Re: update

January 23, 2003

He really does look great. I just got some new picture of the

children (I have to ask Steve to put one up) and was showing them to

people I know. Everyone said if you didn't know he had this, you

would just think he was a little younger than Becca because of the

size. Dr H is thrilled with how he looks - his checks have filled

out etc etc.

They are talking about sending him out of district because the

elementary school is large. It currently holds K-4 and they are

moving the 5th grade back from the middle school to the elementary

school (they just finished adding 11 rooms onto the scholl). They

are concerned that there will be too many kids for him.

As for his learning needs, he is very bright (I think). He has full

letter recognition (both capital and small letters) and can count

forwards and backwards to 20. I do think there may be some behavior

issues (he is still extremely repetitive in what he does - open and

close the same toy for a very long time, put beads in the jar and

take them out over and over...) but his EI program is working on that

and so are we.

Meanwhile Becca isn't quite as advanced as with letters and

numbers, but her play skills are much more advanced - she is playing

with dolls and much more imaginative.

Anyway, it is way to early to worry about that now anyway. First

things first, evaluations for CPSE.

Good luck with your school district. I really hope you convince them

to pay for private school.

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) almost 3 year old

twins

January 24, 2003

Hi Judith,

I'm just wondering if the size of the school, as opposed to the size

of his class and total number of kids in his grade level, matters so

much during elementary school. From what I remember, children at

elementary school seem to stick pretty much to interacting with kids

at their own grade level. Plus, they stay in the same classroom for

most of the day - not like intermediate or high school where they

move around a lot. It may even be an advantage for those 5th graders

to stay at elementary rather than be pushed into middle school at

that age.

I'd be more concerned with finding out how many children are in a

classroom (i.e. small like 15-20 kids or big, say, 25-30 kids).

Also, since they change classmates every year, how many children are

in each grade? They'll probably get to know all those kids over the

years, and it's probably harder if there are several classes of the

same grade level.

Just my thoughts, but as you said, you've got a couple years to think

about it. We looked a little last year when Tyler was 3. I'll look

again soon since it's easier to imagine how he'll be when he starts

next year.

(Tyler, nearly 4, 90 cms, 11.2 kgs; , 2.5 yrs; Kelsey, 8

mos)

September 13, 2004

Man, that message breaks my heart. Can you soak her in a warm bath?

s.

update

Hi all,

I really need the advice and support of you veterns on here.

Feeling the " mean mommy " emotions 100% after 's appt today.

saw Dr Herzenberg today to have her 3 week cast removed.

She did really well through the sawing (NO tears at all) but

the " wedging " it off made her scream. I quickly figured out it was

the sensations on her leg and foot. Well she was hysterical after

that. Sobbing and trying to climb up me away from everybody else.

Dr H checked out her foot and was very pleased. I have to say that

her foot looks AMAZING to me!! Her medial crease is just like a

crease in your palm now, her foot is externally rotated very well

and Dr H said she has 15 degrees of dorsiflexion! Her foot is

straight -- no more kidney bean!

Okay so anyway, the whole time Dr H is checking her foot, she is

shaking and reaching to move his hand away and just crying

miserably. He put the DBB on and she just cried harder. My heart

was absolutely breaking! She calmed down once I finally got her

back in her stroller (had to PEEL her off my chest) and she knew we

were leaving but everytime I moved her she would just cry (an in-

pain cry). I know it's her skin being sensitive and her leg is

likely stiff but how long does it take for this to go away? She was

not like this after her first casting series as an infant.

She tried to crawl when we got home and literally collapsed on the

floor sobbing. She won't put any weight on her leg or foot and any

touch sends her into tears. Oh, and if I try to stretch her foot

like Dr H showed me, she SCREAMS! Any inward/outward or up/down

movement.

Oh, and she's back to 23/7 for two months. Anybody do that time

with an almost-walker? Any tips for teaching her to pull up or even

go from crawling to sitting in it? Does she just have to learn?

Sorry so long.

Marilouise

9/9/03, LCF, DBB 23/7

Owen and 3/20/99

September 13, 2004

Marilouise,

We're thrilled to hear that 's foot looks so good. I have heard lots of

people talk about how sensitive their babies' skin was after the casting. Her

leg's probably sore and achey too after being immobilized for 3 weeks. Poor

baby, poor mommy. Maybe some Motrin?

Jonah was about 8 months when he had his tenotomies. His doctor had him wearing

the FAB 22/7 for the first month, then 20/7 for the next 2 months. She thought

that extra time bearing weight was also very important. Jonah learned how to

crawl while he was wearing the 3 week casts. He never had any trouble at all

crawling in the FAB. In fact, he still crawls like he does when he's wearing

it--even when he's not. He learned how to pull up in the FAB, learned to push

his sister around in her doll stroller. I didn't, going into it, see how he

would ever be doing these things. And those 3 months did pass...

He still is not walking on his own--though I'm sure that'll be any day now.

Even though he's well within the " normal " range, I'm pretty sure the late

full-time FAB wear slowed him down in this. Oh well. He has an astounding

vocabulary.

Please let us know how your little girl is doing over the next couple of days.

I'll be thinking of you.

Naomi

The Family

Naomi Hannah Jonah(06/20/03, bilateral clubfoot, FAB 16/7)

Marilouise Tozier verylittlebrain@...> wrote: