December 12, 2012! Luke's First Haircut!

Luke had a follow-up appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon down in Cincinnati last Friday, December 7.  Beginning January 30, Luke will only wear his shoes and bar for 12 hours a day!  Celebration!  Run, run, run, baby!  He'll wear them starting at bedtime, and ending before he goes to school in the morning.  Nothing but fun!  I'm so happy for him, and just amazed at how quickly he is ready to go!

Luke had his very first haircut tonight... his hair was getting a little long!  He was upset for about 5 minutes, but quickly recovered.  The cool red car with the horn helped!  He paid no attention to the haircut after a bit!  I won't say much more, as the photos speak for themselves.  Photos at home in front of the Christmas tree to show off the handsome cut!  I love you, Luke!

PHOTOS ARE UPDATED!

As everyone knows, new Mommies are quite busy, and don't often have a free hand.  I am no exception, and as a result, I have been very delayed in posting new baby pictures of Luke since returning to the States from China!  I am pleased to announce that all photographs are now current!  I've posted photos back as far as the day of Luke's First Orthopedic Visit in late August!  He's quite a looker, and I couldn't be more proud of him!  As always, thank you to family and dear friends for all of your thoughts, prayers, and ongoing well wishes!

November 22, 2012. Luke's First Thanksgiving!

Today is Luke's first Thanksgiving holiday!  I finally finished Luke's China baby photo album this morning... I wanted to take it to Aunt Deb and Uncle John's to show everyone before Thanksgiving dinner.  Grandma made 2 pumpkin pies this morning... one to take to dinner, one for Luke!  Luke had his first pumpkin pie at Inspire Center for Learning's Thankgiving Feast!  He loved it, so Grandma wanted him to have his own pie! 

Thanksgiving dinner over at Aunt Deb and Uncle John's with Debbie's family.  We all had a lot of fun, and dinner was delicious!  Koko and Bob were there, of course... Luke loves to play with Koko!  He also loves it when Grandma feeds him pumpkin pie!  We'll put our Christmas tree up tomorrow!





November 4, 2012. Luke Joseph Turns 2!

Today was the big day... Luke Joseph's 2nd birthday, and his first birthday celebration in the States!  It couldn't have been a more wonderful day!  Luke woke up happy, and we were all very excited!  Grandma gave Luke a special Precious Moments keepsake early in the morning... a porcelain train with zoo animals, and one car for each birthday.  Grandma gave him the engine, 1st birthday car, and 2nd birthday car.  

Luke's birthday party began at 3:00 PM, and we were all so excited when our guests arrived!  I ordered Chinese food from my favorite neighborhood Chinese Restaurant.  We all had a big laugh, because the food was supposed to be delivered at 2:30.  I received a phone call at about 3:30 from the restaurant.  "Did you order food for a birthday party at 2:30?"  I answered yes.  "We forgot!  Do you still want food?"  I answered yes, again!  "Fifteen minutes!"  It was just so funny!  We will all be telling that story for years to come!  The food from the Chinese restaurant was delicious, as always, and everyone enjoyed!  We listened to Chinese music all afternoon.  Bob and Koko gave Luke his first winter coat!  I loved it, and Luke did also!  Luke's Aunt Gerry sent him a birthday card in the mail from North Carolina.  He was given 2 new pair of bib overalls, his favorite!  He recieved a cool new schoolbus shape sorter, a Dr. Seuss floor puzzle, and a great new electronic alphabet caterpillar from Grandma!  It was just so much fun for everyone!  Luke enjoyed his red and white striped Cat in the Hat birthday cake, and guests enjoyed cupcakes decorated in Dr. Seuss colors.  Thanks to all who were a part of Luke's celebration!

 

October 29, 2012. Casts Off and New Shoes!

Today Luke had his appointment down at CCHMC with Dr. Mehlman, his Orthopedic Doctor.  Luke's casts were removed, after the three weeks, and his feet and legs were examined.  Luke did very well, all things considered, but I think the experience was a little reminiscent of the recovery room after surgery.  He screamed and cried, but recovered quickly.  We left the hospital and drove to the orthopedic shoe office in order for Luke' shoes to be fitted and adjusted.  Luke was quite cooperative, but had a difficult time getting comfortable in the car seat with his new shoes and bar.  He cried the entire way home!  That broke my heart.  His shoes are set out at a 70 degree angle on each foot.  The shoes are positioned in order to over-correct, as his feet will naturally turn back in slightly after treatment.  He looks like a snowboarder!  He's a little uncomfortable, in my opinion, but this too shall pass!  He wears his shoes 23 hours per day... an hour for bath and dressing!  His follow-up appointment is December 7.  This Sunday, Luke turns 2!  His first birthday in the United States... what a great day for him!  He's such a happy baby! 



October 4, 2012. Luke's Surgery at CCHMC!

