Hey all - I have moved my blog.
The Schneider Family blog can now be found here. Please update your favorites if you have it saved.
All of our archived blogs are on the new blog as well as the most recent ones.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
From the Hills of WV to the Zoo in St. Louie
Tobin and I went on our first road trip about a week or so ago now. It was to my Uncle Mike's house in WV. I was having nightmares before we left that he screamed the whole way. I was getting a little terrified...one of mom's clients sent a gift along. It was a sun that plays classical music and was chew toy ready. Tobin loved it. He did extremely well for the long drive there and home.
The trip to see my Uncle was bittersweet. My aunt recently passed away and we were there as some support for my uncle & cousin. The church where Nyla (my aunt) played the piano held a memorial service for her. It was a very nice and emotional service. Tobin & I missed the last bit, he was getting fussy we went downstairs.
My cousin John (13y) was incredibly sweet and gentle with Tobin. He said this was the closest he had ever really been to a baby and his first experience was a good one. Tobin was just as enamored with John.
Yesterday we spent in St. Louis. We finally had our appointment with the Shriner's. We agreed to let them do some DNA testing, they are doing research to help find the gene that causes clubfoot. They took blood form all three of us and as detailed family medical history as we could give them. We did learn some interesting stats though: 1 in 1,000 babies will be born with a club foot, more boys are affected then girls, and the right foot is affected more then the left. We hope our DNA helps them along with the research.
Overall we had a very positive experience at the Shriner's hospital. Tobin has new shoes and new braces on his feet. We learned that 1) the Denis Browne Splint (the bar) we were using was to short 2) his club foot wasn't at enough of an angle. His new brace isn't was I was expecting from Dr. Deppe's description, but better then what Tobin had. This Dobbs Brace keeps his feet in the correct positions, but allows for his feet to move independently from one another. We don't know yet if he will be able to crawl in them or not yet, we will just have to work on that.
The Good/Not-so-good news...Not-so-good, he has to wear the brace & shoes 23 hours out of the day. The one hour out is for bath times and stretching exercises on his foot and ankle. The good new...after three months of this he will be weened to wearing them only at nap times and bed time. That is like a 6m to a year earlier then we were expecting. We go back to the hospital in 3 months for a check up and the any adjustments.
We are adjusting yet again to the new braces and shoes. It always takes a few days to get in the groove of things. Here is a picture of what his brace looks like:
After all that, we took Tobin to the St. Louis Zoo. Three of his favorite things: people, outdoors, and animals. We were there about 3 hours and still had a lot to see.
The trip to see my Uncle was bittersweet. My aunt recently passed away and we were there as some support for my uncle & cousin. The church where Nyla (my aunt) played the piano held a memorial service for her. It was a very nice and emotional service. Tobin & I missed the last bit, he was getting fussy we went downstairs.
My cousin John (13y) was incredibly sweet and gentle with Tobin. He said this was the closest he had ever really been to a baby and his first experience was a good one. Tobin was just as enamored with John.
Yesterday we spent in St. Louis. We finally had our appointment with the Shriner's. We agreed to let them do some DNA testing, they are doing research to help find the gene that causes clubfoot. They took blood form all three of us and as detailed family medical history as we could give them. We did learn some interesting stats though: 1 in 1,000 babies will be born with a club foot, more boys are affected then girls, and the right foot is affected more then the left. We hope our DNA helps them along with the research.
Overall we had a very positive experience at the Shriner's hospital. Tobin has new shoes and new braces on his feet. We learned that 1) the Denis Browne Splint (the bar) we were using was to short 2) his club foot wasn't at enough of an angle. His new brace isn't was I was expecting from Dr. Deppe's description, but better then what Tobin had. This Dobbs Brace keeps his feet in the correct positions, but allows for his feet to move independently from one another. We don't know yet if he will be able to crawl in them or not yet, we will just have to work on that.
The Good/Not-so-good news...Not-so-good, he has to wear the brace & shoes 23 hours out of the day. The one hour out is for bath times and stretching exercises on his foot and ankle. The good new...after three months of this he will be weened to wearing them only at nap times and bed time. That is like a 6m to a year earlier then we were expecting. We go back to the hospital in 3 months for a check up and the any adjustments.
We are adjusting yet again to the new braces and shoes. It always takes a few days to get in the groove of things. Here is a picture of what his brace looks like:
After all that, we took Tobin to the St. Louis Zoo. Three of his favorite things: people, outdoors, and animals. We were there about 3 hours and still had a lot to see.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What Difference A Little Surgery Makes
Amazing...
Tobin's foot when he was born...
Tobin's foot after 7 months of casts, shoes, bars, and surgery...
