Physical Therapy #2

Hello again!

Well, here we are at physical therapy week 2.

I have to say, I have noticed a huge improvement in Lucy this last week since we have been doing the things we were told to do.

Ms. Hilary, Lucy's physical therapist, was also impressed at how well Lucy is doing...

Now, don't get me wrong.  Lucy does NOT want her touching her, messing with her, pulling on her... nothing.  So, we go very slow, and Hilary shows us some new 'moves.'

Like I said before, the weight shift from left to right, and right to left are HUGE.  Lucy loves to rest on her right, lean to the right, etc.  It's more comfortable.  I have to keep shifting her legs to the left, and put things that she wants on the left so she can reach and grab for them.  Sounds so simple, but it's a big deal!  

Her crawling has improved.  Not even close to perfect, but she will get there!  She likes to hold her left leg out, putting all the pressure on the right, and sort of 'hop' along.  This is when I go behind her, hold her legs straight, and give some resistance while she is crawling.  Resistance is key!  Hilary said not to let her push things around without there being some resistance.  If we do, it's encouraging her to lean forward and hunch her back... we want her standing up straight, working those muscles.

I am VERY proud to announce that Lucy has been standing on her own!  About 10-15 seconds... she tries to take a step, and BAM, right on the bum... but hey. she is trying!  It seems like her core is stronger to me this week, and that is so good!  That's what we want!

The biggest thing I learned today is that this DDH nonsense goes far beyond surgery and casts.  Hilary explained to us that due to being in a body cast for so long, Lucy has lost a lot of body awareness.  She said kids who haven't been through trauma and casts are body aware.  Kids who have, need more sensory therapy.  Remember, Lucy's cast went from her chest to her toes, so those areas didn't get touched at all!  Touch is so important for a baby.  She wants us to do baby massage and pressure point therapy every day.  (Lucy is like 'hey, right on!!!')  She said Lucy feels a bit out of control right now, and by making her more aware of her body, it will put the final piece of the puzzle together.  Doesn't that make sense?!  It does to me, totally.

So, she got out some lotion, I was holding Lucy on my lap.  She put it on her hands, let her rub it in, and showed me different techniques of massage.  Lucy LOVED it.  She actually let Hilary get close enough to do this.  Then she moved on to her feet and legs... Lucy just sat there and was amazed.  Hilary said, 'Lucy is craving this sensory therapy.'  As I sat there and held her, I fought back tears since it broke my heart.  My poor little girl.  She has been through so much trauma in her little life, and all she wants is to be touched, held and loved.  I love her so much, I just wish I could make this all better for her right now.  That may sound crazy to people who haven't been through this with their kids, but for those who have, you will totally get it.  This type of therapy is so far beyond a cast and muscle strength.  This is something most 'normal kids' get automatically, with no problems... Lucy however, is craving this and needs momma more then ever to make this right.  

I told Hilary how I have been so afraid to touch her leg and hip area.  I seriously slide the diaper under her when changing her, and I do treat her like an eggshell.  I put lotion and wash her left leg SO fast, since it scares the heck out of me!  I want to do everything to avoid hurting her, or having her hip re-dislocate... Now that I know the hip is in, I need to relax more and focus more on making Lucy aware that there ARE little legs there, and they WILL work!

On top of regular massage, we are supposed to do 'deep pressure points.'  Basically the thumb and pointer finger are used to apply pressure on areas to help stimulate the nervous system to recognize them.  She said this will help with Lucy's tip toeing, and trying to make herself feel 'grounded.'  She has to trust those limbs again...

Like I said before, all of this would eventually work itself out, but why have her compensate?!

Anyways... before we left, we got to go in a different PT room where there were older kids.  There was a huge ball pit in there with thousands of balls.  We put Lucy in there and she sank all the way to her chin.  :-)  I thought she would flip out, but no... she sat there for about 15 minutes, LOVING it.  I thought it was so weird that she was so calm, and Hilary said that she is used to feeling 'out of control.'  The balls are putting pressure on her body, making her feel 'in control' again, just like the cast did.  She said that just because the cast is off, doesn't mean Lucy has forgotten.  

This is what makes me so sad.  I know she is a baby, and probably won't remember this in fifteen years, but the effects like this are so noticeable.  How many times can I say this, why couldn't I have the surgery and cast for her?  Frustrates me to no end, but we gotta move forward and deal with what is in front of us... 

So, the homework for this week is massage and pressure points, along with the things that we talked about last week.  

