I told Scout that once he knew how to go to the bathroom all by himself, he could go back to preschool. Wouldn’t you know that my overachiever was doing it by himself the very next try. Not even two days later he got his cast off, and I walked around the corner to see him tackling this big thing. I asked him if it was hard, and he said it was, butt if he wanted to go back to school, he needed to learn how. I really am in constant amazement by this guy. I have always heard the phrase that kids are resilient, but this is off the charts.
Dash already has Nonnie love.
He knows her hands, when she grabs for his.
And then he likes to take charge and hold hers back.
These two were destined to be each others Valentines.
Valentine’s Day was very exciting this year.
It was also very busy, so I woke Micah up with breakfast in bed.
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And we munched on some tasty cookies from Royal to Navy. He brought them over and asked her to be his Valentine. If she wouldn’t have said yes, I would have — just to get a hold of those delicacies.
After getting ready, we headed to ABC Prechool. It was Scout’s first day back (as an observer and to show off his legs to his buddies), and Navy had her very first preschool performance. They sang love songs for V Day, and I died over her when she walked in a circle and sang, “If you don’t walk as most people do. Some might walk away from you. But I won’t….I won’t.” She did a really good job of shaking her head no during the “I won’t” part.
Then they each passed out their Valentines to the other kids. Scout needed a bit of help, but went right along with everything like not a day had passed.
Obviously he was stoked to be back, and picked up right where he left off. And all of those sweet kids were so nice, helpful and excited to see him. It was a happy reunion.
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After the cupcakes, the kids went out back to play a bit. I was in a conversation, and someone helped him out. Keep in mind that the doctor told us it would be 2-3 weeks before he was stumbling around. So you can imagine my utter amazement when less than 24 hours after he got his cast off, I looked over to see him walk into the house by himself.
And I am not talking 3 feet — it was at least 25 feet he walked. And he wasn’t holding anything. He was trying to make it to where the class was gathering to sing their goodbye song.
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He made it, sang it with them and insisted on walking out by himself.
I was FLOORED!
Literally FLOORED.
I scrambled to get my video camera out to catch it, and luckily caught a few seconds.
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As soon as we got into the car, we called Micah to tell him.
And then we told him to come down from his office to say hello.
As he came out of the front door, we told him to stop. Then I let go of Scout’s hand, and he walked all the way to Micah. I was video taping next to my mom. We both knew Micah had to be bawling because we were both emotional.
It was one of the sweetest scenes I have ever seen.
When we got into the car, my Mom asked Scout, “Scout, how did you know you could walk?”
He said, “Because I am the boss of my own legs. And I choosed to walk.”
What a great lesson from my triumphant little boy.
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We finished the night off with Micah making dinner for all of his Valentines.
And that lucky guy has a LOT!
The salmon was amazing on this beautifully set table.
We also opened gifts from each other and Seth and Brett’s family.
And of course — B made her special little Valentine’s Day perfect!
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There was a whole lot of love flying around this year on our Valentine’s Day.
This year we went all out.
We made heart crayons for everyone at preschool.
Scout was glad he is in the same “school” as everyone he gave his cards to.
(Thanks Megan for doing these for me!)
Navy asked, “‘Can’ you be my Valentine?”
And the kid’s favorite part was glittering these heart boxes to pass out to some of their favorite people.
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I am not a hug lover of crafting because I always think my stuff looks SO homemade, and I would rather buy something cute. But crafting with my kids is a total blast, and we are all game when the kid’s table comes out and we get our hands dirty.
When I bought Scout’s “This Is The Best Day Ever” shirt, I did because he says that phrase often. Little did I know, that the first time he would wear it — really would be one of the best days ever!
After swimming, we all went to sushi for Scout’s Cast Off Party. Obviously we had presents for the occasion…
Scout is a boy who absolutely LOVES a long bath, and had almost ten weeks without one. So we wanted him to bath in style with bath colors and tub crayons. And for the pool, he got a new water gun.
This goopy-eyed boy (due to a clogged tear duct that we have been through two medicines for) was loving the party. Especially Auggie who was sitting right next to him and giving him so much attention.
This girl was loving the party also — especially the food.
But nobody liked it more than this sweet boy. Even the waiter was excited for Scout and surprised him with a sundae.
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We are all so excited to see him out of that thing.
Today really was the “best day ever”!
The day actually came!
And here it is….
Here is Scout giving me a thumbs up and a #1 because we are in the orthopedist’s waiting room.
We were surprised in the morning with a visit from Chloe and Megan. Needless to say, I was stoked! So Chloe came with us and was on Dash duty.
Scout, as always, was excellent during his X-rays. I was anxious to see what the verdict was. Once the doctor came and the X-ray tech said, “He’s cooked”, I knew it was officially the day Scout’s Santa Suit was coming off.
And here is the doctor sawing away. While he was sawing, he said, “Usually when I am removing a cast, I am almost gagging the smell is so bad. this is the cleanest cast I have ever seen!” And it literally was. There was absolutely NO stench, and it was almost spotless inside. Apparently I did a bang up job after he threw up down the whole thing. Because I kid you not — it was as clean as can be.
