Nesting

Today marked the end of August. I have been dreading summer's end, as it is a sign that Hip Chick's next round of surgery and casting is drawing near.  With an extended weekend for Labor Day, I am capitalizing on the extra time with a culinary project.

Usually, I relish any such opportunity.  I began serving imaginary blueberry muffins with tea parties by Hip Chick's age (a trait she inherited with full force) and so began a lifelong love for the kitchen.  During my last month of pregnancy, I had embarked upon a similar task, humming as I clanged pots and pans.  Cooking is my primary catharsis and I infused my dreams of holding her for the first time and rocking her to sleep into my casseroles and stews.

But this weekend's project feels different, as I am preparing and freezing meals to eat during Hip Chick's upcoming eight weeks of casting.  I hesitate to envision what awaits her and I certainly don't want to infuse the raw emotions those thoughts evoke into the food.  The task ahead of us feels different than even the home confinement of traction.  At least traction enabled her to eat at the table with us and enjoy one or two sneaks to a drive-thru for ice cream.  But this next cast, her 4th, will confine us twice as long as traction and she will be unable to sit upright to eat- or to do anything else.

As always, we will work hard to help her embrace any cheer her situation has space for. But I can't help feeling resentful toward the turn of our kitchen calendar's page.  We have known since July that Labor Day Weekend would be the signal to begin preparations.

Ready... set...

Steppin' Up

Today was a big day for Hip Chick!  It was her much-anticipated transition into the next class at daycare.  As mentioned in prior posts, she was held back by a month or two due to all of the concerns surrounding her casting issues, hip redislocation, and regaining mobility.  The teachers in her old class were a critical part of her disposition and development over the past six months and we will all miss them dearly.  

With her move into the next class, new footwear was in order.  Her summer sandals had carried her through the purple spica, blue petrie, and to walk again.  Now, she needs shoes to help her navigate a new playground and a fourth cast.  Oh, if only our shoes could write our autobiographies... what stories and secrets are tucked into their soles and laces!

I treated her to a shopping trip in celebration of the first day in the "big girl" class.  During our drive, I asked what type of shoes she wanted and she immediately repled "pink and sparkly." With a short timeframe left to walk and body casting ahead, I would have bought her polka-dotted shoes decorated with strobe lights and giant pom-poms if they might bring her happiness in the coming months!  We settled on the pair above due to their pink flowers and shimmer. 

As we navigated the mall, I thought I would hold her hand to help steady her gait.  My independent girl would not settle for being carried and insisted she walk, regardless of distance.  Alas, she broke free several times and pushed herself to move as quickly as possible.  She exclaimed to me that she was running, with fireworks ablaze in her eyes.  It reminded me of how, the day she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, she insisted on racing her classmates and was inconsolable when she did not place first... and she did not place last, either!  No one could have foreseen at that moment how the drive which pushed a toddler with a dislocated hip to run faster than her peers would enable all of the amazing things she has accomplished since February 24th.  

I suspect this is a foreshadowed theme for her childhood:  The sensation of losing my grasp as those blazing eyes draw her to the next "watch this" moment.  And I would not have it any other way.

Happy Anniversary

Hip Chick's avid readers may have noticed that I took a week's hiatus from blogging.  It was our anniversary week and Daddy and I took some much-needed time to focus on ourselves.  Hip Chick was a "honeymoon baby," which indicates our marriage is still rather young.  

No couple expects to manage major health ailments or disabilities early in their marriage- especially for their first baby together.  We believe and hope our anniversary signifies our relationship's strength.  These kinds of situations are known to test the best of marraiges and our worries will not lighten anytime soon.  Yet, we are fortunate in that the past six months have hardly evoked an arguement between us two.

It is ironic timing that we received the initial "big bill" this week, from her first surgery last March.  Hip Dysplasia is not inexpensive, quick, or simple to correct and it could be easy for us to drum up a little wistfulness.  Surgery bills, durable medical equipment, and months of body casting do not necessarily lend a young household to the new home, exotic vacations, or additional children of its dreams.  But one person recently remarked to us that G-d gave Hip Chick to the best possible parents to help her face her challenges.  And that is worth all the treasure a marraige can desire.

Fairy Dress Up and Photos

This weekend held our last summer surprise for the girls... a fantasy dress up photo shoot!  I had purchased the package early in Hip Chick's casting, with the intention of it serving as a celebration for her end to the five month plan.  As plans change, we must adjust... and so they now represent a slightly different purpose.  For Big Sis and Hip Chick, however, there was no grander plight than sparkly, frilly, imaginative fun!

