3 Months old!

Addie is 3 months old! She is doing really well. She has been in the braces for 2 weeks already, and is handling them very well. It is such a nice change to be able to have her in pants and to take baths. She really loves the baths! We have had quite a bit of improvement with getting the braces on and off! I have figured out a pretty easy way to do it now and can more often than not get it on correctly the first try. Her arm is still progressing although slowly. We do the stretches on her feet and arm 4 times a day. She can now move her arm up onto her stomach and bend at the elbow. We have been working on tummy time because for the first 2 months when she was casted we didn't do it. She has gotten to where she doesn't mind it too much. Tummy time is important for her neck and head strength, but it will also help as she start to put weight on her arms to build up strength there. She has not rolled over yet, but she sure is trying! I am sure it won't be too long now, but between the braces and the lack of strength and movement in her arm she is likely to be a bit slower than a typical baby in some areas. No big deal though she will catch up! Plus, as she gets the strength in her arms up she will catch up quickly I am sure. We have a 2 month check on Monday with her normal doctor (I had to push it back because she couldn't get the 2 moth shots with her casts on). Then on the 26th we go back to the orthopedic doctor to check on her feet. Also, I thought the occupational therapist had said that at 3 months she would check her again and try and start some therapy, but now they are saying they meant 3 months after the visit not when Addie was 3 months old. I am going to look into that some more because I don't want to rush I also do not want her to fall behind because I am not on top if it. In other news I have made my first few adventures out of the house with all 3 children by myself and we all survived! And we had one beautiful day the beginning of this week and Addie got to go on her first walk. She really enjoyed sitting up in the stroller looking around! Life is fun. She sleeps good, eats good, and is smiling whenever you talk to her! Amidst all the things she has dealt with in these 3 short months she is a huge joy and blessing! Plus, pink is just fun after all my blue :) We are praising for all the positives and continuing to pray for the areas that still need work! God is faithful and He is working!

Braces, Braces, Braces...

Wednesday was an exciting day here. Addie got her casts off and is now in braces! The doctor was pleased with how the extra week of casting helped her left foot. She wears the braces the majority of the day. They are only off to stretch the foot up and down, 4 times a day, and take a bath. The change from casts to braces is exciting in a lot of ways. Addie can now wear pants and take baths, which she loves! They do come with some difficulties the casts did not have. Her feet are so small and so are the braces! They have to get on just right in order to keep her heel down and the achilles' tendon stretched and the arch straight. It can be very stressful for me. I am having to do and re-do it before it is right each time I take them off. The braces look like little ski shoes that strap 3 times that hold her foot flat and straight. They are connected with a bar in between the 2 shoes. The best part is that they are pink! We go back in one month to recheck how she is handling them. The plan at this point is 3 months all day with the braces on and then start to wean to where she will just wear them at night. Every step is progress and I am thankful for it, even the difficult parts. God is holding us up through it and carrying us through.  Psalms 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail  but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." The specific prayer requests right now would be that there is no regression on her arch or achilles' tendon from switching to braces, and that I am able to get the shoes on correctly each time to keep her feet in their correct positions. Thank you all for your prayers we are truly blessed! God is working and answering!