Get used to the Stairs

Two years ago today we were in Houston, TEXAS! embarking on a new chapter in our lives.    (Yes, I know I capitalized and exclamation pointed the word in the previous sentence but as we all know, everything associated with that word is bigger, bolder, and begs to be shouted from the rooftops).    At that time our little Maggie was still developing in the womb, Davey had an awkward buzz haircut that showed just a little too much forehead, Josie was enthusiastically enjoying life as a hog-caller-in-training, and Kate reveled in her newly acquired ability to read simple chapter books.    We had experienced a surreal week of preparation, heartache, and joy as everything fell into place for us to move forward with Maggie’s fetal surgery at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital .    Two years ago today that surgery was completed by an amazing and awe-inspiring group of miracle workers.    Millie recuperated, Maggie was born, and here we ar...

Can't sleep.  Spina bifida does that sometimes!  On Tuesday Davey will have surgery at Shriners Hospital.  Some call the surgery a bilateral tibial rotational osteotomy.   I refer to it as fixing the feet forward.  Here's how he walks now.  See how he trips on his feet because they turn inward.  That's a result of being born with clubbed feet.  Hopefully in two months after his casts have been removed, his feet will face forward.   This is Davey's 8th surgery (I think).  It's difficult to know how he processes the thoughts of surgery.   He is most excited to have a slumber party with his dad at the hospital, and for his Papa from Texas to come and sword fight with him.  It's been a long time since Matt and I had one of our kiddos in an operating room...over a year.  I've appreciated the break and pray the doctors will have skill, wisdom, compassion and clarity as they care for my little boy.   My heart is really he...

Here's a little blurb I wrote for the Power of Moms website.   http://powerofmoms.com/2013/12/millie-killpack-redefining-perfect-miracle-and-normal/

Maggie is an interesting little lady.  Kate discovered that every time she sang this song, Maggie would get distressed.  Now it's our favorite family past time.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd2QgViFGuw&feature=youtu.be As far as spina bifida stuff, it's still thriving.  Maggie has been plagued with UTIs for months now.  We've tried all sorts of antibiotics and fancy catheters...no cure yet.  Her vision prescription has gotten better, so we are ordering two pairs of glasses.  I don't fancy the selection for baby girls...too pink.  So she'll be a fashion star in tortoise shell and blue frames.  Yesterday, Maggie rolled over twice by herself.  A wonderful accomplishment for my little lump of a lady.  But it's tough not to get discouraged by the slow progress. Davey has a surgery scheduled in January to realign his legs.  Right now his legs turn inward and he trips over them as he walks.  Hopefully the doc...

For the past two years, Davey rode a special needs bus to preschool.  The bus picked him up right in front of our house, had a ramp for his wheelchair, and an aid to help make transportation a breeze.  This year Davey wanted to ride the bus with his friends and sisters.  It's not been easy, but he loves it.  Here's an excerpt from an email that my dad wrote to our extended family about Davey's first bus ride to school. My dad has the ability to say how I feel better than I do. I just got off the phone with Millie.  Our last few phone conversations have been focused on a mother's concerns as her child goes to school - really goes to school.  This morning's send off to kindergarten was an event she found quite difficult. Had she done all she could do for Davey?  How would he manage? Would he feel different?  What would the stairs/stares be like?  Would he feel lonely?  Lots of mixed feelings.  ` Davey waited outside on the fr...

I get blue this time of year.  The end of another memory-making summer. So long, Musical: Kate, Josie and Davey were all in a musical (if you can call it that) put on by Lehi City, "101 Dalmations".  The rehearsals kept the kids entertained and singing during long summer days.  Davey met new friends and improved his wheelchair dance moves.  The directors were so good to accommodate him.  Kate was a "boxer" dog.  She was embarrassed by her boxers and boxing gloves.  I thought they were adorable.  Josie didn't have a speaking part.  Instead of being bummed, she kept saying, "Thank heavens I don't have to worry about my lines!"  Davey had a speaking part, he just never said the line.  Here are the highlights: Pa Rindy did their make-up. Grandma Peterson with five of her great grandkid superstars. So long, Family: There is nothing better than seeing our siblings, parents and cousins who live afar.  We can neve...

I love to read.  In much the way that a certain song or fragrance will elicit memories of a stage of life or a super cool moment at a high school dance, I have books seared into my memory from the moments in time when I was reading them.   When Kate was born, I was reading a book about cryptography.  Josie was born unexpectedly premature the week before Christmas.  Life was so scattered with her arrival and Christmas that I didn’t have time for reading.  I do recall that the scriptural story of Christ’s birth held special significance for me that year as I held my newborn baby.  With Davey, I was reading E. L. Konigsburg’s The View from Saturday .  The book uses a 6th grade academic competition as the backdrop for the coming together of four special students and their teacher.  The teacher is returning to the profession after a ten year absence due to a car accident that confined her to a wheelchair.   Now, I’ve seen enough X-F...