Day Two of Recovery...41 More Days to Go

So our little trooper has made it through another long day. We had our follow up appointment with the pediatrician and they were able to give us a referral to a pediatric orthopedist. So aft another round of x-rays, they agreed that it was broken. They wanted to put him in a walking cast, however they didn't have a boot that was small enough for him. So they made a fiberglass splint and they wrapped it with an ace bandage. They also gave him a shoe to wear with the splint. So he has to wear this for 6 weeks. Fortunatly this splint is removable for baths and it will tolerate him putting some weight on it.

So when we got home, he kept putting weight on it and then he would cry because it hurt. However he kept on doing it. Poor thing. I kept trying to reason with him, but he didn't want to be stuck on the couch... He wanted to play. Hopefully it will get better soon.

Next week is spring break and we were planning on spending a few days in San Diego going to Lego Land. Hopefully he will still enjoy the park from the stroller in between rides.

First Broken Bones... Unexpected Moments

Unexpected moments... you would think that we would be prepared for trouble, rowdiness, broken bones, grass stains, and everything else that comes along with a house full of boys! I just wasn't prepared for our first broken bone and I just didn't expect that it would be Chase!

He was playing in the backyard while Cory was doing yard work and he pulled on one of the decorative cinderblocks from our retaining wall. It fell and landed on his foot. The cinderblocks fell about two feet on to his left big toe and of course he had just taken off his boots. He usually never goes in the yard without them since they are his favorite. However for some reason just before this happened he took them off.

Immediately I took him to the emergency room while Cory stayed home with the boys and after 3 x-rays the doctor said it was broken. He was a little trooper though and as we walked through the ER to radiology, he waved and said hello to everyone he passed (in between the sobs). They let us see the x-rays after they took them and right away I could see the fracture.

They put a splint on it until we can get an appointment with orthopedics. Hopefully we can get an appointment tomorrow. They said it should heal well as long as he stays off of it. Easier said than done!

So now we are home and he is finally resting... My poor baby. I wish I could make him feel better. Luckily he is brave and resillient and I am sure he will be running around again very soon!

We will keep you posted over the next few days and let you know how he is recovering.

Star Wars in Concert...

Star Wars in Concert is coming to Los Angeles... so we bought tickets for the boys. We can't wait! We are going Saturday June 4 at the Hollywood Bowl!

I remember as a child going to see the Philharmonic in Boston with Charisse and Aunt Georgia... I think this will be an experience like that for Riley and Wills - one that they will remember for a long time. I also think that it is great that they will be able to hear it from a live symphony.

Here is the trailer for the concert...

Chris, Charisse, and Caroline visit...

So it has been a busy week... Caroline, Charisse and Chris came to visit during their spring break for a week. It was great seeing them. The boys had so much fun spending time with them! We went to the Santa Barbara Zoo, Santa Monica Pier, the beach, bowling, and we hung out around the house.

There were so many things to do. We weren't able to get it all in, they will have to come back and visit again. Here are a few pictures from the week.

 Knox had a lot of fun playing in the sand... I think he liked the different texture.

 Riley and Chris played tag... look at the mountains in the background. Isn't it beautiful... we are at the Santa Barbara beach.

 Charisse and Caroline enjoyed the warm weather...

 Here is Riley at the zoo.

The family by the fountain. 

 Look there is a giraffe!

 I love this trellis... it is gorgeous. We packed a lunch and enjoyed the views.

Someone had to keep a hand on Chase the whole time... he just wanted to run from exhibit to exhibit and he didn't want to wait for anyone. 

 Here we are on the ferris wheel in Santa Monica... it was significantly cooler (low 60's) than the other days.

 Chris and Charisse on the pier. We ate at a great mexican restaurant.

 One afternoon, we left the kids at home and went to Santa Barbara, State Avenue for some shopping.

There was a farmers market so we bought some fresh flowers and homemade pies... I think we will go back next week and buy fruits and vegetables! 

 Charisse would love to move here!

 Here is another picture of Chase and Chris at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

 We thought it would be fun to go bowling...this is Wills watching his ball knock down one pin!

 The boys had a great time.

 Riley wanted to bowl without the ramp and actually throw the ball himself... he did pretty well!

Chris helped Chase with his bowling... it was a little hard because Chase cried every time it wasn't his turn. He just wanted to keep bowling.

Chris actually bowled a strike and won a free game...

I took Charisse and Caroline to the garment district in downtown LA. They were amazed by all of the stores and the bargaining!

So as you can see we had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone. We can't wait for you to come back! 

Our Visit to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles...

Caroline and I took Chase into Los Angeles today for his quarterly check up. I was surprised that when we arrived there weren't a lot of people in the waiting room. Usually the appointment room is packed. Chase had fun playing with Caroline and the toys.

Other than the seizure Chase had back on January 10, he has been doing really well. His lab work came back from last week and his Depakote was a little high. Depakote has a high risk for kidney failure. She said that acceptable results are between 100 and 120 and Chase is currently at 129. However, she didn't want to decrease the Depakote prescription because since he has started this medication, he has only had one seizure. So we are just going to keep an eye on things and he will go back in for blood work in a few weeks.

Dr. Mitchell also put Chase on a supplement which should help increase his appetite (both of the medications he is taking cause loss of appetite). She also wants him to start speech therapy as soon as possible. She told us at the last appointment that he should have about 100 words in his vocabulary and he is at less than 50. So we will be calling the local school district so that he can enroll in preschool this summer. Usually the public school district only offers Kindergarten (5 years old) however if you are considered that you have special medical conditions, they are required to provide additional support which includes a preschool program starting at 3 years old.

Here are a few more pictures from the waiting room.

Here are a few more pictures that Caroline took today with the boys. They are so glad that she is here. Riley ran straight up to her when we picked him up from school. Charisse arrives later on tonight and Christopher will be here tomorrow.

 Wills having an afternoon snack... love those cookies!

 Wills and Chase posing for the camera.

 Chase playing with Aunt Caroline and Mr. Potato Head... we love Toy Story!

 Knox and Aunt Caroline lounging on the couch.

I have had so much fun today with Mommy!

Riley was so happy to see Aunt Caroline after school today.

Knox playing in the kitchen. He loves to stand next to things... I think he will be walking soon!