In the world of Kiya

I thought it necessary to pause from packing, cleaning, packing, organizing and baby/toddler proofing to post an update about all that is going on with Miss Kiya.

First off, she is over the moon excited to be a big sister as long as Katie doesn't get her pink sheets. She can have the purple ones but not the pink ones. And she also can't have the blue bath turtle that Kiya only gets to play with for one week every 12-13 weeks.

I heard back from our care coordinator about the questions we had after our last cast day. She is going to raise our concerns with the doctor and push for the one month brace break next summer. I am a little nervous about the break but we need to try and fix some other things. As a family, we decided and I told Linda, that we are willing to continue casting for 2 more years. At that point if we are still stuck we will choose one of two things depending on the xray. We will either try to brace and delay surgery or we will move forward with surgery. I cannot be in denial about this anymore and while I hate the idea of my 6 year old having major surgery if the end result is a straighter back and the change to just be a kid then that is what I need to do. It won't be easy if that is the route we go but who said life was every easy.

Kiya is getting her hair actually braided next week. She is so ready for her "Charlotte" hair. I showed her a picture of a little girl that was in Ethiopia the same time she was and told her we travelled with her parents to bring them home. She LOVED her braids and has been asking for "Charlotte" hair. Going to be a long day at the salon but it mean a few weeks of no combing so it will be worth it.

Kiya will be starting private school in September. We have enrolled her in the Pre-3 program at the same school that Dave went to. She is excited about her new school and so are we.

Lastly, Miss Kiya has decided that she wants Sleeping Beauty flip flops. We have told Kiya that if she wants flip flops she needs to learn how to walk up and down the stairs by herself, alternating legs and holding on the rail with one hand. Sounds mean...well her cast and her scoliosis have affected her muscle development. If not focusing, she will walk up the stairs only using her right leg to push off of.  She is almost 4. We are doing her a disservice if we don't challenge her to use other muscles.

Let me tell you she is so determined. When we first presented this challenge she said "I can't do it. It's too hard." Now a few weeks later we have seen great improvement. She is alternating legs most of the time. She is putting her hands down for balance a lot less and she is doing it by herself holding only the rail. She still has some work to do but she is trying so hard. We are so proud of her.

So there you have it. Kiya's world is a busy place and about to get even busier with the addition of Katie.

I can't believe that this time next week I am flying to Korea....back to cleaning and packing and putting together our new stroller.