Normal Hips!...

Way to go Murphy!  Yes, today we had Murphy's follow up x-ray and the doctor said his hips were 100% normal.  NORMAL!  That is music to a Mama's ears.  Murphy no longer needs to see an ortho. 

Yay hips!  Way to grow!

So Murphy's hips are good...check!  Now next is Mabel's hips...come on hips...you can deepen that socket...come on we are looking for good news like this next year with Mabel's x-ray!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Mister Murphy officially graduated from the harness today. We are all very excited. I can't explain how happy this makes me. We go back in July to get an X-ray to ensure that hip socket is growing like it should.  Yay Murphy!

So we had a great day after that amazing news. We left the doctors and headed to the toy store. Mabel loves the toy store, she has two local toy stores that are "her" stores. She was trilled to look around, play with the dollhouse, train set, and baby dolls. We stayed for about an hour - and Santa has lots of ideas. Murphy slept pretty much the whole time in the BabyBjorn.

After the toy store we headed to the car so I could nurse Murphy before heading to the playground. I had parked in a little side parking lot planning he'd need a nursing and as we walked to the car I noticed a magical sight...through the trees following a small waking trail there was a playground! Score! Since Murphy was still asleep we checked it out. Oh, happy Mabel!

After some playing we headed to the car for snacks. Murphy nursed and Mabel had fun eating and playing in the car. And then Murphy had biggest poop in history of his diapering career! It went up the back in classic blow-out form. I cleaned him up and changed his clothes. He was so smiley! 
We played a little more at the playground before heading home. Mabel begged for another playground, but Murphy was done. We ate some lunch, played a bit more than off to nap.
The night before Mabel had a night time accident, I was so tired from my bad night of no sleep Zack heard her call, checked on her and cleaned her up, I felt so bad I didn't hear her first call, I woke as Zack wad tucking her back in. She was ok, but this is the first time she had an accident so she was concerned with the whole thing. My little Mabel, she asked me if I made mistakes as a kid, of course everyone does!

So it as always was a little bit of everything today. In the end a great monday with my two sweethearts! Mama & MJ Monday!

Happy Dance...

Dance Murphy Dance!!!!

Good news! Murphy is now down to being in the harness 12 hours a day! That is right, only half the day now and we can choose when. I'm so happy. The ultrasound results were great and the doctor was very pleased with the results from the pavlik harness. He said that the measurements on Murphy's left hip were pretty bad - I forgot to get the numbers, but now they look really good. With our family history (and since Mabel's was so bad) he wouldn't feel comfortable saying good-bye to the harness all together, but he is confident with 12 hours a day. We go back in a month and we have a recheck and hope for a stable hip. Yay! So we have a happy little man and a relieved mama and papa. As the doctor said, "See how good it is when caught early?"

Yes, yes happy news, which is good since after that ultrasound Murphy was not happy - cried for the whole 15 minute wait in the waiting room between ultrasound and doctor...that wasn't fun. The rest of our day went well. After I took Murphy out of the harness I took Mabel outside to playwith Murphy in the BabyBjorn. It was cooler than I realized so we only spent a half an hour out, but she was happy with what she got. He napped and I was able to het some quality play time with Murphy. He is such a happy little guy.

Now Mabel woke well bit she is going through something. She only wants Mama. If Zack tries to do anything for her she yells and demands "I want mama!!!". Everything. Poor Zack it was a long night as she yelled at Zack even when he said he'd make her a little dessert! So the poop hit the fan when come bath time Murphy needed some nursing time - yikes! She cried so hard that she was shaking and Zack tried his best to stay calm, but she made quite the fuss over it all including taking out her braids after he braided them because she thought he'd do one side and I'd do the other - did I mention I've been braiding her hair at might "like Cinderella" and she looks so cute? Anyway needless to say it was a bit of a rough start to the night. Poor Zack and Mabel. On a high note, Murphy slept SEVEN hours...oh boy I better not get use to this! Oh yeah, and I wanted to note that I asked the ortho about using the bumpo seat and if it was ok with his hips and the doctor said it was ok. I've read a lot of conflicting stuff about kids with hip dysplasia and the bumpo seat, he said that it won't do anything to his hips and plus we don't sit him in it too long. I remember when Mabel was little like Murphy in that bumpo...look at her now! Her legs look so long!

