The Diagnosis: Your Son Needs a Spica Cast After our two-year-old Jaxson's freak trip and fall that resulted in a fractured femur, we are finally nearing the end of his seven weeks in a spica cast. To say this journey has been one of the hardest seasons of our lives is an understatement. I survived week one with the help of Nana and my husband who stayed home from work to help. The first two or three weeks were the worst. Week four and five we got in a new groove. And weeks six and seven have been more like daily, "How long is this going to take?" countdowns. I felt so much encouragement and got good ideas from blogs I found by googling :) that I thought I am now in the place I can share from our spica cast journey to help others as well. So if you're reading this because you googled it, too... You're not the only one. I promise it will get easier. And thank God bones can heal and the cast won't stay on forever. Diapering with a Spica Cast: The 3 Steps to Success 1. Big Diaper 2. Little Diaper 3. Bladder Leak Pads Diapering was by far one of our biggest challenges. We would place a smaller size diaper inside the cast "hole" by tucking it inside. Then place/seal a larger diaper on the outside of the cast. This didn't always protect from leaks, so we pretty much kept him on a towel wherever he was... the stroller, the couch, on someone's lap... to make clean up after leaks easier. We also found a few weeks in, that applying a Poise pad for bladder leaks inside the smaller diaper was helpful for more absorption. Blow outs were another story. Thankfully we only lived through a few of them, but when #1, or worse, #2, gets into the cast it's not only yuck but difficult to fix. Wipes can only do so much. At the beginning, diaper changes were a nightmare for J. This faded over time, but after one of the worst blowouts we literally had to (because he had a waterproof liner inside his cast) use a spray bottle of water to try to spray out the poo explosion. Normal Diaper Changes We used phrases like "Tucking Time" and "Tummy Time" for the diaper changing process. He would lay on his back and we'd talk or distract him with a toy (or sometimes even baby brother). Then we'd do "tucking time" for the front, and say "Let's roll over for tummy time" when tucking in the diaper from the back, etc. There was one time that he tooted on me during a change, so I made "Don't you toot on me!" my go-to line if he needed cheering up during a change. :) He also dealt with severe constipation in those first couple of weeks. So we increased fluids, did half coconut water (for the magnesium) and half apple juice, and I even had to put in a suppository a couple of times. Then There's Entertaining a Child with a Spica Cast... This is where we got creative! (Thanks for a gift-a-day for a week box from Mimi and Papa in New Mexico, J had small new toys that we spread out for a while.) A few of his favorites were a magnetic fishing set, educational DVDs - including a train documentary from Half Price Books (thank you, Nana), and alphabet magnets. He also got a personalized lap desk from our friend Sarah (Anchored by Grace Designs). We also found a cool bean bag chair - the Big Joe - from Walmart for easy, comfortable sitting. And we can't forget the yard sale win of the century - the $7 basketball hoop. Or as J calls it, the "baska-ball player." I almost forgot; we also had to get him a booster seat because there's no way the angle of the spica cast would allow him to continue in his normal car seat. And they only had a girly, pink flower one - but I'm not telling him. Let the Kid Wear Shoes It's been hard getting him to change t-shirts (he goes from one Cars shirt to the other), but he has often requested socks, which always leads to a request for shoes. So J often got to don his Crocs and tennis shoes. Although he was very disappointed when his right rain boot wouldn't go on over the cast. (He loves his boots. We found ours at the Just Between Friends sale.) "Normal Life" Cabin fever can kick in quick! So we tried to get back to normal life activities as soon as we were comfortable. J loves going to Walmart and H-E-B (raising him right!) so we'd bring daddy along to push him in his stroller while I would handle the grocery cart, the baby, and the actual shopping! We also returned to church, where we both traded off who would stay with J in the nursery (should the need to diaper change arise). This gave J the chance to boss other people around for a bit. :) Baths with a Spica Cast You can't bathe with a cast. Sorry. We just used those throw-away bath wipes and did our best. I also made it a habit to put essential oils on his feet every evening before bed time. Spica Cast Removal We can't wait for Thursday. We'll be sure to update you on how that goes. We've watched a couple cast-removal videos on YouTube with him to talk about the loud saw that cuts the cast off and the way it tickles. He's been saying "Jaxson walk" and "four days" all day. Tomorrow it's only three to go. Hooray! UPDATE - The Spica Cast is Gone!The day Jaxson had his cast removed was a little traumatic. He had to have an X-Ray both before and after the removal. The saw they used to cut it off was a little loud for him. Both his legs had atrophied, and everything was stinky from not being bathed in weeks. But J was so glad to have it off! We took him to Chick-fil-A drive-through for a celebratory chocolate milk. The next several days he still mostly crawled around the house. It took time for him to build his strength and to trust his legs again. We are thankful he did not end up needing physical therapy. We used an outdoor scooter (that you sit on and push) in the house –– so soon he was pushing along wherever he wanted to go! I took a short video on my Instagram just 5 weeks after the cast was removed while he was running at the park. There's nothing quite like the pitter patter of little feet is there? UPDATE - Three Years After a Broken Leg
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I became a dog mom in 2011 when Marcus finally gave in to my protests that the apartment pet deposit would be worth it. I'm so glad he gave in. And I'm so glad I let him pick the dog. We got her from CAPS; so if you're local to the Houston area, go adopt. In 2015 when Jaxson joined the fam we realized several of the ways they're alike. Some are pretty comical. Obviously, I know that human kids are way better. But still, being dog parents taught us mini-lessons that prepared us in many ways to parenting a human child.
1. They're both afraid of the vacuum and blender. So special arrangements are made. Dad takes the kids outside so mom can clean without any barking or crying. 2. They both go for the pile of crumbs, dirt, and dust when I'm sweeping. It never fails, if I've got a pretty good pile ready to put in the dust pan - either the dog's walked through it or the baby's crawled through it. They're fast. 3. They both cost me a little extra money at the grocery store, but they are so easy to spend for. Those little bones she'll devour in minutes, or those cute bath toys he will love for $3. I'm a sucker. My first year of motherhood has made me realize so much about my mother. Here are 10 things I learned from you that I would like to thank you for, mom. Thanks for being such a great mom. Happy Mother's Day. 1. I don't have to do anything to earn or keep your love. If I had to take the SAT a third time because I did worse after getting tutoring, it didn't matter. You made sure we got what I needed (those 15 points!) to get the scholarship. 2. You would do anything to keep me from feeling hurt, pain, or loss. No matter what was going on, I knew I could tell you. I still do. PLUS, you totally kicked cancer's butt. 3. Late nights or long days are worth it. All J has to do is smile and for a few moments I forget that I haven't slept much this year. This little person is going to be a light in his generation. 4. Cooking dinner nearly every night for years and years wasn't something you did because it was always "fun." Sometimes it's a chore; sometimes it can be fun. Don't have all the ingredients for a recipe? Don't fret, you can wing it, and it will usually turn out great or you can just give it a new name. I totally turned slider burger patties into "sloppy burgers" for lunch today when I overdid the mayo. 5. The house doesn't have to be perfectly clean before you can have people over. What matters more than a magazine-ready living room or new decor is a house full of love and faith. A real house is more relaxed. 6. Traditions and routines, no matter how small and inexpensive, are often the most weighty and valued memories. I'll always remember weekend grocery trips with you and eating out for lunch while we were "in town." 7. The most teachable faith moments are the everyday ones - not usually the "official" ones at church. I'll always remember the time you bought the homeless man some Starbucks and told him that Jesus loved him. 8. Giving to others doesn't have to be Oprah-sized. Simple acts of kindness speak volumes. I'll always remember baking cookies for the widows and shut-ins and delivering them on Valentine's Day. 9. One of the best gifts to give a kid is that mom and dad are a team and they like each other. I remember you and dad being together on the couch or cleaning up in the kitchen and having your own joke or conversation going on - and the times you'd take rides on the four-wheeler or go out to the field - just the two of you. I see the importance of this now, even more, as it's so easy to give 110% to J and save only a grumpy little % for my husband. 