We are going on vacation so won't be in PT for a few weeks, but I have enough to keep me busy. :)

SENSORY is the big thing we need to focus on.  Ball pits, baskets full of different items, play doh, anything to stimulate the senses.  The nervous system and muscles all have to work as a team to get the best results!

Here are a few pics and the massage info:

The baby Goose waiting for her appointment... 

This was at Gymboree last night.  Inclined mats to crawl up are awesome for resistance

We went to Peter Piper Pizza after Gymboree!  She loved it!

I saw this and had to post it.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it. 

No explanation needed.

These pics are on an adult but you get the idea :)

First day of physical therapy

Today was the babe's first day of PT.

I am really happy with how it went!  Her therapist's name is Ms. Hilary.  She was very, very nice, and knew not to get too close just yet... (Lucy is skeptical of new people!)  

The place we go to is called Horizon Pediatric Therapy in Mesa, AZ.  It's a home that has been turned into a PT place.  What's nice about that is it doesn't have that sterile, cold feeling like a doctor's office does.  

Hilary was actually very pleased with Lucy as she is!  She said that her range of motion in her leg is really good, and her posture is near perfect!  What we are focusing on is for Lucy to re train herself to trust her leg and hip again.  Hilary said the muscle tightness would/could 'eventually' work itself out, maybe.  BUT, if you start PT right after a surgery, you will teach the baby to walk using the hip first, not their knee and leg.  She said it's a lot harder to correct a gait when a child is older.  It seems we are getting Lucy in at the perfect time.  Hilary also told us that she is impressed that Dr. Segal recommended PT, because most orthopedic doctors don't.  She feels that EVERY child who has been in a spica cast could benefit from PT.  So, if your child has been in a cast, or will be soon... push for PT!  What can it hurt?!  

I asked her how long she thinks it will take Lucy to re train herself and to walk... she said 'very soon!'  She is proud that Lucy has the desire, and tries to walk on her own already.  (She falls flat, but hey... she is trying!)  She said having the desire is half the battle.  

Lucy has only been out of her brace for 2 weeks.  We are so proud of how well she is doing!  I forgot how it feels to have her crawling on me. Smothering me.  Not stopping for a second.  I can't complain ONE bit about it, because I remember her in her cast just sitting there.  I will take EVERY single thing I can, as long as she is moving and happy!  (Please remind me of this when she is running in a million directions and I am carrying a newborn and chasing her at the same time.)

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the things the PT suggested we do.  They aren't 'huge' big things, but I can absolutely see how this will help her.  I will explain as we go...

Remember, these were meant for Lucy at her stage, so don't take this as generic for all babies her age after surgery. Ask your doctor before starting anything! :-)

Sorry it's on it's side, no clue how to fix it. :)

Anywho... have the child on your lap and have them stand on their own to play with magnets on the fridge. This will strengthen the LEG muscles. Don't let them push backwards first.  Always have them shift the weight forward.

I thought this would be cool.  You can use a child sized swimming pool and fill it with balls, toys...whatever. Have them crawl in and out of it.

Kicking. It seems like L will mostly kick with her 'good leg' aka the right one.  We need to work more on her kicking with the left.

This is to stabilize the hips to get them in shape for walking. 

L tends to turn her foot outward, so the PT said to keep forcing it straight. 

(I think this is all I am going to be doing for the next month. Putting her foot straight.)

She said the repetition of doing this, it will train her to put it straight.

Our PT room :-)  Daddy came too!

I have noticed L will usually only re shift weight to her right side, not her left.  This will force her to use that hip!

She said to use a stool and have them practice getting up and down

This was another thing we were supposed to do! (Notice her left foot turning out.  Drives me crazy and I have to keep correcting it.)  Balancing on one leg... 

Pool... instead of just letting her free kick, sway them horizontally.  Let the water flow do it's thing!  It will help loosen the muscles.

Weird picture, huh?!  No clue why the kid is wearing a weird hat, but anyways... 

This is pretty self explanatory...

YAY I am awesome at this!

This is what is going to keep me busy.  I will upload a video of Lucy's crawl.  She goes FAST, but has her left leg extended out straight.  It's like a scoot more than a crawl.  I am supposed to follow behind her, put her legs in line, and give resistance.  Great.  I can see knee pads in my future!

Would you know she had a cast on 8 weeks ago?!  Seriously?  I have a future ROCKETTE on my hands...

This was another big one.  Again, the weight shift.  L doesn't do this yet... we need to work on this one...

She also said don't let her sit in the 'W' position, which is where both legs are almost tucked behind them.  It makes it WAY too easy to not use the hips.  

