January 2007

1/3/07 – Happy New Year! Sorry it has been so long since we have done an update; the holidays found us quite busy! We hope everyone had a great holiday. With your continued prayer and Gods grace, ours was WONDERFUL. Abbey is doing quite well. Our last visit to TSRH was Dec 19. At that appointment they determined her foot was ready for the “heel cord release”. Yes, it is what it sounds like; they make a small incision and cut the Achilles tendon. The foot is then put in a cast and allowed to heal for 4 weeks. (The left foot did not require this procedure.) Actually, both legs are in casts. Even though the left foot did not require the release, it could not go 4 weeks without some kind of correction or it would have gone back to its previous position. All of this is done so that she can be fit for the brace; which is really just special little shoes with a bar in-between that holds the feet in proper position. So for now Abbey is enjoying being at home, eating and sleeping – some times better than Amanda! God bless you all as we move into the New Year; we continue to ask for your thoughts and prayers. We’ll try to do better at updating the site as our lives are slowly settling in with this beautiful addition to our family.

1/10/07 – A few weeks shy of her official 3 month birthday and Abbey appears to be right on schedule…smiling, cooing, has found her hands and rather enjoys the taste of them! SO CUTE! She laughs out loud (right after she has fallen asleep) and one night I was lucky enough to have my MP3 player next to me so I got a little of it recorded – it’ll melt your heart! We can’t wait until next Friday, when Abbey gets her casts off – oh what a day to celebrate!

1/15/07 – Sorry no new photos yet, I’m trying to catch Abbey smiling! I just wanted to do a quick post (which is about all I have time for these days) to share with you how amazed I am at how Abbey has adapted to these casts she has had on for the last 7 weeks…when I change her diaper she raises her legs straight up in the air! Can you imagine how strong her legs and abs must be? Abs of steel (watch out Leisa!)! I’ve learned to stay clear of her swinging legs – those plaster legs can really pack a punch!

1/22/07 – Oh Happy Day! No more casts!

And would you look at that smile? Actually, the smile picture was taken before the casts were removed…

picts of her new shoes/brace will follow in the coming days. The doctors are very pleased with her feet and so now she will wear the brace for about 3 months, 23 hours a day. After that, just when she sleeps until she’s 2 or 3 years old. Check out the new photos! Abbey & Amanda shared their first snowfall w/ daddy!