Surgery?!?

This process has made me all the more grateful for our Sydney and her innate happiness. She is tough and smiles through it all. Daddy can always get her to laugh and she always puts on a brave smile for Mom. I am continually impressed by her.

When we got home from VA we eagerly awaited her early morning appointment. I had looked it up and made sure she was with a pediatric orthopedist and from what I read a very good one. We were praying there was no nerve damage or lasting damage of any kind. This was our first break, it seemed like a foreign part of parenting that was utterly terrifying. 

We were embarrassed we had left her urgent care shirt on,
 after they easily showed us how to change her and
recommended it. 

After some updated X-rays we were told things were not as good as they would like since it was such a bad break we were warned that she should have been seen earlier. Fortunately, there would be no lasting damage but she would need a "surgery" (really it was a manipulation of the bones that would cause severe pain so she would be put under, but no cutting would be needed). Her bones needed to be reset to prevent it growing into a deformity. All nerves were intact and that was a huge relief and we were assured that we were very lucky. 

The "surgery" was scheduled and to be performed at the hospital we were assured since she was so young we would both able to attend, despite COVID, we were both very relieved. She was nervous upon hearing and not understanding it all but elated to hear she would be asleep. Then she would be casted after swelling went down. We were told it would be a long casting period with xrays in between to keep an eye on things. 

The doctor was so kind and informative while being so upbeat it put all our fears at ease.

 

We couldn't wait to get it all done and over with. I was especially ready for her to be casted so she could return to daily activities. 

The day came quickly after and with my family able to watch the rest of the kids we were ready to sneak out in the wee hours of the morning with our brave SYDANATOR. Of course she lost her special stuffy Dad had gotten her (she left it back in VA) she was heartbroken and we had ordered another one and a back up in case it didn't arrive. She was pretty bummed about not having "kitty mae" but she was glad to have something. She had picked out a penguin and named him "Blue sparkles". 

We pulled up and got out as the chill of the early hours set in on us and we hurried inside. After going through check in we awaited her pre-op bed.

When they called her I could see the fear start to set in, but she clung to her new stuffy and Dad and her swapped jokes as she got dressed and ready, while we waited we did everything to keep her mind off of the unknown of it all.

Who can touch their nose?

Dad jokes...

Up high Down low games

 Dr came and was all smiles and Sydney was ready. Sydney picked Daddy to come back with her as she feel asleep so he stepped into a blue onesie and booties and adorned it with a matching cap. Sydney loved matching Daddy and Dr made sure her stuffy matched too. 

Dr even explained everything to her and assured her that after Dad left her stuffy could stay and be with her and watch everything while she slept. She squeezed that guy so tight and beamed, I felt like supermom and was so grateful that this stuffy had eased her in ways Mom and Dad couldn't. Watching her go back was scary. I was glad Dad was there but it felt wrong. 

To make sure she was ready to get rolled out with Dad she had to hold up a thumbs up. But the laughing gas they gave her seconds before was already taking affect and she couldnt help but giggle because she kept holding up her finger instead of her thumb. So since she couldn't get her thumb up they held up their fingers, ""Ready!"

Shea met me in the lobby soon after. So we began our wait. We hadn't eaten anything as Sydney couldn't. So we were starving. Shea wanted to go out and get us something but was afriad to miss her coming out so he raided some vending instead and we made do. 

We were told that the procedure would only take an hour.  The hour came and went and we were startgin to worry.  After a little over an 2 hours the doctor came out to tell us the manipulation was done. She said she got the bones alomst perfectly into place but she had a lot of trouble keeping the bones in place since she had the bayonette break. The bone kept shifting from one side to the other and wouldn't stay perfectly aligned for long. Fortunately since Sydney is so young the bones have a lot more growth to do and although they will form together with a little bump since they arent exactly in line the bones will grow over the bump and be unoticeable. 

We were lead to Sydney who was groggy and upset, she woke in a lot of pain. I wish I was there when she awoke, to comfort her. But I did what I could and held my baby. My heart broke for her. I couldn't wait to bring her home and spoil her. 

