zoey bird

We found out a couple of weeks ago my little miss needs to wear orthopedic braces to help align her feet right. She puts almost all her weight on her hips when she tries to walk and it's causing her to walk on the inside of her feet/mostly on her ankles.

I would imagine it would be painful, but she doesn't seem too bothered.

She is a trooper. 

We noticed it a few months ago, but didn't have a chance to say anything until her 15 month checkup with her doctor. Our not-impulsive or overly concerned Doctor was concerned and referred us to a orthopedic therapist. (I wonder if that's what they're called...ask me in a year. I'll know a lot more ;)

I really love physical therapy. Like, if I could go back and do school over I would probably study that. For kids only, p.s. Adult physical therapy seems more like counseling-therapy to me. From what I hear.

I am fascinated by little human's development and the way we progress (though not all the same, which is totally cool.) Zoey's therapist is sweet and kind and does not lay on any guilt. I kind of dealt with my mama-guilt when I found out Zoey had torticollis. Turns out a lot of kiddos with torticollis have this issue with their feet. Did not know that. Did not even know to keep an eye on her feet. Good to know. Though I would have watched out for it if I had known.

I just sort of have this feeling that our Zoeybird will always be a little more fragile health-wise. She got a bad cold at 2 weeks old, has had more fevers in her first year than I think Jack has had in his whole life. She pretty much catches everything that is going around. She's petite and maybe that makes her a bit more vulnerable? I'm not sure. But man, she is so sweet and cuddly when she is sick. She isn't inconsolable or overly fussy and just needs a little more lovin' when she's not feeling too well. I'll take it.

oh, that face. come on. I die.

You can really tell in these pictures how far out her feet went. I grew up in a family full of kids who walk like this. My brother and sister especially do and so do I. Though I have a high arch and not the flat feet. It definitely runs in my dad's side of the family though.

What amazes me is the affects it can have on her future. Without therapy, Zoey would have learned how to walk, eventually, but because she puts all that weight on her hips she would have major hip and knee problems later in life. She would have really bad bunions and probably need surgery for them when she was in high school. She'd end up walking on her ankle bone, which isn't a bone meant to be walked on. 

Incredible what little braces can do to affect the rest of her life. So thankful for them and the funds to be able to afford the braces. 

As crazy (and selfish) as it sounds, the hardest part for me with all of this is all the therapy I need to do with her throughout the day at home. I feel unconfident about the different stretches and gross motor activities her therapist wants me to do. I know it's good and it will help, but I'm just trying to keep up with these two, ya'll. I want to help her all I can, but that adds some extra work to my already busy-work day. 

Is that selfish?

Yes, kind of. 

But it's my comfort, you see. My comfort that, when threatened, kind of rocks my world.

I adapt, it just takes me more time.

And I'm learning to let go of that comfort that I'm not entitled to, that was never promised to me. I'm learning that we will all have health problems, one way or another and I just have to go with it. I can't change it and it just gives me an opportunity to trust God more. 

Of course we'll get Zoey the little braces, because I love her and my heart longs to see her dancing around a room (or on a stage) and running on a track or hiking the grand canyon (I'll be waiting at the top ;) without pain.

and keeping up with this guy.

'cause man, does she ever love him. She gets so frustrated that she can't keep up right now.

I know you're pain, Zoey. Sometimes I wonder how I'll keep up too.

Now, if she doesn't have an interest in sports (which would come as no surprise to us considering who her parent's are) than we will be as physically active as possible to get our money's worth on the car--I mean braces that she's gonna need.
just kiddin', girly.

end of summer 2012

 Oh, these two. Such joy.

 Favorite picture of them thus far.

Summer days are nearing an end. Normally I am so anxious for Autumn, but I've really loved this summer.

There have been some really hard and discouraging days, but there have been many days full of laughter, tickles, afternoon monsoons and otter pops outside.

This summer Jack truly evolved into a little boy. He says the funniest things and we aren't sure where he's even heard them.

Last night for example, he was jumping on the couch (which we don't let him do....often) and I asked him to stop, to which he said. "But Mom, I'm an angel. I flying!"

My heart nearly explodes with love when he asks to cuddle with him, scratch his back and sing a song to him. The talk of other friends sending their kids to preschool kind of stirs the reality that one day soon he'll be off to Kindergarten and gone will be our days of coloring, play dough and reading books over and over. 

He's also moved to his own big boy bed, which didn't take as much coaxing as I had thought. He totally loves it and has adapted well. It's also opened him to the idea of going on the potty and he's actually gone in it a few times. So excited for all the change.

Jack and Zoey are forming a bond that is so precious to watch. The way her eyes light up when she sees him and the way he loves to cuddle with her. Which translates as his-head-pushed-against-hers. She doesn't quite like it as much as she does.

They both love it so much when daddy comes home.

I wasn't kidding. He could do the face-cuddle all day long with his sis.

 

And Zoey is nearing the end of her sixth month of life. Six months. What?! She's started solids (but does not like them) and her torticollis is much, much better. She's such a gem and we are so thankful she's apart of our little bunch.

 Yesterday we drove to Costco and as we did we chatted the drive away. He has so much to say, so much to imagine. We pass a big pile of water (note: not a lake or pond here in Prescott. Just kind of a still body of water.) I once had told him orca whales were in there (my favorite animal) and since then every time we pass he says, "Orca whales in there, mommy?" and I have to remind him they only live in the ocean. But that doesn't matter to his two year old imagination. Love that. Later, I asked him if he would want another brother or sister. We don't have any immediate plans, but we do pray it will happen sometime in the future. He thought for a minute and then replied.

"Two Zoey's???" 

Sure, bud.

Sometimes the days are rough. Some days he's restless and misses his buddies and all he wants to do is something other than be here. I get that, I so get it. Today was one of those days. It was rough. Lots of crying, lots of hurt feelings, mostly over things that I had no control over.

"We go to Papa's house????" He'd ask every half hour or so. And every single time I told him not yet and he would burst into tears. He threw little pom pom balls all over the kitchen floor, which was a-ok until someone had to clean it up. He cried the entire time. 

Currently he has retreated to the backyard with a plate full of strawberries, grapes and graham crackers. I think we both need a little space.

This summer has flown and I can hardly believe next week we'll be in September. Oh, how I love September. I can't believe our little goose is almost three. Where has the time gone?