Follow up at Children's Mercy and 6 month photos

This morning, we spent a great deal of time at Children's Mercy in Radiology and at the Orthopedic Clinic. We received the news we were hoping for! The Pavlik Harness Lilly has been wearing 24/7 for the last 6 weeks has served it's purpose. She will continue wearing the brace for 7 weeks for 18 hours a day, and then we will return and her harness will be adjusted if need be and we will discuss Lilly only wearing it at night. It was amazing to see her out of the harness....she is a BIG girl! I have a feeling she will be a bit big for my lap earlier in her life than many but I will still hold my girl! We went and got her 6 month pictures taken and she has had her first bath (other than sponge) in 6 weeks....she used to love bath, today it was awful....it scared her and she screamed. We are hoping she will remember her old love for bath time and start to enjoy herself soon! She has played on her tummy without crying, thank goodness!! She is able to push up as she should be by this time! We have been concerned from the get-go with the brace and harness that she would be behind in developmental milestones. The good news is she remembers how to roll over! She can almost sit up again, she was almost there before the harness was put on. We have hope that she will pick up on skills and milestones quickly now that she is able to play and move more freely a few hours a day.

So as I said, we got pictures taken. Lilly was uncomfortable and getting used to life without the harness and was a bit crabby. We got a few good ones in though before the major meltdown and calling it quits. Here are a few:

I hope you are all proud of what a great blogger I am being and it isn't even the New Year!

Speaking of the New Year....I hope you all have the opportunity to be with loved ones as your ring in the New Year!! Cherish that time, it is so very precious!

First Christmas with Lilly

We had a lovely Christmas at my mom and dad's home yesterday. Lilly loved ripping the wrapping paper and seeing what was inside. She got some really cute clothes and toys, and lots of books, which makes us SO happy!!! She got two of the Dr. Seuss books from Kohl's that come with a stuffed animal and she absolutely loves the fuzzy fur on them!! She likes to hold both on her lap and look back and forth between the two, its so cute!! Larry and I got a video camera w/accessories and silverware....both things we talked about wanting/needing all the time! You can expect to see videos of Lilly's milestones on the blog from now on! I got an Expressions bracelet from Larry and a charm from Stephanie (my sister-in-law-to-be) and Andrew. Expressions is just like Pandora and I got charms all to do with Lilly. I love it and can't wait to add on more throughout the years!

We head to Children's Mercy on Thursday for another appointment with the Orthopedic doctor and an ultrasound. This is a very important appointment! Lilly will be getting an ultrasound on her hip and if all checks out no further treatment should be necessary and she will just wear the harness for 16 hours a day for a few weeks and then time will decrease and she should be completely done after 12 weeks! It will be so nice to see what she can do once she is out of the harness!! I know she is going to love bathtime especially with her new bath toys!

We plan to get Lilly's 6 month pictures on the 30th after the appointment so she can be out of the harness!! We will post them as soon as we can!

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

I love Mr. Grinch!



Wrapping paper is SOO yummy!

Why unwrap it when it tastes so good?


I love my daddy!

These look like fun!

I love Christmas!
Merry Christmas from The Parks!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas with your families!

The new year is coming, my resolution....to be a better blogger.

Well, let's see....the last time I blogged was before Lilly arrived so a lot has changed and life is still great!!

First off, Lilly is here...she is 6 months old now. She is weighing in at 19.5 lbs and is 28 inches. She is still off the charts for her age, but her rate of growth is slowing down so who knows what her stats will be at her next pediatrician appt. at 9 months. She is currently finishing up a 24/7 for 6 weeks stint of wearing a Pavlik Harness to correct her 30% hip abduction. We have become regulars at the Orthopedic Clinic at Children's Mercy Hospital, but hopefully will only have 3 more appointments there, if all x-rays and ultrasounds look good. Lilly has rolled over and is sitting up with very little assistance but some milestones have been put on hold due to limited mobility in the harness. Lilly loves solids!! She enjoys oatmeal, peas, green beans, squash, sweet potatoes, and applesauce. We have introduced all vegetables but are just starting fruits!!

Next, I am staying home this year instead of having a classroom, but still teaching! I watch two little guys during the day and it is a blessing to stay home with Lilly....I don't know when I will return to the school setting but for now, this is keeping me and the family happy and healthy!

Larry is in his third year of teaching and I know it is hard for him to go to work everyday and leave us at home but luckily he teaches high school and gets out earlier than if he taught elementary. He is teaching Intermediate College Algebra for the first time this year and he loves teaching the higher level math!! He is considering going back to school but wants to wait until Lilly is a bit older.

I directed the church children's Christmas Program for the first time this year. We did the program "Angels Aware" which I was apart of when I was 12. It was nice to be familiar with the show and know what I wanted costumes to look like and the stage. It went really well and the congregations received the ministry very well!!

I know there is so much I have left out and you probably are tired of reading this so let me end in this, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

You can expect a blog from us after Christmas, complete with pictures! :)