Grandma Sue and her "pick-me-up".Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Where We're At
We had a good report from the pediatrician last week. Lauren is a healthy girl and is right on track developmentally. She started crawling the night before (hooraaah!) and Dr. VanEs said she did it just in time for him to check off the "crawling box" on her record. She is still on pace with the 95th percentile, at 23 pounds 8 ounces. I told Dr. VanEs that I caught a little grief from Mary Free Bed about Lauren's weight and he reassured me that it was fine, especially for a breastfed baby because they tend to lose their baby fat as they grow. An interesting fact from our baby books, Steve and I both weighed more at her age, even though we were both born weighing less.
At our last appointment with Mary Free Bed, Dr. Maples felt that Lauren's right hip is lagging behind a little and is borderline for hip dysplasia. She gave us an option of treating her right now with another type of harness or waiting a few months until her next visit to see if there has been improvement. We spoke to Dr. Standard and Dr. Herzenberg at an online chat about this and they asked to see her x-rays. They said if it is true hip dysplasia, a harness would be an effective treatment. If not, and it is instead a hip problem that sometimes occurs with the FH, she may need hip surgery. We're in the process of getting Lauren's x-rays sent to them and also hoping to schedule an appointment with them for early in the new year. Since our trip to see Dr. Paley, although we haven't ruled him out, we've become more and more comfortable with the idea of having Lauren in the hands of the Baltimore docs. We've talked to Dr. Standard on numerous occasions at the online chats, and talked to many parents who wouldn't take their children anywhere else. We've also been encouraged by the opinions of other orthopedic surgeons about both Dr. Standard and Herzenberg.
In the meantime, Lauren has been keeping Grandma Sue company on most of her daily trips to the cancer center. Grandma usually opts to ride in the back seat next to Lauren. On our way home from a recent appointment, she said "Somehow, it makes it so much better when you and Lauren are with me." Unfortunately, the radiation treatments are starting to really take a toll on Grandma's tummy and energy level. She does find the strength for playtime with Lauren every now and then. Eighteen treatments down, seven to go, and she'll be done with the radiation by the new year.
At our last appointment with Mary Free Bed, Dr. Maples felt that Lauren's right hip is lagging behind a little and is borderline for hip dysplasia. She gave us an option of treating her right now with another type of harness or waiting a few months until her next visit to see if there has been improvement. We spoke to Dr. Standard and Dr. Herzenberg at an online chat about this and they asked to see her x-rays. They said if it is true hip dysplasia, a harness would be an effective treatment. If not, and it is instead a hip problem that sometimes occurs with the FH, she may need hip surgery. We're in the process of getting Lauren's x-rays sent to them and also hoping to schedule an appointment with them for early in the new year. Since our trip to see Dr. Paley, although we haven't ruled him out, we've become more and more comfortable with the idea of having Lauren in the hands of the Baltimore docs. We've talked to Dr. Standard on numerous occasions at the online chats, and talked to many parents who wouldn't take their children anywhere else. We've also been encouraged by the opinions of other orthopedic surgeons about both Dr. Standard and Herzenberg.
In the meantime, Lauren has been keeping Grandma Sue company on most of her daily trips to the cancer center. Grandma usually opts to ride in the back seat next to Lauren. On our way home from a recent appointment, she said "Somehow, it makes it so much better when you and Lauren are with me." Unfortunately, the radiation treatments are starting to really take a toll on Grandma's tummy and energy level. She does find the strength for playtime with Lauren every now and then. Eighteen treatments down, seven to go, and she'll be done with the radiation by the new year.
Monday, December 14, 2009
At 10 Months Old
Lauren, these are things you're up to at 10 months old:
You're crawling!
You pull yourself up to your knees.
You also push yourself up on your legs when you're on all fours.
You clap, on your own and when other people are clapping.
You dance to all kinds of music.
You're the cutest dancer I've ever seen.
You go up to the doggies and pat them.
You eat "puffs" for a snack now.
You're sitting up in your crib smiling when we come in.
You like having your books read to you and point to the pictures.
You like being around babies and are fascinated by little kids.
You're about to celebrate your very first Christmas.
You brighten every day you spend with the people who love you.
You're crawling!
You pull yourself up to your knees.
You also push yourself up on your legs when you're on all fours.
You clap, on your own and when other people are clapping.
You dance to all kinds of music.
You're the cutest dancer I've ever seen.
You go up to the doggies and pat them.
You eat "puffs" for a snack now.
You're sitting up in your crib smiling when we come in.
You like having your books read to you and point to the pictures.
You like being around babies and are fascinated by little kids.
You're about to celebrate your very first Christmas.
You brighten every day you spend with the people who love you.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
At 9 Months Old
Lauren, these are the things you're up to at 9 months old:
You amaze us how you figure things out.
You're such a problem solver.
You roll or scoot to get to where you want to go.
You get on your hands and knees and think about crawling.
You whisper "Pa-pa".
You mimic many different sounds and gestures.
You roll or scoot to get to where you want to go.
You get on your hands and knees and think about crawling.
You whisper "Pa-pa".
You mimic many different sounds and gestures.
You come up with your own sounds and gestures.
You hold the blanket up and pull it down to play peek-a-boo.
You get all your toys out of your toy box and play with them.
You love looking out the car window from your new car seat.
You've got all kinds of teeth now, with four new upper teeth.
