyone reads it, but hey... I like to post on it in hopes of one family out there that is facing a hip surgery reading it... I hope they read it and say, 'WOW, I think we will make it through this!'  That's my hope!  So, it's kinda like my therapy in a way, knowing that someday, somewhere, I will be helping someone who was as freaked out as I was almost one year ago.
This year has been pretty rough.  We have faced some of lowest points in our lives, but also the some of the most rewarding.  It makes me sad to look at pictures from last year, when we had no idea and were in the dark about her hip being dislocated.  I look at our photos and see the gleam in our eyes, and I think 'gosh, if we would have only known then what we know now...'  It was early January that Lucy was diagnosed with DDH, so it's been almost a full year.  Hard to believe.
This month has been rough for us also. Facing another Christmas without my niece, the horrific shootings in Connecticut, and me being sick and having pre-term contractions and going in the hospital.  It's been a crazy month.  I lay down at night and think of those families who lost their little kids in the CT shootings, and it just kills me.  We have been praying for them every single night... The horror they must feel, the nightmares... I pray that God gives some strength and continues to give them the will to go on with life. I found myself complaining the other day about Lucy taking a one hour nap- and then I quickly stopped myself and thought, 'I can think of 20 families who would give their lives to be complaining about this right now, so stop it!'
I love Christmas SO much, and actually start preparing for it in October!  This year I never thought I would get the honor of seeing Lucy dance or walk at Christmas time... I read so many horror stories of DDH kids not being able to weight bear for months and months... This Christmas has been SO incredibly special since she can shake her little booty to Jingle Bells like no one's business.  Seriously, I don't take ONE single step for granted EVER.  Nothing can put a smile on my face like seeing Lucy run around and be a 'normal' kid...
I wanted to share some pictures of our Christmas season with you... I also have a video of my munchkin a few weeks ago dancing.  For those of you who have 'normal' kids without hip issues, you will still smile and appreciate this- but for those who are 'hip' parents, this may make you cry. :-)
Lucy's Christmas Dance

I hope you have had a VERY Merry Christmas!
I have said it before and I will say it again... Thank you God for all of my blessings... But my favorite one you have given me is 30 lbs, 3 ft tall and loves to dance to Jingle Bells.  AND says HO HO HO!  AND says 'BRRRR" when I ask her what a snowman says.  God has truly given us everything in Lucy.
Merry Christmas friends... From 65 degree sunny Arizona...

One of our SIX blow ups in the yard! She would kiss the bear every day!

San Tan Mall Carriage Ride

Waiting in line for the carriage ride and dancing with mommy

Santa came to Lucy's pre-school for a visit!

Here is Lily in 3D!  She is the luckiest kid ever. Not only because she has parents who love her so much, but she has Lucy as a big sister...

My Santa Babe

Yah, excuse the no make up. I was actually in pain and Aaron was saying SMILE!!!!  I really wasn't in the mood after being in the hospital a few hours...Contractions every 4 mins apart...

Lucy and her buddy Hannah playing after a craft night!

We wrote a letter to Santa and sent it to the North Pole

All the stuff (well, one of the three carts of stuff) we bought for our adopted family. A  mom, dad and 3 kids.

Silly Goose

Baby Lily is ready to come out!

Lucy and her boy cousins Christmas Day morning at our house

Seriously cute

Getting ready to twirl!

This kid got SO many presents!!!!!!!!!!!

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope and honor!

Happy November friends!

I wanted to do a special post today about a new, special friend that Lucy has.

Her name is Hope.  Hope the Hip Hippo!

I am truly honored to say that I happen to know the authors of this book... they are 2 beautiful, amazing and strong moms of little girls that are battling DDH.  Both of their beautiful daughters, Mia and Abby, have bilateral DDH, meaning both sides.  They were both picked up on late, therefore treatment has been very difficult and extensive.  (When I say 'late' I mean anytime after a few weeks old is 'late!  I believe their kiddos DDH wasn't found until after they were both 2 years old.) These 2 moms have seen a lot.  They have been through a lot.  They know the tough realities of DDH.  These are 2 women who had a calling to make a difference!

