Two of Kiera’s comments before her first hair cut-
“Wanna see the rats (rats nest) in my hair?”
“When I want my hair long again I will just pull on it.”
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Before casted immobility:
During casted immobility:
After Kiera’s first hair cut due to casted immobility (view of the back of her head):
Finally some clean hair and a watermelon sucker! Yum!
Rockstar number one!
Rockstar number two (the one in the belly). Almost 34 weeks. Self portrait silhouette.
Resting today with Kiera I was trying to decipher something she was saying in her sleep… I wasn’t giving much thought to it because I too was trying to sleep. When she awoke, she looked at me with her bright eyes and repeated what she had been mumbling all nap…
“Don’t worry Mom, it (the broken bone) will grow!” After she exclaimed this she turned her head and continued sleeping.
Oh sweet girl, if more people in this world had your heart, spirit, and energy- the world would be in a much better spot. Keep healing my love!
After lots of paper work, doctor’s visits, physical therapists’ visits, a nutritionist, etc… we were able to bring sweet Kiera home. We are equipped with a wheel chair and a device to keep her safe in the car. There is no actual car seat, just lots of straps. She lays down flat on the back seat with the regular seat belts through the straps.
Coming home without all the hospital help was a bit daunting, perhaps more than I thought, but again feel so blessed for all those who are around us.
Here are some pictures to finish off the night.
Wagon rockin’ rock star!
Zannie trying to brush Kiera’s hair. It was (still is) a tangled mess:(
Wiped out
Go Obama! Watching the inaguration.
Kiera chillin’ in her wheelchair
Not a good depiction of her “car seat”- but here Kiera is laying flat in the back seat of the car with her full body harness strapped into the regular seatbelts.
Kiera around 7pm with “her new best friend”. No hopping, scooting, walking, etc. Kiera will just be “hanging out” on the couch for the next 6 weeks!
Kiera was put under general anesthetic mid afternoon and accompanied by Papa and Child Life Specialist Johanna, was wheeled away to get her new, pink, best friend (at least best friend for the next 6 weeks!)
Doctor Gordon said things went well and one hour and a half later one groggy Kiera made it back up to her room on the peds floor. “Wanta see it,” she drearily questioned as we met her at the door. She quickly fell into a deep sleep and upon waking was thrilled to eat nummies, drink real pop, AND watch a special show (and it wasn’t even on PBS!) Her request for nummies from the co-op from Mama Julie? Dried mango and purple grapes. Quite the splurge:)
Helping her go potty in bed without getting the cast wet is quite the process and making sure we don’t feed her too much is top priority. There is only a little bit of expansion room between the cast and her belly. The nurse said, “Oh, you won’t have a problem with that. Most toddlers don’t eat very much anyway.” Martin and I just looked at each other and laughed. “Ahhh… you don’t know Kiera. She has been known to consume 3 bratwursts at a time,” we said!
After some visits from friends, her I.V. removal, and even a little wagon ride, Kiera has been sleeping pretty soundly since 9pm. Keeping the pain meds in her, even with the cast, is pretty important. Once her pain kicks in she is pretty uncomfortable.
We feel blessed for all the love and support we have been given. Thank you for all your energy, thoughts, prayers, and food. As I type Kiera and Martin are resting. Kiera in her hospital bed and Martin on a not so grown-up sized sleeping couch. Baby Sprout is kicking about right now, thankful for the berry fruit popsicle I just ate in 2 bites (ok, maybe 3!) We are all together, safe and warm. What else could a mama ask for?
Martin, Sarah, Kiera, and baby sprout
