We've had the expected drama, though it hasn't been from the kid in the giant cast.
Life is going to be a tad bit different around here for a while. I have reconciled with myself that I may never sleep more than an hour at a time until Victoria gets her casts off. I don't blame her. I can't imagine not being able to move for eight weeks. However, if I have to sing the "ABC" song a hundred times at 3 am again tonight, Victoria won't be the only one crying.
Meals are taking a much longer time than they used to. Victoria will only take fluids if I syringe them into her mouth a teaspoon at a time. All food will only be accepted on her terms and her terms are subject to change at any moment. Don't even think about putting a spoon near her mouth. For lunch, she deigned to eat a nibble of a marshmallow peep. She has kind of regressed back to her "white food" phase. Tonight she ate three fork-fuls of mac and cheese (the white cheddar kind, of course). We all did the happy dance.
Though I am mostly a homebody anyway, we are really sticking close to home now. She is just so heavy to lift into the car. We took a walk today, but when the clouds threatened rain, I panicked. I remembered the nurses repeatedly telling me not to get the casts wet. Can you imagine the embarrassment if we didn't even make it a week in the casts without Victoria getting water logged?
Baths are not fun anymore. I heaved her up on the kitchen counter today and wrapped her in huge plastic garbage bags. I hung her head over the sink and dumped an entire bottle of conditioner on her tangles. Anyone have any ideas how to keep the back of her hair from getting so matted?
There are already benefits of having Victoria's hips in their sockets. We can finally cuddle and use the Ergo. Probably we can use it for more than two minutes once the 50 pounds of plaster and fiberglass come off. Definitely something to look forward to!
Those little smiles from Victoria continue to melt my heart. I especially love the picture of V in the Ergo with you. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteFor the matted hair, I recommend a haircut where the stylist keeps the front longer and then tapers in the back and the very back is fairly short. This worked well for our little one while her hair was getting healthy - she had medical neglect too and it just wreaked havoc on her hair. Also, I can so related to singing the abc song 100 times at 3 in the morning. Sometimes I find myself singing in my sleep now! Amazingly crazy what we do and that we love it and our kids so much!
ReplyDeleteWould one of the little satin "night caps" that look like a shower cap work at least some of the time? I have seen older women wear them to protect a fresh hair do. God Bless you. I pray that time passes quickly for all of you so that that precious girl can get out of that big ol' cast! At least she still grins a little!
ReplyDeleteI"m a lurker :). Love your blog!!!!
ReplyDeleteAbout the matted hair - we braid our daughters hair at night so it won't get matted but I'm not sure if Victoria's hair is long enough. Could you pull as much as you can on top of her head in a bun or ponytail? Not sure if it's long enough for that either...or maybe part it in the middle and do two pigtails on each side of her head right above her ears?? I'm trying to think of things that would be comfortable for her since she's sitting/laying most of the time. I'm probably no help but that is all I can come up with. :)
Praying for a quick recovery!!!
Blessings,
Allison
www.togiveafutureandahope.blogspot.com
thanks, those are great ideas!
DeleteShe is just the sweetest, most precious little thing!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking satin as well. Perhaps a satin pillowcase under her head?
ReplyDeletesuch a sweetie!!!!! I love to see the cuddles!
ReplyDeleteSeems like she's being a trooper :). Try replacing her pillowcase with a satin pillow case. My son's fine blond hair does exactly the same thing except it's much shorter so much easier to unsnarl, but a simple satin pillowcase has made such a difference in how it looks (before it just looked like I never brushed his hair, no matter what I did!) The cotton roughs up the fine hair shaft on some kids and so it gets that matted look. After a few weeks on satin overnight, her hair will be silky again in back.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of you and Victoria in the ergo. You have arms of steel!
ReplyDeleteI assume you are trying to grow her hair out. If so I would try using silicone detangler / serum in the back and then braid her hair as much as possible.
For Victoria's hair, try putting it up like this: http://www.princesshairstyles.com/2008/10/spider-web.html (Scroll down to where she has the ponytails in straight lines). I often put my girls hair up like this. We usually do two lines, and sometimes our lines go sideways instead of front to back. This style will stay overnight (and probably for several days). Its similar to french braiding, but easier to do and will stay nice longer.
ReplyDeleteMy back breaks just seeing you holding her but THAT IS THE CUTEST PICTURE EVER!!
ReplyDeleteOh my she is amazing as is her mommy. The last picture is the cutest. So sweet. The matted hair? Satin pillow is an option but I always found they slip off the bed. Worst mistake ever was wearing satin PJ's on satin sheets. Had to hang on for dear life that night. lol We use Nexus Shampoo and Nexus Humectress Conditioner. It is a bit pricey but Tamara never gets knots or matting. I also found that once you use it you can spray their hair with water and it detangles. Honestly I swear by these products and when we run out I can tell within one shampooing. Now I buy it by the gallon. Keep up the good work. You might want to throw some cannelloni beans in a food processor. Rinse them first .. they camouflage well in white or yellow mac and cheese and adds protein and fiber to the mix. Add some real bacon bits and you start getting a pasta fagioli type of flavor. Mine loves it. ;o)
ReplyDeleteYou all are doing soo great! God has you right where He wants you!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
www.MarvelousLoveBlog.com
Is it possible her hair just isn't getting wet enough in the sink? I find my daughter's hair stays much neater when it gets thoroughly wet and shampooed, which usually means moving my fingers around in it while pouring water on it. I can see it making a big difference if she'd been getting tub baths before... My daughter's hair is long and curlyish but not particularly thick, thicker would be worse.
ReplyDeleteAww, it's tough for Victoria right now. But I love the picture where she's leaning on your shoulder.
ReplyDeleteWill she sleep better on you in the Ergo? In a recliner, perhaps? If you are only getting an hour at a time anyway, it's worth a try - and if she's in the Ergo, you can fall asleep without worrying that you will drop her. . . Try dry shampoo if all the heaving to the counter and bagging her is too much. . . We did sponge baths on the living room floor on a beach towel when Joshua was in the spica - I just picked his head up enough to hold it over the hospital bathpan/basin while I washed his hair. (He could help me hold himself up over the basin, though - you might need a helper.)
ReplyDeleteSatin pillowcase behind her head to stop the frizzin! (CHEAP they are like $2.50 at Kmart!) behind her head. This is what we use for my African American kiddo with dreadlocks. Works wonders!
ReplyDelete2nd vote for satin pillowcase!! works wonders
ReplyDeleteAlso going to chime in with waterless shampoo (it's a foam that goes on wet and air-dries) - should be able to find it at a beauty supply store, or maybe even a hospital supply (with my hospital stays, I seem to remember the nurses using that stuff on me). Then a spray-in conditioner and/or silicone serum (for frizzy hair, or sometimes they have it marketed for pre-straightener treatment) should help the snarls in the back.
ReplyDeleteOnto the "white foods" -- will Victoria eat toaster waffles? I found some the other day (Eg*go) that have protein added (8g per serving -- not bad!). Thinking of you all!!!