There is such little information available to parents regarding DDH.  I can't tell you how many times someone joins our Facebook group and is totally freaking out, with an older child, wondering how this was never picked up on.  I can't tell you how many times they aren't even aware that the treatments for DDH vary SO much from state to state, country to country.  There is no set 'yes or no' treatment plans.  I truly believe OUR children who are facing DDH now, are the 'research' for the DDH kids of tomorrow. 

I remember when I first found out about my sweet Lucy having DDH. I couldn't even get the words DDH out of my mouth.  It sounded too much like a 'defect' or a 'syndrome' and my daughter appeared 'normal.'  She laughed, she played with toys, she was starting to say words... It was the HARDEST time in my life, and I scrambled to find a resource to help me cope with what was ahead.  When you google DDH and see the pictures of a spica cast, it will seriously scare the pants off any parent.  Especially if your child is mobile.  Not to mention, how are you supposed to explain this to your child??  With Lucy, we couldn't explain anything to her since she was only 13 months old, so we had to have her jump in feet first and face the hard reality of waking up 'stuck' in a body cast.  (Makes me SICK thinking about it.)  There are just some events in your life that you can think about, and you FEEL the exact same way you did that day.  Those feelings and memories never will leave you.  This last year with DDH has been that way.  Even though we are 9 months post surgery, I still think about her in a cast and it brings me right back to that time.  No child should have to face DDH, let alone without any resources helping them to cope.

Parents of DDH babes, look no further.  

Gina and Julie are the authors of 'Hope the Hip Hippo.'  Hope loves to dance... she loves to play... she is a normal toddler.  She is diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and requires surgery and a cast.  The book is for children, and it takes them on a journey with Hope through the hospital, cast and post surgery... It is so darn adorable... The book was recently released, so we ordered 2 copies.  One is for Lucy, of course.  I am going to write her a very special letter inside of it.  I am tearing up thinking about that, but I want her to know when she is able to read this book herself, that her mommy LOVES her, in a cast, out of a cast, and ANY road we have to take in life.  ANY road.  As long as I am in it with my husband and babes, NOTHING will stop us.  When the books came in the mail, I envisioned Lucy reading it to her kids someday, showing them what she went through as a baby.  The book represents how far we have come personally, but it also is upsetting to know that so many little kids are reading this while they face yet another surgery.  Bittersweet.

The other copy I purchased was for Lucy's surgeon, Dr. Lee Segal.  He has been our 'knight in shining armor.'  I owe my life to that man for being so wonderful to my daughter.  God brought us to him for a reason.  I am going to have Lucy put her handprint in it, and we will write him a short thank you note.  I also want to put in there, 'please Dr. Segal, pass this book on to the next little girl around Lucy's age that you diagnose with DDH.  I know her parents will be as scared as we were, so please, give them some HOPE.'  

What I really think he will like about the book is that his patient, MY Lucy, is mentioned in the dedication.  Yep, you heard it!  She is mentioned in the beginning of the book along with a few other children we know battling DDH.  Are we honored or what?!  One of the authors pointed out how much she appreciates my help to new parents that need it.  I am always here to help someone, since I know how awful it feels... I have a feeling someday- little Lucy will be quite the spokesperson and fundraiser for DDH. :) 

What I am saying is this book is a must have. Period.  If your child is facing surgery, it's a no brainer.  You have to have this book.  

Lucy has requested that we do a fun 'giveaway.'  Leave a comment in the comment section of this post, and tell us why you think HOPE will give your child HOPE.  I am going to 'pay it forward' and give 2 books away, shipped directly from the publisher to you!

If you already have a book, you can't enter the giveaway. (SORRY!)