We are all getting used to Tobin being in his shoes with the bar again. He had his feet (in the shoes & bar) pulled up to his face in the carseat and was growling at them. Our appointment with the Shriners was pushed out the 24th...two more weeks...
We went swimming today and Tobin was in heaven. He was so excited to be back in the water. He didn't stop moving from the time we got in to the time we left.
He also got a bath this evening and he was just as excited as he was to swim
Tobin's foot when he was born...
Tobin's foot after 7 months of casts, shoes, bars, and surgery...
We are all getting used to Tobin being in his shoes with the bar again. He had his feet (in the shoes & bar) pulled up to his face in the carseat and was growling at them. Our appointment with the Shriners was pushed out the 24th...two more weeks...
We went swimming today and Tobin was in heaven. He was so excited to be back in the water. He didn't stop moving from the time we got in to the time we left.
He also got a bath this evening and he was just as excited as he was to swim
Sunday, August 2, 2009
He Has Teeth & He Knows How to Use Them
That would be correct...Tobin has teeth...not a tooth...teeth as in more than one...he has two. His bottom two front teeth are coming in.
Conversation a few days ago in the truck when Chris sticks his hand in the back to play with Tobin:
Chris: Oh crap his teeth are sharp
Me: I told you they were
Chris: I thought you said you could just see them
Me: I told you they were out
Chris: I guess I didn't realize they were out-out. He almost broke my skin. When did you tell me they were out?
Me: A few days ago when I said his teeth are out and they are sharp.
Chris: Oh.
Tobin is still on that cusp of just about doing everything. He is definitely sitting on his own now, fewer & fewer face plants from a sitting position ever day. He wants to crawl so badly, he works real hard at it.
Wednesday is the final day for his cast...WOO HOO!!!! We (him probably more than us) are so ready for it to be off. Our conversations kind go like this:
"I bet when he gets that cast off he will..."
"When that cast is finally off we can..."
After the cast is off he will be corrective shoes. He will have a flat bottom pair, these are for the day, and a pair with the bar between them, these are for night. Now these shoes are not cheap. So we applied to the Hadi Shriners to help us with the cost of the shoes. Our insurance covered most of his Doctor appointments and surgery, but they don't cover the cost of the shoes. Thank goodness our application to the Shriners was approved. We are meeting with the doctors on August 17th in St. Louis, I will let you all know how it goes.
I have a jobby job. I will be working at Fitness 19. It is within walking distance from our house, so I will not have to drive to work. I will also be working evenings. This means Chris will have bedtime duty with Tobin everynight, and we will not have to pay for daycare.
I think that is all the news we have right now.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tobzilla & Other Bits & Pieces
I got my hair cut...woo hoo...loving it
Before:
After:
Other news...we sent an application the Hadi Shriners to help us with the cost of Tobin's corrective shoes. They are super expensive and are not cover by our insurance (get this...if he lad leg braces those would be covered, but corrective shoes are not) and thought we would give the Shriners a shot. Our application was approved and we have an appointment to meet with them in August. The count down has begun...9 more days until Tobin's cast is off. Hopefully this is his last cast. We plan to spend the next few days after that at Papa Phil's pool.
Bella only has about 2 weeks until school starts...I think Tobin will miss her.
I am looking for work...BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! There is a fitness place opening right by our house and I interviewed there...seems like it it went very well. If I work there, I can walk to work and on days that my schedule overlaps with Chris, I can take Tobin to the children's center they have.
Now...Tobzilla:
Before:
After:
Other news...we sent an application the Hadi Shriners to help us with the cost of Tobin's corrective shoes. They are super expensive and are not cover by our insurance (get this...if he lad leg braces those would be covered, but corrective shoes are not) and thought we would give the Shriners a shot. Our application was approved and we have an appointment to meet with them in August. The count down has begun...9 more days until Tobin's cast is off. Hopefully this is his last cast. We plan to spend the next few days after that at Papa Phil's pool.
Bella only has about 2 weeks until school starts...I think Tobin will miss her.
I am looking for work...BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! There is a fitness place opening right by our house and I interviewed there...seems like it it went very well. If I work there, I can walk to work and on days that my schedule overlaps with Chris, I can take Tobin to the children's center they have.
Now...Tobzilla:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I didn't really believe it...
My friend Jessica says Tobin's looks change every time she sees him. She said if you put him with a line of other babies, she's not sure she could pick him out. I didn't really believe it until this past Saturday. My little boy looks different, although I think I could pick him out of a pack of babies.
Not radically different, just different. A little more little boyish, less babyish, I guess.
I was feeding him Saturday afternoon, after he was finished he was sitting on my lap talking and playing with my face when I notices it. He smile was a little different, the look on his face was different, the way his face responded to me was different.
