A Farewell to Hip Dysplasia!!

Well, Wednesday was officially the end of an era - Lyla's hip dysplasia era.  No more X-rays, doctor's appointments, double and triple checking, and long trips south to the Mayo Clinic.  She passed her final appointment - 4 years old and still no sign of the shallow hip sockets she was born with!  That big ol' harness they put her in when she was teeny tiny did the trick and we're finally at the point of being able to trust that her little body won't revert back to the way it was.  PTL!

I was dreading this appointment and kept pushing it back.  There was just something about an hour and a half drive each way alone with our littles that wasn't really calling my name.  But I knew I had to get it over with just to have that final peace of mind after all the years of follow up. 

I finally made the decision to make the best of it - I thought hey, it can't be that bad.  Rochester is kind of cute, we'll make it a fun last trip.  I wish I could say it was as fun as the pictures look.  Man, I don't know if it was a full moon or what but these chicks gave me a run for my money.  All.  Day.  Long.  I think probably waking them up and strapping them right into their car seats for an hour and a half, followed by being locked in tiny patient rooms wasn't exactly conducive to their high energy levels. 

Anyways, it was a long day, but we were so happy to have it over with!  Her hips look good, and this whole thing is officially behind us.  I still remember when they detected the click in her hips at 2 weeks.  And then the flurry of appointments and ultrasounds and finally a harness being put on my tiny baby.  Getting an 8 week sentence of this contraption which only allowed for sponge baths at first could have been a death sentence in my brand-new-mommy-brain.  It was longer than she'd even been out of my tummy and I couldn't comprehend anything being wrong with her, even as slight as it ended up being.  I remember the doctor saying that it seemed so overwhelming now but at a year when she's running around without any concerns it would feel like a blip in history.  And that is more true than I could have known.  I still have one of her harnesses around, and it is so crazy to look at.  I barely remember that thing being on her at this point.  With her ability to turn almost anything into an obstacle course which requires running, jumping and climbing...I'm pretty sure her hips can't remember the whole ordeal either.  ;)

Here are some photos of my tiny Lyla and a couple of hooligans I found running around in Rochester. 

- K

Immediately after putting her harness on.  Believe me, I was crying too.

 



Harness baby with Grandma Kay

 



With Grammy.  Oh man, what happened to that cute tiny baby?!

 





 

Milk drunk with Auntie Kate.

 

With Uncle Joe.

 



We started our hip dysplasia adventure at the Children's Hospital in Colorado.  When we moved to Minnesota our doctor recommended a friend of theirs at the Mayo Clinic.  Within a week of moving we had our first visit there, which Autnie Jo got to come along for.  This is at the hotel the morning of her first appointment.

 



Heading out to our very last appointment!

 



Lyla in her super cute X-ray shorts.  :)

 



This was right before they started climbing around the room like wild animals.

 



She thought it was pretty cool that she got to see her bones.  Hips looked great!

 



 

The view from the 16th floor Children's Orthopedic Center.

We found a fountain to run around before I had to endure another hour and a half ride with them.

 



 

Rochester really is a cute little town.

Then we headed to the play area at the local library.

 



 

I was thankful they slept the whole way home.  :)

15 Months

It seems a little cruel and unusual to celebrate age milestones with doctor visits and shots, but thankfully we had our last two little pricks until her second birthday today!  The poor little thing had a much harder time this go round, complete with pouty lips and nasty looks to the nurse.  Pretty sure she got that from me.

I'm proud to say she's a healthy little bug, growing and developing just as she should.  A lady doesn't share her weight, but she's at 90% for weight, and 32 1/4", which is 93% for height.

Other details not to be forgotten about this precious 15 month stage:

Her can-do attitude: This girl believes she can, and then she does.  And does, and does, and does.  The only time she slows down is when she's sleeping.  No joke.

Her "leadership" skills: I saw once that we should tell little girls that they have good leadership skills rather than that they are bossy.  I'll just leave it at that.

Her communication skills: She is quite clear when communicating what she wants.  She only says a handul of words, but she's found that screaming and pointing are also strong indicators.  When she gets something on her mind, she let's you know, and she will not forget.  That whole "out of sight, out of mind" thing?  Doesn't work in this house.

Her politeness: We've been teaching her a little bit of sign language, one of the signs being "please"...mostly due to her leadership skills.  My theory is if you ask politely, you usually get what you want.  And getting what she wants is exactly what she's interested in.

Her tenderness: She is in the most loving stage, and it completely melts me.  She hugs, rocks, and kisses anything she can get her hands on.  And she's so tender, and sweet.  Loving little pats here and there, and leaning her head on you for a second before running off to the next activity, sweet little hugs, and constant kisses.  I pretty much turn into a puddle 500 times a day.

Have I mentioned I love this girl?

- K

These Days

pulling dad's hair so he doesn't notice stealing his credit card

organizing mom's shoes

first big girl breakfast

helping around the house

Let me just start with SHE SAID MAMA!!!  I win.  ;)  Except I also lose, because the little stinker knows exactly when to use it to her advantage.  Like when I put her down for a nap and she doesn't want to sleep.  It is simultaneously the cutest and most heartbreaking thing ever.  That girl is one smart cookie.

In other news,  we made another trip to the doctor (nothing again...go figure), went to a UFC fight, did some furniture shopping (which I'm SO excited about! I'll post pics as soon as we have some more decorating done!), found a great new restaurant - Pittsburgh Blue, and had drinks with some friends.

We've also started feeding L more finger foods, which she LOVES.  It's fun to see her try new foods, and figure out how to use those pudgy little hands to put little bites of food in her mouth, but holy cow is she a mess.  Anyone know where to find a full body bib?  ;)

- K

Paranoid Moms Anonymous?

Before I had Lyla I knew I would be the coolest mom.  I wouldn't worry about germs, I wouldn't care when she was crying, and I definitely wouldn't freak out about the small things...then she was born.  I was immediately the paranoid weirdo that I couldn't stand.  I mean I practically needed a brown paper bag any time someone held her.  If they coughed around her?  Forget about it.  I pretty much have her pediatrician on speed dial and take her in monthly, at the slightest sign of a runny nose or cough.  I am everything I despise.  So, needless to say we were at the doctor yesterday because L has been messing with her ear and I was sure she had an ear infection.  Turns out it was nothing.  Weird.  This whole "motherhood" thing has sure thrown me for a loop.  Can't wait 'til she has her first break up.  It totally won't phase me at all.

- K