CAST PARTY!

BEFORE

 AFTER

Dan was away on business but made it back in town just in time to meet me at her appointment. Not only was it super helpful to have him lift her around, she adores her Daddy! Tess giggled and giggled as the cast was cut off. Then tears came as she started to scratch her leg and we realized she had some pretty bad rashes. The doctor told us her everyday life would be enough physical therapy however, it will take some time for her to be able to run again. She was instructed to take lots of baths/swim and take it as slow as she wants. She has a 2 week and a 6 week follow-up appointment and then we just have to watch her over the next year to make sure the growth plate is stimulated and her leg doesn't turn out.

Tess has been incredible over the past 6 weeks. She hardly ever complained and stayed her normal cheerful self! I was worried she would be scared to put any weight on her leg but she was doing that within 24 hours! I think she'll be running before her 6 week follow-up!!!

Spring Break

We had a very low key Spring break this year since Tess still couldn't get around very easily and I needed to "take it easy". We stayed home but did some fun things each day.

Dying eggs with our cousins

Playing with friends

Jake and Agustin

Agustin is in Jake's 1st grade class and they are best buddies! Jake laughed the entire time they were together.

Abby's reaction to seeing Wesley McKinstry at the park...I was laughing while taking this picture.

Easter Egg Hunt with Friends

Abby was so excited after opening her first egg and finding candy inside! 

I put an egg up in one of the trees...I was proud to see Jake climbing the tree going after it!

In the time it took took Tess to hobble over and pick up one egg all the eggs were collected. She was pretty disappointed and I felt really bad for not staying with her and helping her. So I promised her another egg hunt later that week.

Easter weekend Bonnie and James blessed Samuel. On Friday Hollie and Cris came to stay with us while Grandma and Grandpa Larry stayed at the Warners. We had a great time with Hollie and Cris! We took the kids to the park Saturday morning, then headed to Red Robin for lunch, and ended the day with a bon-fire at Little Bennett with everyone.  As soon as we got to the camp ground I took off hiding easter eggs for the kids. This time Tess was very successful!

Grandma had the kids laughing so hard! 

Sunday we hosted Easter dinner. It was fun to extend our table all the way to fit 10 adults around it!
Per request of Donna-- here is a lovely picture of my rather large belly at 28 weeks,  Hollie at 31 weeks, and sweet six week old baby Samuel. (I am carrying this girl soooo low, can ya tell!!!)

The Verdict...

is in, the cast stays on for another two weeks. 

Even though Tess loves having a colorful leg she was hoping 4 weeks in this cast would be long enough. No such luck for my sweet red-head. We have done lots and lots of crafts indoors but with the weather being so nice we've had to improvise with ways to entertain her and enjoy the sun.

We've had picnics on blankets and used up our bucket of side-walk chalk.  

My all time favorite is watching her dig in the dirt and play with her rock collection, she has 34 rocks!

 We tested her rocks with vinegar to find out which ones were limestone. 

When we venture to the park she spends her time doing this...

She is a pro at pumping herself and getting super-duper high! 

Tess's good friend Spencer McKinstry broke his leg a week before she did.  It was fun to watch them the first day they saw each other, both in their wheelchairs, comparing notes. His cast was bright orange and he is now trying to build back the muscle in his leg now that his cast has come off. Jill (his mama) has been so helpful and understanding. My pregnant belly has complicated things and she has come to my rescue many times!

The Orthopedic doctor helped to clarify something for me today. I thought Tess had broken her bone right ON her growth plate but he said that actually-- that would have been better than what really happened. The break is right next to the growth plate, below the knee. He told me we will have to watch her over the next year to see if her leg continues to heal and grow as it should. Apparently 1 in 4 children who have this same break end up needing surgery a year or two after the break to correct the leg from growing the opposite direction from the knee down. Not exactly calming-my-nerves- kind of news but I really do think Tess will be one of those 3 kids who do just fine!!!