Now on to updates to fill you all in!
1. We found out over the holidays that our lucky fin will become a BIG BROTHER! That's right, we are expecting baby number 2 due in July. We are overwhelmed with joy and can't wait to see how big brother reacts to his little sibling. He does so well with other kids that I'm sure he won't have any problems :) (fingers crossed at least!)
2. Surgery update: (see Finger Surgery for a more detailed summary)
I know it have been a few months since he got his cast off and we have been able to see progress. I was shocked at what an amazing job the doctor did. I don't know why seeing as he does this surgery all the time but still. As a mom I think you prepare for the worst so that if it's not perfect you're ok with it and not disappointed. Needless to say my mind was blown. The surgeon did a fantastic job and Jude seemed to love his new fingers!
3. Cast removal day:
Everyone who ever had a child in a cast warned us that this was going to be traumatic. That he wouldn't handle it well and I would cry and dad would have to be the tough one to hold the little man. Well that was not quite the case. My son. My brave and courageous son didn't even shed a tear! (nor did mom for those who are wondering ;)) Yes, the machine that cuts the cast off freaked him out a little because it was so loud but he didn't even cry and dad didn't have to hold on too tightly so he wouldn't get away. I was very proud of my boy :)
After they took the cast off and removed the gauze they washed and cleaned everything up so we could see what it looked like. At this point Jude was in awe of his new fingers. - Keep in mind he is only 1 at this point. - He kept looking at them, moving and wiggling them (so adorable!) and touching them to see what was going on. It was priceless! That's what brought tears to my eyes.
4. Post cast removal:
This was rough. Again, people told me all their advice and I appreciated it because I knew what to expect. His arm was weak and he was not happy about it at all.
Side note: Jude took his first steps at 11 months but continued to crawl regardless.
So because his arm was so weak and he was used to crawling with this big ole arm cast on he was getting frustrated. We were also told not to let him use it too much seeing as it would get very sore and painful for him if we did. This was hard and every time he would try to crawl, fall and then just cry on the floor it broke my heart. As a mom, if you are one, I'm sure you can imagine this. I would run over, scoop him up and tell him it was going to be alright.
Well for those of you that don't know my son is very independent and rarely likes to cuddle or hug and wants to be on his own. So each time I would pick him up and calm him down he would want right back down and we would do it all over again. This process didn't last long because he was determined to learn to walk all the time. This made me very nervous because when we would fall, he would have to catch himself with his arms, one which was still very weak. But I think it's safe to say that because of his weak arm, he did everything in his power not to fall and rarely did! It was rather impressive.
5. Few months later:
We are now at 3 months after surgery and no more cast and he is doing great! Back to using both hands for everything and has no issues what so ever. We are very happy with how the doctors separated his fingers and now are not as worried for the next surgery!
6. What's next?:
As of right now his right hand is scheduled for surgery in February but that one will be less extensive and less time in the operating room. For his left hand (the one that was just operated on); he may need more surgeries later on as he grows but for now, we are done with that hand! Yay!
I have a few pictures for everyone. There are surgery before and after pictures as well as just some other funs ones over the last few months :)
3 months after surgery
He clearly did not like Santa!
I just love this one <3
His new favorite toy that he got for Christmas!
Getting to see his new fingers for the first time!
Have a Blessed Day!
