2 Weeks Down...

Hip Dysplasia: The abnormal formation of the hip joint in which the ball at the top of the thighbone (the femoral head) is not stable within the socket (the acetabulum).


We went into Gillette Children's 2 weeks ago to get information and figure out what we needed to do to fix Callie's hips and all the sudden there was several people in the room talking to us and putting her in a harness.  I honestly don't even remember what was said because I was concentrating on not crying or grabbing her and running out of the room.  Thankfully it wasn't a complete surprise.  We had (mentally) prepared that she would be leaving with this thing on, just in case. It didn't make it any easier though.

So we are taking things one day at a time and figuring out life with a baby in a harness.  The first couple days were the hardest.  Callie did not like being confined and just wanted to be held.  I felt so bad for her, we could tell she was just trying to get comfortable but couldn't.  She has been a lot better the past week or so.

We were told that she could be out of the harness for about 30 minutes a day, basically long enough to change her onesie in the morning and give her a bath at night.  Some nights I skip a bath and just cuddle her harness-free for a few minutes.  I miss being able to do that.

I thought I would take every chance I could to get her out of it but usually at night I put on a cute onesie she can wear the next day because I hate taking it off her.  Not so much taking it off but putting it back on.  When we take it off she always stretches so big and will get a cute little smile.  It breaks my heart putting it back on after that. (I usually make Matt do it.) :)

I am getting better at doing our "normal stuff" and getting out of the house.  I am not doing as well with people staring and asking about it.  Before she was even in it I was already sick of hearing that she will be okay and that it could be worse.
I know that.
I tell myself that every day.
But right now this is what we are going through and no matter how severe or not something is, it is still heartbreaking watching your kids go through it.  Yes, I am so thankful that she WILL be okay and that it COULD be worse but I'm still sad that she is going through all this.  I just hate seeing her in this thing.

I am also very thankful for a friend whose son had hip dysplasia.  It has been so nice having someone else understand what's going on and know how I feel, not to mention I have asked her a million questions.
Thank you Sonya!! :)

So for now we are making sure we follow all the "rules" and do everything the doctors told us to do because we want this to be done as soon as possible.  As of right now we have no idea how long she will need to be in it, all we know is that is will be at least a couple months.  We go back every 3 weeks for ultrasounds and adjustments and hopefully good news each time.  There is a very high success rate with this harness so we are praying for complete healing!!

I Love It

Yesterday while Alexa and I were having our daily conversation about how she is growing up too fast she says to me, "Mooooooom, stoooooop! I have told you for months and months and months that I will still be your baby girl even when I am a wife and a mommy and a doctor."
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

A Quick Hello

I have so much to say and lots of updates but just don't have much time these days, and the time I do have I am busy holding my baby...or my little man...or my 4 AND A HALF year old. (yes, we are in the stage in life where the half really matters.) :)

Anyway, I am working on an update post about Callie...for only being 7 weeks old she sure has had a busy life.  Thank you for the emails/texts/calls asking about how she is doing, she sure is loved!

And of course I can't post without at least one picture, so here's one of Braden rocking Callie while he sang to her one morning.  A moment that melts a mommy's heart for sure! :)

Project 365: Days 66 - 72

Day 66

Day 67 - MN Zoo

Day 68 - Braden's first time at Lowe's Build and Grow workshop.  He loved it!

Day 69 

Day 70 - My mom got me a strawberry plant for Mother's Day.  Isn't it cool!?

So the kids were all excited about growing strawberries but my mom told them that that first red one was suppose to be mine and after that they could eat the other ones that grew.  They did really well not touching it the first day but then the next day they were out playing on the deck and all the sudden I hear Alexa yelling something about the strawberry.  I went out to see what was going on and Braden looked right at me with the biggest grin on his face and says, "I ate that strawberry. HA HA HA"  No remorse whatsoever. :)

Day 71 - 5 weeks

Day 72

My Best Mother's Day Yet

I can barely look at that picture without getting tears in my eyes, I can't believe I get to be the Mommy to these 3 amazing little people. (I still can't believe we have three babies...I LOVE it!)