Lunch after!  YAH!

This one sounds fun.  She said if they are crawling up hill, or over pillows, they can't scoot.  They will be forced to use their hip.

Her Gymboree class has inclined mats, so those are going to be great! 

So all in all, it went really well.

We have tons of new things to do with her... 

I am also glad that she feels Lucy will be able to walk really well and really soon!  YAH!

Over and out from SUNNY Arizona... home of the 110 degree daily weather...

Spread the Love. Donate.

Hello again friends...
Today's post is going to be about giving back.
Giving back to the 'hip' community of parents.
I have decided to start an online fundraiser.  This is how it will work.
I am donating a $250 Visa Gift card to the winner of the raffle drawing.
How do you get entered in the raffle??  Well, for each $25 donation, you will be entered in the drawing one time.  For a $50 donation, 2 times... etc...
The money I am going to raise is going to go a few places.
As many of you know, we bought Lucy a special table to accommodate her cast.  It was made by
Ivy Rose Spica Chairs.  Stephanie, the owner and creator of the company has 2 beautiful girls that were born with hip dysplasia.  She started making these chairs knowing how much her girls enjoyed them while they were casted.  Honestly, Lucy lived in this chair!  She played, ate and was able to sit up so she felt like a big kid.  I want to donate at least 2 of these chairs to families in need.
The rest of the monies raised will go to One Hip World, which is supporting the research and advancement of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
It breaks my heart and infuriates me at the same time that there have been almost NO advances in treating Hip Dysplasia in almost 40 years!  Yet, 1 in every 1000 first born female has some form of DDH. (Developmental Dysplasia of the hip.)
I remember walking into a store with Lucy a few months ago, and a lady ran over to me and said, 'hip cast, huh?!'  I said, 'how do you know?!'  (Most people have no idea, and think it's a broken leg.)  She told me her daughter was in the same cast 30 years ago.  She also went on to tell me how mad that makes her that there isn't better options for kids.  With all the medical advances, they are still put in a body cast??  Really??
So, my goal is set at $1500 to raise.  I want to be realistic, but I would also LOVE to fly right past that number and raise even more.  I hope and pray in 20 plus years that my little Lucy's babies don't have DDH.  Yes, it's a possibility.  God forbid, if they do, I want to be able to tell her that mommy did her part in helping raise $$ and awareness.
SO many pediatricians, (including Lucy's FORMER one) totally had NO clue how to check hips.  I pointed out that 'the hospital pediatrician said that there is a click in her left hip.'  Our pediatrician said, 'oh no, her hips are fine!'  So basically, we are where we are due to her lack of knowledge and care.  Makes me SICK.  This happens EVERY day.  Children are walking around with major hip issues, and the older they get, the harder the treatment gets.
With our new baby on the way, you better believe that we will be doing an ultrasound and x-ray.  I don't care what the pediatrician says, I am going to do it on my own!  No messing around this time.

So, with that said, PLEASE consider making a $25 donation.  It will be put to great use, and as you know, I am the FIRST to donate and help others when they need it.
This time, I need it.  Lucy needs it.  Babies/kids with DDH all over need it.
Thanks for your help. :-)

I can't wait to do a post on the families that receive these chairs!!! YAH!



Here is a video of our story thus far:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6MLkmgrgmw&feature=youtu.be

6 week check up

Holy COW.  I can't even believe I am still awake to write this post!  My nerves and adrenaline (and diet coke) are working overtime!

Today was our 6 week post cast removal check up.  A big, huge day.  

As you know, Lucy has been in the brace full time for the last 6 weeks.  She gets about 15 minutes out of it a day to have a bath... that's it.  She has learned to move around, stand and even do a headstand in it!  Crazy!  

We show up for our 9:15 appointment, thinking 'hey! We are the second appt of the day... we should be right on time.'  Not so.  We wait to get into the x ray room until 10:10!  Are you kidding me?!  Lucy was getting bored, and heck... so was I.  Finally they call us back for x-rays, and Aaron takes her in, since I am preggo and can't... I hear my baby screaming down the hall, and I just lose it.  I cried like a baby too... In the middle of my sobbing, I closed my eyes and said, 'Dear God, please.... please please please have this x-ray be good.'  The same prayer I have prayed every night before bed, every morning when I wake up... 'Please keep your hand on my baby's hip.'  My biggest fear is that the bone has moved again, or that there has been damage to the blood supply of the bone. (AVN they call it.)  I couldn't fall asleep last night, and when I did, it was only for about an hour... I had horrible thoughts/nightmares of Lucy not being able to walk, and her never being able to stand... HORRIBLE. 

