Our Daily Routine

Our routine has definitely changed with Katie not being able to move around too much. Of course she has attempted to crawl and even stand up in the crib, Shocking! Thankfully we have a video monitor so as soon as we see her trying to stand we run up the stairs to get her. Therefore, nap time has been a little frustrating. Before the surgery she usually walked around her crip for about 30 minutes before going to sleep, but we have to stop her, so only one nap since the surgery! Night time is getting better, and she is waking up less. So we've been trying to be creative with keeping her entertained. Thankfully JJ is super handy, and made her a table out of a magnetic dry erase board and a wire shelf taped together with duct tape! It's perfect!! She loves to draw, play with play doh, and her magnets. We are watching a good amount of movies too. When it's relatively nice outside we try to take her out. My mom has a pond across from her, so we've been walking around looking for fish! We have a follow up appointment on Monday, so hopefully all will look good!
We also settled on our new house yesterday!!! We're not moving our things in until April 1st, so we're trying to get projects and painting done!

Using the remote

St. Patty's Day dress, and fancy leg warmers

Coloring in the highchair

Playing with Elmo and play-doh

Loving her new table and Zhu Zhu pet

Happy smiles

Play-doh hat

Posing with the "silly little man" at the pond

Wagon ride

New letters and numbers

First Full Day Home

They actually discharged us home yesterday! Right after I got back from blogging, the nurse practioner was in Katie's room, and said we could go home!! We had to wait to see physical therapy, they had to check if Katie needed a special carseat. Thankfully, she didn't and we were able to use the one we had. My Aunt and Uncle visited for awhile, and we left around 3:30. The nurses were great, but we were excited to get home!!! Last night she wanted the "huggie" (that's what Katie calls the brace) off!!!!, but luckily we were able to distract her with Little People animals. We were nervous about night time, but she only woke up twice, and I got her back to sleep quite easily.
Today we did a lot of playing, and experimented with different toys, games, etc...she could do without standing, walking, running!!! Thankfully she fits in the highchair that my mom has, and she of course colored all over the tray! Unfortunately, I couldn't get her to nap, so she has spent the rest of the day in my arms. Now I know she only weighs 11 lbs, but even she gets heavy, or a little awkward with the brace. I then remind myself she has only been out of surgery for 48 hours, so I think she's doing pretty well! I even put her in her shamrock dress and we had Shepherd's Pie for dinner. I didn't think we'd be home today, so we had our Corned Beef on Sunday!

Made It...

So yesterday was a pretty long the day. We got to duPont, no issues, but they were a little behind schedule. We were supposed to start at 1:45, but she didn't go into the OR until 3:15. Katie was definitely starting to get hungry!!!! The surgeon was very pleased with the results. He placed a screw in the femur, and thought everything looked good. The total surgery was about 2 hours, and we were in a room by 7pm. Basically Katie's femur head was slipping off the growth plate. He told us placing a screw shouldn't hinder any growth in that leg. I'm sure we will have plenty of follow up appointments to keep an eye on everything. Hopefully this is it for awhile....



There was debate on whether or not to put her in a cast. I didn't think it was possible to keep Katie non weight bearing for 4 weeks! However, they decided no cast, but she is in a brace/splint like device. Hard to describe, but it needs to be on at all times, but I can still take it off to change her diaper!! Also at some point after the incision has healed I should be able to give her a bath.



Last night was a little rough, she still definitely gets hospital anxiety. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be in too much pain, and she is already on liquid pain meds, no more IV meds. I think as long as everything goes well today we may be home tomorrow!!

Getting Ready

So we found out her surgery isn't until the afternoon. Thankfully we don't have to leave until 10ish to get down to duPont. Katie isn't a great breakfast eater, so hopefully she won't notice that I'm not feeding her. We already hid the Cheerios! I did work today, and got home to find a very happy Katie. We played, watched Clifford and Curious George, and JJ put her in bed. Hopefully all goes smoothly tomorrow! It might not be till evening when I get to post....
Thanks for all the well wishes!

Back to Blog

It's been awhile since I've been on my own blog, clearly I haven't really been writing! Anyway, Katie has healed very well from her surgeries. She had a recent MRI, and her neurosurgeon said it looked "good". As of now her next test for follow up with the brain surgery isn't until the winter. We'll go up to Boston for that test. However, she does have another surgery planned for Tuesday. When she went to her orthopedic appointment in February they found her femur to be slipping out of her hip socket. Not sure that's the medical explanation, but works for me....Apparently it's pretty common for this to happen in little people, and a "simple fix". The doc will put a pin/screw in to hold it in place. It's a quick surgery, but she will most likely be in a hip cast for about 4 weeks. Katie loves to run, and jump, so it may be quite a challenge! We'll have to be creative in activities:) She's having the surgery done at duPont, and I don't get great cell reception there. I will do my best to keep up with the blog!!

On another topic, we bought a new house!!! Still in the same area. We plan to have our things moved in on April 1st, but will take our time getting the house together, but hope to be in by Easter. We're really excited to start a new chapter!!

Here' s some pics of what Katie has been up to over the last few months...

Loves playing play-doh with daddy!

Going outside in her new hat

Getting hugs from her friend Markos



Making cupcakes for Vday with Auntie Niki

Eating the cupcakes, of course!!

Getting a medal from her Uncle Mike. He had hip surgery as a boy, and is still able to place 2nd in a 10K!!

Sitting in a box of noodles, she thinks she's so funny!!!

Drinking a bottle, and watching TV

So it's definitely been a little crazy these last few months, but we're hanging in there. Katie is such a joy, she is really starting to talk a lot! Since she is my child, I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone!!! She even likes to sing, it's pretty funny hearing that little voice try to sing Twinkle Twinkle. I miss seeing everyone, and once we get through this, we plan to reenter society:) I look forward to a wonderful, healthy Spring!!!!!