Toddler in a cast

Put a toddler who just learned to walk in a full leg cast? Whose horrible idea was that?! But that is what we did. As we mentioned here we had this surgery planned, though somehow we didn't realize til the day of surgery that she would be getting this huge cast. Don't know how that happened but it was a shock for us.  And then the doctor says she isn't supposed to walk on it at all. Wait, what?

 Having fun before going in for the sugery

 

She loved the wagon!

 I was definitely worried about how the next six weeks would go. How was I possibly going to keep her down? The first couple of days were easy she was still pretty out of it and all she wanted to do was sit and cuddle. Then she came to life and did not want to sit anymore.

Here is a pic with the cast and also the bandaged up hand (we did decide to remove the finger)

It was an up and down battle. First week or so I was constantly pulling her back down if she'd stand up (which she hated) and then I started rationalizing that maybe she really wasn't putting that much weight on her foot. Then I would feel so guilty and go back to pulling her down. About half way through I called the doctor's nurse, so worried that she wasn't going to heal correctly. She told me not to worry so much and just try to minimize the walking. Life was much happier after that point.

 Who wants to see some cute Rua in a cast pics? Well here are a ton.

Girl loves her toothbrush. Really loves it.

Had to have Halloween in the cast. Boo

Finally, the Monday before Thanksgiving, th day came for the cast to come off. We were all so ready for it. Though really Rua by that point seemed so used to it that it didn't seem to bother her. She probably though that this was just what her leg was going to be like from now on.

Waiting at the doctors for our turn with the cast cutting guy

It was a little nerve-wracking watching the man cut off the cast see that blade so close to my little girls leg. But it was over so quick and she foot looked so great! The doctor was really happy with how it healed (whew! I was still a tad worried that we had ruined things with all that walking!)

Our only instructions were to keep her in shoes during the day for the next six months to protect the food and keep the big toe from shifting back out. And we can actually put shoes on her feet now! Before, we couldn't fit her feet in anything except some huge roomy moccasins (which sadly she can't wear now because they are too roomy. Sad

But what is not sad is this little girl. Rua is sooo happy to be walking free of a cast again!

We made it. We survived having a toddler in a cast. Here's hoping we don't ever have to repeat that!

This and That

Abby met a ballerina
The photo quality is awful but Abby was so excited. Could never tell by her expression, but she really was.

Playing at the park and library
Just a couple glimpses into things we do all the time.

Jack o lantern in December
We never got around to actually carving a pumpkin October, but Abby kept bringing it up, so we finally did it, in December!

Water play in December :) We love San Diego.
We had some super warm weather earlier in the month. It has since cooled down a bit, but it was so nice be out in some water especially since we hadn't been able to while Rua had her cast on.

Playing with 'snow'.
This is the closest either of my kids have come to real snow. Maybe we'll actually make a trip to the mountains this year...maybe. In the meantime, they sure love playing with this stuff!

Christmas lights

Little Italy tree lighting

This picture perfectly shows how both the girls felt about Santa. Rua was terrified, and Abby liked him from far away, but did not want to talk or look at him at all. He did guess what she wanted for Christmas, though, (a baby doll with yellow hair) which she thought was pretty amazing. :)

Rua waiting for Abby to finish her craft. 

The big tree!

And Abby's favorite part, snow!!

Halloween 2015, Trunk or Treat and costumes

I'm  so happy with how costumes turned out this year! I made them both again this year and they were both pretty simple! We got to give them a test run at the church trunk or treat last night, and I just love them!

First, the most adorable squishy, cuddly strawberry, made using this tutorial on Make it and Love it.

I didn't get a great picture of the back of Abby, but she was a butterfly, again. But with a different costume this year. We got the monarch butterfly tutorial here. 

We practiced trick-or-treating at home, knowing it would be an overwhelming experience for Abby. Last year we never once were able to get her to actually say 'trick-or-treat.' But our practice paid off, if you stood really close to her, you could hear the faintest whispers of 'trick-or-treat' and 'thank you.' Rua, on the other hand, reached right into the bowls offered here and plunked the candy down in her bucket. She thought it was the funnest thing.

This year we had to actually think about a plan for how to handle all the candy, in the past Abby has loved looking through her stash and playing with it, but never was interested in eating it. I knew that wouldn't be the case this year. After doing some reading on one of my favorite blogs for feeding kids Raise Healthy Eaters, I found her suggestions went along with what is basically my philosophy for all foods. Basically the idea is to teach our kids to be able to manage sweets and fit it into their eating in a mindful way, trying not to be too restrictive or permissive. We wont make a big deal about the candy - the day of Halloween (or trunk or treat) Abby can have what she wants, and then in the days afterwards, allow her to have some for a snack, until she is no longer interested or finishes it. And Rua, still young enough that she's not asking for it and definitely doesn't need it, so we won't offer it.

It's funny though, because since we never even have candy around (we are more likely to make cookies than have actual candy), Abby had no idea what the different kinds were. Maybe she's a bit too sheltered? After the trunk or treat as she sat looking through her candy, she would hold up each piece asking what it was, and I would describe it to her, and then she would want to try each one. Most times, she wouldn't finish it, she just wanted to see what it was. So far, she has discovered she likes M&Ms and starbursts, smarties and super sticky candy (like laffy taffy), not so much.

Letter to Rua - 12 months (One Year!!)

October 5, 2015

Dearest Rua,

My sweet little girl, how did this happen? You are one year old!! This weekend has been full of reminiscing back to one year ago. The anticipation and excitement as labor started, then me pushing through the pain, and the incredible moment when I first laid eyes on you. You were so beautiful and precious. And it's been such an incredible journey this past year as you have grown and learned and emerged as a little person with a mind of your own, and a gorgeous smile always at the ready. Rua, you have absolutely stolen our hearts.

What an exciting month this has been. Biggest news? You took your very first steps! Those hesitant, unsteady steps happened two weeks ago and now you are already steady enough to walk across a room. It's exciting and you are so proud.

You have learned how to clap this month and you just love to clap for yourself. 'If you're happy and you know it' is your favorite song right now because you can clap all through the song. You still love to wave bye and hello, all the time. Along these same lines, you finally had your first signs this month. You have a very energetic 'all done' and you can sign 'fan' and 'more' (I think). So we'll have to keep up with the signing since it seems to finally be clicking.

You now say 'da', 'ma', 'ah', 'ba', 'yah' but 'oh' is your absolute favorite. You pucker up your lips, lean your head back and say the cutest 'oh.' Love it.

You are slightly more interested in books. You will sit and let me read at least a few pages of your little board books to you. Hopefully you will start loving books because that is just about all you got for your birthday this year. :) You do love to pull all the books down from bookshelves though. Of course, who wouldn't?

You are a crazy little climber. Ever since you discovered steps and stairs a couple months ago you always make a beeline for them. But now if there is anything that has any remote possibility of acting as a step, you try to lift your little leg on top. Step stools cannot be left out, way too tempting for you. Boxes or packages are very exciting. You climbed all the way up to Abby's bed because her potty chair was left too close to her bed. That was super fun for you.

You absolutely love Abby's baby dolls, you drag one around with you all the time. Abby has gotten better about sharing or rather, tolerating you borrowing her dolls, but really we just need to get you your own. I was thinking Christmas, by maybe it should be sooner!

You love necklaces, purses, bags, backpacks - anything you can drape over your neck or carry on your arm

You are your sister's favorite person. (most of the time)

                             

                                                 

And you are one of my two favorite little people also. I love you so much. I am so grateful for this past year because you were in it.

Love,

Your Mamma