New short casts

We are enjoying Luca's short walking casts. He can't bear weight on his own yet but he can stand for a little while if prompted against the couch or a chair. He loves being able to scoot better, and faster, and being able to stand more easily. One more week till we get his new AFO's! His casts are still to bulky to put shoes over them so his casts are pretty slippery on the floors.
John and Dr. Mosca was very happy with how Luca's feet looks. (I wasn't at the appointment) His feet look much straighter but also are much stiffer. (remember the goal according to Dr. Mosca for Luca t0 have stiff straight feet in the end). Mosca used Luca's feet as his case study at a conference for foot dr. in FL. He was very proud to show the other doctor's Luca's success. We are praising the Lord!

NEW WALKING casts today

We are very excited about Luca getting new walking casts. Not sure what they will look like yet but we will put up a picture later. It has got to be better than the long leg casts. He is so eager to stand and walk. He has put some nice racing stripes in his current casts, they are pretty trashed after three weeks:)

Christmas tree, O Chritmas Tree

Luca's reaction to the tree what hilarious. He keeps looking at the tree and saying, "nice", "nice", "nice" over and over again. I think he likes it:) We went to a local hardware store, Maclendan's last night and found this tree. It was also on sale which I am always happy about. It is so fun to have our own first Christmas. It is the first Christmas since we got married that we aren't traveling to someone else's house. It is a lot of fun to be home for Christmas.

Luca's slide

John made a slide for Luca in our driveway with old cabinet parts. Luca had fun and I caught a great big smile at the end of the slide! We had a great afternoon together. And we got a Christmas tree this evening. I will put up some pictures when it gets decorated.

Surgery cost

We are thankful once again that Children's has given us financial aid again this year. I got the statement from the insurance agency today from Luca's last surgery. $27,000. The insurance said they would cover $3,000. Wow, that would have been painful. Thankful for Children's Hospital and God provision once again.

Accomplishment of the year

I (Katie) went successfully running with Luca at Lincoln park today. I know that it isn't really that big of a deal but it has been something I am hoping to doing on a regular bases for a LONG time. Last time I tried to run with Luca was maybe last year and a total disaster. I am optimistic that we have turned a corner and are now able to do this activity together. Luca loves to looking at the boat, dogs, and to go fast in the stroller. There is also a long swing ride in the swings at the end of the run for Luca.

wonderful coincidence

Yesterday, Luca had an appointment at Children's to have a hand dr. look at his thumbs and hands to see if a surgery could help his function increase. The dr. isn't quite sure about the answer but is consulting another dr. we have been in contact with on the east coast and will get back to us about their thoughts and recommendation.
The cool part about our trip to children's was that our friends, Chip and Becky and their son, Joshua, who also has AMC, also had a 4 pm appointment yesterday at Childrens. They live a few hours away from Seattle so we don't see them very often. We got to have dinner together and visit after the dr appointments were over. Joshua and Luca are both very happy, adorable little boys. We are glad for the chance to visit with another family going through this similar exciting and challenging journey. It would also be cool for Joshua and Luca to been friends. Wish i had taken a picture of the boys together. Next time I will.

Post Thanksgiving Post

Luca first thing in the morning, cuddling on the couch
Luca loves to sit on the counter, help us make coffee, and toast and everything else. He loves being able to see when mom and dad are doing.

John, Luca and I had a wonderful low key Thanksgiving weekend. The highlight was that John and I were both off of work. We went over to our friends, Andy and Jamie's for brunch and then over to Alicia's for celebration of her birthday! We also had a cool moment when Scarlett, Maya, and Luca were all sleeping at Alicia's so the adults got to play a game together. It was the first time since the kids were born that we have hung out as couples without them. It was a special few hours:)
Yesterday we got a turkey on sale and cooked it for the heck of it, Jess and Kimi came over. We only had the main good parts of the meal, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, and turkey and gravy. It was super.
The snow is all melted but has gotten me ready for Dec. and the advent season. I usually think all that comes to early but I am ready this year now that we had an few days of freezing temps. John and I are looking forward to having Christmas in our own house this year for the first time ever. There is a cool permit you can get here in WA where you can cut any tree down in the forest for $10. It sounds like fun to hike through the woods looking for a tree. We are hoping to do that tomorrow.

Luca and the snow!

It is snowing in Seattle! It is so much fun and beautiful. Luca isn't quite sure about the snow flakes falling on him but he loves looking at it. John and I are home today and am going to to make a fire and enjoy this early winter wonderland. I love the snow, a true Minnesotan at heart.

The blue casts

Here is Luca rocking in his cow in his new casts in his dog pj's. We had PT and OT this morning at Boyer. I told Luca he was going to Boyer and he said, "play?", "bubbles?", "Elmo?" at least he has a great association with the place he receives therapy:) He didn't want to leave after 2 hours this morning.

New casts

John just called me at work on his way back home from children's hospital. Luca has new blue casts. The casting went fine not too many tears and he is comfortable now on the ride home. Luca's feet looked more flexible and he has a large scar on the left foot from the surgery. I will post pictures of the new blue casts soon. Three more weeks till the walking casts and then new AFO's on Dec. 17th! Yay!

The kid just loves the bath

Luca cannot have a bath for about 9 weeks because of his casting series. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since it began and he will have a cast change on Wed. but because he has hard casts on he cannot get a bath before his new casts go on. He is rather fussy tonight and the only thing that will console him is taking a bath. John said why not put him in a dry bath tub with his bath toys? Great idea. Luca is now playing happily in that bath. And here is a picture of it.