She was so relieved to go home and snuggle up with treats and the tv remote. When she started feeling better Dad had snuck off to get some work hours in and we decided to go over and see everyone at the Martins (where they were being babysat), she enjoyed visiting and especially drawing with Amberlee. She started working on her left hand creativity. It was a little frustrating for her but will be interesting to see what she does with it. 

First Trip to the ER

We took a trip to Virginia to visit our favorite cousins; we came to play and celebrate their cousin Addie getting baptized. After a fun Halloween with a whole bunch of Stanger's we started prepping for the baptism. 

All the cousins were loving playing together and Sydney had a little too much fun but decided the plans were just not eccentric enough for her. So while everyone jumped on their trampoline she decided to crawl around the edge of the trampoline and got bumped off the edge and landed on her wrist trying to catch herself. We would soon learn that it is one of the most common ways to injure a childs wrist. Grandpa was out there thank goodness and rescued her right away and when he brought her in he said, "She may have broke her arm." He lifted her arm up and her hand literally flopped down as her arm was brought up (it was literally the real life version of the Harry Potter scene where he broke his wrist in Quidditch). I knew it was an obvious break and a severe one so we immeadiately decided to go to the ER. 

Dad was almost as scared as Sydney, he felt so bad for his baby. And he wanted me to stay home with the rest of the kids who were scared and felt bad, like they were all some how responsible. Fortunately the Stanger women offered to tend to the rest of our babies and make sure they got settled and happy, so I could go too. Shea's brother drove us to a local ER that was specifically for children. We waited for a short time with our brave but in pain little girl. They gave a quick and painful examination and then a trip for X-rays and they were back to tell us it obviously broke both bones in her wrist. A complete ulna and radius fracture. 

She was a champ through it all.

To make things more complicated we were not home. Not much could be done right away, due to the need for swelling to go down so after a good wrapping we were asked to keep it very still and call ortho and schedule an appt asap, which ended up being Monday. If her bones displaced enough they did say that there could be nerve damage so we held our baby as she slept (uneasily), Daddy even went out and bought the hugest stuffy he could find (which was a mermaid), she was in a lot of pain when he came home and she said "its too big and weird" so out he went again and found a sweet gray  kitty she loved and she named her "kitty mae".  We watched movies most of the night while she lay propped up between us (we tried to keep her comfortable but it was impossible in the limited position she had). 

The next day we attended her cousin's baptism as planned. The wrap and endless amounts of rotating ice packs helped immensely. 

We were so grateful we got to still be a part of this little girls special day, Sydney especially did not want to miss her cousins baptism. 

We were so scared to injure it more, or cause nerve damage that we didn't even remove the ER shirt they had put on her. We just put clothing over it. Mom sat next to her on the long drive home and we just prayed everything would be okay till Monday. 

Piper was somewhat oblivious and Sammy was her favorite distraction. 

The other kids were worried about their sister, and were the sweetest. Connor felt resposible because he had been the one to accidentaly bump into her while jumping. 

But we made sure everyone knew it was no ones fault, it was an accident. 

Accidents happen. 

Love Mommy

Sydney,

I see myself so much in you. Not just in your curls that have turned to wavy locks. But in the fact that you have this big personality at home and then you quiet it for a crowd; whether that be at school or a party, or church on Sundays. Some are amazed we describe you as our wild one, but no one knows you like us at home. And I think I kinda love it that way. The true Sydney is wild and my little fighter. Nothing keeps you down. You have a way all your own, and even if that sometimes means your doing your own thing alone you don't mind too much. You hate the camera for the most part, so unlike your sisters you just shy up and would rather not show off. You don't feel any need for anyone's approval, which I kinda love! Sometimes it makes life difficult though with your siblings because you just can't follow them around and be happy. You speak your mind and want it your way, at least at home. I know as you've struggled a bit with preschool it has come out extra at home, probably because you bottle it all up at school and it all gets a bit exhausting. But I am so proud of you and your inner strength that gives you a vivid imagination and ultra unique sense of style. 

