Adventures with Ava & Lucy: Everyday is an adventure!

Daddy and Ava

Pick me up!

Godfather Joey and Godmother Steen Baptizing Lucy

Well, I never thought I would be the type of person to start a blog, but here it goes. I decided to start a blog to record all of the cutie things the little girls do so I don't forget them. Everyday they say or do something just so amazing. Ava is growing and changing everyday and she just astounds me with ow smart and observant she is. Lucy is just the most wonderful gift, such a sweet, cuddly little bundle. She is so happy now that her reflux is under control, her true, beautiful nature can shine through. Today, after weeks of struggle and holding her down to do it, Ava was FINALLY interested in brushing her teeth and we asked if she wanted to brush Lucy's teeth. She said, "No, Lucy doesn't have any teeth, she has a tongue only." Silly me. Then she said, "I have pretty teeth!" They are just too cute! Ava is ever so slightly interested in Lucy, beyond commanding me to "Put Lucy down and hold Ava!" She likes it when Lucy holds her finger. One day they will be best friends I hope!
On Monday we found out that Lucy has hip dysplaysia. Just goes to show, you never know what can happen. Tomorrow we have to go get Lucy fitted for her Pavlik Harness. I can't believe we have to go through this again with poor sweet Lucy! I was devastated yesterday when I got the news. I thought maybe she would escape this, but no such luck. I am trying to be as positive as possible, but I can't help but think about what we went through with Ava and how hard it was both emotionally and physically for all of us. Poor Ava hated it, she could only wear onesies and leg warmers, and it took forever to get her in and out of it. Since the day she was born, every time I changed Lucy or dressed her I thought about how lucky and easy it was that she didn't have a harness and that I would take her acid reflux over hip dysplasia any day, and that is saying a lot! I never took for granted how lucky we were that she did not have to have a harness. Well, at least I had 5 months of snuggling, changing, dressing and bathing her without that dreadful harness. I know it is what is best for her and we are so lucky to be able to have a chance to fix her condition, but it is still hard to watch your sweet little baby in a crazy contraption that limits her movements. No more cute outfits, no swaddling her close. Hello long, involved diaper and outfit changes and the endless sound of Velcro. There are support groups for 'hip' babies online and reading those moms' posts makes me feel better. Like I am not overreacting when I lost it in the doctor's office and cried on and off all day that day. And this morning. And this afternoon. It really is a hard thing for the whole family to deal with. We will all get through it though. I am trying my best to stay positive. I am dressing her in all of her cute clothes now and taking pictures to be sure she gets some wear out of them and I am snuggling her like crazy. On the whole things could be worse, much worse! Especially when you go into Childrens' Hospital and see some of the absolutely tragic problems plaguing some of the kids in there. We are very lucky to have two healthy, happy girls. Thank God! Best case scenario, at her next ortho appointment in two months, her hips are at or below 25 degrees...she is at 30 degrees now. Then we can begin to wean her off of the harness over the next few weeks after she shows progress. I say a prayer everyday for that! I can't even begin to think about what will happen if the harness doesn't work. Traction, surgery and a cast are too much for my tired, overwhelmed brain to handle right now. One day at a time.