bye bye, Spica

I have many mixed emotions tonight as I write this ...
I am happy that my baby girl's cast is off.  I'm happy we're one step closer to healthy hips.  I'm happy the hardest part is past us. 
It's hard to see my baby in so much pain, though.  I hadn't expected it quite this much.  I had expected her to be in pain after surgery - that just makes sense.  I understood that we should anticipate her to be uncomfortable after the cast removal since she hasn't moved her legs in six weeks.  What I didn't anticipate was the pain she has been in.  It's breaking my heart.  I hate that she's in pain.  I wish I had planned for this possibility in my schedule, seeing as I work tomorrow - it's hard knowing she'll be here and uncomfortable and I won't be able to be with her.

Otherwise, all went well.  Both of her hips are in place - yay!  Her left hip is starting to develop more, which Dr Olney was pleased with.  We go back to see him in six weeks.  Until then, we're back in the Rhino cruiser for 20ish hours a day - 1.5hrs out in the morning and at night and the other hour can accumulate through feedings, diaper changes, car travel, etc ...

we are home!

I'm glad to be home with my baby but a bit nervous to learn how to take care of her at home ... at the hospital everything is a bit more adapted to her ... at home, we have to figure out what works!

Annabelle is doing well now, she is still in some pain but we're trying to keep on top of it ... she's nursing well, and she ate babyfood this morning as eagerly as she always does.  She's back to smiling frequently, but is definitely more subdued.  She wants her mama all the time ... 

Good morning, beautiful

Morning smiles

attempted tummy time

Meet the Spica

playing with daddy

going home!
Yes, I did match her dress to her cast, I had bought this
dress before her attempted closed reduction as her
"Going Home outfit"

Photo with daddy!

Riding home!  Her new rented Britax Hippo carseat ...
She looks uncomfortable,
but she actually slept the whole way home

Open Reduction and Capsulorrhaphy

I'm so glad today is finished.
Annabelle had her surgery, an open reduction with capsulorrhaphy, which took about 2 hours.  We were able to see her about 4.5 hours after the nurse took her back to the OR.  She was heavily sedated on pain medicine and was occasionally moaning.  It took Annabelle a long time to wake up, and even longer to smile, which is rather unusual for my normally very smiley girl.  We skyped with daddy & big sister this evening and big sister got Annabelle to smile.  It was nice for her to see her baby sister at the hospital and to have a little view of the cast that we've talked about.

Here's a little photo recap of our day:

last bath for six weeks!!!

totally oblivious to the day ahead

waiting for Dr Olney to arrive

arrival in her room

Daddy watching over her

starting to wake up

first time holding her

starting to play

Love my girl.

First smile of the day, Skype with Daddy & big sister

Sweet dreams, sweet girl.

Waiting ...

Annabelle is in surgery.  We got a call a little over an hour ago from the OR nurse saying that they had just started.  Dr Olney anticipated anywhere from 2-3 hours from start to finish, as they'll be applying the cast and I'm assuming it will have to dry.

The wait is hard, and I'm trying to keep myself busy ...