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!!

Summer Time

We had to wait a little longer for the warm weather since we moved back to Idaho, but it has finally arrived and we are enjoying it!!  From swimming at the lake, shorter hair cuts, grilling kebabs, countless hours spent in our kiddy pool, dozens of popcicles consumed on our patio, ward BBQ's in the park, and we are looking forward to the upcoming Smith Family Reunion this week in Utah. 

Daphnee loves to be outside and spend time in the stroller.  Her medicine doesn't allow her to spend a lot of time in the sun but the shade is quite nice on those HOT days. 

 Here is a picture of Dallin's short hair spiked up in front that he likes us to do.  I finally got the courage to cut it short with the clippers and surprised Scott when he came home. 

 And trying out the new floaties at the lake!!

Playing hard requires some rest.  I went back into Dallin's room to open his window about 2 minutes after putting him to bed one night and this is what I saw.  Pajamas and covers are just too hot some nights. 

Scott just finished his 10 credits of summer semester classes that were crammed into 6 weeks, so we have many more fun activities planned for the summer to celebrate him getting good grades like camping and fishing (his request of course).

Bad to Good

Yesterday was a BAD day to say the least.  Today was much better for a handful of reasons.  The highlight of my morning was when I was trying to feed Daphnee.  She can be unconsolable if she has any tummy discomfort, especially when trying to eat.  Sometimes she will calm down if I sing to her while she is eating.  I started singing to her this morning and Dallin came and sat beside us and put his head on my shoulder for the remainder of my singing.  When I was done he went back to playing with his toys. 

It was such a sweet moment for us, especially me as a mother.  It's nice to know that he notices when I sing and the sweet spirit it brings into our home.  Here is a picture of my precious children that Scott captured.  Things like this put a smile on my face and reassure me that all bad days have to come to an end.

Yes, the kids are in our bed.

6 Weeks and Huge Milestones

So, we have tackled some pretty big things in the past six weeks.  We had Daphnee's check-up with her Urologist on Friday and once again she was very pleased with how well she has been doing since surgery.  The best part about the doctors visit was being able to get the straps off her legs. 

Since Daphnee had surgery within 24 hours of being born she hasn't really known anything different with her legs.  I know that they were essential for helping her heal properly after surgery (we could only take one brace off at a time) but I hated every time I had to put them back on.  Here are some pictures with them off and her cute little legs. 

It has been so fun being able to dress her up in her new outfits.  All she has worn for six weeks are night gowns because they easily slipped over her straps. 

Another huge difference is we can finally give her a real bath.  We couldn't submerge her before, so she only got spit baths with these foaming sponges and then we would hold her over the sink while I washed her hair. 

Transportation has become a lot easier now too.  She can now ride in a regular infant car seat.  We were able to get rid of her car bed that took up two whole places in our back seat.   

Daphnee's car bed was a large hard plastic rectangle with some foam padding on all sides.  Then it had a little body suit that she slid into with zippers on each side and a velcro strap that fastened around her belly to  keep her from rolling around. 

The car bed that she used was brand new. (I watched her cut the tags off it)  It was new to the hospital and new in the fact that before it was created they didn't have anything to transport bigger babies like Daphnee.  They have something similar that is much smaller for premie babies.  Primary Children's donated a lot of money to help with the research and development of these unique car beds. 

Straps off her legs, real baths, and a different car seat...I would say it has been a good weekend with all the new changes with Daphnee.  And no more doctor visits in Utah for six months!!