Ashlee Update....she is setting some new infant "style" trends!!

If you were to ask Ashlee and she could speak..she would tell you that gauze and velcro are the new trend in fashion this spring and that white is the hot shade to wear!

Club Feet Status: 
Her feet are looking AWESOME!!  She has responded to the casting very well and this should be her last week..however we are doing one additional week to prolong surgery so we can travel to South Texas to see family.   Below are some pictures from week 1 and week 4 to show improvement. This is week 4...and they originally told us it might take 8 weeks.   

Her surgery (tenotomy)  is slated for Thursday 3/18.  It is a minor surgery and usually out-patient prcedure, but since she is so young, they will perform it at the hospital and keep her over night to monitor and make sure all is well and no effects from the anaesthetics.  We are not happy that she has to go under for the surgery...but we know it has to be done.  At least we will be at the hospital and closely monitored.

                                                               

While seeing the orthopedic for her feet, he also had concern for her hips.  They felt a tad loose early on..so suggested at 6 weeks we go get an ultrasound done.  Hence the newest discovery.......Hip Dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia Update:

 With this newest discovery revealed on Monday, we had to wait until Ashlee's weekly orthopedic appt on Wednesday to talk to the doctor and understand the results and next steps.  Her left hip is excellent, it is her right hip that has the dysplasia.  However, the doctor has told us it is VERY mild and I personally think it would have gone undetected had we not already been seeing an orthopedic.  On a scale of 1-10 he said it was a 1.5...so very mild indeed.  Most mild hip dysplasia issues in infants are corrected within 3 months by wearing a special harness/brace (the Wheaton Harness).  Great...another device for the poor girl to sport.  I asked what would happen if we left it untreated since it was so mild.  Of course she would probably be fine as a child...but there was a chance for her to have early arthritis or a need for a  hip replacement by time she was 30-50.  Since the treatment was non-invasive and I could not live with the guilt of her possibly feeling like hell and hurting when she was my age, we decided to pursue, welcoming into our wardrobe the Wheaton Harness......

As you can see...Ashlee is sleeping...so it really has not impacted her that much and it has not even been 24 hrs and she has seemed to have adjusted fine!  I think because she was already so restricted with her casts...that it was not that big of a change for her.  It seems to be harder on Daddy and Mommy than Ashlee.  Clothing is a new challenge....all those cute outfits are going to have to be worn by Brooke.  Diapers are also a challenge..but I think we have it figured out. 

She will wear this new harness for 6 weeks...as long as she has her casts.  (2 more weeks temporary casts and 4 weeks cast after surgery).  Then we will go get another ultrasound to see results.  Unfortunately...regardless of progress..that will be the end of our Hip Dysplasia correcting process...as she will not be able to wear this harness with her club foot brace...and that is more critical.  Doctors are hoping 6 weeks is all we will need to correct this hip issue...since it is so mild.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  It's going to be a tough 6 weeks with continued casting and this new hip issue...tougher on Shane and I than Ashlee probably...but we know we are still very blessed that this is all fixable and that we are able to correct these issues at such a young age.  She won't remember any of it and it's won't impact her ability to develop.  We know she will be running before we know it!!  Shane is convinced she will be a softball and soccer player...if she is I think she is prepped to play catcher and goalie..as she will be used to all the "equipment!" 

I'll leave you with 2 pictures from this morning..so you can see she is still such a sweet and happy baby girl!!