I try not to think such awful things, but again, I am not as trusting of things as most people.  With having our setback with the hip re-dislocating in the cast after 2 weeks, my trust is gone.  

Anyway- on to the good news...

So we get into the room, and Dr. Segal is in minutes later. He says hello and looks at me and says, 'how are you doing?'  Like a freaking loon, I lose it.  Crying like he stabbed me.  I said, 'I am so worried and nervous that something is wrong.'  He seriously just stands there staring at me.  My husband looks at him as if to say, 'you should try living with her!'  haha... It was the weirdest awkward silence in the room as he stood there, wide eyed, watching my meltdown.  After the shock wore off, he puts his hand on my shoulder and says, 'her x-ray looks great.'  WHAT!?!?!?!?!?  Is he serious???? 

He puts Lucy on the exam table and puts her knees together and manipulates the hip.  Her left leg (the one that was dislocated) seems a tad longer now and he explained why.  Her muscles are super tight around the hip area, which is to be expected.  Once they 'loosen up' the length discrepancy should even out.  He suggested we begin physical therapy to help with that.  He said it's normal for kids that have been casted.  WHEW again.  

Lucy let Dr. Segal carry her to his computer and he showed her the x-rays.  All the way there he said, 'I will carry you, Lucy, because your mom is... well.... your mom is different, and she is freaking out.'  LMAO!  Haha!  

Her left femur is still smaller than the right (to be expected) and the socket looks better formed (to me). Dr. S says it's too early to tell anything yet, but if the socket doesn't grow, expect a future surgery around 3.  :-(  Let's just keep praying for growth.  

We get back into the room and Dr. S says to me, 'Karen, I need a favor from you.'  I am thinking, 'holy cow, don't ask too much of me right now, I am one step away from a freak out.'  "SURE" I said.  He said he has another patient diagnosed with a dislocated hip, and he wants to know if he can give my information to this family for help/support.  What an honor.  I told him I would be thrilled to help another family out.  I know how horrible this is, and the fear of the unknown... I am so glad he thought of me to help.  

He then told us to continue with the brace, but ONLY for night time sleeping.  WOOHOO!  That is so awesome, since my beautiful girl and our family are headed to LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA for 2 weeks soon!  My dream is about to come true.  To see my beautiful nugget on the sand playing... no cast, no brace... just pure happiness.  

Let me tell you... If you are reading this and just about to start a journey with hip issues, don't be afraid to be pushy!  Get x-rays when you feel you should.  Ask questions.  E-mail the doctor.  If a pediatrician tells you 'the hips are fine' and you feel otherwise, demand x-rays.  There are WAY too many hip dysplasia cases out there being MISSED by pediatricians.  My next post is going to be about doing a hip check yourself.  May sound crazy, but I have seen it done enough times now, and I do it every day to Lucy!  (CRRRAZY I know...)  Just go with it.. :)

Well, the babe is off to nap, and I am off to watch Teen Mom and eat french fries.  (HA!)  

We go back in 3 months for another check.  Will keep you posted on the PT.

Lucy was so excited from her good news that she threw her lunch all over the floor

This is what her and daddy do (when she was in her brace!)

DYING!!!  I am SO excited to put her in normal clothes and shorts!  We got this at Gymboree the other day.  She's gonna be adorable in this...

Mom is a total sucker at the Disney store

3 weeks post cast

Well, here we are 3 weeks after the spica cast was removed... Hopefully we are half way through wearing this annoying brace full time!  We see Dr. Segal again in 3 weeks from today.  I plan on telling him that we are going to the beach for 2 weeks so if he thinks this brace will be on Lucy full time in August, he has another guess coming.  :-)  The reason I say that is because from what I have read, there is no medical backing on whether this brace works or not.  It's a 'wait and see' type of thing that CAN encourage socket growth.  (What we are waiting for.)  Of course, we have followed the Dr.'s orders to a T, but I am SO ready to see her crawl normally and learn to walk!  

Life isn't totally back to normal.  She still has to be carried a lot, and being pregnant in 115 degree heat, it's been interesting.  But... we are making it!  

One huge benefit is now she can sit up on her own.  We can sit in her play room and she can have some freedom.  Before we were always having to prop her up on bean bags or pillows.  

I can tell she is SO much happier.  Not that she wasn't happy before, but man... she is SO happy to be free!  She laughs, claps and dances almost all day long. (Did I mention she is the best?!  The sweetest?!)  Haha, anyways... 

