January 27th - How to cast a baby

Since Ella would not 'bear weight' on her right leg yesterday - the urgent care clinic wanted us to see the Baby Bone People today.  Once we went to Lucille Packard - the children's hospital at Stanford - we were in alternative universe!  Everything was munchkin friendly and we were whisked into the exam room.

Ella and the Doctors flirted together and when she stood up - grabbed their fingers and went to walk she did the most graceful limp you can imagine.  Her left foot went sideways and slid along and her right foot hung in the air - toe pointed and doing small circles that gave her the momentum to scoot along.  It was so awesomely graceful!  And that right foot never ever touched the floor!!!

They laughed - and predicted even before seeing the x - ray that this was a typical Toddlers Fracture - and sure enough - it was!  Babies instincts are like dogs - stay off of it and let the body heal!

Since Julia is teaching 'bones' as part of the biology class this week she was asking some questions - the doctor went into unusual detail about the structure of baby bones and how they become solid over time.  Lots of new detail for Julia's lessons. And once again - I am so in awe of the wonderous creatures we are - imagine - our bones float and are incased in jello so we can grow fast - bend easily and be safe.  Awesome creatures we are!

Conservative therapy says - hard cast it for 3 weeks and let it heal - although it will probably heal without doing anything too - but this is faster/probably less pain

Ella's so little the casting guy asked his 'mentor' to come in and help.  The smartest people are always the people who get backup.  Julia chose a purple cast - the white would get too dirty and the pink was ugly.

This picture is the easy part of putting the stocking and heel and knee pads on - Ella's thinking its all about tickles and giggles right now!

But then it got old - and she didn't really want her leg in that position or her foot locked up.  There was some yelling and hair grabbing and Ella got really really mad.  It took all three of them to wrestles sweat and mold the cast into place.  It was very very loud.  And Ella was the only one 'talking'!

I'm not sure who I felt sorrier for - Ella or the grownups?

At one point the 'Ambassador Nurse' came in to see if everyone was ok and how she could help.  The sound must have traveled?!   The Ambassador gave me a big hug - and that helped!  Well it helped me.

All done!  Awesome team work and Ella seems to be a forgiving soul - she left each of them a smile.  A sort of wet sobbing smile - but a smile!

We're sitting on the bench out front of the hospital waiting for Matt - Ella and Julia are both laughing - such a good sign!  It happened so fast it was over before Matt got there - but Ella and Julia were both so happy to see him.  Ella needed an adult who was not part of this nonsense and Julia needed some lovin' huggin!