After the sawing came the cracking him like a lobster.
Here he is … as content as can be.
Once the hard shell was off, all of the padding was still there and the doctor told us to cut it off and left. If you want to know the truth, it was a little bizzare. but it was kind of fun to be part of the whole ordeal.
This was the scene once we got inside. He had some scaly skin that had gone darker because it was dead. But the big kicker was his “man hair”. Under his knee there was a patch of darker and longer hair. He thinks it looks like a man, and asked his dad to stop shaving his legs so they could match. I told Scout they could match if I shaved his, but he likes it. Whatever!
This is Scout’s first look at his legs in a long time. And his personal trophy was the stick that was between his legs. The doctor cut it off, and he got to have it.
Remember when I said his cast was basically spotless? It was except the one dollar coin that was stuck in it!
Here he is without his cast!
And here is his cast without him!
We now have his cast at home where we display it proudly.
Can you imagine what the house cleaners think of us? First urine bottles, and now a used body cast?
The process wore our little Dash out. Thank goodness Chloe was there to hold him.
The very first order of business was to get his swimming suit on because out jacuzzi had already been turned on.
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So we put him in his stroller and got some advice from the doctor. He said to take it really easy and “it isn’t going to be a cake walk from here.” He said it would be 2-3 weeks before he would be up and stumbling around, and to not rush things. Then he looked right at Scout and said, “Hey buddy, you are the boss. You are the boss of your own leg. If you want to do it, you can. If something is hurting, you stop. You are the boss.”
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In the car on the way home, Scout started saying, “I’m the boss. First we are going to go swimming, and then we are going to have popsicles and then…..” We quickly reiterated what the doctor said and told him he was the boss — but only of his leg!
Swimming was first on the agenda. This is his first moments of the big dip.
His dad went in with him and they were checking out his skin. And let’s just say that I’m glad the pool automatically filters because he came out with a smooth leg after his two-hour jacuzzi stint.
Navy and Chloe joined in on the festivities. Chloe is trying to help Navy get goggles on that Megan bought her. Of course Megan brought up gifts for the occasion, because that sister of mine always does!
Scout picked up right where he left off. He was picking up dive toys off the bottom of the spa within minutes.
Here he is trying to kind of stand on his leg. He was very wobbly, but with the help of his arms got up.
(By the way, he wanted to wrestle his dad later at night, like old times, and Micah was blown away at his upper body strength. He said he has gotten really strong. I guess 9 1/2 weeks of working them out did his muscles good!)
Here is Icka trying to help Scout stand. Throughout the whole cast, she tried to help a ton and I guess she is keeping up with her ways.
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We are so thrilled with Scout’s enthusiasm and good nature. He knew it would be a while before he was back to normal, and he is just going through things with a smile on his face. I was so disappointed to see his leg 2 cm shorter. I knew it would be the case all along, and the next 6 months of healing should even them out. But Scout being the trooper that he is really overshadowed everything.
Nice work Scout, and I am glad your legs are back!
After 2 1/2 months of scooting, 300 urine-filled bottles, a mother’s sore back, and a whole lot of patience on all ends…….
we are only 4 hours away!
It is a happy day.
Nice Grandma Hair!
Remember that we have forgone real haircuts for the last 2 1/2 months so he doesn’t have stray hair down his cast.
WHOA — it has gotten long, and a bit ridiculous.
Do you think this boy is beyond happy?
The clear answer is YES!
He is so excited that tomorrow at the time this picture was taken — he will be cast free!
I feel like it is surreal!
I already told Micah that if the doctor was to tell me that he doesn’t get it off tomorrow, I am going to break down!
We are all WAY too excited to get our bubble burst!
Let’s all cross our fingers that everything goes beautifully!
This sweet boy turned in his crib for the first time. He started at the 12:00 position, and ended up in the 9:00 position. Don’t judge that his outfit isn’t snapped up. Because I didn’t judge Micah on that one!
He’s getting big! And the bigger he gets, the sweeter he becomes.
We went to our new ward today. There were good things, and bad. But that is probably because I have a good attitude, and bad! It will end up great, I am sure. But on my Mom’s way home, she was asking Icka if she knew anyone in her class. Both of them were trying to go through some names, and then Navy put her heads up on her head and said, “Nonnie, I don’t get it. My head is just not figuring it out for me. My head isn’t working. I don’t know who is in my ward and who isn’t.” My mom was cracking up, and after a few more minutes, she then raised her hands in defeat and said, “It’s just a new ward!”
Sometimes I am amazed that she only turned three a few weeks ago.
And because of this new ward, Icka has created her latest classic Ickaism.
Anytime she likes someone, she tells them, “Aahhh, you are in my ward.”
But the times she is annoyed by someone, she says, “Well, you are not going to be in my ward!”
This morning, her Dad told her something that made her happy, and she responded with, “Daddy….you get to be in my ward!”
I think it was the equivalent of, “Daddy….you are nice and I like you.”
So all day long, she walks around and tells people if they are in her ward, or if they didn’t make the cut.
I am glad to report….
I am ALWAYS in her ward!
Poor Ka, who has been having a tough time getting the invite.
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