Aunt Betsy's Visit!

Aunt Betsy came and we all loved spending time with her and her growing baby belly! We miss her already!!!

Our Little Pumpkin

Luca has a new pumpkin hat knit by Kara Hill, at Bethany WS. Thanks Kara! He looks so cute it in. We are also getting a lot of use out of the exercise saucer these days so Luca can be "standing" instead of always sitting on his bottom. He can now play with the toys and press the buttons. A few month later than usual but I'll take it.

Luca coloring

Luca coloring

Luca started coloring with his mouth and his hand. It is fun to see him coloring.

a few more pictures

Luca colors Snoopy!

Post surgery

Layna came over to cheer up Luca the morning after his surgery. He sure liked the Binky game!

Havest Party

At Bethany tonight, there was a huge party, the Harvest Party. It was so much fun to see all the kids dressed up and lots of new friends too. Luca looks adorable in his pirate costume. He didn't smile too much he looked very serious most of the evening. I think he was trying to figure out why everyone looked so funny. I was Mrs. Frizzle from the Magic school bus series.

Update

Luca is still recovery and sleeping well. He ended up not having to stay at the hospital the first night because he was eating, drinking, and doing ok. We were all very glad to come home around 5 pm and Luca slept much better than I think he would have at the hospital. We are watching some baby Einsteins, playing with toys, and enjoying all the visits and food brought by so many!!! Thanks again everyone for supporting us through this surgery! I am still blown away by how well it has gone. It has been so much better than the first surgery which helps me since we many have more down the road. Luca slept really well again last night. He does say off, please several times a day while lifting up his cast. I wish I could take them off but we all want the end result-straight feet for walking. I will post some pictures soon.

smooth recovery

Luca is doing very well, he slept through the night last night and took a three hour nap this afternoon. We are all glad for the much needed rest. Luca has just begun scooting around this evening. Thanks for all your prayers, call, and encouragement. He still wants his casts off but hopefully soon he will get use to them again.

Surgery Update

Luca had a successful surgery without complications. He is awake and eating already. He should be in good order to go home tomorrow.

Luca in surgery

Luca is in surgery right now. He calmly went down to sleep in the OR, while I was holding him. Dr. Mosca is currently working on Luca's little feet. I will send an update when we have one. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and support.

Cute Luca

The new lawn

John got some fresh sod for the front yard and it looks so nice. I feel like we robbed a golf course or something. Can't wait to enjoy it this spring and summer! He has got some amazing home transformation skills!

Early Halloween

I went to a consignment sale with Alicia yesterday and found a pirate costume for a buck. I was planning on putting Luca in his monkey suit from last year (the pants don't fit but brown pants would work, right?) anyway, who knows if we will make it to anything we need a costume to with his surgery on Tues. but I thought this would be fun if we were all up for it. The legs of the pirate outfit are wide enough for the casts to fit over too. He still needs a hat or something but he looks pretty cute.

Pumpkin Boy

Luca, Jess, Kimi, Layna and I went to the pumpkin patch. The kids had a blast, and got to ride on a little train. Luca keeps saying choo-choo. I love the fall!

Spiky hair

Luca enjoyed the bath again today. I think he looks so old and cute with his hair all spiky.

Luca's Truck

I don't know if you have seen pictures of Luca riding his truck yet. He loves riding it down the block and then likes you to put him back up and doing again!

More pictures

Here are some pictures of making apple crisp together and reading books with Luca. We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa.

A moment to myself

It is so nice to have my dad here. He is currently at Boyer with Luca during his PT and OT. It takes 45 mins. to get to Boyer at this time of day and then the PT and OT are about an hour each so it is a full morning experience which Luca also enjoys. I am grateful to have a week "off" even though it is really fun to watch Luca during his interactive therapy time.
What did I do with my morning you may ask? I went to the dentist for a follow up visit, cleaned the house, and had a quiet breakfast. I think I need to get more creative in my moments to myself but it happens so rarely I don't know what to do with myself:) I am also hoping to go running a little later on this beautiful fall day.

Surgery Date Set

Luca is going to be having surgery on Oct. 26th on both feet. He will be in long leg casts for 6 weeks, walking casts for 2 weeks and then back into AFO's right around Christmas.

Grandma Bev and Grandpa Jim Adams visit in Seattle

We are having a great time here in Seattle with Grandpa and Grandma! They are enjoying the fall colors and most of all their great grandson Luca! He has charmed his way right into their hearts and he loves playing with them! Thanks for coming all the way to Seattle to see us! There are pictures from our special dinner last night at Anthony's Restaurant (where John and I had our wedding reception). Luca did an amazing job sitting through a two hour dinner! What a trooper, and what a delicious meal enjoyed by all!

Luca's new hair cut and cast

Update: Luca got a short hair cut on Monday and today he got a new leg casts. He did so well during the casting. He talked to Dr. Mosca before the casting then hardly cried as we sang together during the casting. I am very proud of him. He had so much fun this morning in the bath (after I took off the last cast and before he got the new one.) He splashed with his legs so much the whole bathroom floor was wet but I didn't care, I just loved seeing him so happy in the water. After 45 mins he was still not ready to be all done but he had to come out. I look forward to his next bath on Monday when he will go back to Children's for x-rays and a decision about when/if to have surgery and on what parts of his feet. Sorry the pictures aren't the best, I couldn't get him to look at the camera this morning.