10. The most important and freeing thing is, you don't have to know what you're doing all the time to be a good mother. You just guess, pray, and ask others for help, and adjust as necessary along the way... and they turn out OK. Thanks for being a wonderful mom and now a wonderful nana. Happy Mother's Day! Earlier I called a childhood friend of mine. We grew up together in a small Texas town of less than 4,000 people, and today that small town still has about the same amount of people. Heck, probably the same people. I needed a familiar voice. Suburbia and growth can be exciting (and most days I probably wouldn't trade the convenience of having a Target just 10 minutes away), but sometimes I just miss smallness and sameness. She and I hadn't talked extensively for a while but I think that's the blessing of friends, you can pick right back up where you left of. She is a couple years ahead of me in mommyland and spoke several truths to me that I wanted to pass along. "Babies don't stay babies for long." Treasure this season for what it is. I was thinking this morning of J's first birthday coming up this summer and thought, "It isn't fair. We only get 17 more of these." I'm sure somewhere around year 15 or 16 I might be singing a different tune. Ha! "There is nothing more important than what you're doing right now." Put value where you say there is value. If mostly all I have to spend now is time, then I need to spend it where I have placed value. "Jobs will still be there when your kids get older." It's a worthy calling to prioritize the care of your children and home over other demands. Learning where to give "yes" and where to give "no" is a process and sometimes trial and error. "No one is always happy." Don't get caught up in comparing your day, your marriage, or your free time to your 469 friends' social highlight reel. "If it is not fueling contentment, then it's fueling your discontent." I have to limit the amount of time I give our small community's Facebook page. It's more often people complaining than people actually spreading helpful news. "It's OK that this is an adjustment." Something my mom said to me a few months ago was along the lines of You won't regret choosing to be home, but you might regret choosing not to be. While most days I know and feel the gravity of the goodness of this sacrifice, some moments I wish I was doing more. Other times I am so glad to be in PJ's at 8:30 a.m. making homemade muffins, grocery shopping in the middle of the day, or reading a book while J takes his 30-minute nap. Get a friend and speak truth to her. Just as you need encouragement, there's another mom out there, next door, down the office hallway, or across the sanctuary that needs encouragement too. Hit me up for Chick-fil-A or Sonic sometime - I've got gift cards. Jaxson, Your dad and I have prayed for you since before you were born. Even though we've only known you just a few months, you are already living up to your name. Jaxson means "God has been gracious" and Tate means "brings joy." You bring such joy! We can't imagine life without you. We are so honored to be your parents. And like we will often admit to you now, "We don't know what we're doing," but we trust that God will continue to guide us as we parent you. We pray that you will fall in love with Jesus and put your faith in Him at an early age. That God will capture your heart, that you will love His Word and commit to live by it your whole life. We pray that you will point everyone to Jesus by the joy-filled way you live your life, the loving and truthful words you choose to say, and the strong work ethic with which you labor. We pray you will always be willing to listen to correction, be full of integrity, and find your confidence in the Lord. We pray God will use you in your generation to spread His Good News of salvation. We pray that you and your future wife will raise your own family in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Jaxson, we pray you will grow up strong, brave, and bold. Aim high. Shine bright. Love deeply. And know that no matter what, we will always love you. Love, Mom We hope to dedicate Jaxson at Grand Parkway in November. As part of that service, we will get to read (or mom might be crying so someone else will read) our prayer for him. We're looking forward to seeing family and friends who would like to attend - just email me for details. For resources on praying for your kiddos, check out these: Praying for Your Little Prince Praying for Your Little Princess 30-Day Praying for Your Children Challenge I don't want to forget what these first few months of life with a newborn have been like. Firstly and selfishly, because it will keep me content with a family of three for a bit longer. (I love babies!) Secondly, because it's good to remember. To take time to consider the birds. The pain of labor continues to fade. A few weeks after Jaxson was born I was talking to a friend about the birth. She had a lot of questions about what labor and natural delivery felt like. I was honest, but after the conversation I told Marcus, "I wonder if I made it sound too easy?" We forget! What a wonderful blessing that the pain memories fade and the joy memories seem to get brighter. Sometimes, you'll wake up three times a night to feed a hungry baby. Your exhausted delirium picks and chooses when to strike with, "Must be nice to sleep" comments directed at your man. After a feeding, when