Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day this is year was quite pleasant-spent the day at home. John did some yard work, and the girls spent most of the day outdoors. While it wasn't the sunniest of days, it was nice and warm. And most importantly, there was no rain.
Things in the Maslow household are going well. Daddy goes to work each day as usual, and comes home to either quickly change and head off to another (Rocks) baseball game or to pack up the girls in the stroller and head to the neighborhood park. Swings and slides are our family favorites. I keep busy, very busy, just keeping up with both girls and the household chores- too many to list. And trying to keep our girls from getting bored during the day and coming up with new activities is hard! We have our favorites and we stick to them but now I need to change it up. Madeline could spend all day, everyday, outside running through the yard doing sommersaults and her version of the cartwheel, or just rolling down a hill. She would be perfectly content living outside on the sidewalk with a brand new box of chalk and gallons upon gallons of bubbles. Mix in a few treats and some ice water and you've got yourself one happy 2 year old. As for Lucy, she's perfectly happy watching her big sister...as long as mommy is within good distance.
I've been researching area parks and playgrounds and I can't wait to take Madeline to a few area ones.....first on my list is the Hyland Play Area in Bloomington. I hear it's pretty fantastic and according to it's website, it's like a real time Chutes and Ladders. And next will be Lewis Park in St. Paul (if it ever stops raining). According to their website, “the play area features a new line of play equipment like nothing you have seen before,” including the city of St. Paul’s first splash pad – which essentially the best, most high-end version of running through the sprinklers. It includes 5 in-ground jets, 2 water wiggles, and a water tent. I think it's safe to say that Madeline will have a blast and Lucy will too...heck, so will mom and dad :-)
Anyway, it's a good life here.

A few photos from Father's Day....the first was taken by Madeline. She loves to take pictures of everything!

Lucy's photos!

I had expected to have Lucy's photos taken at the appropriate milestones, the most recent being her 6 month, but due to many reasons, we were delayed. Until now.

Please check out the sneak peak at: http://www.3peasphotography.com/blog/

She sure is a sweetie.

Smiles and Camera hogs.

Sister are great. Madeline is so sweet with Lucy. But sometimes, she would rather Lucy be out of the frame.
These were take a few weeks back and I have to say, the smiles are a perfect example of how happy our life. is. Even if Madeline is a camera hog.

Big "Cast off" day!

Today Lucy, also known in our house as Lulu and or Goose, had her casts removed. Going in, smiles. During, not so much, and after, so happy to have leg movement again! We thought dad might miss the event as he refused to allow us to pick him up from work, instead he chose to walk to the hospital- we didn't have a wait. Arrived at 3:30 and were promptly called back at our appointment time of 3:45. That's the deal with Gillette- PROMPT! LOVE....IT.....
Fortunately for daddy the cast off lady was called back for a minute so we had a few more moments to spare so he could arrive to BLUE 7. Madeline was so happy that sister would be having her "owies gone" today. She said to me, "Mommy, Lucy have owies gone so she can take a bath with Meme." Yes, Madeline, she will not have her owies anymore and she can have a bath with you. A side note, when you ask Madeline her name, like, "what's your name?" You'll likely receive this as a response...."ME...Me". She's silly.

Back to Lucy Lu.

Nurse said she remember's Lucy from surgery, although Lucy was asleep then. She was sweet and gently and fast. Lucy screamed the whole time. Madeline, the big sister who was there for support to hold sister's hand was very traumatized by this experience and cried and asked to leave the room, and so we did. For a moment anyway. Then the nurse camae out with bubbles and that was a great distraction.
As with M, I asked John to hold the baby during this time so the babe wouldn't associate momma with this experience. But, I held the camera and I saw in her face the "why are you doing this to me mommy" and it broke me.
Her casts were removed, and tossed. We weren't able to keep them like we were with M. I wasn't about to pull them from the trash. Our immediate response to her toe was silent. Much different than M's. Lulu's toes were more dramatic than Madeline's. More bone work, more tissue, just more work..... I think after the swelling and the scabbing goes down we'll see positive results. I hope. In a phrase, I see lots of black dead tissue. Enough said.
Dr. Walker came in and had postitive comments. And he pulled one of her toe nails off as we sat there. I nearly lost my stomach. He advised me to continue to look away as he tried to pull as much residule tissue, scabbing, and stitches while he was there. OMG. NOTHING like Madeline's results. BUT, they will be. Madeline simply had less scabbing than Lucy.
We are to watch and bath as usual. I have her in a dressing of gauze and whatnot covered by a sock while she sleeps. She is SO HAPPY TO HAVE HER CASTS GONE. I just hope she doesn't hurt herself in the process. She's ready to move!
As a parent, be thankful when you count 10 toes. 10 fingers. 12 toes isn't a bad thing, but as parents who decide that keeping 12 toes would be a struggle, as kids are mean, and finding regular shoes to fit would be hard, feel blessed. It's definitely not a disability but it's a process. Not a pretty one, either.

Here's what- you can take 12 toes and get rid of twoand deal with the recovery. But you can't take my girls' BIG BLUE EYES and their perfect brows and trade them for nothin! Hmmmmm. be happy with what you get. I am.


Here's a link to Madeline's cast removal blog write up. http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2419684075079703205&postID=5503334598170733841