Katelyn 1 / DDH - 0

Well, we're off the hook. And I am pinching myself.
Following Katelyn's checkup at age three and a half back in February, her hips look perfect and we don't have to have another checkup until - wait for it - she goes to school (Feb 2016).
This is entirely unexpected. You know the whole glass half-full or glass-empty person - well, the latter, sometimes, is me. I'm not proud of it, but that's just the way I am. I was expecting the worst.  I was so scared about the checkup appointment. Not just because I was unable to attend (due to the challenges of being a then-casual teacher) but because I was aware of what Kate's late diagnosis could potentially mean. It's really an uphill battle from the start.
When Grant called me on 6 February to say that Kate's x-rays were clear, I (rather embarrassingly) shed a tear outside the History staff-room. I composed myself and then bought a bottle of champagne, and some chocolates (for Kate and the boys!), on the way home from school.
We're not out of the woods, yet. There is the likelihood of further surgery as Katelyn grows up. But, for now, I am going to let her jump on our trampoline and have fun with her friends at Physie. 
Cheers! To my beautiful, brave and determined 'lil' girl, Katelyn xx

DDH - two years on

Smile! Ready for Katelyn's first day of preschool. Harry's been a wonderful big brother.

Gosh, so much has happened of late that I really don't know where to start.

With the new year has come a new level of crazy-busy-ness and, as a family, we're just taking each week (and day!) at a time.

February marks the two-year anniversary of Katelyn's DDH diagnosis. What a roller-coaster ride the last couple of years have been. Thrilling highs, and plunging lows. And so many unknowns and uncertainties which, for a (self-admitted!) control freak like me, can be hard to take. With our annual checkup scheduled for later this week, we're crossing everything that all is as it should be.

When we embarked on our journey two years ago, we were told at our first meeting with Katelyn's surgeons that we'd all be in each others' lives for a while. DDH doesn't just go away. Yes, an operation can fix the initial problem, but the spectre of further surgery and spicas could make an unwelcome return at any time. We will have an annual checkup to ensure Katelyn's hip has remained in place and that the bones around the area are continuing to grow at the same rate she does until she's eighteen. 

Katelyn's welfare, and the potential for more surgery, has been a major factor in my decision to change careers, at the age of 37, to a more family-friendly profession and to something I've always wanted to do - teaching. Following my acceptance of an offer of voluntary redundancy from my rapidly-shrinking government workplace, I've made the switch to secondary school teaching and have never been happier.

While I'm trying to give casual teaching my best shot, we have arranged for Kate and her brothers to initially be in full-time childcare. William is in Year One at school and Harry attends full-time preschool. Katelyn goes to preschool with Harry two days each week, to Nicole's for another two and stays with my Mum on Wednesdays. Following some initial toilet-training-troubles, Katelyn has it totally nailed and wakes each morning (for now, I'm sure!) with a dry nappy. Her transition into a structured preschool program has been seamless - no tears and no tantrums...except when it's time to go home! I guess one positive of DDH is that Katelyn has learned to be very adaptable and resilient. She also continues to improve her speech and communication skills in a big way and surprised us just this morning with some basic reading ability. Now, that was a shock! We're also looking forward to starting 'Physie' (physical culture) this month to develop Katelyn's strength and flexibility as part of their dance program for preschoolers.

But, first things first, Thursday's appointment. The control freak Mummy will be at school and unable to attend, but Kate will be in safe hands with Super Daddy. We'll keep you posted.

Harry's first day at his new (other) preschool, which is based at Will's school. Will is in Year One this year.