Week 3

I have decided that after three weeks of being spica parents, we've earnt the right for a small vent... just a small one, and just because we are dog tired, but be warned ...

Being a spica parent is hard. Of course we are thanking the universe for all the good things that are happening in our lives.  The way Boo has adapted to her cast.  That a dislocated hip is not life threatening and is fixable.  That Boo is so young she won't even remember any of this.

But here's some realities for you...

1. Boo stinks - literally.  Of course we can't get her cast wet, so she gets a a sponge bath from her chest up, and a hair wash.  But imagine wearing tight fitting clothes and not washing for three weeks, gross.  The truth is that my beautiful princess pongs.
2. Boo is contipated.  Because she's not moving around, her digestive system isn't at it's best.  Constipation and a tight cast = a very unsettled and unhappy Boo.
3. Boo is not sleeping very well.  Which means Mama and Dada are not sleeping well, which in turn leads to a tired grump spiral especially when you add in points 1 and 2 above. 
4. People look at us funny in the street.  We're so tired we probably look like P addicts so I thought perhaps I should hang a sign around Boo's neck saying 'My Mama and Dada didn't hurt me, I've just got a bung hip"
5. Boo is getting frustrated.  Although she's adapted well, she still wants to be busy and play with J.  Instead she has taken to pointing and squealing.  Add a little of this to point 3 above and you have a lovely recipe for a happy family.

Nine weeks to go and counting...

1000 words

Who says a picture is worth 1000 words? Boo's vocabulary stretches to about a dozen words at the moment, two of which are 'Bob' and  'Builder'. 

Two weeks down, Ten to go, post op scan and xray looked good... we're doing ok.

In times of need

Aren't kiwis great?  Whether it's an earthquake, flood or sick child, New Zealander's always seem to rally round and help each other out.  I have been overwhelmed by all the help and love that we've had over the last week.  Thank you.

Things are going well.  Admittedly there have been a few challenges, but for the most part the last week could be described as a learning experience as oposed to the traumatic experience  I was expecting.

Here are some of the things we've learnt:

1.  It's worth setting up health insurance for your kids as soon as they are born.  We've been able to fast track Boo's surgery by going private.  Although the hospital isn't specifically set up of kids, the novelty of having children there meant that Boo got extra care and attention.  We had so much help in the hospital with nurses popping in to help JF and I and check up on Boo.  We've even had calls from the nurses to check we're all coping at home. 

2.  People care.  As soon as Boo was diagnosed our GP called to make sure we were ok, and to apologise for not picking up the problem himself.  Boo's kindergarten have offered loans of toys, music, books and the teachers have asked to come and visit.  Friends have dropped in with meals for the family, gifts for Boo and J, and offers of help.

3.  Children are incredibly resilient.  Everyone told us that Boo would cope better than us, but it's hard to believe until you see it.  She is frustrated at not being able to reach her toys or chase her brother, but apart from that Boo has taken her new blue legs in her stride and is carrying on as normal.

4.  You can get a spica child into a swing.  JF has this one sussed... I suspect he used a 'don't try this at home' kind of trick.

Boo in blue

Whilst I've been eating chocolate cake, Boo has been the bravest little girl in all of Island Bay.   After a frenetic 36 hours, Boo is tucked up in bed asleep, I've got a wine, and all is well with the world.

Boo had her surgery yesterday.  After a couple of hours Mr T came in to tell us all had gone well and her hip was back where it should be.  Half an hour after that we got our Boo back - with blue legs to match her pretty blue eyes.

She's been a bit like a teenage girl - happy, sad, happy, sad.  Can't blame her really, I'd probably be like that if I woke up and couldn't use my legs.  She's pretty amazing though, we're already seeing our cheeky little girl back and if you'd seen her sitting in her bean bag tonight helping herself to fish and chips for dinner you'd not know she'd just had surgery.

One hurdle over.  Three months of quality time with Dad coming up!