Pavlik Harness

I don't even know where to begin...I have so many thoughts running through my mind at this time.  I guess I will start with the news that for a week now Daphnee has been in this new contraption called the Pavlik Harness. 

We went back to Primary Childrens Hospital for her to visit the Orthopedic doctors this time because our Pediatrician noticed a click in her left hip.  After a hip ultrasound we found out that both of Daphnee's femoral heads are out of the hip sockets (hip dysplasia).  Her Urology doctors mentioned she might have issues with her hips or might not, but we wouldn't know until she was older and had healed from her surgery.  And now we know we have something else to tackle. 

We will have a 2 week visit back in SL to make sure the harness is still fitting properly and then a 4 week visit to assess wether it is working or not.  If it is working and the hips are moving into the socket correctly she will continue wearing the harness for months (possibly up to 6 months).  If it isn't working after 4 weeks then she will have to have surgery and will be in a cast. 

The challenge is having to rethink everything we have done so far with caring for her.  In her mermaid straps her legs were together and we could swaddle her up and now we have to keep her legs apart.  Being on her tummy or in a front carrier are now possible  and before they were forbidden.  I have to nurse her and snuggle her differently.  The one similarity is that she is in it 24/7 and we can't even take it off for baths.  So now back to the spit baths.  

Daphnee is adjusting to the new harness pretty well.  The first couple of days were rough which were to be expected and now she doesn't seem to mind them at all.  She just has her normal fussiness now which on a good day is a couple times a day and on a bad day it is several 20 minute unconsolable screaming and crying fits.  After three months I have noticed one consistency in her crying, she is always tooting.  I am pretty sure she has really bad gas.  It is usually brought on when I try and nurse her, and she has cut way down on her eating because she knows it is going to be painful. 

The past week has been an adjustment to say the least, but we are just hoping and praying that the harness works and Daphnee doesn't have to have another surgery. 

Fishing Trip

On Saturday we decided to go fishing.  Scott has been wanting to have a family fishing day ALL summer.  We packed a lunch, got a fishing license for me, and we were off.  After a couple different places we finally found a good spot on the river that was slow enough for Scott to teach Dallin. 

Thanks Mema and Papa for buying Dallin his first fishing pole. 

Dallin did really well.  He loved watching for his bobber and actually fished for a long time before he got burned out.  He didn't like constantly reeling in his line to keep up with the river current, so maybe he is more of a lake fisherman where you can just let your line sit in the water if you want. 

 Scott even ventured up the river where he had caught some fish earlier this summer. 

We came home empty handed, but we had a great day!!

Little Miss Daphnee

Here are Daphnee's newborn pictures that we took right after she got the braces off. Enjoy!!

 Of course I saved the BEST for last!! 

Thanks so much to my SIL Kellee for taking these pictures.  They turned out fantastic!!

Happy Independence Day!!

For the fourth of July we went to the parade in the morning, waited like an hour and a half because it was late, and got rained on.  It was a short wimpy parade but we had still had fun.  Then we went home and packed up for the evening.  We went to Blackfoot to go swimming at the lake, grill dinner and watch fireworks. 

Dallin and Daphnee (in her carseat) could see better from sitting on top of the truck.  Daphnee was mesmerized by the fireworks.  Blackfoot had a pretty good show and then we got to see the end of Pocatello's show all the way while we were driving home ending with the finale right as we were coming in to town.  It was perfect timing.

Dallin liked doing his sparklers while we waited for the show to start!!  We had a great fun-filled 4th of July!!