Stupid harness...

Yes, I admit the harness is far less work than the cast or even brace that we dealt with when Mabel had her treatments, but even knowing that the harness still sucks!

Poor little man is such a trooper, but he has his limits and today he was not happy. I tried everything the only things that calmed him was the carrier or nursing -any activity other than those he cried and cried. Finally after dinner we gave him some naked time before tubby time and he was so happy! He danced and danced in his little gym. He even reached out and grabbed a toy. My baby is gifted (proud mama). Also I will mention he was reaching and touching my face, when he touched my mouth and I talked he laughed. OK back to the harness woes...Well, one of the shoulder straps on that harness was rubbing his little chest and nipple, even though I put a onesie under it. But he was so happy being naked and in the tub, you couldn't believe his joy when that thing comes off. Well, the worst part was when I had to put it back on. As soon as I took him out of the tub he started to get upset, but didn't cry until I started putting the harness back on. I put a thicker onesie on hoping that protects his chest. The thing is his legs are so strong when he kicks it pulls hard on the shoulder straps and it frustrates him (I don't blame him). So he cried and cried as I strapped that thing back on him. I feel so bad seeing him get so upset. Poor Murphy, tears and everything. I know I have to put it on him to help him, but at the same time I really don't want to. Every time I have to put it back on it kills me. At least with Mabel's cast it was put on by the doctors so we never had to be the jerks that put it on her, when she was in the brace I felt just like this when she fought putting it back on. Oh, come on hip heal...I just hope the doctor has good news for us and we can bid the harness (and harness related tears) good-bye. On a positive note, check out his outfit! Larger onesie and pants compleatly cover the harness but allows his legs to be at the right angle - you'd never know right?

Next ultra sound April 4th. I'm pretty nervous.

Two Months...

Time is moving way too fast. So Murphy turned two months on Thursday and I'm in total disbelief at how quick the last eight weeks have gone. I'm also bummed knowing soon my maternity leave will be over. Leaving Mabel after my maternity leave was up wad one of the hardest things for me (lots of tears) this time I have to leave both of my babies...I may start crying now. Life is unfair sometimes. Yes I'm lucky...blah,blah,blah...I want to be with my babies! Don't get me wrong I like my job, but being with my babies is the best. I've been so happy.

So Thursday mister man posed on the birthday chair for his two month photo and he didn't disappoint, all smiles. I decided to photograph him in his exposed harness, it is part of his story. He is such a sweet baby and I'm so lucky. After his solo photo shoot Mabel woke from her nap. Murphy needed a new onesie to go over his harness - to protect from spit-ups. Mabel chose his Superman onesie and decided that she need her Supergirl costume...my little super heroes! They are both little heroes for sure.

This week has been amazing, the weather has been so nice. We have taken walks every day, Murphy in the babybjorn Mabel on her tricycle. Love it! Wednesday we visited with my step-sister and her little boy for a playdate in their back yard. Poor Mabel was screaming as Ethan chased her laughing all the while, Mabel was so distraught when he chased her - oh the difference between boys and girls. I wonder what Murphy will be like, I also worry what we got ourselves into!

Yesterday Murphy had his two month check up. He us a whopping 11 lbs 4.5 oz! He is getting so big. Yet still so little. He was a champ, all smiles and flirting with the nurse and doctor. They allowed me to nurse him as he got his shots, he only cried a minute and then was fine. He was in such a good mood we all went to lunch with papa after. Murphy sat on papa's lap watching the people and cars outside through the window. Mabel was so trilled! Murphy didn't seem fazed at all by his shots (very different from Mabel) and we went on to have a nice normal day complete with our afternoon bike ride. Papa got to join us too!