Callie gave me my first Mother's Day gift by sleeping for 7 hours again the night before. She's too good to me. ;)  Then Matt let me and her sleep in while he got up and watched a movie with the big kids.  I think I got almost too much sleep because I felt more tired than usual. HA It's crazy how you get used to such little sleep.

When I came upstairs I was greeted with lots of hugs and kisses and "I love you Mommy"s - it was awesome.  And I even got flowers that Alexa picked out all by herself. :)

We hung out at home all morning and then went to my Grandparents house for lunch and relaxed some more.
It was the perfect day.

Here's my Mom...isn't she beautiful!? 
We love you Mom!!

And my Grandma and Mom with Callie.  So sweet!

I hope all you mommies out there had a wonderful and relaxing day also!!

Hip Update

Yesterday we took Callie to her hip appointment at Children's.  They did an ultrasound on both sides and she was so good during it.  At one point she even fell asleep.  The lady said she didn't think that she had ever had that happen before...that's our sleep lovin girl!

We found out that she does have Hip Dysplasia in both hips.  Basically that means there is a problem in the formation of the hip joint.  On a mild-moderate-severe scale, we were told she is mild to moderate on both sides.  Of course this is not the news we were hoping to hear, however we are very thankful that this is something that can be fixed. 

Today we heard from our pediatrician who referred us to a Center for Pediatric Orthopedics.  We called them and should be hearing back tomorrow to let us know the soonest we can get her in.  She will be fitted for a Pavlik Harness that she will need to wear to help properly position her hip joints.  All the details on that (how long she will be in it, how often she will need to wear it, etc.) we won't know until we meet with the ortho. 

Like I said before, we are so thankful that this is something that is treatable and that she is young enough that she won't even remember going through it.  I will document her progress here as we move forward with everything.  Thank you for the prayers, emails and phone calls the past couple days. 

Day 65

Project 365: Days 61-64

Day 61 - She's official!

Day 62 

Day 63 - Alexa making sure Callie looks "fancy"

Day 64

Callie - 1 Month

Our little peanut is already a month old today!
She is still such a sweet, content baby. 
Barely cries, sleeps great...we couldn't ask for more.

At 1 month:
*Starting to coo and "talk"
*Sleeps 3-4 hours at night
(although last Friday night she threw us for a loop and slept for 7 hours straight...we haven't had it happen since, but it's nice to know she can do it)
*We have seen a couple little smiles in the past week :)
*Loves napping in the swing
*Enjoys baths
*Starting to stay awake a little longer during the day
*Still doesn't really use a nuk
*Mama's girl :)
*Loves the Moby wrap
*Nurses about every 3 hours
*Is holding her head up pretty well

Tomorrow we will be going to Children's Hospital for her hip check.  I will try to post something after we get home about how it goes for those of you who have been asking about it. Would you keep her in your prayers?  And maybe her Mommy too...I am feeling a little anxious about going.  Thanks!

Happy 1 month, Sweetie Pie.
We love you!!

A Real Life Princess

The Royal Wedding of William and Kate will definitely be one of those 'I remember where I was' moments.  Although we didn't get up at 4am, we were up in time to see the end of the wedding (and then watched all the reruns throughout the day.)  Alexa was completely infatuated with the whole thing.  She kept asking me if Kate was a real life princess and if this was really happening or if it was just a movie.  As a 4 year old who is very into her princess movies, it took a little bit for her to understand that this was a real prince and princess getting married...but once she did, she was hooked.  The only time she pulled herself away from the TV was to run to her room and put her dress and "veil" on.  Adorable.

Day 60

The rest of the day was spent being royalty around our house.  Alexa made Braden be her prince and I must say, she was kind of a bossy princess.  At one point I heard her telling him, "I'm sorry but that's how it goes when you're married." 
He's such a good sport. :)

I'm glad I can say that I watched the Royal Wedding with my girls...and Braden. :)