We have gone back to her weekly Gymboree classes now.  It still is sad to watch all of the other kids her age running around while she is sitting there.  All I keep reminding myself is 'this is all part of it.  She has to heal and gain strength."  

Lucy has been LOVING the pool!  All of our family members have pools, so we are usually swimming 3-4 days out of the week.  I let her have 'brace free time' and she kicks her little legs in delight.  

I have also found the BEST highchair.  This chair would work for babies in spica casts, braces or babies who are in neither!  It's awesome.  I wish I would have known about this months ago.  Yes, it's not cheap, but it has a removable tray that allows the chair to pull up to the table.  It also has adjustable heights, so the chair will grow with her.  An adult can fit in it!  It's called a Keekaroo.  Get one!  Don't wait.  It's awesome.

Another tiny complaint about this brace is that she is still stuck in clothes that I hate.  (haha!)  Because the brace is foam and rivets, I don't want it rubbing her skin.  I have been putting her in a  onesie and then a light pajama pant or yoga pant over the top of that.  I wish she could just go with a onesie, but that darn foam... It's sweaty and it gives her a rash. (Me too I might add!)  

I found a way to clean the brace also.  It was turning a lovely shade of grey, and had a few strawberries smashed in the velcro.  (GROSS)  I ran a sink full of soapy water and added some bleach.  I soaked it for an hour or so, and VOILA.  Bright white and good as new.  My question is WHY WHY WHY would you make an all white brace?  Can't they pretty it up a bit with pink or purple?!  

So all in all, things are going great.  I am so happy she is out of that cast... I hope to NEVER see one again.  

We are slowly returning to 'normal' around here and getting very excited for our vacation to La Jolla, California.  Lucy's first time at the beach. 

Here are a few pics of our last few weeks...

At Gymboree class!  She loves the slide and the rocking horses

Riding on her car

Seriously. How cute is she when she sleeps???

The awesome new high chair!  I called my husband and started the conversation with: 'Ok, don't be mad when you get your credit card bill, ok?"

At the youth museum. She is dressed all weird since for this area you had to have socks on.  Well, I found one random sock in my car and one mitten.  HAHA!  So she is wearing one sock and one mitten.  She still rocks it though. :-)

Enjoying her brace free time.  She could never bend her left leg like this before surgery

Funny faces with daddy at lunch!  These are my 2 favorite people EVER!

Case of the brace

Well, I promised myself to never complain about the brace, since ANYTHING is better than a spica cast!

Here I am, about to complain. (Just a little!)  Not about the fact that she has to wear it, but the fact that she hasn't even worn it 5 days straight and it's falling apart.  (And we alternate between TWO of them!)

We have already had to take it back to Hanger to have one of the rivets fixed.  We went to pull the velcro and it flew across the room!

The dang velcro edges are splitting and peeling already.  No clue how this is going to last!  All I do know is that our insurance will be coughing up another $200 brace if this one falls apart.

Like I said before, I swear I could make this from items at a craft store.  It's foam, a tad bit of plastic and velcro.  Not very in depth.

Lucy has to wear the Wheaton Brace pretty much full time until her next check up in 6 weeks.  It's really not that bad.  She can sit up in it, swim in it, and it doesn't seem to bother her.  I take it off to change her diaper and clothes, and for baths... (We haven't really done very many baths since we have been swimming every single day!)  I take her nude with just the brace on in the pool!  Our dr. said it is fine to do that, since it doesn't compromise the shape of the brace.

The best part is she can sleep on her tummy.  She is in heaven!  She is super light now and super squishy. :-)  I still have yet to pick her up from under her arm pits (you aren't supposed to when they are casted) and I probably never will.  I always pick her up with one hand under the brace.

I was thinking with baby #2, I don't think I could grab both ankles and lift him/her up to change the diaper.  It's set in me not to do that!  I will probably do what I do now, lift up by the bum and slide the diaper under... It's crazy what you get used to.

 On that same topic, when I see parents that hang their kid upside down (playing of course!) by their ankles, or lift them up just by their arms, I want to die!  YIKES!  That's an orthopedic nightmare waiting to happen... 

Anyways, wanted to share our lovely brace with you.  I finally got some good pics... 

Baby girl sitting up on her own the day after cast removal

Loving on Grandma!  

Dang velcro piece of crap!

At least she fits in her stroller again without using pillows!