Did I ever mention how our upstairs bathroom sink is broken? Well for the last week or so we've been washing our hands and brushing out teeth using the tub. First it wasn't draining, then when I took the trap off we realized it a bigger problem (oldest pipes every) and Zack called hi friend who is a plumber. He replaced parts, snaked the drain and tried to fix it, but after two visits couldn't get it to work right. He said that he had no clue what type of metal that old pipe was made of. He got it seemingly working and said the trap had a small leak, but he'd come back and replace part of the old pipe to fix it. Well, it worked, less a tiny leak at the trap, still not draining well. So we figured ok for now, until we noticed water stains on the living room ceiling! Zack said to me, "Is that new?". I looked up and without thinking said, "Ah shit!". Mabel then said, "Mama, why you said ah shut?". Great right? Good job Lori! Well I acted like nothing, Zack left the room due to laughing so hard and to turn the water off. So it appears all the movement on that old pipe cased it to leak more...classic! I'm telling you, what a bummer. Hopefully Zack's friend will be willing to help us with this, funny how a clogged drain snowballed to this. Just what I needed with my lack of sleep and time. Well, what can you do right? Best I can hope right now is I didn't permanently add the "s" word to Mabel's vocabulary!

Oh well...

I don't think you learn the true meaning of the word tired until you have kids. You also quickly realize you took sleep and free time for granted...oh sleep and free time, please come back! I promise I will never take you for granted again!

So I have referenced my Murphy sleep log app and since the harness his sleep has been getting to be shorter and shorter intervals at night. I'm really disappointed (and unfortunately not surprised). At this point a good night includes a three hour block. Lately he sleeps two to three hours, wakes for about an hour then back to sleep for an hour wakes and typically up an hour to two hours then back to sleep for about 45 minutes. After that it is about when Mabel wakes (6:15). My little man was sleeping some nights about six hours, nurse then sleep for another two! The only words that describe this is: this sucks!

So I'm a sleep deprived zombie complete with black circles around my eyes. I'm a mess. I'm pretty worried about how I am going to manage with going back to work. I mean when I was tired with Mabel if she fell asleep I too could catch a half hour nap or so...not now. Gone are those days, and back then I thought taking care of just her was tough. So here is to looking at the bright side...yes, I do see one - it is all worth it. Yes, I'm tired, but every second I get holding my baby is worth the dark circles and fuzzy brain. Think of the hours of comfort both for baby and me I have been so fortunate to have. I think back to the long sleepless nights with Mabel and yes it was hard (she cried a lot) but I think of how the first time she giggled was during the wee hours of the night as I yawned big while changing her diaper - apparently amusing to her. I guess what I'm trying to remind myself is that this is such a short phase of my life, although it doesn't feel it now, and soon the sleepless nights will lessen and he will someday sleep and I will someday sleep again too, but the bond we are forging will Aleta be there. The trust I'm establishing in him that I respond to his needs, and the cuddles, it all is and will be worth it in the long run. Mabel and I have that bond.

So they may never know how tired I was or what I would do for them as a baby, but hopefully in their hearts will forever be the realization that I love them more than they could ever know.

Monday again...

First of all, the weeks are going too fast. Yesterday Murphy turned 7 weeks. Today I have my check-up. I can't believe he is 7 weeks. He still seems OK with the harness but so much happier when not in it. He will cry when I have to put it back on him after changes and baths. He also seems to have more leaky diapers, coincidence maybe...or maybe he is trying for more out of harness time as I change him. For sleep I've placed him on a wedge and put blankets under is feet so they aren't "floating". Last night he slept first for five hours then another two. I felt great! I won't get used to it though.

My mom watched them in the morning as I went to the doctor. Overall we had a good day, but (cue ominous music here) she woke with a cold. Yep, sick...my biggest fear. So I have a sick Mabel and I'm trying to keep her from getting Murphy sick. Zack is worried now we all will be sick for St. Patricks day. That would be our luck - luck of the Irish right? Well, we will see.

