Houston Zoo

Last week we went to the Houston zoo. Kaitlyn loves the zoo. While we were in San Antonio she kept talking about going to the zoo and wanting to see snakes, giraffes, and elephants (among other animals).

Kaitlyn has never been able to play in the water area before so I let her this time. I figured I had a couple extra outfits with me so why not. She had a blast!

Kaitlyn liked this little frog that spits water. A hovering mom came in right after this shot was taken and wouldn't let Kaitlyn near the frog. I hate hovering moms. Okay, I stay close to Kaitlyn some times too, but if a kid comes up wanting to play with something I tell her to share. This lady would make Kaitlyn leave. Her child had been playing with the frog for a while too. More on hovering moms below.

As you can see, she was completely soaked. Thank goodness for the extra clothes.


Moms who hover... Or rather mean moms who hover; I don't like you. You know who you are. Me, my child and no more. Women like you should be banned from public places. Alright I'm being a bit extreme. I find when a mom sticks close to their child they will either be mean to other children or they're friendly and helpful. I watch hovering moms like a hawk to find out which they are. If they are mean, I stay near Kaitlyn to protect her from the jerk mom. We were at a park the day before going to the zoo and a special mom was there. She had a riding toy nearby that no one was allowed to play with. She wouldn't keep it near her because she was hovering up in the play equipment. She wouldn't put it away because she was lazy. Instead if Kaitlyn would get on it she would run over and make her get off. I was getting hot. I understood she didn't want Kaitlyn riding it and I did try (from a distance) to keep Kaitlyn off, but I felt the woman wasn't being fair. If she doesn't want a child to play with an unattended toy she needs to put it away. As I called Kaitlyn to leave the woman started telling me how she had to keep making my daughter get off the toy. She tried to make it sound kind. So in like fashion I in the sweetest way I could said, "She didn't understand why. We normally go to a park with sand (this one had wood chips) and everyone brings toys. We just put them down and it's a free for all. She didn't understand why she couldn't do that today." At that I grabbed Kaitlyn and started walking away while the lady babbled something about the toy not working well on wood chips. My thoughts... Shut up lady and put your dumb toy away. On a riding toy note. When we were taking Kaitlyn to the park with sand she would ride a toy out to it. She stopped at the sand and got off the riding toy. I took the riding toy with me and would dump toys in the sand. I kept the riding toy with me far away from the sand and other children. Doing this we never had problem with other children coming to play with her riding toy.

Sold "As Is"

Just because someone says they are selling something as-is doesn't mean they really mean it. Perhaps I should say for the sake of making a sell they may bend on their "as-is" condition. I saw on TV a first time home buyer negotiating with a bank on fixing a leak in their foreclosure before she would buy it. The bank quickly complied and she kept the $180 for the repair in her pocket. I saw the show after we learned the AC in the foreclosure we are buying needed to be repaired. Our agent took the "as-is" to heart and didn't suggest us requesting it to be repaired. On a side note on realtors, find one that bids and adds amendments as you would like. Ours doesn't. =( While talking to an assistant for the selling agent, in not so many words she suggested the amendment for the AC. Thankfully our agent jumped on the deal. While we waited and were still in our option period we had the AC checked out. The verdict was $800-$1,800 depending on the severity of the problem. Of course we could rob Peter to pay Paul, but Peter might just be Kaitlyn's pre-K tuition. Anyway, after waiting several weeks to hear back from the bank (the sellers) we learned the selling agent was having the AC checked out and getting bids. We heard a lot of conflicting info, he's going to fix it, the bank won't pay for it... We finally learned the problem was bigger then first assumed. The part need for our THREE year old unit was NO LONGER MADE!!!!! How in the world could it only be three years old and they have already stopped making the part?!! It did work out in our favor though. Scenario one... They put in a temporary until while they take ours away, build the part then bring it all back in 6-8 weeks. Or, two, they replace the whole outside until. We found out it would only cost a little more to replace the whole unit. Our agent spoke with the selling agent and they both agreed the best interest of both parties is to not drag this thing out and replace the unit. Today Wells Fargo (the sellers) has agreed to replace our outside AC unit. Woohoo!!! So don't always accept all issues with something if it's being sold as-is. It doesn't hurt to ask. We did and now Kaitlyn's pre-k tuition is still in our pockets.

