Luca up close

I got a few rare pictures of Luca up close. he is very hard to photograph these days.

View

I don't know if you know this, but we have an incredible view from our roof. There was a amazing sunset the other night and since Luca was sleeping we decided to venture up and this is what we found. Wow, I sure wish we had a little roof top patio or something...easier said than done but what and incredible view!

Kayak

Luca enjoys playing in the beautiful wooden kayak that John made a few years ago. I think Luca is ready to take it out for a spin on the lake.

Dr. Mosca

Luca had an appointment with Dr. Mosca today to follow up with what the Dr. out in Philly had said about next steps for ideal foot correction. We hoped that Dr. Mosca would be on board with casting the left foot as the dr. in Philly recommended and Dr. Mosca agrees that is the next step. Luca will get a new series of casts starting in the end of Oct. for about three-four weeks. Then new AFO's to keep his (hopefully) more corrected foot position. I believe that the casts will only be on his left foot as his right foot still looks very good.

Hand Doctor

Hand Doctor report:

We met with the leading hand surgeon for arthrogyposis at Shriner's in Philly, Dr. Kozin. We wondered if there was anything surgically that could be done to improve Luca's hand mobility. Dr. Kozin was very nice, interacted with Luca as Luca used his hands to play and then gave him a big soft cookie to watch him feed himself. Dr. Kozin's conclusion was that there were no surgery to be done right now to Luca for Luca. He encouraged us to come back in a year or two when there may be a use for surgery depending on Luca's development. Dr. Kozin was glad to see that Luca could get his elbow to 90 degrees (passively) and his wrists to neutral (two big reasons for surgery at this age which Luca doesn't need)

I was kind of disappointed that there isn't anything that can be done for Luca's hands, but also encouraged that Luca can use his hands as well as he can and that all three hand dr. we have seen have the same option. Dr. Kozin told us to keep on doing therapy and having Luca wear his overnight hand splints.

Luca then had new "cool" hand splints made at the clinic. The whole appointment took 4 hours. Luca is a trooper!

More NC

NC

Luca's first merry go round. We went on at least 6 times. He loved it! He is waving in the picture:)

Molly and Luca on a bike ride

Saying good bye to Nanny, Grandpa, and Daddy at the Newark airport

Great Grandma Walker

Such a gift to spend time with Great Grandma Walker!!! And the Hicks!

Luca and Annalise and friends

We had a great visit with Peter, Kara, Ben, Kristin, and Matt. Annalise was showing us her hippo smile in this last picture. She is just so cute and Luca misses her already!

Oma

Luca, John, and I were able to visit my grandmother, Oma, when we were in Washington, DC.

Luca and Annalise

Luca and Annalise in the PJ's in the morning.

Luca in the fountain

There was a big fountain in a park in DC where Peter and Kara took us. Luca loved playing in it. The water would fall down and then spray back up. So much fun!

Washington DC

John, Luca and I are down in DC this weekend visiting Peter, Kara and Annalise Barrett. Luca and Annalise were dancing in this picture together as they looked at the river. It is very fun to watch them become fast friends.

Philly dr. visit:

We also went to Shiner's Hospital this last Friday. The foot doctor recommended more casting for the left foot and different AFO's. We are processing the information and were glad to get a second option. We see the hand doctor on Thursday and will let you know how that goes!

The Beach

The Beach week: We are at the beach in New Jersey with John's family. Luca loves being in the sand and going in the ocean! What a blast! It is very nice to be in lots of sunshine and warm weather!