Little Miss Tenacious K

As of Monday, we will be one quarter of the way through Katelyn's twelve-week stint in her plaster cast.

A lot of people have asked how Katelyn is doing since her operation, and my best response is "she's adapting". And so are we.
Not a day goes by where I don't marvel at Kate's willingness to accept being confined to an awkward, uncomfortable and heavy cast and her determination to make the very best of her time in it. Little Miss Tenacious K.
The first few days at home were hard for us all. The passing of each hour without tears (from anyone) was something to be celebrated. Our glass 'whiteboard' on the kitchen wall became Katelyn's medical chart where we recorded each administered dose of a suite of 'special medicines'. We found this was the only way to keep track of where we were up to as fatigue blurred our consciousness. The days became an endless three-hourly cycle of shifting Katelyn's position (from spica chair, to tummy, to back, to bed, repeat) and changing her double nappies. The nights were long and, at times, lonely, because all though Grant and I have been taking turns sleeping in our bed with Katelyn and being 'on shift', dealing with the frequent wake-ups and continuing the three-hourly ritual on your own can make you feel as if you're the only one in the world awake at 2am. And 3am. And 4....
And then it got better.
I quickly figured out that Katelyn (like her Mummy) is happiest when she's got something to do and places to go. That first week at home saw us visiting our friends at work, taking in a trip to Oakvale Farm and a commencing a staged return to daycare. We found out that Katelyn's frequent wake-ups (there was one night where she woke every 3-5 minutes until 3am) were the result of muscle spasms (which are common side-effect of osteotomies) and were prescribed some Diazapam to help Katelyn get better rest at night. Following an unfortunate spate of poo-nami's during our first week at home, the nappy-changes suddenly didn't seem as daunting and we can literally now do them in the dark (and in Katelyn's sleep). Before I kiss her goodnight, Katelyn shows and tells me where I need to put the rolled up blankets which go under her knees to support her legs and prevent bed-sores. And, exactly two weeks after her operation, Katelyn started to commando crawl and is all the much happier for it.
Don't get me wrong. It's still hard-going. Despite being the fittest and strongest I have ever been, I have aches in muscles I never knew I had from lifting and carrying Katelyn, who, in her y-shaped cast, weighs close to 20kg. Katelyn has reverted to the very clingy baby she once was and doesn't like us to leave the room, so it's hard always being 'on', especially on those longs days when Grant's at work and I have all the kids on my own. And, if I thought the daily 5pm 'witching hour' was trying before Katelyn was in her cast, well, let's just say that bedtime now can't come quick enough.

Kate playing with her vintage Family Tree-house. 

A change of scenery in the front yard. She's showing off her ubiquitous bed hair. We're going through a lot of  'detangling' spray right now!

Cheeky xx

Making a friend at Oakvale Farm.

Beautiful afternoon - nice break from the rain.

Painting our nails!

Sleeping beauty with her 'Jaime' doll xx

Rocking her tartan look

Forget 'Princess Grace' - this is 'Princess Kate!'

But, I'm glad to say that Kate, with her family, is 'adapting' and we are 'adopting' our new normal.