I see him everyday, so it takes me a longer to notice the changes in him. This got me to looking at pictures from after he was born until recently. He has changed so much, yet not at all...
Newborn:
2 Months:
4 Months:
6 Months:
A little different each time...he is growing up so fast. Glo-Worm is sitting on his own now. He can pull himself up even with his cast on. He can rollover...he gets stuck in the cast sometimes. When the cast is off, I think the crawling is going to take off, he is so ready to be mobile. I love his slobbery kisses, his snuggles, his smile...
Life is good.
Not radically different, just different. A little more little boyish, less babyish, I guess.
I was feeding him Saturday afternoon, after he was finished he was sitting on my lap talking and playing with my face when I notices it. He smile was a little different, the look on his face was different, the way his face responded to me was different.
I see him everyday, so it takes me a longer to notice the changes in him. This got me to looking at pictures from after he was born until recently. He has changed so much, yet not at all...
Newborn:
2 Months:
4 Months:
6 Months:
A little different each time...he is growing up so fast. Glo-Worm is sitting on his own now. He can pull himself up even with his cast on. He can rollover...he gets stuck in the cast sometimes. When the cast is off, I think the crawling is going to take off, he is so ready to be mobile. I love his slobbery kisses, his snuggles, his smile...
Life is good.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Clingy, Cranky Baby
That is how I am so affectionately describing my son today. Monday he got some shots and the one in his right leg is...kinda stuck I guess. It's hard and looks bruised. We called the doctors office & they said that was normal. The nurse said it could talk days or a few weeks to work it's way through. Since this hasn't happened before, we are thinking that the cast is holding it back. I am thinking also this is the reason for the "clingy, cranky baby." This mood is on the heals of him getting up way to early today (5am)...made a cranky mommy today.
Bella passed her swimming lessons to move up to Guppy and has gotten to jump off the diving board and she loves it. I am glad she is doing so well.
Here is a video of me & Tobin talking
Bella passed her swimming lessons to move up to Guppy and has gotten to jump off the diving board and she loves it. I am glad she is doing so well.
Here is a video of me & Tobin talking
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Rock Around the Clock
Since Tobin's surgery, he has decided a later bedtime is in order. I have a love/dislike feeling about this.
Love: that we can go places without him being too cranky and ready to go to bed. That I get to spend more of my day with him.
Dislike: I miss that little bit of me time before we went to bed. That he can't decided exactly what time to go to bed.
I think we are settling into the 8p-ish area, but it has varied from 7p to 10p.
A few weeks ago we went to Wendy's house for Bella & Leland to swim, they had such a good time we are going back tomorrow.
Over the weekend we got Tobin one of those thingys that you can put in the seat of shopping carts and such. He loved it. He was so excited about seeing everything around him, he couldn't decided what to look at first.
This was just too cute...
Love: that we can go places without him being too cranky and ready to go to bed. That I get to spend more of my day with him.
Dislike: I miss that little bit of me time before we went to bed. That he can't decided exactly what time to go to bed.
I think we are settling into the 8p-ish area, but it has varied from 7p to 10p.
A few weeks ago we went to Wendy's house for Bella & Leland to swim, they had such a good time we are going back tomorrow.
Over the weekend we got Tobin one of those thingys that you can put in the seat of shopping carts and such. He loved it. He was so excited about seeing everything around him, he couldn't decided what to look at first.
This was just too cute...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Ninja Puke
We have a new term for the throw up from Tobin that happens & you didn't know it. Ninja Puke. This tends to happen when we are holding him and walking around and we come across it with our bare foot generally. Ninja Puke can happen anytime, anywhere and usually is running down your arm before you know it.
Chris' mom got us, or Tobin to be exact, and Exer-Saucer. He loves it! Once we got batteries in it and he figured out how to move and make the sound he was in heaven. It is a great distraction for us. Know we can sit down to dinner & eat, I can do things around the house. Wonderful!
This past Friday (the 19th) Tobin had outpatient surgery, minimal risk, on his ankle for his clubfoot. They went in and cut his Achilles tendon, correctly positioned his foot and then cast it. He will wear the first case for 4 weeks then we go cut it off (the cast not the foot) clean his foot & leg up then recast it for another 2 weeks.
He has been wearing special shoes with a bar between then to correct his club foot, but his heel just wasn’t lengthening like they thought it would. So good news, he hasn’t had to wear the shoes since the 9th, bad news will be in a cast for 6 weeks out of the summer & he loves swimming.
Tobin’s surgery went just fine. We got there and after they got him all checked in he fell asleep. The nurse came and took him back to surgery.
