We made it a week!

...

Here's to celebrating the milestones. 

We have officially made it through one week post surgery with Annie in her Spica cast. While we are definitely starting to get a little groove going, I would be lying if I told you it hasn't been a challenging, long week. It sure feels nice to have a whole week behind us.

We have been almost completely glued to home minus a quick escape here and there to our neighborhood park. My kids are really struggling with it... can't you tell? It would seem that Mr. homebody is quite the man of leisure.

Our biggest initial hurtles surrounded Annie's pain management. One day post surgery seems like the perfect time to cut a tooth, no? Teething, coupled with some minor muscle spasms and overall frustration with limited mobility made for a lot of night waking. It was pretty much in line with a having a newborn again...only I couldn't really fix it with food this go around.

One plus... 

I did get a lot of snuggles. While bulkier and often with a foot in my face, we can still have a great cuddle fest. I am so thankful. . 

Annie also started sleeping in her new room right from the hospital because we had more space to change her cast, better lighting, bigger bed for her wide stance, etc. She currently sleeps with a little pillow under her upper body and each foot resting on an individual little beanie pillow that we can move to best alleviate cast pressure. While she adjusted to it instantly, I might have stared at our video monitor the entire first night. 

Annie has gained about 15-20 lbs in her plaster cast. That's taken some adjusting. Luckily, each cast should get a little lighter, I'm told. My back might have missed the memo to prepare a little more this go around and I definitely strained some muscles lifting her wrong at the hospital. Have I mentioned how steroids are magical? 'Cause... they are. It has been the only thing to help with the inflammation and allow me to bend and tie my shoes. It was pretty anxiety inducing for a bit but, I am so thankful Mr. Muscles was home a good chunk of this week. I have a pretty awesome co-parent, just saying.

We struggled a bit with the not pooing for a couple days due to surgery pain meds... which of course I tried to fix with some prunes... which ultimately greeted us with a 4am wake up to a poop filled body cast. 

IT.WAS.EVERYWHERE. 

Let's be honest... it probably still is. There was absolutely no possible way we got it all out of there. After cleaning it for an hour and a half in the middle of the night, a little heated, rated R whispering between a pair of groggy, four-eyed monsters---we decided our cleaning would just have to suffice. 

Annie's going to be smelling really pretty in about 5 weeks, no? 

In terms of diapering...we sort of have no system yet. We are trying all different methods to see which seems to work best. Right now we are pretty settled with a poise pad tucked in the opening of the cast, size 1 or 2 diaper --depending on swelling--- (tabs cut off) tucked behind that in the cast and then a size 5 on the outside of the cast. We have yet to have another blow out and we are beyond due for one as we are currently three days sans poo again. BUT. I feel confident this might be the right diapering for this cast. 

Aside from our hairdryer with a cool setting and pillow pet on the changing table... our best ever item for diapering has been our trusty spatulas...

Just when we think there is no possible way we could clean out more poop... or better fit a diaper in a cast... this little rainbow striped magic just proves us wrong.

Seriously, fellow Spica families... get you one.

We have had some awesome love surrounding us this past week and are beyond grateful. Our parents helped with maintaining home life for our other Mays, kept our fridge stocked and our bellies full at the hospital. Neighbors and friends have all pitched in with meals, play dates and big kid transport. Every time I think about it, I tear up. We couldn't be blessed with a more amazing community. If there is anything I hope to teach my children as they grow is to be the type of person that seeks to serve others. It is absolutely the most beautiful way to show love.

Our beloved Whitehead family gifted us with an Amazon gift card which allowed for us to purchase this fantastic umbrella stroller for Annie.

It is perfect for her cast... and will be a great umbrella stroller for life after cast too. For those researching all things Spica... it is THIS stroller. Any fear I had about it's comfort was completely erased on our first escape to the park...

She sure looked pretty comfy to me..

I've really been able to flex my crafty brain this week, and if you know me at all...that is probably the best way I calm my nervous, mama heart. I love projects that force me to think outside the box. And while I still feel overwhelmed and nervous at times, looking through the pictures, I am reminded that we are going to be just fine.

This little miss (sporting some AWESOME sibling graffiti) is nothing short of amazing.

Week 16... we're coming for you.