Down to naps/bedtime!

YAY!!! We had an awesome follow up appointment with Dr. Morcuende in Iowa last Friday.  He told us that Knox's feet looked PERFECT and that he only needs to wear the shoes at naps and bedtime.  Being 6 mos old, this is typically about 15-16 hours a day.  The older he gets, the less time he will nap, which also means the less time in his shoes.  Dr. M told us that we didn't need to return to Iowa for 6-8 months.  It was such a relief that everything that we have been through was actually working.  Unfortunately, our flight home was a disaster and we didn't get home until 11:30 Friday night.

Waiting on the doctor

Passed out at the Chicago airport

Ready for 3 month checkup!

So, tomorrow is the day that Knox and I will fly out to Iowa City, IA for his 3 month checkup in his shoes.  I'm really excited but very nervous also.  I feel that his feet look great but there's always a thought in the back of my mind that Dr. Morcuende is going to tell me that something is wrong and that he needs to be re-casted.  Hopefully, Knox will be able to go down in hours (at least down from 23 hours a day) wearing his shoes.  We will fly out at 12:30 tomorrow and stay at the Ronald McDonald house tomorrow night.  Our appt is Friday morning at 8:30am.  We will immediately fly out of Iowa after the appt and should be back in Ohio by 4 or 5 o'clock.  I'm excited to see Dr. M and show him Knox's progress.

On the down side, I hate leaving Lily at home.  Even though her and daddy have some fun bonding time (and usually eat take out and LOTS of cookies), it's hard to leave her.  She has been having a rough couple of nights sleeping since we recently moved her to her new toddler bed.  Also, she was not feeling well this morning. 

Wish us luck!! I'll post pics of the trip along with what Dr. M says over the weekend :)

Gymnastics Time!

My little gymnast!!

One month to go!!

One month to go until Knox can go down in hours with his shoes. YAY!! I can't believe that 2 mos have already went by.  Knox is doing wonderful and his feet look really good.  We are religious in keeping with the "plan" and only having Knox's shoes off for an hour a day.  It's sad to put them back on because he just kicks and kicks when he's free.  His left foot (which was the worse of the two) had rubbed a sore on the top of his foot where the middle strap crosses.  We have been putting molefoam on the sore for almost a month and it has finally healed up. We head back to Iowa on March 24 when we should be able to go down to wearing the shoes 14-16hrs a day (naps/bedtime). Now on to a few pics of my big boy!!

Reconnecting!

I will start by saying that I'm one of those mothers who NEVER leave their children. I would rather spend a night snuggled on the couch with my husband and kids than finding a babysitter and going out. Unfortunately, it's gotten to the point where it's been almost 2 years since Steve and I have been out alone :(.  So Saturday night was the night.  We went to dinner with three of my best friends from high school and then out for drinks.  We left at 7pm and lasted until 1:30!! It was so much fun.  Steve and I really re-connected and had adult conversations.......rather than "Honey, throw me a diaper or Did Lily poop today?".  We danced and kissed without a 1 year old poking me in the face. It was a much needed night and I definitely need to schedule more date nights in the future.  The kids were even good for the babysitter.  I had a vision of Lily tying up the babysitter and then ripping the house to shreds.  She played like a good girl and was in bed by 9pm. I was so tired on Sunday but it was definitely worth it. Hopefully we will plan this again soon rather than waiting 2 more years :).

4 Months Old!

So Knox is 4 months old now.  It feels like it was just yesterday that I had him.  He's growing so fast and turning into a little man.


Here is a recap of Knox's short life so far:
-Born on 9/24/10 weighing 6lbs 14oz
-Hospitalized for jaundice on days 3&4
-1st set of casts put on day 5
-3 more sets of casts changed weekly
-1 month weight= 8lbs. 5 oz
-Tenotomy surgery on Nov.1
-More castings following tenotomy..........too many to count because they all slipped off
-Flew to Iowa for clubfoot treatment on December3
-Flew back to Iowa for 2nd casting on Dec 10
-Flew back to Iowa and fitted for shoes on Dec 17
-2 1/2 month weight= 15lbs 8oz BIG BOY!!
-Soaked casts off on Dec 31, put into Mitchell's shoes with the bar
-January 14, 2011- Rolled over for the first time
-4 month weight= 16lbs 11oz 26"long  75th %


Whew.......time is flying by.  Knox is starting to coo and blow bubbles.  He rolls over all the time now.  He is getting pretty good at sitting up.  All in all, a healthy boy!

Assistance with travel--Resources

I know that there are a few clubfoot momma's who read my blog so I wanted to let you know about a few resources that have helped with our travels to Iowa for Knox's clubfoot treatment.

We flew with Lifeline Pilots which is a non-profit organization that assists with air travel.  They do not require a financial status level to qualify.  You just fill out some paperwork and have a doctor sign off saying that your child is medically stable enough to fly. 

We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. It costs $15/night but if you are unable to pay then they will still accomodate you.  You fill out your reservation online and then check with them the morning of your trip to make sure that you have a room.  This was a wonderful way to meet other clubfoot kids (it's clubfoot land in Iowa so many of the residents at the Ronald McDonald house were clubfoot children.).  If the RMDH can not accomodate you then they will set you up at a local hotel with a discounted rate.  The RMDH also supplies food for you while you stay.

Other websites to assist with travel expenses include:
-Angel Flights
-Air Care Alliance
-Childrens Flight of Hope
-Corporate Angel Network
-Mercy Medical Airlift
-Miracle Flights for Kids
-Northwest Airlines, Kid Cares Program
-American Airlines, Advantage Miles for Kids in Need