Dr. Deppe said they made a cut in his tendon (not all the way through like I thought, just enough to loosen it up) and it looked really good. He said it had already dropped into a better position. Chris asked about repeat surgery, Dr. Deppe said that 90% of children with club feet need the initial surgery, of that 90% only 3% has to have it again. After the casting is finished he will have two sets of shoes. One pair will be to wear during the day. This will keep his foot in the correct position, but allow for his development such as crawling and walking. The other pair will be like the ones he has now. The will have the bar between them, but will only have to wear them when he is sleeping
Tobin is in a great mood and doesn’t seem to be effected by it at all. I told Chris we are so lucky to have such a good natured baby. He could be the whiniest, crying baby ever through this whole foot thing. He just takes it as it comes and goes with it. No fuss, well hardly any fuss.
Here are a few recent pictures Glo-Worm:
Edit: Perri...we asked the doctor about the cast covers because we really wanted to take him swimming. Dr. Deppe said he would recommed not to for this first go around. He said with the little incision he didn't want to risk even a small amount of water getting in there and causing an infection. he did say with the second cast we could get one of those
Chris' mom got us, or Tobin to be exact, and Exer-Saucer. He loves it! Once we got batteries in it and he figured out how to move and make the sound he was in heaven. It is a great distraction for us. Know we can sit down to dinner & eat, I can do things around the house. Wonderful!
This past Friday (the 19th) Tobin had outpatient surgery, minimal risk, on his ankle for his clubfoot. They went in and cut his Achilles tendon, correctly positioned his foot and then cast it. He will wear the first case for 4 weeks then we go cut it off (the cast not the foot) clean his foot & leg up then recast it for another 2 weeks.
He has been wearing special shoes with a bar between then to correct his club foot, but his heel just wasn’t lengthening like they thought it would. So good news, he hasn’t had to wear the shoes since the 9th, bad news will be in a cast for 6 weeks out of the summer & he loves swimming.
Tobin’s surgery went just fine. We got there and after they got him all checked in he fell asleep. The nurse came and took him back to surgery.
Dr. Deppe said they made a cut in his tendon (not all the way through like I thought, just enough to loosen it up) and it looked really good. He said it had already dropped into a better position. Chris asked about repeat surgery, Dr. Deppe said that 90% of children with club feet need the initial surgery, of that 90% only 3% has to have it again. After the casting is finished he will have two sets of shoes. One pair will be to wear during the day. This will keep his foot in the correct position, but allow for his development such as crawling and walking. The other pair will be like the ones he has now. The will have the bar between them, but will only have to wear them when he is sleeping
Tobin is in a great mood and doesn’t seem to be effected by it at all. I told Chris we are so lucky to have such a good natured baby. He could be the whiniest, crying baby ever through this whole foot thing. He just takes it as it comes and goes with it. No fuss, well hardly any fuss.
Here are a few recent pictures Glo-Worm:
Edit: Perri...we asked the doctor about the cast covers because we really wanted to take him swimming. Dr. Deppe said he would recommed not to for this first go around. He said with the little incision he didn't want to risk even a small amount of water getting in there and causing an infection. he did say with the second cast we could get one of those
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
We have busy the last few weeks. Bella started her swimming lessons, which she LOVES! She is doing very well in the class. I think she will pass to go on to the next level. She is talking about being a lifeguard when she gets older, and thinks is is super cool that Aunt Andi & Uncle Chris were lifeguards.
Tobin & I are going to a Born to Read class on Wednesday mornings. He LOVES it. It is a very interactive class. We sing songs & dance and read stories. I think he has a crush on one of the little girls.
Bella & I made zucchini bread. My brain is till trying to comprehend that she DOESN'T like zucchini bread. She didn't like the smell, she didn't like the taste, she really didn't like it.
Tobin's cousin Lakelyn giggles at him like he is the funniest thing ever. Every time she sees him she laughs at him. We all visions of them blaming each other for what ever mischief occurs.
Forrest turns 17 today.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORREST.
I am totally addicted to facebook.....arrrgghhhhh....farm town, quizzes, commentd, pictures...I love it all
Tobin & I are going to a Born to Read class on Wednesday mornings. He LOVES it. It is a very interactive class. We sing songs & dance and read stories. I think he has a crush on one of the little girls.
Bella & I made zucchini bread. My brain is till trying to comprehend that she DOESN'T like zucchini bread. She didn't like the smell, she didn't like the taste, she really didn't like it.
Tobin's cousin Lakelyn giggles at him like he is the funniest thing ever. Every time she sees him she laughs at him. We all visions of them blaming each other for what ever mischief occurs.
Forrest turns 17 today.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY FORREST.
I am totally addicted to facebook.....arrrgghhhhh....farm town, quizzes, commentd, pictures...I love it all
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