No fancy photo shoot is complete without a professional hairdo and Hip Chick and Big Sis were not deprived.  We began with a sisters' trip to the salon.  We visited the same salon which so kindly treated Hip Chick to a carefree first haircut in her spica cast.  She had wanted to drive one of the cars during her first visit, but could not fit.  She was thrilled to learn she could drive a car of her choice yesterday and selected yellow!  (Photo, above.)  Big Sis was treated to a much more grown up experience, complete with flat iron.

With hair certain to dazzle any magazine editor, we whisked them to their dress up experience... as fairies in an enchanted forest!  The girls each selected their color of choice for the occassion.  There was enough sparkle and tulle for the best of starlets.  Once dressed, they posed and twirled for their very own "red carpet debut!"

This was the first time Hip Chick truly embraced the "role play" aspect of any dress up party.  She flapped her arms and announced excitedly, "Mommy, I'm a fairy!"  She was thrilled to receive her wings.

The experience was nothing short of magical. The sisters kissed frogs, spied Tinkerbell, discovered treasure, and made wishes.  During her sister's individual portraits, Hip Chick fluttered about the studio, dancing.  Both girls were so very happy. I could not have been more pleased with the experience.

I had initially envisioned a second, traditional photo session this fall, once Hip Chick was more mobile and the weather turned crisp.  This second session was to provide holiday photo fodder.  Unfortunately, the timing of her surgery and casting will not allow this.  So... we may have fairies on our holiday cards this year.  We all can use a little extra magic and miracles these days, anyway.

Footloose: Six Weeks Post-Casting

This past Tuesday marked six weeks post casting and HIP CHICK IS WALKING!!!  

As mentioned in prior posts, her surgeon had advised that most children regain mobility in a similar timeframe as their casting.  She was casted for 14 weeks and had less than that between her cast-off and next surgery... so we did not expect to see her walk again this year.  But Hip Chick's determination taught all of us a lesson: She regained her ability to walk in half the estimated time!

No additional recap necessary for the six week mark.  Her footsteps speak for themselves.

Milestones

This was a very important weekend.  This milestone was not for Hip Chick, but for her great-grandfather, as it was his 90th birthday.  Extended family gathered at a beautiful Italian restaurant fitting to honor any patriarch. 

Hip Chick was in a bubbly mood, partially due to a little help from a well-timed Shirley Temple near her usual bedtime.  She was taken by a guitarist, who was smartly placed between our room and the main dining area.  She charmed grandparents and parents alike to help her walk to him, again and again.  She held our fingers to balance as she swayed and rocked.  She could not move her feet to the melodies, but exclaimed to all who would listen that she was "dancing."  She inherited both Mommy and Daddy's love for music and it inspires her so!  

No celebration is complete without a grand dessert.  An enormous Italian creme cake delighted young and old alike- not to exclude Big Sis or Hip Chick.  Hip Chick approached her slice with wreckless abandon: two spoons (one in each hand) dove into nut, fruit, and coconutty goodness until her place setting was flocked with piles of crumbs indicative of an unabashed cake massacre.

While neither Hip Chick nor hip dysplasia were the night's focus, the topic arose for brief moments and Mommy may have noticed a few conflicted glances thrown Hip Chick's way.  Mommy was encouraged to hear that a cousin had her younger child checked more closely for DDH (xrays included) because of Hip Chick's diagnosis.  As mentioned in prior posts, there is a theory that it is of genetic origin, but we do not know which side of Hip Chick's genetic composition this originates from if that is the case.  No signs found (happy news), but if just one child gains an early diagnosis due to Hip Chick's story, then her journey is not in vain.

There was a lot of love in that room last night.  It was good to gather with loved ones and celebrate such a momentous milestone.  And many more.

This morning, we rediscovered Big Sister's old doctor kit.  Hip Chick has been talking about "check ups" with increasing frequency these days and her eyes flickered with excitement when she saw the case's contents.  She spent considerable time role playing with Mommy and Daddy, listening to our heartbeats and checking our eyes.  

Some of her interest may be natural toddler curiosity or drawn from the Doc McStuffins cartoon.  One cannot help but expect that six months of robust medical attention would impact her imagination or that more of it will somehow affect her early childhood development.  It is far too early, however, to suppose exactly how.

Baby Steps

Yesterday, exactly five weeks after cast removal, Hip Chick took her first independent steps!!!  Four steps, to be specific.  How did this occur... and so soon?

As the story is told, she was in her classroom, standing.  Very slowly and carefully, she moved her legs and feet to execute four purposeful steps.  She was elated!  So thrilled, in fact, that she requested an audience of very specific and special teachers from other classrooms.  When her fans arrived, she held up a hand and pronounced, "Watch this."  She then proceeded to take her steps again!

