Eli's surgery

Eli had his heel cord lengthening surgery Monday, 3/26.  It went so well.  The Dr even said that he probably didn't need his left tendon clipped but he wanted to do it just to be safe.  He was only in surgery for about 20 minutes and came out perfectly well and starving!  He will be in a cast for the next 3 weeks in order for the cuts to heal and then we will move on to his braced shoes to bring his feet back in and keep them straight. 

before surgery

Life Update

Well life has sure kept me busy and away from the blog lately.  I thought life with two boys would be really tough, but we are finally in the swing of things and I'm surprised how easily I'm adjusting.  Both boys sleep in our queen size bed.  I hold Eli on my arm and Aiden sleeps in the middle.  It's not the ideal situation for us, but Eli won't let us lay him down.

Eli has had a total of 4 casts now, he has his heel cord surgery on Monday, as in 2 days from now!  I can't believe how fast we are to this point.  His Dr. seems impressed with his progress.  The surgery should be quick and he will get to go home the same day.   Surprisingly i'm not too worried about it.  To me it's more difficult thinking about how this is the final step to his feet being completely corrected.  I miss his little club feet soo much all the time.  It's hard to me to think he is changed and will never look like the baby I gave birth too.  I hope that makes sense.

Aiden has taken to Eli or "E-I" as it sounds when he says it.  He loves on him all the time, he tries to play with him.  He holds his hands and he always talks to him when I'm changing his diaper.  He gives him his binki when he cries and for the most part is doing a great job with sharing.  I've been overcome with pride watching him interact to him.  He even tries to carry the car seat or hold Eli.  He says "too heavy" after he holds him for a minute though.

Eli had a rough week last week.  He was fussy and he was having trouble eating.  We tried gas meds, gripe water, Gentlease formula, finally noticed a difference on Nutramigen formula {for colic} and starting him on baby Zantac.  The pediatrician diagnosed him with Acid Reflux and mild Colic.  The formula and medicine combined have really made a difference.  He is sleeping better and longer, he is spitting up less and not crying through feedings.  Such a relief to have found a solution that works.  The pediatrician said after the Zantac has really started making a bigger difference we can try to switch back to regular formula.  We think the Colic is partially because of the Acid Reflux and that discomfort.


drawing on Eli's casts

In other news I have a job interview tomorrow.  It's a part time job, about 15 hrs a week which would be a nice distraction for me.  I also have been sewing and selling more aromatherapy rice packs.  I'm even in the process of opening an etsy shop to make some extra income.  So look forward to more information on all of that as it falls into place. 

Me - I forgot I can look this good - and used to daily before kids!  Taken 3/22

Quilt idea I don't want to forget....

Okay I have had a quilt idea running through my head and with lack of sleep going on I don't want to risk forgetting what I want to accomplish.  So here it is, more for myself than others, but enjoy....


Scrap Attack Quilt-Along at Stitched In Color.



Fresh Lemons - Source

I just as of yesterday decided to try and get a mini scrap quilt done and join this QAL.  I've been seeing the posts for awhile now but wasn't motivated.  Until I saw this quilt that is...

I decided on this Summerlove Stripe quilt idea, from Fresh Lemons, using string blocks and hst's.  I plan to use up my sugar pop fabric with white for the solid.  I have a lot of scraps leftover from my first big quilt I made.  Most of them are rectangles though, so I'm not sure it will work out like I hope.  I also have a lot of Amy Butler scraps from Love & Soul Blossoms and that will work for a string quilt if the Sugar Pop doesn't work out.

sugar pop

If the Sugar Pop doesn't work out for this scrap quilt then I will use them for another scrap project... perhaps a simple quilt like this plus quilt.  Looks like it will work with what i have.

Wordless Wednesday - Eli Progress

Wordless Wednesday - Eli's Progress

Eli and his Great grandparents

If you have been a long time blog follower of mine you know that my granny has severe Alzheimer's.  She's been sick for many years but every time we brought Aiden around she perked up and seemed to be herself again.  She loved babies and kids and she always would talk baby talk to Aiden and try and hold him.  I feel soo lucky that she is still here and can experience her second great grandson.  My papa lives in the same facility, but in the apartments area.  We took Eli to visit them when he was just a few days old. 

As soon as my granny saw him she lit up.  She smiled and talked baby talk.  She said "Me and Kerm {my papa's name is Kermit} always wanted one of these - thank you".  She even tried to kiss Eli unprompted.  It was the most wonderful reaction.  She may not always know who we are, but when a baby is around she comes back to us.  I feel lucky that even though my boys may never really know her, they can look back and see how special they were to her. 

And of course my papa just adores his great grandsons.  He just loves telling all the nurses and his friends about them. 

Emma - the Filipino nurse who adores us

Eli's first cast

last photos of toes before casts

Eli got his first set of casts on February 28th.  We had never been to Shriner's Children's hospital before, but it was wonderful.  I am so glad we were sent here for his care.  The people are spectacular.  I really did feel at home there.  Eli is a lucky boy!

His Dr. was impressed by how much he was able to rotate his little feet right away when he examined them.  The usual treatment of casting is for 5-10 weeks worth of casts.  Dr. Bower said that because Eli's feet look so promising he thinks we will only need 5-6 casts - {that's 5-6 weeks - a cast per week}.  What wonderful news, I was expecting 10-12 weeks going into this process.  He will most likely still need the minor Achilles tendon surgery after his casts, and then he will wear the corrective shoes.  None of this is new information to us, but it all seems very simple and we are thrilled.

Eli took to the casts very well.  He fussed a bit at the start, but I got to hold him and by the 2nd cast he was sound asleep.  That really eased my mind that it clearly didn't hurt him if he slept right through it!  I however did cry while the Dr. was putting his casts on.  I just had/have such a hard time with the idea of forever changing how his feet look.  I already miss his sweet feet.  So that was hard to watch the change starting right there in my hands.  Then Eli peed on my leg and hand and the moment was over. 

Now that we have been cast parents for a few days we have it down.  Diaper changes have become quick and easy and I have learned that baby legs are a God send!  The first 2 diaper changes after we got home from the Dr's he peed and pooped right on the top of his casts - they go right up to his diaper.  Putting baby legs on and tucking them in at the top of the casts is saving us a lot of stink.  I can't wait to tell his dr's on Tuesday - I'm sure many of the mom's would love to know this and no one at Shriner's mentioned this.  We were just told we could use a damp rag and wipe up the top of the casts to try and keep them clean. 

The casts don't seem heavy anymore either.  Now it just seems like his normal weight.  He weighed 6.8lbs before the casts and I think he's probably 7 and a half pounds now.  He can lift both legs up all the way and does so often.  He will have skinny calves but this kiddo sure will have some strong thighs when this is all said and done! 

on the way home with first casts on

Aiden and Daddy drawing on Eli's casts.