Quick update

Well not much to update on, but a few of you have asked about Sweet Caroline lately.
We went to our local orthopedic doctor this week. He was happy to see how well she is doing and how well her hip is still in place. He still cannot believe it has stayed in place with no pins, plates, nothing. Just popped back in! Unfortunately, we have to keep the hip brace on for at least another 8 weeks for at least 22-23 hours/day. SUCKS. I so want her to walk. I want her to get on a riding toy and use her legs to push. I just want her to be the almost 2 year old that she deserves to be. She is so ready to be more mobile than she already is. I try not to pick her up as much so she can at least crawl and get some exercise. Of course, this is also the selfish side of me, because it is getting harder for me to hold her! Just yesterday she got in some yoga position, and had both feet and hands on the ground and her bottom was in the air! I held my breath. But she loved it. And there is nothing I can do to stop her. I would bet by the time we have BBB, she will be pulling up on her own.
We asked our ortho dr. if that was ok and he said we couldn't stop her! Which is so true. She is a determined little girl.
He also told us that kids that are in her position are casted or braced for about 6-12 months. And that seems like forever, but if you put numbers to it we are already at 4 months! When we go back at 8 weeks, he will more than likely put her in a walking brace and introduce her to a walker! FINALLY! I told him about BBB joining us in 3 weeks so the sooner the better!
He also wasn't mad that we were already putting her in the tub and pool. I think I told him, that she was advanced.
So all in all it was a good appointment.
We are still needing a nanny, more now that ever. Caroline has 8 more weeks in this brace, that means 8 more weeks that she needs to be picked up, plus a newborn. We have joined another website and hoping we can get some good candidates from them as well.
I am also on my weekly BBB appointments! This pregnancy has flown by. I am sure it's because my weekly countdowns have been about surgeries, casts, braces, not 1st trimester, 2nd trimester. But I promise as soon as BBB is born he will not be forgotten! I am sure he wouldn't allow that anyways. Caroline is slowly getting that mommy has a baby in her belly. That's pretty funny. Of course, I am sure it's because my belly is huge! I am large and in charge! HA!

Hope you all are doing well and trying to stay cool.
Love to all!

I was not made to be a teacher.

Actually, I think I could teach. But I was not made to be a nursery school worker. Every Tuesday, I take Caroline to Mothers Day Out, but like I said last time, there is nothing Out about it for me. I am there with her the whole time. There were 8 other kids today and it literally sucked the life right out of me. I think nursery school workers are saints. I think they are probably under paid, and definitely over worked. I see these teachers literally just rotate kids between diaper changes, playing, giving them their sippy cups, all while hoping no one is escaping out the door! They are truly amazing people.

I so need a nanny but I am still not quite there to accept defeat. I really really want to be able to do it all. I have heard from a few people that are interested, but I can't bring myself to talking to them. I know I need to. I know I need to get some help, but I don't wanna. I also know I sound like a child when I say it like that. I wish this whole process was over. I am 35 weeks pregnant and you can ask my husband, not my usual cheerful self! But he still loves me. And I love him.

As for Caroline and her brace, she is doing well! If she had any control of the situation I am sure she would tell us to take the brace off. She has tried more than once to pull up in the brace! Not a good thing. We go back to Dr. Herndon next week and I am hoping we can take the brace off part time. For one then maybe she can start being mobile and I can maybe skip out on MDO and leave her, but mainly because I think she is just as frustrated with it as I am!

BBB is growing! We are still on schedule to deliver on August 15th at 7AM! BRING IT!

Love to all!

Baths, Baths, Baths

We broke the rules. Caroline is taking baths. We've noticed in the last couple of days that when we take the brace off to change her diaper, she kicks her legs and straightens them out. And she is much easier to maneuver to put on/off the brace. She is not nearly as stiff and sore as she was in the beginning. So the 1st nights bath was simple, I didn't wash her hair, barely touched her with a washcloth. We just wanted her to get used to sitting up without the brace and in water. By night 2, we were washing hair! She is loving it. She kicks and splashes and having a grand time! We might be putting her in the pool this weekend. Shhhh don't tell our doctors!
I am also in the hunt for a part time nanny. I have succumbed to the fact that I can't do it all. This has taken a huge toll on my pride and I am not too happy about it. But with BBB coming sooner than later and Caroline not walking I really have no choice.
So if you know of any PT nannies in the OKC area, PLEASE send them my way. I have a few feelers out there, so hoping to start interviewing soon.
Right now we have Caroline in Mother's Day Out, but there is nothing Out about it for me. I take her, play with her, walk her to the gym, play with her in the gym, sit with her at lunch, take her home right before nap time. Not only am I with her, but I am with 8 other 14-20 month olds. So as you can imagine, there is nothing relaxing about it. I am hoping that our PT nanny can be her 1 on 1 aide and I can stay home with BBB. If I can't find anyone, then we will more than likely have to pull Caroline out of MDO and that is not fair to her. She loves it. Loves the kids, loves the music, loves it all. I have no idea how long we will need a 1 on 1 aide but probably at least through the year because she isn't walking. And in November, we have surgery #2 and that will put her back as well.
I know I am all over the place right now, but I am a little overwhelmed with decisions for Caroline right now. And wouldn't it be nice if everything could be resolved before BBB? HA! I guess I can always hold my breath and hope!
I don't mean for this blog to be me complaining, but today was just one of those days of frustrations for Caroline. I do not think it is fair that she has OI, nor do I think it's fair that I have to go to Mom's Day Out and not enjoy Mom's Day Out! BUT I would absolutely do anything for her and when I see the excitement on her face when she is at school it's totally worth it. I guess today is just one of my pity days!
Love to all!

Oh yeah, went to dr. yesterday and BBB is doing fine and still measuring ahead of the game. Less than 5 weeks!