If you would like to order a book, here is the link:
http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000006629335
OR
http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Hip-Hippo-Gina-Jay/dp/1460200624/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352068272&sr=8-1&keywords=hope+the+hip+hippo

It costs a bit more to order from the first link, but MORE $ goes to the IHDI.

                                     

Daddy reading HOPE to his favorite girl...

Lucy's review after reading the book!

SO CUTE, huh!?

Um, yes. You have read it right. 

2nd line, it says LUCY.  :)

The 2 pictures are the author's daughters... Aren't they sweet??

And in the words of HOPE herself....

Now if you will excuse me........... 

I have to go dance...............

(with Lucy of course!)

X ray day!

Some of you know, we originally had an x-ray scheduled for October 17th... well, it got moved.  Pushed back more like... to no other day than Halloween!  I was convinced that this is BAD LUCK!  Well, today proved me wrong... (I love being wrong in these situations!)

We show up at Phoenix Children's and we know the wait will be long... So, daddy goes in and gets us all checked in and the girls stay in the car watching none other than YO GABBA GABBA!  35 minutes later dad comes out to get us- we were called back... only to get so lucky and wait some more in the x-ray section... That actually went by pretty quickly- only about 15 more minutes.  They call her name, and Aaron takes her back to the x-ray room since I can't... She was so cute and little walking in there, and then she looks back at me and I say, 'it's ok baby!!!  You can do it!' She starts screaming and pointing and saying MAMA!  Goodness gracious.  I was doing okay until I heard that... 

So while Lucy is in the room crying for me, I am in the waiting room crying for her.  :-)

Finally that is over and we are moved to Dr. Segal's room.  He pops his head in after a few minutes and says 'hi guys!  Can I see Lucy walk please?!'  Ummm, hello- that must mean he saw something bad on the x-ray right?!  I put her down and she walks between Aaron and I, meanwhile I am beginning to panic... He smiles and says, 'she looks great.  I will be right back.'  WAIT!!!!!!!  Where are you going!

I turn to Aaron and say, 'he said the word GREAT so that's good, right!?'  It's funny how you begin to analyze every single word when you are worried... 

So Dr. S comes back in and has us come over to his desk to see x-rays.  He starts from the ones back in March which made my heart sink... He showed us that her AI angles were almost at a 40 back then!  That's NOT good... Then he is scrolling through and shows us in July they were approx 33.  Now today they are between a 29-30.  So I am going with 29!  Basically- we want them to keep going down!  That means the cup is being formed over the femur... 

The sense of happiness that came over me- I can't even explain it!  

He showed us pretty significant growth in her femur as well. Since it was out of the socket for so long, it didn't grow and neither did the 'cup.'  So the simple fact that both have grown in a few months is AWESOME.

Now, he explained to us he doesn't need to see Lucy for another 6 months... We are going to hope and pray for MORE growth and for those AI numbers to go DOWN.  He said if they don't, or if they remain the same for a long period of time, that's when she may need another surgery.  YUCK.  

So, we want SO badly to be a one-surgery success story... 

The femur is in perfect position for growth.  So at this point, I do what I have done my whole life.  FREAK OUT a little- then continue every single night and day to PRAY.  YES, you heard it.  I truly believe that God has a reason for everything, I may not understand or accept what he does some days, but someday I will understand... Lucy's life- and her hip- is all in His hands.  Plain and simple.  God has been SO great to us... Yes, we have had to deal with hip dysplasia, but you know what!?  He has also given us the BEST LITTLE GIRL to ever walk this earth.  I also have a feeling in January that I will have the OTHER best little girl to be born in her sister, Lily. :-)  Hey, what can I say, bias maybe?!

So in the middle of all my happiness today- I continue to thank God for every blessing in my life!

Here are a few photos of our day, and I am going to post links to a few videos from the last month or so of her walk... 

Happy Halloween friends!

Waiting with daddy in Dr. Segal's room

YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

X-ray was awesome!