your baby falls asleep contentedly, you'll stare at him in the dim light not wanting to put him back to bed, not wanting him to grow up. I've already started indoctrinating mine that he has to dance with me at his wedding. Caffeine is effective...on babies. If you lose count and have just a little regular coffee in the morning, just a little tea with lunch, and just a little soda at community group - you may not feel even a little bit more awake. But your baby will. The tale of a stroller in the bathtub, Rice Krispies at 4 a.m., and the missing cantaloupe9/14/2015 What day is it? Oh yeah. Monday. My to-do list is looking pretty good. Nine out of 16 done. Except three of those marked "done" are for the post office, and I didn't actually go yet. But the packages are all packed and labelled. A Stroller in the Bathtub Yesterday, Jaxson and I were enjoying the lovely weather we've been having on the back porch. He was sitting in his new umbrella stroller (courtesy of HEB combo loco!). Then I heard it. EXPLOSION. So glad that didn't happen out in public. There was pretty much poop everywhere except the diaper. So I did what any thinking woman would do. I put the whole stoller in the bath tub and sprayed that thing down! Don't worry, I got the kid cleaned up, too. Rice Krispies at 4 a.m. I'm realizing that I'm actually just as hungry now as I was when I was pregnant! The other night, I could not help myself. I was up for the third time in the night - my little man is a good eater - and I was hearing my name called in the kitchen. If you haven't made peanut butter Rice Krispies here's the recipe. Too good. Just be careful...as Van says, "There's just some food too good to chew." The Missing Cantaloupe If you find yourself googling the words "forgot a cantelope in the car is it safe" you might be just like me. The next thing you google is "cantelope or cantaloupe" because spelling it "c-a-n-t-a-l-o-u-p-e" feels European and complicated. But I'm not letting the 99-cent melon go to waste. It doesn't smell bad, so I'm going to give it a shot. I'll let you know how it goes. So roll with the punches. A little bit of sudsy water and a yummy snack can fix a whole lot. Babies have a strange way of making you more popular with the locals. Yes, there have been a few unwanted closeups at the grocery store. But a few more times than those close encounters with strangers, I've seen how quickly baby J can break the ice in a room and open the door for dialogue. During a recent Post Office visit where two employees were saying things to each other like: "I don't do it like that." "I didn't click that." "Why didn't it work?" Baby J kept the growing line of waiting non-hazardous packages and important envelopes waiting patiently. One woman spoke to him kindly, and he flashed her a grin. She swayed her purse back and forth and spun it around - watching his gaze match its every movement. Cheaply entertained. (Him or us?) Another smiled at his sweet disposition. "Enjoy it while it lasts," she said from their own motherly experience. "It won't be long before he's getting into everything. Touching everything. And putting everything in his mouth." Before baby, I probably would have waited in line without talking to anyone. I'd ignore the comments from others about how long it was taking and about how nice lower humidity was. Now, with an open door everywhere I am with baby J, I hope to share more often. His name is Jaxson which means God has been gracious. He's been gracious with giving me such a precious gift. He's been gracious for changing my heart to see that children are His greatest gift. That they are wealth. He's giving me daily (and nightly) opportunities to put someone else's needs ahead of my own. It's trying. It's refining. I'm learning more than I did in all my years of life before baby J about pause, about small things, about love. So to you married peeps who are on the fence about starting a family. (For what it's worth.) Do it. Go for it. You won't regret it. But I know not everyone is on the fence about when to have kids. I know of several sweet sweet friends of ours who wish they were on the other side of that fence, who are trying to conceive (TTC), trying to adopt (TTA), or trying to foster (TTF). Please know that you are on my heart and in my prayers every single day. If you or someone you know is in this season, would you consider putting their names or initials along with TTC, TTA, or TTF in the comments? I would love to be praying for them as well. |
PodcastListen to devotionals shared at FBCSA MOPS on Kennan's Podbean Podcast channel here.
Marken Media Co.Marcus & Kennan own Marken Media Co. serving the multimedia needs of small businesses. Known by the #devinecolorwall, we strive to foster a space for the community to CREATE • COLLABORATE • CELEBRATE.
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KennanI'm a lover of words. Sometimes I edit, cook, craft, or sing. I'm also a wife and mom. Categories
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