Funny story, tonight at bath time Zack got both kids ready. Mabel was in the big tub and Murphy on the floor in the baby tub. The first time she agreed to tandem tubbies. So I begin washing Murphy then it happened - poop explosion in the tub. He pooped! OK why am I shocked? Believe it or not this never happened with Mabel as a baby. On top of if Mabel was in the tub so we couldn't easily clean and refill the tub...classic. I handed Murphy to Zack to hold as I prepared everything to clean him up and then he peed on Zack. We were laughing so hard! Oh Murphy, is this what we are in for with you? Earlier in the day he had projectile spit up as Mabel and I ate lunch. Right over my shoulder - splat on the floor. I'm so glad we weren't on the couch! After each mishap Mr. Murphy had a big goofy smile. Yeah, it does make it all better.

Crazy boy.

Start of the weekend...

We all had a much better day Friday. Poor Murphy (and poor mama) didn't sleep well again - Thursday night to Friday. He seemed to only be able to sleep two hours before waking crying. Before the harness he would wake and make fussing noises, not cry, but now he just wakes crying. My poor baby. So in the end he and I got only two blocks of two hours...yuck. Zack then took Mabel when she woke and let me sleep since Murphy fell back to sleep when I was in the shower. I got another half hour there. I persevered and went along with my plan for the day. The playcenter.

I've said it before and I will say it again, life is easier with little ones when you have no place you have to go. This wasn't bad, at least we didn't have a time constraint, although I was shooting for 10:00am. I'm the type of person that gets so anxious when I'm going to be late, I get stressed and sick over it! I wish I didn't. Frankly it isn't worth it, but I can't help it. Anyway, with a little bribe...oh, I mean reward of jelly beans Mabel dressed herself and played quietly as I got everything ready including Murphy. Mabel had jelly beans for the first time as dessert on Thursday. She LOVES them. Zack was able to fine vegetarian jelly beans (gelatin free).

Anywho...I successfully got to the playcenter with no drama. Mabel had a blast, she was just so happy to go! We met my step sister there, her little boy was so cute hugging Mabel when he saw her. It is impossible for the two of us to talk much at the playcenter since the kids seem to want to do different things (on top of me being a sleep deprived zombie with dry contacts) but we were able to talk a bit. Murphy was a champ hanging out in the Baby Bjorn, we even ate lunch there. Later she napped great, I even got a half hour!

So yes, good time. My kids are the best!

Things can just spiral...

Mabel is in bed whispering to her dolls, hopefully she will fall asleep soon. I'm nursing Murphy and hoping for sleep! I'm tired. The morning started well enough, but then Mabel had started crying every time Murphy cried and he cried after every diaper or clothing change when I put the harness back on. He also had a diaper malfunction and needed a new outfit, in the middle of it Mabel needed to pee so he was sans harness for about ten minutes and he was so happy, smiling and cooing. That all quickly changed as soon as I started to put the harness back on he freaked. Very similar to how he is when he wants to nurse but I change him instead. He cries pretty hard, read face, tears the whole nine yards - he does calm down, but with Mabel crying right along side that...well it made for a very long morning.

To add to the fun, Mabel also was yelling at me all morning too, also not listening. She refused to get dress saying she wanted different clothes and then finally chose her outfit after a huge tantrum. Mind you I was only trying to get her dresses for the walk/bike ride SHE really wanted. She wouldn't come with me when i needed to tend to Murphy. She really wanted to go outside, but I had a hell of a time getting her to just get dressed.

When I finally got them ready to go out, I was struggling with her again as Zack got home to visit. Now he probably thinks every day is like this - which it isn't, I promise you!

It is so nice out today, I thought it would be good to get some air and exercise, innocent right? How did it spiral out of control? We did finally get out and take a walk with Murphy in the Baby Bjorn and Mabel on her tricycle. The walk did us good...why did the fresh air make me sleepier but not her? That girl. Sometimes she just digs her heals in and decides all answers are "NO!" and she can't talk without yelling and stomping and crying. It is like she is three years old or something! (ha ha) I will admit I was not at my finest today in response, between being so tired plus the guilt I feel putting the harness back on Murphy as it feels like he is crying seemingly begging me not to...well, it just made me less patient than normal, perhaps she was responding to all that, I don't know.