We have the baby jogger city select

The stupid rivet that popped off and we had to fix

OH, and did I mention I am allergic to it, also?? Every time I pick her up my arms get a red rash that burns.  Lovely.

So cute. 

Here it is... She was being a shy baby

YAY for tummy sleeping!

Loving on daddy! This was taken at our new rental house inspection yesterday!

Lots of work ahead!

First full day without the cast!

What a GREAT day we had!

I forgot how AWESOME it is to see Lucy's legs.  I forgot what 'normal' feels like!  Not that we are totally back to normal... far from, but WOW.  This feels so good!

Last night was a bit rough.  We slept Lucy in her crib (as always) on her back.  She got so used to back sleeping since in her cast, there wasn't another option.  I thought to keep things 'normal' for her, we would lay her on her pillow in the crib, then prop her feet up with pillows.  WRONG. 

It took her 2 hours to settle down since now that she CAN move, she WANTS to move!  She was kicking her legs, throwing her blanket and having a full on party in her crib!  She finally fell asleep around 10, thank goodness.  Aaron and I were SO tired.

Fast forward, 3:30 am, full on screaming wake up.  We both ran in and got her.  She just wanted to be held.  She had scooted her way off the pillow and was at the bottom of the crib.  

I thought, forget this nonsense.  I took her in the bed with me, gave her a bottle, and layed her on her tummy.  Within seconds, she was OUT.  Now, for those of you who have slept with a baby before, you know how this story goes.  I was ALL the way on the corner of the bed, Lucy was right in the middle.  I honestly didn't even care how tired I was... I was just SO happy to be able to reach over and feel her back!  :-)  

My husband finally came in the room at 9 am!  We were both still asleep.  Lucy just woke up quietly and layed there.  I rubbed her head and played with her hair, and she just spooned with momma for another half hour or so. :)  xx HAPPY xx

We got up, and headed of to the Hanger store where the brace was ordered for us.  We get there, and lucky for them, it's ready.  She needed a size large!  She is no small fry.  Lucy is 30 lbs, and has always been in the 90th percentile!  That's right.  Big ol' babe of love. :-)

We turned in the size small brace, and went on our way.  We did get 2 braces, since they are such hunks of crap that I just know one will break...

Anyway... We went for lunch at Aaron's favorite place.  The Mongolian Grill.  I really don't like it since it's asian style food (not my thing), but him and L love it.  Lucy ate like an adult!  Shoveling noodles and soup in her mouth, and has discovered the art of dipping.  She was dipping wonton chips in sweet and sour sauce.  It was EVERYWHERE.  It even got on her bright white brace!  Did I care?!  Nope.  Make a mess baby girl.  Go for it.  She hasn't gotten to do that in awhile.  (And I didn't have to clean up!)

We then come back home for a nap, and then head out to Grandma's house to go.......

SWIMMING!

HECK YES.  She wore nothin' but her brace!  I am not going to screw around with swim diapers, then the brace, blah blah blah.  We held her and she was having the time of her life.  Took everything in my power not to break down and cry.  I was so happy to see her happy.  It's so weird, I just can't believe that there are activities like this that we can participate in.  We are so used to going 'oh we can't do that because of her cast...' and now it's like, HELL YES!  Count me in! 

OH, and the chlorine from the pool got rid of the sweet and sour sauce stain on her brace... :-P

Lucy already has tried to sit up, and doesn't seem to be sore at all.  She is doing amazing.  I haven't had to give her tylenol or anything.  She actually laughs when we change her diaper, since it probably tickles her skin!  Her skin already looks better.  

We have gotten a few pair of loose pajama type bottoms and cut up the seam of the bum... That way they go on super easy and are able to spread out to accommodate her brace.  They are loose ones, and cotton... super soft.

Again, (I can't say it enough), I am so lucky to have gotten the most amazing baby in the world.  (I know, I know, you think every mother says that.)  Not true.  I DID!  I really did!  :-)

It's hard to go back to complete 'normal' life since she isn't mobile yet, but I have a feeling it won't take long.  We are just going to go at her pace.  If it takes her months to become mobile, so be it.  We just want to love her and make her happy.  My goal in life! 

Here are a few pictures of our first day without a cast.  Hope they bring a smile to your face. :)

Goodnight from the hottest city in America... 

Doesn't this picture say it all?!  Pure happiness.  I love her so much!

ALWAYS kisses for mommy

Playing the iPad with Grandma last night.  She always picks the Bulldog.  (Her brothers are bulldogs!)
That's my girl!

Our sleep!

YAY!

Waiting to get fitted for the new brace