Her lead teacher relayed that this saddened the other teachers some, as witnessing this prompted them to experience the same dichotomy of feelings Mommy and Daddy have been wrestling with regarding the matter.  But this special teacher made a rather profound statement.  She advised that Hip Chick needs this- to walk.  That this gives her purpose and contributes to her reason for living right now.  The teacher explained that, because she is pushing to walk now, she will walk again after.  And that is worth celebrating.

I could not have said it more eloquently.  Mommy and Daddy are overflowing with pride that she is beginning to walk again after only five weeks... when statistics indicated it would take longer than time can offer before additional surgery.  I am in awe of her determination and drive.  She has so much to teach us, perhaps more than we have to teach her at present.  And, yes- my baby WILL walk again... Mommy and Daddy will go to hell and back to ensure she is provided every opportunity to do so.

The Heart of a Dragon

This weekend held a much-awaited surprise for our Hip Chick and Pink Princess... the circus!  Daddy purchased tickets months ago, when they were first available and Hip Chick was still sporting a spica cast.  We could not wait to see their reaction to "The Greatest Show on Earth!"

With such an unusual event in store, the morning begged for a festive start.  I made the girls "tiger striped parfaits with coconut whiskers." 

The "stripes" were comprised of CoCoa Krispies, fat-free French vanilla yogurt, and mandarin oranges.  The face was pulled together with chocolate chips, coconut (of course), and a small cherry slice.  The girls were thrilled!

We arrived an hour early, as they allow patrons onto the floor for interactive activities.  Big Sis was excited to obtain autographs from circus performers while Hip Chick was fascinated by an elephant painting.

The elephants were Hip Chick's favorite aspect of the circus overall.  She squealed each time one made an appearance, although the lions and tigers were a close second.

Both girls were taken by the 16 foot steel globe, filled with motorcycles and Dragon Riders.

Mommy could hardly look and Daddy's jaw dropped as a Shaolin Warrior dove through a circle of flaming swords... with a black sack tied over his head.

The show was brimming with sensational feats and illusion... and we saw a fire-breathing dragon at the end!  The show featured a dragon theme and was bespeckled with songs and dialogue about having "the heart of a dragon."  I couldn't think of a better theme for our Hip Chick and Pink Princess this year.  I advised our Pink Princess that, if she has the heart of a dragon, she can be brave enough to face any fear or scary situation.

The girls finished their day by swimming at a friend's birthday party.  What a great day for each sister.  We have one last big surprise hidden up our sleeves for them this summer, before Big Sis returns to school and we ready Hip Chick for surgery and casting.  September will sneak up before we know it.

Post Casting: 1 Month Recap

Look who's standing!!  It is August and tomorrow marks one month since cast-off.  What does life look like one month into regained mobility?

1. By the photo above, Hip Chick completed a long jump ahead with her gross motor skills.  What was the catalyst?

The only event I can point to is our long day at the lake last Saturday.  Otherwise, we are elated and surprised!

2.  What can Hip Chick do now?

This week, she moved for the first time in the bathtub.  This was the tipping point to a landslide of mobility feats.  She has been naturally motivated to strengthen her legs for weeks- she often places her head and hands on the floor, then stretches her legs, sticking her rump up in the air like a yoga pose.  She can climb off of our couch and master bed by herself.  She can briefly stand with no assistance.  She can walk with assistance- she attempted to walk by holding onto only one of my hands this evening, but did not make it very far. 

3. Do we anticipate she will walk prior to her surgery?

Yes.  She is not far from it.  Her surgeon had advised that most children regain mobility in a similar timeframe as their casting.  Well, our hippie had 14 weeks of casting and four weeks of traction prior to... who would have guessed that she would be this close to walking again after only four weeks!?  Last year, she began walking in August.  This must be a month of good fortune for her.

4. Is her gait similar to before, or has her stride changed?

She still has a pronounced limp- perhaps even moreso than before.  My stomach knots at times while I observe her attempt to walk- this obvious sign was our first, big hint that something was wrong and it was dismissed for months.  Hindsight...

5. How is her demeanor?

Yesterday, she spent nearly an hour riding a rocking horse at daycare, yelling, "YEEHAW, I'm a COWGIRL!"  She seems to be doing just fine!

6. Do we want her to walk prior to surgery?

That is a loaded question.  I mentioned in a prior post that the guilt of cheering for her mobility initiatives (when we know it will soon be taken from her again) can be overwhelming.  At the same time, it is exciting to see her reclaim her independence.  The entire experience in bittersweet.  At least we know she will have renewed strength heading into the osteotomies.

7. The last post conveyed a period of emotional difficulty- will this resolve?

There is a cliche that "the only thing constant about life is change."  Emotions are highly changeable and my husband and I will continue to ride the turbulence.