Day One At Shriners

Okay so here goes. K has been in her brace already today and it went alright. She really doesn't like it and they are trying to get it to fit properly, but we are a little bit in shock. We just talked to the doctor and found out that K will probably be in this brace at least five years and even after that she will probably have to have spinal surgery (rod in her spine) to correct the scoliosis at the age of six. That is if we are able to keep it from progressing between now and then. Little much to take today. We were hoping this brace would fix everything, but there is the thought that it probably won't. It will just slow or stop the progression. There is the possiblity that it can correct it, but it is very slight. Needless to say, today has been a rough day, so far. We will keep all of you posted. Thanks again for all of the prayers.

Working on Growing Too Fast

K enjoyed looking out at her doggie. She found the windowsill rather convenient. She could see daddy too! Then she thought she would try the windowsill...it wasn't very tasty.
Check out the hair! Scary looking isn't it?
Look at all the fuzzy hair!!! No longer the bald baby.

Busy Week Ahead

We had to lower the crib mattress because our little one is a little too mobile now. She is now realizing that she can move around her crib and play. She has done this the past two nights and during naptime.
Doesn't she look mischievous in this picture? We have to be on our toes now!
K now talks on anything like it is a cell phone. Her hand, baby wipes, you name it. She likes to think she is a very big girl.
Wednesday will be the day we go to the Shriners and get K's back brace. We are looking at staying there one night and if need be more.
Today was also Nate's last day at church. It is very bittersweet, but we have been fortunate to have such a church family. Everything is still in the air, but Nate will be staying at home with K. This turns out to be a very good thing because the brace will take quite a bit of time to get used to. Nate will be able to work with her on this as well as therapy. We will let you know how she is doing.

Big Things Happening

K enjoys sleeping with her feet crossed. It is just so adorable that we just can't help taking pictures.
I'm such a big girl! My little chair is perfect for me.
We are now working on standing and walking unassisted. K is doing a pretty good job at it. In the picture above she is trying to catch a goldfish. Treats tend to get her to do things. Almost like training a puppy, only I'd say she is 100 times cuter.
Next Wednesday we are going to the Shriners to get K's back brace. They are going to keep her at least one night and they will monitor her. We have to work her into the brace to make sure that she is doing well with it. It will take time to get her up to 23 hours a day in the brace, but Nate will be home now and so that will help. We couldn't ask a daycare provider to spend that much time with K and her brace. We are hoping that this will correct the problem and there is a small part of me that is hoping it won't be during the day, but eventually will only be at night. We don't know for sure what is in store. It is going to be a very difficult few days/weeks, but we believe that this will help with the scoliosis. We will keep you all posted as soon as we are able.

Changing Day by Day

I know mommy wants me to help with the laundry, but this is absolutely ridiculous. Talk about an odd experience.
I am enjoying drinking out of a big girl cup. Daddy even let me drink out of the straw.
Today daddy says that he has to lower my mattress. What does that mean? Does that mean I lose my jumping privileges? I just figured them out!
I'm watching you!
Mr. Glowworm is K's best friend. She is always snuggling with him when we come in to get her in the morning.
Now the piano isn't safe either.

Happy Valentine's Day

I am modeling my Valentine's outfit that was given to me by my wonderful neighbors, Mr. Harry and Mrs. Polly. Don't I look like the sweetest Valentine? I didn't have to buy mommy and daddy anything!
I got to try a sucker for the first time today. I knew what to do with it and I learned that you have to keep it away from daddy. He will try to take it from you!
You see him trying to sneak up on me? Mean daddy. Get your own candy!
This is my Valentine loot. I really did well. Guess that is what happens when you are just 100% ADORABLE! Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's Day from all of us here!

Pictures for You to Enjoy

Here is our little sleeping beauty. I couldn't resist capturing the chin resting on the hand.
This is what we do now. Nothing is safe from K.
More climbing the furniture. Just wanted to get a shot of the little baby blues.
Don't I look adorable?
Mommy and K enjoying a goldfish moment.
Don't you wish you were here?
K is now working at pushing herself to sit and pulling up on furniture. We are wanting to get her doing these things before the brace is put on her so that way she won't be too far behind.

Long Week

Sorry for the delay in posting. This week has been a little on the crazy side. K has a little cold, but she is doing better. Nate and I are exhausted just from trying to keep up with her. She can keep you going. This Saturday we are helping some friends move and K will be supervising. She does really with that. More to come.

A Long Day...Again

Well, technically it was a long morning, but it felt like an eternity while we were there. Today K was casted for her TLSO brace (for her scoliosis). When we got there they set K up on this contraption and she was wrapped with a plaster gauze that would harden after it was set on her. They had to wrap her from under her armpits all the way down to her hips. Needless to say, she hated the entire experience. She cried the entire time and it was hard to keep her calm. The cast itself didn't take long to dry and I was able to hold her, but it was very hot and she got a little warm from the heat. After that, we had to get an x-ray with the cast on to make sure that when the brace was made it would straighten her out fairly well.
Once they were pleased with the x-ray, they had to cut off the cast. That was a very difficult part too because they had to use the saw to get it off. It was loud and she was already hot so it was a little hard for her. Her new brace will be ready at the end of February and we will have to go possibly stay the night so that they can gradually get her into the brace. It will take a little while to get her ready to stay in it 23 hours a day, but eventually she will spend that much time in it. We also have an appointment to meet with a neurosurgeon to discuss her "dangling tonsils." What exactly that means we have no clue, so don't ask. It doesn't affect her cognitive abilities, but other than that...who knows. K is doing better and is very happy to be away from the cast people. Thank you for all of your prayers and please keep them coming.

All Better Now...Hopefully

Out of all of the toys, K enjoys "unpacking" her diaper bag. I guess it is her way of organizing things.
My office hours are 9 to 5. I take phone calls, accept all major credit cards, and I will lick all of your envelopes for free!
I can sing and make noise using just an envelope! Can you do that? Bet not.
Here are some pictures that are very dear to me. K is enjoying her piano and she likes to sit on the bench like a big girl. Someday she is going to play duets with me.
Just in case you didn't know, Nate and I got hit with the "stomach bug" this weekend. It wasn't a pleasant experience let me assure you. We are both doing better and K is doing the best. We think she had it first, but it didn't seem to bother her as much. Tomorrow we will be going to the Shriners to get fitted for the back brace. It won't be a pleasant experience, but it must be done. This brace will be done in the next few weeks and then we will return to have her put in it. We don't know what that will be like, but it won't be fun to begin with. Lots of adjusting for all of us. K will be just fine, but sometimes it is a little bit harder for mommy and daddy. We will let you know how it goes.

Enjoying Life in General

We had some snow on Thursday and as you can see it covered quite a bit of the ground. K and I got to stay home from school Thursday and it was lots of fun.
K thought the snow was interesting. As you can see, she is bundle up and modeling her lumber jack hat.
Okay, I liked the snow, but it's cold out here. Let's go back inside.
Aunt Amy needs my help to cook. I am manning the oven right now.
Aunt Amy won't let me cook for some reason. I guess I have to grow just a little bit more.