2 Weeks Left!!!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... Evan only has TWO WEEKS left in this cast!

We visited his orthopedic doctor yesterday, and while it was a very stressful and traumatic visit, it was also one that granted Evan some freedom from part of his cast.  He ended up having the bar that was attached to both legs and the right side leg of the cast removed!

The removal process was far from enjoyable.  The device they use is pretty much like a mini-saw, and it vibrates really fast.  It's also very loud.  For 25 minutes, Evan screamed, cried, and thrashed.  I've never seen my baby so upset in my life.  Thank God I had my mother there to help me.  After it was all over, Evan was exhausted, I was drained, but we were both happy.  I ran a cool cloth over his leg before I dressed him to leave and he looked at me like, "Whoa!  I can FEEL that!"

After part of his cast was removed and he calmed down.

Once we got home and Evan got a nap in him, he was up and moving around and acting more like himself than I have seen in weeks.  It was truly amazing!

For the first time in a long while, I am truly feeling happy.  I'm not gonna lie, this entire experience has been stressful, worrisome, and just plain hard.  We aren't completely out of the woods yet, but it's reassuring to know that we almost are.  I never would have thought having a child in a cast would rearrange your daily life the way it has here.  I am so limited to what I can do with my little man.  Even grocery shopping is a huge challenge.  He can't fit into carts, so I use his stroller (so thankful he fits in that!) and a big bag to collect our groceries in, or I end up pushing a cart and him at the same time!  I'm afraid to take him around other kids because of cold/flu season (something you DEFINITELY don't want to add to a baby in a Spica cast!), so we were quarantined from his cousins for the better part of January/February.  No indoor swimming lessons, no hiking in the woods with our dogs, no indoor baby gym.  And with the weather as cold and snowy and gray as it's been around here... let's just say I've been wishing a speedy Spring to arrive already.

But now this ordeal is finally coming to an end, and Steve and I feel confident enough to start making plans.  We want to go to Vermont in March, so we are currently planning that trip.  So excited!

I will always hold a soft place in my heart for all parents.  This entire experience was really eye opening for me.  I now know that parenting is the hardest job you will ever do in your life.  But, it is so worth it.

~Nikki