Luke had surgery today in order to release his tendons at the heals.  Surgery was scheduled for 7:00 AM, and we needed to arrive at CCHMC at 6:00 AM.  We left the house at about 4:45 AM, and we were right on time!  Luke's surgery took place just as scheduled, and it lasted just over one hour.  When it was time for Grandma and I to see Luke in the recovery room, I discovered he was crying tremendously.  He was uncomfortable and completely inconsolable.  The nurses, and later the Anesthesiologist, explained to Grandma and I that Luke had a respiratory reaction to the anesthesia.  His lower left lung collapsed a bit, and he became increasingly congested during surgery.  He was being given oxygen in the recovery room.

The nurses asked me to hold Luke in a variety of different positions, hoping to find a way for him to get comfortable in order to settle himself.  We were not successful, and pain medication was not helping at all.  Luke cried and screamed for approximately 2 and 1/2 hours.  At that time, the lead nurse requested the Orthopedic Resident examine Luke, and he arrived within a few minutes.  After checking Luke from top to bottom, he announced the casts were too tight, and needed to be removed immediately!  The nurses ran to locate the saw, and Luke's casts were split on the left and right side of each leg... four cuts in total.  The Resident explained to me that the saw had no blade, that it couldn't cut Luke.  The saw opperated with high level vibrations.  I can only say that inconsolable children in tremendous pain do not like noisy saws!  It was extremely difficult for Luke, truly heartbreaking!  The casts were cut and split to allow appropriate relief, and then wrapped with ace bandages.  Luke calmed within about ten minutes!  His casts were too tight!

Luke was admitted in the hospital for the evening, in order to monitor his respiration and oxygen level.  The surgery was considered to be outpatient surgery, but not in this case!  His Pedicatrician came to visit, and everyone brought him toys to play with in his crib.  He was kept on an IV through the night, in order to prevent dehydration.  The Pediatrition and I agreed that Luke's respiration improved with time that evening, and the progress was exactly correlated to the anesthesia leaving his body.  Luke's breathing became healthier and healthier as the anesthesia was wearing off.  The nurses kept a close eye on Luke, and everyone really loved him!  Everyone had been informed of what had happened in recovery, and Luke had quite a name for himself that night in the hospital!  Everyone knew what took place was extremely hard on him.  He slept pretty comfortably, and by evening he was more himself... playing and beginning to smile a bit.  He was very tired, of course!  Luke slept relatively well, and we went home the next afternoon.

Luke visited the Orthopedic Doctor on Monday, October 8, in order to be re-casted.  He did not enjoy that visit one bit, and I can't blame him.  His new casts fit him perfectly, and he is getting around the house just fine!  He scoots on his bottom at times, and crawls other times.  On October 29, we will remove his casts, and Luke will be fitted with his shoes and bar.  He'll wear them 23 hours a day for three months, then 18 hours for three months, etc.  Eventually, he will just wear his shoes and bar during nap and at bedtime.  He'll be well on his way by springtime!  We are very blessed!



September 30, 2012. Early Family Birthday Party!

Today we had party at Uncle John and Aunt Deb's house!  Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred are in town from Florida, and will not be here for Luke's birthday on November 4.  John and Deb will be spending much of October and November in Florida, and won't be in town for Luke's birthday either.  We decided to have an early birthday party for Luke in order to celebrate Luke's second birthday... his first birthday in the United States!  Cousins Josh and Ashley were there, as well as dear friends, Koko and Bob.  Aunt Mary prepared delicious appetizers, and decorated the house with birthday balloons!  Everyone had so much fun and Luke loved spending time with his family!  Uncle John and Aunt Debbie gave Luke an electronic dog toy.  The dog barks and spins around.  I would have to say this is one of his favorite toys!  Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred gave Luke a great Elmo doll that teaches children about getting ready for school!  Koko and Bob gave Luke a great set of stacking blocks!  Mommy gave Luke an electronic birthday cake, and a Winnie the Pooh statue made by a favorite artist.  I chose that specific Winnie the Pooh because it looks just like the stuffed animal Pooh that Luke sleeps with.  Aunt Mary and Aunt Deb bought Luke his very own extra large birthday cupcake!  Everyone enjoyed the celebration!

When we arrived at the house, Aunt Mary gave me something very special to keep for Luke.  She told me that she had her Grandfather's rosary, and had been holding on to it for years.  Aunt Mary told me that she hadn't known what to do with the rosary all of these years, but that now she knew exactly where it belonged.  She told me she wanted Luke to know that he is an important member of our family, and that he has family that extends generations back, throughout the years.  Grandpa Sollenberger is Grandma Miko's Father, my Great-Grandfather, and Luke's Great-Great Grandfather.  What a cherished family heirloom Aunt Mary gave to Luke when she have him that rosary!