LEG UPDATE #2

Today was an exciting day!

BUT

It did NOT go as I planned!!!

I was up nice and early -- 7:20 am -- WOW -- I know that's amazing for me :)

My Darling got to go with Lauren to her ultra-sound appointment.  This is something My Darling has really wanted to do -- she was so excited.  

AND 

after the appointment she was going to spend the day with our friend Patty and her daughter Kayla -- AND let me tell you she had a FABULOUS time!!!  She was royally spoiled and really had a GREAT day -- snack shopping, pool, beading, eating, drawing and entertaining!

BaJabs, Elizabeth, my friend Pam and I left for GR.  The girls had an appointment at the prosthetic office.

NOW let me tell you what I THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN ---

We arrive at the office, have a fitting for the insert to the legs, set the next appointment, go out for lunch, go to the gluten-free bakery, go home.  

Yes, I thought we would be home around 1 or 2 pm.

I did NOT bring important things -- video camera, fabric or 2 shoes!!!!!!

Well, you can guess -- it didn't go that way :)

So, we arrived at the office.

Mr. T came out and brought us back to the BIG office.

Mr. P came in.

AND there on the workbench/counter was 2 legs WITH feet -- 

they looked GOOD -- not in the rough like BaJabs last couple legs looked like at this point.

GREAT -- I didn't bring the video camera -- Matt is going to SHOOT me!!!

BaJabs went first.

Mr. P did a great job -- as BaJabs has a challenging leg to create.  Her stub is short but it has a HUGE bony point.  BUT that pointy bone makes for a natural suspension -- so no pin or sleeve!!!

She tried it on -- it would not quite go in -- nothing new :)

Mr. P made a quick adjustment and 

TAAAADAAAA

The leg went right on and she could walk!!!!

There wasn't even anything hurting.  AMAZING!

There was some adjustments length wise to be made but other then that -- wow!!

 Next up ........

Elizabeth.

Well, she wasn't thrilled.  

Actually, she was about in tears.

WHY????

The leg was NOT cute.  REALLY -- that's why :)  

We assured her it would not always look like that.  When we bring it home it WILL BE pretty!

So, Mr. T started putting it on.

We start with the sock.

 Next, is the liner.  She loves this!!

 Introducing the leg -- she's so excited there is space between the big toe so she can wear flip-flops.

Trying on the leg.  First attempt .... HURT!!  The top of the prosthetic rubbed next to the knee where the plate was put in.  This is a very tender area.  So, they immediately went and made a modification --

Second attempt .... PERFECT!!!

 AND she stands!!  Well, guess what????  We -- oops I, forgot to bring BOTH of Elizabeth's shoes.  I really didn't think that they would be this far!!!  So, they put on one of BaJabs shoes to help with alignment.  Elizabeth also has to wear a 'sleeve' to help hold the leg in place.  Even that had to be the prettier one :)

And she walks!  Just like that!!  No problems!  She soooo wanted to do this.  Yes, I had tears!  Oh, and it even gives me goosebumps, NOW!

 Happy face!!

 Laughing about walking!!!

 Mr. J and Mr. T checking out her walk.  A few adjustments were still needed with the foot.

 WOW -- Look out!  Look at that pose!  She is so excited!

 They fixed the length AND the foot placement.  And she kept practicing walking.  Actually, she wanted to walk everywhere!

 Even trying out running!

 LOVE this one -- she just keeps watching the leg and smiling!

More walking!

Amazing!!

Really, absolutely amazing.

The legs will be ready next week!

So, they wanted fabric to fire into the molds.

Yes -- I did NOT bring any.

So, we decided to leave and go to lunch -- Paneras.

Next, we found a Field's Fabric and hunted down some favorite fabric.

BaJabs found hers right away.  AND some fabric for a skirt to match.

Elizabeth -- well, she did NOT like the Hello Kitty fabric.  BUT she did love anything that was WILD, BRIGHT and CRAZY!!!!  It took about 45 minutes to finally find something that would work.  It's pretty bright and flowery BUT she LOVES it!!!  AND she wants a dress to match -- so, we found fabric to match.

We will wait to show everyone when the legs are revealed NEXT Wednesday afternoon.  The girls are counting down the days!!

Yes, we still made it to the gluten-free bakery.  AND we had to bring the fabric to the prosthetic office. We got home about 4:30 -- but immediately got on our swimming suits and went to join My Darling at a pool and finally bring her home.  

Unfortunately, when we arrived home, Elizabeth JUMPED out of the van.  Yes, she thinks it's funny to do this -- and it gives me a heart attack!!!  Well, she caught her toe on the side and fell -- her two fingered hand hit first with her knee but then the whole side of her face.  It looks lovely :(

LOTS of tears and crying.  BUT she said nothing hurt.

Until I explained it's ok to hurt -- then she whispered, 'mom, it hurts .. little.' The side of her face, lip, head, knee, wrist and finger are all scrapped and slightly bruised!  Thankfully, nothing broken!

So, she now knows until the leg comes she must NOT jump from the car.

 BUT only 6 more days and she can :)

This was really an exciting and amazing day!

It is amazing that Elizabeth has been here such a short amount of time and adjusting so well!

GOD is so good!!!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Today was a day of relaxation -- at least for most of our family.

We stayed in the air condition most of the day and just chilled.  Our plan was to have a few friends over before fireworks for dinner BUT Matt has just not been feeling well.  Actually, he has been pretty sick for over a week now and he just didn't think he could handle having company and going to fireworks.  AND if you know my husband -- this is kinda unbelievable :)

BUT

Thankfully, our amazing friends were flexible enough to make other plans for dinner but still come and go to fireworks with us.

We enjoyed fireworks with our normal group

There are LOTS of kids in the group!!!

MD was surely the oldest and he stayed JUST for the pictures -- as he went and joined his friends AWAY from us :)

JM is at camp all week.

The girls had fun!

Sparklers!

Cotton Candy!!

 BaJabs LOVES cotton candy!!! (so does mommy :))

Glow-bracelets!

Fireworks!

Love this picture!!  The girls were cuddled with me -- there were so many bugs and they thought I could protect them -- haha!!  BUT BaJabs is enjoying the latest firework, Elizabeth is full of smiles and My Darling is relaxed!!!

FUN DAY!!!

June in review -- PICTURE HEAVY!!!

Yes, I know I have taken a blog BREAK!!!

When school dismisses for the summer I seem to need a detox time :)

I stepped away from the computer except the bare minimum -- check FB here and there and check my emails 1 or 2 times a day.  

Writing on the blog takes THOUGHT!!  AND I didn't have much :)

I wanted to spend lots of time with the kids AND read.

I have been reading ........   LOTS!!

I think I have read about 18 or 20 full length books so far.  YES, I stay up late -- a few 4 am's.  I know CRAZY!!!!  I read while I'm cooking and while the girls are napping.  I LOVE reading.  AND yes, I love a good love story and a good mystery.  I'm reading for FUN!!

BUT most importantly 

the kids and I have been busy having fun, as well.  So, I'm going to update with pictures and brief notes.  

Here goes ...............

JM started his baseball season.  He LOVES to play.  He pitches and catches.  He has games every Tuesday and Thursday evening. 

Pitching

The best inning was 15 pitches and struck all 3 batters out.  EXCITING!!!

Batting

The girls watching -- they are usually nibbling on snacks and laughing.  AND make the most of being in the stands.

Elizabeth had her first dentist appointment.  She was a tad nervous but did awesome.  She watched MD and then climbed right up in the chair.  She only had ONE cavity.  WOW!!!

Before it all starts!

She LOVES Mr.Slurp, Slurp.  

She was great!!!  I do have to say we have the best dentist and dental hygienist, they really go the extra mile and spend time with the kids so that there are no fears.

Father's Day was a fun day.  It was nice and warm so we had a great lunch with my parents and spent the remainder of the afternoon out by the pool.   

The kids with their dad --- trying to be normal :)

The kids and dad being crazy -- although, this is normal ;)

Having fun!

BaJabs showing off her pipes.

Popsicle time.

Totally love this :)  The girls help each other change -- I did not help or tell them to do this.  They are so modest.

Tada .... here she is.

Uncle Josh getting Elizabeth --- she absolutely LOVED this.  She kept asking him to do it again. 

AND I love how she got hers to work.  Such determination!!!

We did a full week of swimming lessons.  My Darling and BaJabs were enrolled.  Elizabeth will do different lessons with a private therapist.  Although, she is doing great in the water.  The girls did great.  The end result -- NO plugging the nose!!! Not even jumping off the diving board.

All three girls waiting by the pool.  It was a very warm week!!!

My Darling working on the back stroke.

My Darling jumping off the diving board -- this is nothing new for her BUT not plugging her nose is!!!

My Darling -- 

BaJabs -- she LOVES wearing these goggles :)

After lessons were done -- and we had the last lesson -- they allowed us to stay and swim a bit.  So, Elizabeth got to practice some as well.  Yes, she LOVES the water.

There was LOTS of farm work to be done.  Asparagus, planting, working the ground and hay take LOTS of time.  MD spent time helping out.  AND he did not know this picture was snapped BUT I love it!!!  He is such a hard worker and is always ready and willing to work at the farm.  

MD driving tractor and cultivating the asparagus.

MD went on a ministry trip with our HS youth group for an entire week.  They went to upstate New York to run a soccer camp.  They worked at a small church with the children in the community.  They also did some work projects and went to a special needs camp to help.

MD had a fabulous week!!  He loved what they did and LOVED doing it -- even though he had stomach issues -- yuck, but he persevered!  

This is my only picture -- they presented the ministry to the church on the Sunday they returned.  They had all the younger children in our church come up and help them do some of the worship songs they did with the campers.

Matt and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.  We were able to getaway -- kid free -- for the weekend.  We returned to a lovely bed and breakfast a bit past Charlevoix.  Horton Creek Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful PEACEFUL place to stay.  We had a very relaxing weekend and visited some of our favorite spots and found some new ones!

Sunset time in Charlevoix.

Another beautiful sunset.

My wonderful husband -- we were on a little car ferry and I couldn't help snap this picture :)

YES, I know there is not much about Elizabeth and her leg -- I'm leaving that for the next post!  I will update on her progress -- I promise.  Yes, there was things that happened in June for her :)

BUT other than 'LEG PROGRESS'

that wraps-up June!

I plan to be more on top of things this next month!

We have LOTS of happenings!

ELIZABETH Leg Update

WOW!!!

Elizabeth is ready for a leg and BaJabs is too!!!

BaJabs had clinic today -- clinic is wonderful -- it is a time where we stay in ONE room and each professional who works with us -- visits us.

  

So ......

Nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, surgeon/doctor and prosthetic technician

AND

yes, it takes a couple of hours

BUT 

it saves tons of time if I had to make individual appointments with each one.

BaJabs is doing GREAT!!!

She grew 2 inches since her last clinic -- 6 months ago.

AND

that means a new leg is in order!!!!

NEXT -----

We ran to lunch ....

Came back to the prosthetic office and started the molds.

Our 'normal' leg maker is off on medical leave so are meeting some new staff :)

BaJabs has Mr. P -- who is awesome.

AND

Elizabeth has Mr. T -- again, he was GREAT with her.

They let us stay in one room and they took turns with the girls.

They were wonderful and let BaJabs go first so Elizabeth could watch what was going to happen.

BaJabs is a pro at this!!!

 Getting started with the mold.

 Wrapping the leg with plaster -- the yellow plastic 'cord' is where they cut the mold to get it off.

Waiting for it to set-up.

Elizabeth was a bit nervous but excited!

Getting ready!

 Mr. T examining the leg and deciding the BEST way to go.

 Getting the leg ready to wrap.

The plaster mold.  Mr. T was having fun with it while it dried!

AND 

When it was time for the mold to come off -- well, it did not want to cooperate!!

 Mr. J came in to help get the mold off -- 

He kept trying -- and you can see Elizabeth is getting nervous.  The knee where the screws are -- is still tender.

AND

Yes, she got nervous and it hurt a tad bit.

 Yes, the scissors had to be used AND Mr. J did NOT hurt her ;)

 It's starting to wiggle.

It's coming -- we think!  LOVE this picture because BaJabs is being such a GREAT sister.  Look at her hand around Elizabeth's back.  My mom is taking a deep breath and PRAYING it will come off!!

BUT finally --- off it came!

IT'S OFF!!

LOVE this!!!  They are all so great with each other :)

We did finally figure out why she did NOT WANT A LEG!!

She thinks that she has to go to school when she gets it.  

AND she does NOT WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL -- YIKES!!!

Well, we finally figured out why ----

When the kids in her orphanage went to school they left -- ALL week.

Like our boarding schools!

AND 

She told me, 'I don't want school --- I want YOU!!!'

AWE....... 

Well, once we explained how we do school and what was REALLY going to happen ....

Well, a leg sounds pretty good ---- NOW :)

Really, Elizabeth is doing great.  Her leg is healing wonderfully.  The bottom of her 'stub' is very tender and sensitive.  So, we have to rub it, scratch it and put a bit of pressure on it daily.  She needs to be ready to wear the prosthesis.

The girls did fabulous -- it was a really long day!

We rushed home to make it to swimming lessons -- late :)

AND

JM's baseball game.  

WOW -- a BIG day!!!