Brace Update

I called about Kaitlyn's brace today and was told to put her smaller brace back on her. Grrr... I let them keep it. They then gave me a number of someone to go to who could alter the brace for me. She kept telling me the guy could fold some of the foam back or even trim the plastic. I set up an appointment for tomorrow, but I think I will cancel it for now. I just cut some of the excess foam off the back and inside of the legs. My fingers are crossed that it's enough to make it stop hurting her. If this works I won't have to drive for an hour, and I'm sure pay, to have them alter her brace.

Developmental or Congenital Dysplasia of the Hip ~ Grouped Post

Because there are so many parents out there like myself, suddenly finding out your child has hip dysplasia I get a lot of hits on my blog about that topic. I've grouped all my DDH/CDH and Rhino Cruiser Brace post here for your convenience. I by no means claim to know it all. Like you (maybe) I was lost when my daughter was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at three weeks shy of her second birthday. All my post are about what worked for us. Everything I know on the topic I either learned from other moms, trial and error or from Kaitlyn's doctor's great assistant.

Most of what I found online about the topic was dealing with dogs. Finally her pediatrician said to search DDH, CDH, and/or Developmental or Congenital Dysplasia of the Hip; I found several sites then as well as a yahoo group. So you don't have to do a ton of searching throughout my site to find the dysplasia or Rhino Cruiser Brace post here they all are from newest to oldest by their titles.

A bit about Kaitlyn... Like I said before her CDH was found three weeks before her second birthday. She had an open reduction, with her femur being shorten when she was almost 25 months old. She wore a spica cast for five weeks then had her second surgery to remove the pins from her hip and have a second cast put on for seven more weeks. Her three months in a cast was followed by wearing a Rhino Cruiser Brace full time. Her doctor at Texas Orthopedic Hospital says she will wear it "at least a year". She will have the plate and screws in her right femur (from shortening the leg) removed on August 17th.

Notice on 10/03/2014: Some links may no longer work for security reasons.

DDH Annual Check Up 2012
One Year And A Day
She's Free!!!
Loopy Drugs
Doing Better Post Surgery
Third Surgery
Brace Update
Brace Rubs
New Rhino Cruiser Brace
"Dr Brock, Cast-Brace"
Laci's Party
Lackland AFB & Rhino Cruiser Walking
Bye-Bye Cast
Rhino Cruiser Brace
Cast Free!!!!!!!!
Free Walking In Cast
1 Day And Counting
Stair Climber
Happy Easter
Around & Around We Go
Cast Off ~ Coming Soon
Tricycle Surprises
Pray For Dane
Videos ~ Talking On The "Phone"
Walking In Cast
Quick - Crawling & Walking In Spica Cast Video
Spica Cast Diapering And Taping
Clean Up
Spica Skirts & Swap Purses
Accidental Tricycle
Timely Surgery
Kaitlyn's Second Surgery
Clothes
Four Week Check Up
Pulling Up!
"Making-this-up-as-I-go-along quilt" part 2
The Children's Museum Of Houston
Some of Kaitlyn's Favorite Things
Doctor's Appointment
Tummy Bug
Day 2 At Home
We're Home!
Change
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Or DDH

Brace Rubs

I'm at a loss. I really don't know what more I can do to keep Kaitlyn from get rubbed by her brace. And look how low the rub marks are. Poor thing needs her old brace back.

New Rhino Cruiser Brace

Here's the beast ladies and gentlemen.

Compared to the medium brace this one is HUGE.
Notice the fabric covered piece on her belly. That is actually from her last brace. It was starting to rip and I didn't want to tape it up so I covered it in fabric. It works great.
I've had to bend her brace a lot. I even let her nap without it today so I could keep it folded up. Her last one was well broken in, but this one is still stiff. She hates how stiff it is and has been saying "scared" throwing her arms up when really it's just hurting to walk.

"Dr Brock, Cast-Brace"

Yesterday Kaitlyn went in for her three month brace check-up. For those randomly stopping by Kaitlyn was born with her hip out of socket (CDH). She had an open reduction in January followed by three months in a spica cast. She now wears a Rhino Cruiser Brace which you can see sticking out the top of her skirt in the next photo.

She was bored waiting on Dr. Brock so decided to do a bit of rearranging. Here she's pushing the step stool across the floor. This should be next to the bed.

When she was bored pushing the step stool around she moved to snooping in the drawers and cabinets. She mashed my finger in one of the drawers. Ouch!
Here she is with Dr. Brock. He said everything looks great. He's ready to get the plate and screws out of her right femur. Her final surgery is August 17th.

