Easton's Journey: Clubfeet

A year....I can't believe we have been on this journey for a year. Thinking back to how overwhelmed I was back when you were born and I researched for a week before your first appointment. I read and researched and googled until my head was swimming with information. I would make myself physically ill over all the information. But I was so glad I was well prepared when we walked in to that first appointment. 

And then I think about those days after you got a new cast and how I would sit there in the chair for three hours because it was the only way you were comfortable and could sleep. Your dad would cook dinner for us and then serve it to me in the chair. I remember having my stomach flip flop before we went to bed, wondering how the night would go. 

Oh Easton boy, we made it. We made it through a year. We have three to four more years of the brace at night...and I'm sure that will bring more challenges - but I'm just so glad we made it. 

We did take you in to get a new brace right before school started. and you HATE it. We noticed that the first brace was starting to leave your feet a little red, so we went in and got you fitted for a new brace. These new shoes are HUGE! (I wish I had a picture, but I don't.) And they're heavy. You did not sleep with them. Seriously, you could not sleep longer than 45 minutes at a time, then you would cry and grab at your shoes for 45 minutes, then sleep, then cry. It was TERRIBLE! Your daddy and I stayed true to your treatment and tried to fight through it. There were some nights that by 2 a.m. we removed your shoes so we could get some sleep. But we stuck with it and fought through it for two solid weeks, then the third week we decided to switch back to the small shoes. And you slept. You slept! So, even though your toes are hanging over your braces like crazy, you do not have sores on your feet, so we will continue to use them. When they leave sores on your feet - or a sign of sores - we will HAVE to switch back to the big shoes. 

I did ask the facebook group if this happens when you switch to a new size of brace. They said that sometimes it's the leather that is too hard and that's what hurts. So, we need to work out your leather and loosen it up then try the shoes again. 

But all in all you're doing good. You really don't seem to mind your brace too much. We go back to see Dr. Jarka on November 6. We're also thinking about taking you to a chiropractor to see if it helps you sleep better. I figure with the casts and brace you're probably pretty out of alignment. But, there aren't any chiropractors who are pediatric certified near here - so we'll have to wait until November 6 when we are already up in Kansas City. 

Alright, here are some of my favorite memories from the last year. (probably not all in order)

Enjoying the WARM blankets that they gave you!

Daddy and Easton

Handsome boy with your casts. 

The night before your first casts. Showing off those precious feet.

Your favorite sleeping position. You loved sleeping on your Auntie M's belly. :) 

First cast :) 

Eliana helping with the sponge bath...it was so hard not to bathe you for six weeks!

You loved the sunlight

My favorite Onesie "God's Little Masterpiece"

Your last casts! Six weeks old! KU casts!

You were always SO content when you could bend your legs again and be cast free for a little bit every week!! 

My handsome boy and mommy - week 2 of casting!

I think I took this picture so many times, because I was always in awe at how content you were when you got your casts removed!

No more casts!! :) 

New brace!

Hard to sleep comfortably with that silly brace! 

This one makes me giggle!

First and only footie pajamas. I cut slits in the heels to fit your brace. This was more difficult than I thought it would be...so I did not ever do it again :) 

Your ab muscles are SO good! You could sit up so stable so early on! Lifting the casts and brace built up those muscles!

CRAWLING! Clubfeet didn't slow you down!

Walking before 11 months! They say that normally clubfoot babies don't walk before 14 months, so I had already put it in my head you would not be walking at your first birthday -- but this proud mama was so happy!! 

You're doing awesome Mr. Easton! You are truly do awesome! 

I love you sweet baby boy!

Mommy