You sit in the child seat in shopping carts and have fun shopping.
You eat three meals a day now and don't seem picky about foods.
You reach for people to pick you up and that's the best!
You make us love just being around you.
You hold the blanket up and pull it down to play peek-a-boo.
You get all your toys out of your toy box and play with them.
You love looking out the car window from your new car seat.
You've got all kinds of teeth now, with four new upper teeth.
You sit in the child seat in shopping carts and have fun shopping.
You eat three meals a day now and don't seem picky about foods.
You reach for people to pick you up and that's the best!
You make us love just being around you.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Grandma Sue
Keeping Grandma entertained at the hospital.Unfortunately, we've learned of yet another rare medical condition that we wish we hadn't. Lauren's Grandma Sue was diagnosed with Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor (MMMT). This is an aggressive type of uterine cancer. She has already completed the first step of her treatment which was to have a hysterectomy. She is recovering well from the surgery. We were hoping the cancer had not spread, but it was found to have spread to her lymph nodes. The next step of her treatment is five weeks of radiation. After that, six rounds of chemo. It's going to be a tough fight but if anyone can do it, she can. She is the strongest person I know. Especially with little Lauren by her side.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
At 7 Months Old
Lauren, these are things you're up to at 7 months old:
You sit up on your own.
You're rolling over...Grandpa's been waiting for that!
You love your new Jump-a-Roo.
You eat two "meals" a day, so far Sweet Potatoes are your favorite.
You're very ticklish, especially your tummy, knees, and neck.
You get the cutest smile on your face after you sneeze.
You play with your toys in the tub now and love to splash around.
You've been on one plane ride...and are getting ready for the next.
You absolutely love to swing.
You do wonderful at Gramma Daycare.
You figure out how to get toys that are just out of your reach.
You love being around people, not to mention your baby friends.
You like it when we dance with you.
You say "mom" and "momma" and your little voice is so sweet.
We are so lucky to have you, Lauren. We love you so much!
You sit up on your own.
You're rolling over...Grandpa's been waiting for that!
You love your new Jump-a-Roo.
You eat two "meals" a day, so far Sweet Potatoes are your favorite.
You're very ticklish, especially your tummy, knees, and neck.
You get the cutest smile on your face after you sneeze.
You play with your toys in the tub now and love to splash around.
You've been on one plane ride...and are getting ready for the next.
You absolutely love to swing.
You do wonderful at Gramma Daycare.
You figure out how to get toys that are just out of your reach.
You love being around people, not to mention your baby friends.
You like it when we dance with you.
You say "mom" and "momma" and your little voice is so sweet.
We are so lucky to have you, Lauren. We love you so much!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A Weekend in Ohio
Sitting with Daddy at Great Grandma's house.
A fun evening at Cousin Meggie and Travis's wedding reception.
A hug from Aunt Hazel.
Playing with Cousin Brittany while...
Grandpa visited with Cousins Jimmy, John, & Richard. Friday, August 14, 2009
Grandma Sue's 60th and Lauren's 6 Month
The look on her face says it all.
Mommy and Grandma Sue got to see Auntie Robin in action at a mock trial. She did an awesome job! Lauren, meanwhile, had an excellent afternoon with Grandma Sandy.
Uncle Brad and Aunt Sharon helped us celebrate Grandma Sue's birthday with a biplane ride. Lauren passed on the plane ride, but enjoyed the sights at the Air Zoo.Tuesday, August 11, 2009
It's About Lauren
It's been a few days since our latest appointment to Mary Free Bed and I'm still trying to work my way out of the loop it threw me for. A refresher from our last visit, we thought Mary Free Bed was going to be there for our local orthopedic needs. That no longer seems to be the case. Even though they encouraged us to see Dr. Paley, now that we're showing interest in going the lengthening route, it's almost as if we're offending them.
They were first very irritated that they didn't have a report yet from Dr. Paley, but later turned around and said their own reports take at least 2 weeks to go out. The appointment continued with the doctor and physical therapist taking turns telling me how amputation is the best option for Lauren, and then telling me how bad lengthening is. I might have appreciated the discussion more if I didn't have good reason to believe that they were exaggerating. They said Lauren would always have ankle instability, but at a prior appointment they said they didn't know about the Super Ankle procedures (for which Dr. Paley has a 99% success rate). They said prosthetics would give her better function. If you recall, there was a study done and Dr. Paley's patients were found to have "normal" function just like the prosthetics group. They said that prosthetics were better cosmetically. I guess that's subjective, whether you prefer the look of a prosthetic leg or a human leg that's smaller with some scarring. Cosmetically, since I can't opt for Lauren to not have FH, then I think I would prefer her own little leg.
As far as the local PT for Lauren, they are not on board. They were very hesitant about it, and said that it would have to be for a doctor who "treats them as part of the team". Well, it's not about them and we need someone who realizes it's about Lauren. I understand that they would need to know what therapy to give Lauren and have good communication with Dr. Paley's office, but I've also talked to other parents about this and they've had no problems with the doctors being accessible long distance.
We are scheduled to go back to Mary Free Bed when Lauren is 9 months old for her hip check-up and to see where we're at with treatment. In the meantime, we'll be scoping out a new (more neutral) doctor and physical therapist. Never have I seen such conflicting opinions between doctors, and it doesn't make being the parents involved any easier. But it's not about us either.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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