After snapping the photo above we headed to the casting room for a new brace. The velcro on her old one wasn't working as well as it should have been. Dr. Brock felt she might be able to fit into a size large brace and she does... barely. I've had to cut A LOT of the foam off that wraps around her legs. It wrapped an insane amount around. This thing is a beast. It's higher up her back and just short of the bend of her knees; consequently her poor little back and the inside of her legs where the foam ends, are red. I've made sure both areas are covered in knit cotton all day, but her legs are still red. She's not happy about her new brace. If things don't get better by next week I'm calling Dr. Brock.

Edit: the title is something Kaitlyn has been saying a lot lately. She will also point at the scars on her right leg and say "sur-gy". She likes showing off her surgery scars. Hopefully she won't keep this up seeing how it's on her hip. hehehe...

Craft Hope Update

The deadline is fast approaching on the third Craft Hope project. Here's a sample of the booties I will be sending off tomorrow hopefully. Remember they are going to India where people wear bright colors. Sorry, the first photo is a bit fuzzy... I couldn't get it to take a clear picture of that pair.

Raining

It's raining, it's poring, the old man is snoring... Okay, he isn't snoring. He's sitting on the swing, talking on the phone, while my two year old plays in the rain.

To think we left her in his care and this is what I get...

A wet toddler.

Naps

Yesterday Kaitlyn was taking a really long nap. I finally decided I better go check on her (again). I walked in to find this...

She had found her colors, a coloring book and her burger from lunch. I asked, "Kaitlyn what are you doing?" She said, "I'm eating a burger." LOL... We had gone out to eat. When we returned the burger was in my purse. I took it out and laid it on the bed. I guess she did a little snooping.

Giveaway Update

The deadline is quickly approaching in the Sew Fun Quilt giveaway. So pop on over there and sign up before it's to late.

Today she added her baby quilt pattern to the bounty.

New Giveaways!

Sew Fun Quilts is having a giveaway that ends this Saturday. What might you win you may be wondering??? Well that's not completely known. Each day a new item is added to the stash. Today it was peach ribbon and yesterday it was cat fabric. Hurry on over to her blog and sign up before it's to late.

Kati Cupcake is having a giveaway of a lovely quilt pattern and the fabric to make it.

Wouldn't you love to win this?!!! I wish I could win it already put together, but I'll settle for the pattern and fabric. Just head on over to her site and see how to win.

Swimming

Kaitlyn loves the pool and enjoyed it even more the last time we went. She kept crawling in whenever it struck her fancy. Here's some pictures of her adventure.

Here she is climbing in for another dip.

She hated getting water in her ears.

Potty Time

Twice today Kaitlyn has gone poo on the potty. Yeaaaaaaaah! She did it yesterday morning too. She's been having a terrible on going diaper rash that doesn't stand a chance at clearing up before she poops again. The frustrating thing with rashes is she seems to poo more when she has one. I keep telling her, "If you poo poo on the potty you won't get a red hinny." That kind of works, but her newest thing is going "poo poo like Randi." For those scratching their heads Randi is my seven year old second cousin. Yesterday after going on the potty Kaitlyn kept saying she did it like Randi. Hey, whatever works!

Fun

Kaitlyn is having the best time playing with Robert and Randi today. She is chasing Robert around saying, "snake, snake, snake" while he pushes her grocery cart. What does a snake have to do with anything? I have no idea.

Artist Mommy

When preparing to be a mommy people give you all kinds of tips and tricks. They tell you what to watch out for and what to expect. Of course they always leave things out. No one told me that being a mommy means being an artist too. I didn't know I would be expected to draw cows, feet, flowers, Hermie, LazyTown (how do you draw that?) and so on. Kaitlyn will ask me to draw her hand. I tell her to do it and she comes back with, "No, mommy do it." So off I go to trace her hand.

Another talent mommies must have is the ability to sing. However you don't have to sing well. As a matter of fact it's better if you don't try to sing as though you are the next Carrie Underwood. Just run your words together like a child does. Your singing must be something she can copy. Kaitlyn loves singing. From time to time she will say, "Mommy, promise." Which means she wants me to sing I Am A Promise. When she was a baby I would sing it to her all the time.

Enter To Win One Of These Annies!!! Your Choice

Cyndi's Distinctive Creations is having a giveaway of these two hand painted and stitched Annies. To enter just click on the picture so you'll be sent to her blog and leave a comment on the Annie giveaway post. The drawing will be on July 4th so enter now!!!!

After doing the two Annie swaps recently I'm entering this giveaway for Kaitlyn. She knows the two Annies around here are Mommy's so maybe I can win one for her. I think she would like the one with the American flag on the apron, but she would be thrilled with either one.