Club Foot Update

I switched to Shriner's when we came back from Italy. They're just better. Period. They're more professional, more friendly, more helpful, more encouraging. . . They're doing basically the same treatment, and yet I walk away each week with a baby who is not freaking out.

So, two weeks ago she had a cast on her left leg. Then last week, she had a cast on each leg. (They offered to cast the right leg once since her forefoot turns in a little and we're casting anyway; I decided to err on the side of caution and go for it.)

Last night, I couldn't resist taking a picture of her during her sponge bath - her casts looked like sassy little boots. Check her out, trying to roll over. (She's done it a few times!)
Today we got the new brace. It's still a brace, and Hazel wails while it's being put on, and occasionally when she remembers that it's there and her feet are stuck, but I am floored by how much better she's reacting so far. As in. . . she's eating. Last time she skipped three meals before finally giving in. And . . . she's sleeping. Before, she would only sleep when she crashed from exhaustion, and someone had to be holding her or she'd wake up in ten minutes, screaming.

To reward her/pacify her/make me feel better/take our minds off the trauma of the day we did a couple of fun and out of the ordinary things. It made it so at the end of the day, when I was getting Hazel ready for bed and talking to her about her favorite parts of the day, I actually had some good events to insert into the "conversation."

Hazel got a new dress and sunhat from the Baby Gap Outlet in Park City:
And when we got home, I unearthed our outside blanket and The Haz and I relaxed under the trees in the yard, enjoying the blessed spring weather. It was Hazel's first time hanging out in the great outdoors without moving - just hanging out, not going anywhere. And I'm pretty darn sure she liked it.
Here she is, in all her glory, in the new brace. I'm feeling really lucky/thankful/blessed that so far, Hazel's doing well. Keep your fingers crossed for her! Seriously, guys, pray for us for the next few days. I'm still nervous. But I think we'll be okay.