Van's better than ever feet

The first picture is of Van's feet after birth and the next picture is his beautiful feet today!

Van's casts were removed last Thursday. Dr. Gordon was very pleased with how they looked and worked. We were given the good news that we were done with casts for a few years and will now get Van's braces. Those words felt so good and were such a relief. This is the moment we have been waiting for since we first found out about Van's clubbed feet when I was just 22 weeks pregnant.

I have been reflecting a lot about all that Van has gone through in his short life thus far. 3 surgeries, 15 sets of casts, 2 nights at a hospital and and lots of dr. visits. The amazing aspect of this is Van's wonderful attitude throughout everything. He has figured out how to sit up, rollover and crawl with castys on. He is an amazing boy and I am so excited to watch him continue on his journey, growing and healing.

The 1 pic is of his new braces that he received today. Van will have to wear them for 18 hours a day, which majority of that will be sleep time. We believe he will be required to wear the braces for nighttime for the next 2-3 years. He does not seem to bothered by them so far, hopefully that continues. The other 2 pics are Van at the Dr. office last Thursday with free feet.

The next pic is of his new air Jordan shoes!! Dr. Gordan told us to get him some high tops, to help strengthen and support his ankle. Well after trying on about 15 pairs of shoes-the ones that fit and were cute were these stylin shoes.

I also want to thank everyone for all of the love, support, prayers and positive energy sent our way other the last year. It was amazing to feel all of our friends and family holding us through all of Van's journey. I am now just waiting to see our little man walk...

slideshow of pictures

We have all had a busy week, with alot of pictures taken. So I put together this little slideshow of some memories in the making.

Crawling

Early this evening Sarina, Brittany and I were visiting in the living room with Van. All of a sudden we all watched as he figured out how to crawl forward!!!!!! We continued to watch for the next 10 minutes, dangling keys in front of his face to coerce him into more movement. Now all evening he was experimenting with his new freedom. And all of this movement is with the casts! Wow- babies are amazing and resilient. I will try and capture some video soon.

uPdaTe

All is good here in the Voelker household. We are all grateful that Springtime has come to Duluth. Myla and I seem to spend every morning we are home out back playing in the yard. She loves it outside; swinging, playing in the sandbox or helping Mom with yard work. Van usually sleeps for the majority of the morning, but usually gets out for a little while before lunch. Van is so mesmerized by the outdoors, he looks around and enjoys all the new sounds. We also have a swing for each of the kids set up in back and both love spending time swinging away.

Enjoy the video! Van was finding it hilarious to watchhis Sister blow bubbles. This went on for 20 minutes or so.

Pictures

Easter 2009 and Van's casts.

Myla update

A little update on Miss Myla Margaret-

She is 2 and 3/4 yrs old. She know she will be 3 on her birthday, which she can proudly say "july 30fth". Myla loves being a big sister and spoils Van her attention and Love. She talks to him in this high pitch loving voice, it is darling to watch their friendship grow.

Myla is also a big fan of nakey time! Pretty much everyday I find her unclothed and dancing around the house. She has also started having pretend play with her dollhouse and other toys. I hear telling the dolls "it is time for bed, here's your icepack." The icepack? Well Myla for some reason needs an icepack (any kind will do) to go to bed at night. Lance and I oblige, whats the harm.

As it gets warmer outside we all enjoying playing in the yard. Myla has a lot of fun in her sandbox and her new trike from Papa Haven and Grandma Marcia. Myla is planning on helping me with the garden this year and wants to plant sunflowers.

She is growing up very fast. We are planning on sending Myla to preschool next fall. Myla loved the tour we had there last month and can't wait to start school. Enjoy the pictures

Van's 2nd Surgery

Saturday after surgery, doing good!

Right after surgery.

Van's 2nd surgery was this past Friday. The plan was to cast the foot that was operated on last week and then fix his left foot. We should have been prepared that since the fist surgery went so well-the 2nd would not. Well-let me say the surgery itself went well-everything else not so well.

Apon arriving at 6 a.m. we were put in the open floor PICU area-this is the area for day surgeries and what not. It is just not the same as having our own room or bathroom. We were then brought down to pre-op at 6:30. So there in a very small, busy area Lance, Van and I sat and tried to keep busy for 2 hours. Thank goodness Van feel asleep. All the Dr. checked him out and off he went.

Lance and I went to the family waiting room. After 1 1/2 the volunteer came over to us,we both thought boy that was quick! And the volunteer told us-they just started surgery-we panicked for a little bit wondering why it took so long to get started. We later found out they had a very, very hard time getting an IV in. Van had over 20 pricks, 6 Dr.'s trying and finally a ultrasound machine to find the vain in his head.

So surgery on his foot went well and as Dr. Gordon told us- his foot definitely needed the surgery to be fixed. His muscle in his right foot was not stretching like Dr. Gordon would like and believes there will need to be some more work done with Van as he gets older. As for now we are going back to the hospital on Monday morning 5:30 am. for a quick sedation ( no needles) to get new casts on both feet. We are hoping to get tye dyed casts this time!

As for Van at home-he is pretty good. He does not seem to be in to much pain, but very frustrated on his lack of choices- which is his back, his tummy, his highchair and a floor chair. The funny thing occurring is the cast/splint allows Van the strength to get into crawl position very easily, even scooting backwards a little bit. Last night he did a complete circle around me. I will try and get a video of this up soon.