Beau's First Cast

Okay, so here's the update you've probably been wondering about. Beau got his first cast on Friday. Yep, that's right, I said cast, singular, because it turns out that only one of his feet needs the cast, and the other one is fine. The first thing the nurse did when we got to the appointment was rate his feet. She looked at six different things, like the crease above his heal, the crease in the middle of the foot, the line of the outside of the foot (is it straight or curved), the rigidity of his ankle, etc., and all of these things together told her how severe the club foot-ness was. So on a scale of 1 to 6, 6 being severe, Beau's left foot was a 4.5, and his right foot was really low, like a 1 or 2. He'll need anywhere from four to six weeks of casts on his left foot, followed by the surgery to cut his tendon and then three more weeks of casts, and then he'll be in his "magic shoes".

So you might be wondering how he enjoyed the whole process, and...well...he hated it. He screamed bloody murder the whole time they were casting him and then fell into a much needed sleep as they finished up the cast. The rest of the day he was either sleeping or crying or nursing. Finally the next afternoon (Saturday, yesterday) he had about 20 minutes of being awake and happy and that's when I finally let out a deep breath and realized we'd be okay. And today he seems fine and back on his regular schedule. So he gets his next cast on Wednesday and I wonder if we'll go through the same thing all over again or if it will get better or worse. I don't think he's necessarily in pain, but I think I'd compare it to having braces on your teeth and getting them tightened. It doesn't feel good for the first little while, and then you adjust and it's okay. Plus the cast weighs a lot and he can't stretch that leg out, and I'd imagine it'd feel a little claustrophobic.

Anyways, I am so grateful that it's just one cast and that he seems to be doing okay. I'm coming up with ideas of things to tell those inquisitive people who ask me what happened to my baby's leg. "Skiing accident." "Skateboarding." You'll have to let me know if you think of anything good.
I hope you enjoy the slideshow. I'm not really a fan of slideshows, but it was the only way to show the whole process of how they put on his cast. Thanks to my mom for taking all the pictures. I didn't put it to music, but you can just imagine a baby screaming the whole time, and that will really bring it to life. :)

Make a Smilebox slideshow Of course I had to draw on his cast...A blank canvas! I just couldn't help myself!

Catching up

Beau is two weeks old and is looking fat (10lbs, 7oz.) and grumpy for the most part. It would seem that he doesn't like the food I eat as much as I do, and he'd rather sleep in longer stretches during the day (understandable, he's avoiding his crazy siblings), and wake up every hour at night (again, understandable, he likes the pleasure of my company.) So, I thought I'd take a brief minute to catch up on all the fun things that have been happening in the shadow of Beau's arrival...

1. July 4th...Jacob loved/hated the sparklers

2. Amy came to visit! Bekah and Sarah are best buds.
3. Bekah's 4th birthday...she got a new "baby doctor" barbie and a basket and horn for her bike.

The most adorable thing ever...Bekah's bike up there with Rus's. He took her on a bike ride for her birthday.Jacob loves Beau...he's always asking to hold and "pet" him

Daddy and his boys

Welcome Beau Payne!

Beau was born Sunday, July 6th at 2:13am, weighing in at a grand 8 lbs, 14.5 oz, and 21 3/4" long! He was instantly wide awake, apparently completely in awe of finally being able to match faces to voices. He has lots of brownish-blonde hair, big kissable cheeks, eyes of a undetermined color, big hands, a very large head, and two adorable yet slightly misdirected feet. He is one of the three most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Rus is recovering well from labor with just a few backpains (attributed to his oh-so-comfy fold-out bed in our room). He is completely in love with his boy, despite the fact that Beau has already made him change at least six poopy diapers. (Way to go, Beau!)

I'm "doing good" (code for "I've been split in two, but I'm optimistic that I won't feel this way forever"). I'm loving kissing Beau's cheeks and talking to him and especially getting those newborn baby cuddles that are unlike anything else. I am completely in love.

Here are some more pics for you to enjoy...

It is possible to hold three children at once...The girl on the right is my niece, Sarah. I'm not sure why Bekah is making that face. Jacob's serious face is because he is especially possessive of Beau and didn't really like Sarah touching him.Here's Beau looking so small in his carseat. The drive home from the hospital in Rus's jeep put him right to sleep. Notice his left foot, which is much more turned than his right foot. And his cute long toes. :)The nurses who gave Beau his bath also gave him a nice mohawk. I thought it was adorable, but he didn't like me showing him off.

The never flattering but necessary post-delivery pic...Rus and Beau getting acquainted...My mom and Beau. Isn't my mother beautiful? And completely amazing.