At times you make me a little crazy with all the whining and I won't lie here, you are our biggest whiner ever! It is like nails on a chalkboard to me and drives me to madness. I wish you could always be happy, fortunately you are pretty easy to make laugh and smile. So usually if I have enough patience (which I am working harder at everyday), I can find a solution pretty quick that will fix your broken heart. Your also the biggest teaser ever and you know just how to tease me and it drives me nuts most of the time. But I try to appreciate that side of you too, I know you get it from Daddy and he is SO proud! 

As much as you love to give a little smirk and pull one over on someone. You hate to see your siblings upset and will do almost anything to make them happy even if it means giving something up of your own. But it has to be you, when I let you make the decision, then within seconds the problem is fixed instead of me having to battle it out. Sometimes I don't think it is always fair for you to always give in but your love for them is such a blessing and it makes me melt watching you admire Bella and Connor. I pray and hope that they see that influence they have on you and grow to appreciate it as well. You have Kindergarten around the corner and I wonder if that will be the chance; if with your start they will take the chance to show you that love and protection that you desire and yearn for from them. Honestly I see little spurts of it already as Con and Bell see you grow and become one of the big kids already. I see how much you want to keep up with them. I just can't help but want to keep you little and keep you safe in my arms. 

Love,

Mommy

SYDNEY TURNS 5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY!

Sydney is OFFICIALLY FIVE! 

We celebrated her birthday earlier this month with Mermaids, Cupcakes, and Deep Sea Fun! 

Sydney is my creative, wild child! She has a confidence in all she does and dives into it with her all. She has such a BIG personality at home or within her own; and then around strangers she gets so shy (thumb in mouth and hand in Moms) it makes me laugh so hard because it’s just so not her. She loves her siblings fiercely and we find ourselves reminding them of that quite frequently. She takes great joy in making others happy and she rarely doesn’t have a smile on her face; albeit half the time it’s a mischievous one (Dads so proud of that trickster side...). Love watching this beautiful girl grow! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYD! 

Playing Rock Paper Scissors ... Sydney STYLE!

Rock Paper Scissors... Black Hole!

Family Room Sleepover while watching Little Mermaid
Perfect End to the Night

Since we celebrated early this month we couldn't help but celebrating this happy child again on the actual day, with birthday waffles and the new goosebumps movie (she loves scary movies because they make her belly dance and it’s a party).

A Unicorn's Birthday

My Unicorn turned 4! Sydney, you run through life making your own path! Your innocently hilarious, strong and independent, I love that about you! Even if it gives you that defiant fire that scares me quite a lot! You are a fiery princess that is determined to keep up with the boys, and sometimes your certain you are one?!? Although your love for pink and dresses has me unconvinced. Don’t ever stop being you! I wish I could squeeze you and keep you little forever but just like that it seems you’ve turned 4! Let’s hope this new year brings less death defying antics! 

WE celebrated the only we know how BIG!

With park playing...

Funny face making...

Forced photo smiling

Cake decorating and EATING ...

Present unwrapping...

"It's so FLUFFY" quoting...

Unicorn squeezing ...

Pin the horn on the unicorn playing...

Unicorn Dress up Contesting...

Unicorn Horn Creating...

(I SPY Uncle Ryan Visiting)

Despicable Me 3 watching...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYDNEY! 

Hope it was all you imagined and more!

Sunbeam

Jesus wants me for a SUNBEAM.

Well guess who is the newest (and very reluctant) SUNBEAM...

SYDNEY!

It has been quite the fight getting her to go to Sunbeams, she begs to go to nursery with Piper every week. (And Piper is just starting to realize a few weeks late that Nursery is a little different, so she is suffering a little with the transition as well.)

So for now we cry, scream, and wait it out in the hallways till we can bribe her to go. (And sometimes her sister joins us...)

It sure is making Sundays all the funner...

Maybe we will get a picture of her happily in sunbeams, one day... but I don t see that happening soon. For now I drop and run. If she doesn't hang on with the death grip and starts screaming then I count it as a success and let her teachers deal with the tears. You'd think having her siblings and Grandparents (my parents teach the CTR 4) there would help... and well some days it does. (but lets face it STUBBORN TO THE MAX.)