Easton's journey: club feet

I'm a week behind on these posts (I guess that's what happens when I go back to work and I'm so exhausted in the night I doze off while feeding you instead of posting) 

So, this is October 30th and November 6th post together!

October 30th appointment

You were the calmest, most content baby at this appointment! I don't have a lot to write...it was the same as the past. We got in, we removed your casts, then we got new casts. You did the best at this appointment! So calm, so peaceful, you didn't even need to eat!!

Your feet after the removal of the fourth cast.

We waited quite a while between when your cast was removed and the new one put on...you just laid on the table, enjoying your freedom!

Getting your KU casts wore you out!!

I was very excited about this last week of casts...though, it did feel like a long week. So, the first week of casts felt the longest, then the last week felt long too!

November 6th

We waited over 40 minutes in the waiting room...and you were all smiles! The entire time! I thought you were pretty excited to be getting your last cast off! (Or, maybe you knew your aunt' sweater was breaking and your cousin was on her way...because unknown to us that's what was happening while we were in the waiting room! Happy birth day Ellie!!)

Lots and lots of smiles!

I love this smile!

Then, right as we were called back you spit up all over me and in my hair...and from then on your screamed! You cried the entire appointment! It was very overwhelming...you cried as your cast was removed, you cried as dr. Jarka examined you, you cried the entire time! 

So, we barely talked with dr. Jarka, and then she goes, any questions?

So, I ask, are you going to show us how to use the boots? And, she said we would go to a different office for that.

So, this surprised your daddy and I...we were expecting the dr we had worked with and trusted to teach us. So, we took you, our screaming child down to a different office. 

You did briefly fall asleep, but that didn't make you any happier when they messed with you. The dr taught us how to put your boots and bar on and then we were off to figure it out...

We left the office and headed to the parking garage. We stopped in the main lobby to put you in your car seat, because it was quite cold that day. I'm glad we stopped, because your brace was too wide and you did not fit in your seat! Have I mentioned this day was very overwhelming? This about pushed me over the edge....

We went back to the brace doctor and they said we had two options...to put you in with one foot hanging up over the car seat, or with both up over it. My response was, which one is safest? They just shrugged..So, we have chosen to have both feet up...but boy do you hate the car seat now!

Here were your feet when we got home. They said you almost had rocker bottom feet....where the bottom of your foot almost curves like the bottom of a rocking chair...but luckily you don't. 

When we got back to town it was your sister's turn to see the dr....she has a bad cough, runny nose, and an ear infection. So it to was a long day of dr appointments for our family!

When we got home from that we gave you a bath...because your feet were STINKY! I was so looking forward to this moment and you hated it! It was the fastest bath because you screamed the whole time! So, it's Sunday, and I haven't bathed you since Wednesday...

The bracing has been a little more stressful...with the casts the dr put the on and then we just watched your toes. With the brace we out them on and have to watch all of your skin. So, day one you did pretty good putting them on, but when I got to sherry's to pick you up after work my heart sank, because your heel had slipped upward (the boots have little windows at the heel so we can keep an eye on them) your heel is supposed to be completely flat to get the best treatment, and to avoid blisters. So, when I got you home I took your brace off and luckily your skin looked okay. But, then when I put them back on I was able to get them tighter than the dr did!! 

So, I got on facebook and no asked questions. I found this wonderful support group on facebook and there are toons of mommies who have gone through this with their kiddo, so they were able to tell me what to do. They said that the leather on your boots will stretch and I should make it as tight as possible! 

They also told me it takes about two weeks for your heel to completely sit flat in the shoe, so that made me feel better too! It's funny the things the doctor doesn't think to tell us because they do it all the time. 

So, we are slowly adjusting to your new brace. You Hate to get your shoes put on, but once they are on you settle down pretty quick. You hate the car seat. Your heels are getting pretty red...we are pretty concerned about your heels...but no blister yet. 

It is a very overwhelming to be in charge of your boots. But, I think we will adjust. 

Nursing hasn't been too difficult...but your brace does get in the way if I sit in too small of a chair. I have to just keep telling myself it could be worse...we only have to do full time wear until February 12, 3 months, so we will survive. 

Currently I'm just praying you will adjust and that we will NOT get any blisters!!

I haven't taken any good pictures of your brace yet...so this is the best I have. You and Eliana were playing in the leaves!

We go back Wednesday to make sure you are responding well to the brace! So hopefully we will have a good report! 

Love you,

Mommy