She is asleep, it is quiet! maybe I will luck out and get to lay down...who am I kidding, right?

Meet Murphy...

Well, it has been a little while since I've updated this blog, Mabel's hips are still doing well, although the left still needs to deepen, but that's a whole different story. We've been busy - biggest news is we have a beautiful son! He is the sweetest little guy. Born January 22nd. When he was born his hips were checked and through exam considered normal, but my husband and I decided before he was ever born that no matter what we wanted to request an ultrasound to know for sure if this baby's hips were OK or not. After Mabel's situation of hip dysplasia with a dislocated hip that went undiscovered until she was over eight months, we didn't want to take any chances. We wanted the option of early treatment.

The only risk factor Murphy had was our family history. That was it. Being a boy made him less likely to have hip dysplasia, as well as being born head down and being second born. These were pointed out to us several times. We were hopeful that the odds were in our favor! But I insisted on the ultrasound anyway. At two weeks old we headed to the hospital for an ultrasound. I was surprised it was scheduled so early, even the tech said it was early, but during the exam he saw the left socket was shallow with a slipping joint. I was so disappointed. I knew that they would probably require use of the pavlik harness. At Murphy's one month well baby check-up I asked his pediatrician about the ultrasound report and get this, it never got transferred! She had it transfers asap and after review by the end of the day we were referred to the ortho. I guess if you look on the bright side, we have a great ortho that we know and have a relationship with, so it was less scary to me knowing that. I was anxious just the same and so very disappointed that my son even needed any of this.

So, Murphy had his appointment with the orthopedic yesterday morning and he indeed does have a shallow left hip socket as reported. The ortho said it isn't obvious with the physical exam, but clear using the ultrasound. So as I assumed (and feared) he prescribed a pavlik harness to be worn 24 hours less bath. I called the orthodic center and took the first appointment at 2:30. We went to the orthotic center and he was fitted with a pavlik harness. He is a trooper and doesn't seem bothered too by it. I've already figured out my method of dress is onesie under the harness with a large sleeper over it. To me covering the harness is essential, he spits up and I need to keep the harness clean. You can barely tell he's wearing it.

He's still smiling so that makes me happy. I'll be honest, I'm upset and disappointed that he has hip dysplasia and has to wear this, I'm trying to look on the bright side and be positive. Perspective is this, we caught it early - thank god I insisted on the ultrasound even after they didn't feel anything in the exam. Also, this is better than the spica cast and he can still have a bath and we have permission to remove the boots during diaper changes. I have to be thankful for all that!

Well, we go back in a month for another ultrasound and check up - wish us luck that it will be good then and maybe we will be done with the harness or at the very least the doctor will reduce wear time. Funny thing is now we have been at both ends of the hip dysplasia diagnosis, early detection (harness) and late diagnosis (surgery & spica), guess we are just lucky that way. We make cute kids, just not so good at making the hips!

Look at that little guy...breaks my heart, I mean he loves moving and dancing. He just really discovered the dancing and playing in his gym. He will again i know all that stuff. He just kicked his little legs all the time and just loved to stretch them out. I mean even in my belly he had those legs going all the time! Hopefully this corrects soon, I'm trying not to get down about this...I promise I'll stay positive, I mean compared to Mabel's treatment I really shouldn't even say boo! But the reality is that it is always hard seeing your baby in something like this, even when in the big picture it is minor. The things I want to vent about in my wallowing state: I hate how chubby and squat it makes him look, he's tall and lean. I also am bummed knowing he has some clothes I love that he will probably out grow before he is out of this thing. I admit these are petty and stupid, but I'm allowing myself this pity time. So I accept it all and will continue to be thankful (I mean we've been through worst, right?).