Yesterday at Gymboree class:  (You can guess who the star of this show is, right!??)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v58ZAU7pu6o&feature=g-upl

Walking 3.5 months out of her brace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_gNHhhIUw8&feature=g-upl

Walking:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCpflYHcOi0&feature=g-upl

Physical Therapy and balance beams!

Lucy was a shining star (again) today in therapy!  

Now that Lucy is walking, she is ready to take on the world... and by the world, I mean every single adult, child, toy, book, chair- anything in her way she is climbing on, pulling on, running over... all while using her new found voice and saying 'I SEE!' 

Remember a few posts ago, I told you how our therapist said the 'trunk' and core muscles are related to speech and volume?  Well, Lucy's must be getting stronger because she is LOUD!  The other morning she was up at 2:30 in the morning... why?!  To talk, of course!  She was SO LOUD... I even turned the monitor off and could still hear her babbling away for hours... Heck... can I complain?!  Nope.  There is no one in the world I would rather hear babbling at 2:30 am... :)

Anyways, on to the therapy today...

Once again, Hilary (the Physical Therapist) was so impressed by Lucy's weekly progress.  

Our challenges at the moment are: 

1.  Her gait is still wide.  It's getting better, and will improve, but we are working on bringing her legs in closer together while she walks.

2.  Weight shifting.  Again, this is the BIGGEST thing after hip surgeries of any age!  

Lucy prefers to start off with her left foot.  (the 'bad' side.)  I thought that was a good thing... well, it's not!  Hilary said we need to force her to put weight over the left side, meaning starting with the right!  Confusing, I know.  She said just to force her to do the opposite of what she is doing. :-)  This is why SO many kids have a slight limp after surgeries... When the muscles are not worked properly, stretched properly, and in different directions, it throws off the alignment of the body.  

Even through these last few months of PT, Lucy is STILL tight in some of her muscles.  I mean, come on... a hip cast and being totally immobile for 16 weeks, what can you expect??  Also, in Lucy's surgery, the adductor tendon was 'released' aka 'spliced' to lengthen it, to release the bone to be put back in place.  That has to all be re-worked now that it's in a new place... Won't happen overnight, but man... it's way more in depth than I thought... 

We did a lot of work on the balance beam today... Of course, Lucy loved it.  She got to take balls to the basket via the balance beam.  Then she got to 'jump' off with the therapist and LOVED it!  The balance beam is going to teach her to walk with her legs closer together.  Again, working the muscles.  (Adduction muscles I believe they are called.) 

While on the balance beam, Hilary pointed out what Lucy was doing.  It is another example of weight shifting, or lack thereof.  She will take a huge step with her left foot, then a smaller step with her right.  Then a HUGE step with her left, small with the right.  To be on the balance beam and swing that right leg around requires a huge weight shift over the left part of the pelvis.  Again, so many kids have a limp because of this!  She isn't strong enough yet, but she will be!  I am going to have Aaron make Lucy a balance beam next week, and we will be all over that sucker every morning!  

So all in all, another great week... I feel like we learn so much every time we go to therapy with her.  I also think we got lucky to get such a great therapist.  She has been a God send to us!  Again, I can't recommend PT enough.  If your child has had a hip surgery- DON'T WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE!  Find a pediatric therapy clinic and go.

Have a great rest of the week, and think of us melting here in Phoenix!  High of 104 today!!!!  

Here is the babe getting ready to go up the balance beam

We went to a local high school yesterday and did the stairs!  We practice going up- starting with the right... then starting with the left.  Then going down, lowering with the right- then with the left.  Lateral movement is SO important!

Getting ready to jump off!  WEEEE!  Another great sensory thing for Lucy, feeling the ground on her feet after a soar in the air!  Of course, she can't really jump yet, but Hilary would lift her and fly her through the air and have her land on her feet. :-)

More balance beam work to work her adductor muscles and narrow her gait

Stairs at PT  Why she loves these so much, I have no idea... 

Obstacle course.  She had to step over each beam and hula hoop starting with the right foot... Weight shift!

Her reward after doing the stairs yesterday!