On Friday, we all headed up for a family weekend at the camp. It was our first weekend up there together this season. Fun was had by all as the pictures will attest...
Everyone...well almost everyone...got some practice at shooting the BB gun.
it won't be long Big Boy...thank goodness for your wooden gun!
We even did a little hunting. These two went out with their Dad despite the 21 degree chill outside!
And then in the afternoon we all went and sat. Chris took the two that love to hunt and aren't afraid of the gun going off. I took Philip and Daniel to a stand where we sat without a gun!
I haven't hunted since Philip was born and I remembered how much I love the peace and quiet of the woods. Maybe more now that I have four loud boys at home. Philip and Daniel sat so quietly reading their books. However, Daniel wore out quickly when his book was over. Philip did spot two deer that entered the field so quietly that I didn't notice!
All in all a very relaxing weekend! Hope we can do it again soon!!
"Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny." - C.S. Lewis
Philip went back to school last Tuesday. He's been doing half days due to the stairs and his still weak legs. But we have seen so much improvement recently. It is truly amazing what physical therapy can do!
discussing his first day back with Mom over a cup of hot chocolate
He is doing well on his crutches and even figured out how to walk on his own in the brace this weekend. Big steps...literally.
He chose to go to school today wearing his brace because he prefers the independence of walking over the crutches. I will admit to being a little surprised because the brace is definitely more 'handicap' looking...as is his gait while wearing it. He truly does not seem bothered by the brace though and for that I am glad!!
I hope his friends are kind today as they adjust to seeing him in it. It was a little hard dropping him off this morning and seeing all of their curious eyes. It is so hard to be different, but Philip didn't seem to notice too much. He was just thrilled that he had a little independence back.
I am wholeheartedly, unabashedly smitten with this one.
You see I have never raised a 2 1/2 year old without a baby on my hip. When his brothers were this age, my days were a sleep deprived blur where barely anyone went to school. Now, everyone is in school and lots of days it's just him and me. Batman and Wonder Woman. Mickey and Minnie. Firefighter and Police Officer.
John is so in to make believe right now. He loves his costumes and prefers that we all play along. He says things like, "Minnie, I love you." And "Wonder Woman, you making me crazy." He asks what Robin (Daddy) is doing all day long. He's quite funny if you can understand him!
He entertains himself well. Loves his Duplos, trucks, and trains. I laughed one day as I went about the house dusting. Take a look at what I found.
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John loves his brothers. He and William play well together and he elicits lots of laughs from the carpool ladies when he yells, "Danny Boy" at the top of his lungs when I open the van doors. He'll be well known at St. Paul's years before he begins school.
I admit to parenting him a little differently. Not in the discipline category. I hope. Well, maybe a little. More in the totally relaxed category. Like letting him pick out his own clothes on a school day...hello tacky camouflage Walmart shirt. Or letting him wear his Spiderman costume up to the St. Paul's office to sign Philip out. So much more relaxed.
What a joy you are, John Dawson! I'm looking forward to my last few years at home with a little boy because you make it so much fun!!
Our trip to Atlanta went great! Elizabeth and David were great hosts as always. Philip and Daniel loved playing David's boys' new XBox and Wii while I enjoyed catching up! Early Monday morning we headed to Dr. Schrader's office to get the cast off!!
Typical Philip was happy, but not overly so. I was dancing around that morning about it coming off. He simply smiled. So even tempered!!
Off it came...
and then off he went for x-rays. Finally, a visit from Dr. Schrader. We got a great report. The x-ray showed new bone growth...meaning we are moving into the next stage of Perthes which is good...and his range of motion was excellent. Much better than the doctor was expecting!
The prognosis is good. He will wear a brace 16 hours a day (much less than I was thinking) for at least the next three months. He can walk in the brace (theoretically...more on that later) and then when out of the brace he is to use crutches. So he can go to school without the brace which is great.
We then went to the orthotics office for his brace. It took a little longer than expected to get the fit right, so while we waited they brought the boys a sheet of bubble wrap to pop. Have I mentioned Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is awesome??
And then off for a night at the hunting camp! While his three brothers went out with Dad to hunt, Philip and I stayed at the trailer. We rode the Big Red and read Harry Potter! Love this smile!!
Now that we are coming off the high of losing the cast and such a great report, we are trying to adjust to the reality of the brace and trying to walk again. The brace is at times uncomfortable (mostly in the car) but Philip doesn't really complain when in it. Since we are not in school, he is managing his 8 hours out of it well. I let him make the decisions of when to wear it.
However, walking is proving to be more difficult. We have started physical therapy and he did great there. Worked really hard with the PT. She assured me that his hesitancy has less to do with strength and more to do with confidence. At home, we are fighting walking. He is clearly scared to put weight on either leg...especially his left. There have been lots of tears, lots of pep talks.
We are looking at lots of physical therapy and half days of school at least in the beginning. The therapist did not think he would have the strength to hobble on crutches for a full day of school for at least two weeks. I'm yet to discuss any of that with his teachers, but I think we can make it work. Baby steps. I will admit it is all a little overwhelming...another carpool pickup...fitting in physical therapy three times a week with all the carpool runs...getting him to his classroom each morning with stairs and two little brothers in tow...etc. But I know that we will figure it all out. And most likely, as soon as we figure it out, his strength will return and the routine will change!!
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction. I'm confident he will kick this disease once and for all!!
These two had a great time hunting with Daddy while I was in Atlanta.
And before I sign off, John wants to tell you a little about he and William's hunt with Daddy...
