Thank You!

How do we thank all the people who have come to our aid and rescued us during what could have been such a rough patch. We have been amazed by the selfless and amazing acts of kindness and generosity that have come our way. Having to ask for and accept help is never something one really wants to be forced to do, but we didn't have a choice and feel so fortunate to have as many willing and able people in our lives. Here is just a quick overview of the support we've gotten:

• The night of the accident, John's sister and husband delivered Cally's favorite stuffed animals, fed our dog, and cleaned up our house.
  
• While at the hospital, our friend Sandy bought a phone charger and delivered it to our hospital room so that we could maintain communication with friends and family.
  
• Before we even got home from the hospital, our good friend Jen and her boys had dropped off a meal, a beanbag chair, toys and books for Cally.
• The day after we came home, Krull came over to make us breakfast and then Rebecca and Chase delivered more books and art supplies, and spent a few hours playing with Cally. Then our friends Cynthia and Cara came by to read stories and deliver a few movies.
• The next day, our friends the Krulls and the Aubins encouraged us to get out of the house and meet them at ECHO (a children's museum) where they helped us wade through the gobs of kids and made Cally smile.

• One day the Roose family came by with play do and dress up clothes.

• Sandy, Rowan, Nils, Willem, and Shae delivered more books and did some more reading with Cal so that Mom could go out for a special night with the gals.
  
• Scott came by while John was away to read to Cal, carry her upstairs, and then hold Hazen.
  
• Our neighbors, the Gardners, came by with chocolate and books.
• Anton, Popkin, and Colleen came by to tell stories and sign Cally's cast.
  
• Cath and Ty brought a toy and a book and read to Cal.
• Bobby came by with Hazen and Milo to make Cally smile.
• Medora, Addy, and Tanner came by several times with crafts and books for Cally and an eagerness to hold Hazen, thus giving me a much needed break.
• John's parents came up for four days with meals, tons of love and support.
• My sister and Will came up for another four days ready to read, fix lunches, and do dishes as needed.
• And then there is the Ganz Clan. Upon hearing the news, they immediately sprung into action. They came by with a truck full of helpful things. Austin fashioned a moving dolly into a wagon of sorts, they brought a bean bag chair, a high chair, medical advice, books, flashcards, dinner, and tons of love. And for the next three Tuesdays, the Ganz Clan continued to show up...... wisking Hazen out of my arms, letting me (and John when he is around) go on a quick ski, making a home cooked meal, and then pulling Cal around in the wagon, doing puzzles with her, reading books to her, and making her feel so darn special. And it's not like these folks have nothing else going on..... Mary works four days a week as a post-partum doula for two other families, the kids have homework to do, and Austin has sap to collect, but they came every week making our life so much brighter.

I hope we never need to call in this sort of help again, but I know that all these people would be there in a second if we needed it. I just hope there is some way to reciprocate what has been done for us.

Cast Off

After four weeks and one day, the cast has come off. We'd been counting down the days and getting all fired up for its removal. But before going to the doctor, we had to get a shot of the cast and the crawling that Cally was able to do with the eight pound monstrosity (keep in mind that she only weighs 24 pounds).


The removal went really well. Cally seemed pretty excited to get this thing off:



The loud "saw" made her a little concerned:

But she didn't shed a tear through the entire 25 minutes that it took to get this beast off:




However, as we had been warned to expect, she was really freaked out when it came off. She needed to be held and clung to us like velcro. When we got home, she wanted to be carried and didn't even want to try walking. Our cheerful, fun loving gal was a mess. She didn't want to take a bath (which NEEDED to happen given the skin collection on her legs), didn't want to eat much, and definitely didn't want to use her leg. There was nothing we could do to ease her through the transition back to life without the cast. She said her leg didn't hurt, but I imagine it just felt strange.

24 hours later, Cal was standing, cracking jokes, and learning to walk again. We pulled out the walker wagon from the attic and got back to basics. She wanted to have nothing to do with crawling (which the doctor said she'd probably do for a week) and she was ready to put the feet down and walk. She's still got a ways to go, but she's getting there and she has the will, so she'll find a way to get back running again soon.




Update: This morning, we woke up to a little girl who had walked from her bedroom to our bedside. She's one determined girl.

Whoa Is Me!

So I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. My husband, coparenting partner, houseman, and ski buddy, left to teach a backcountry ski and avalanche course in Idaho on Saturday morning. I was very envious of the skiing he'd get to do in such a gorgeous place, but what I was most jealous of was the uninterrupted nights of sleep he'd get....... I knew I couldn't handle a 5 week old and an invalid 2-year old on my own, so we called in the reinforcements.

Nana and Grandpa were willing to do whatever was needed to help us out. So, they came up on Friday with a car full of home cooked goodies, a lot of patience, their best reading voices, and a great attitude. They welcomed Cally into their bed each morning, reading Curious George and other books over and over again, so that I could get coffee made, Hazen fed, and the day started. They helped us shuttle a car back from the airport and most importantly, they helped me survive a 30 inch snowstorm that surprised all of us. I'd been nagging John about teaching me to use the snowblower, but it just never happened. So, when I woke up to this on Monday morning:

I knew I'd have to figure it out. Fortunately, the snowblower had been given to John by his father, so Art was able to talk me through the start up. With Nana reading to Cally and tending to Hazen, I took charge of the snowblowing and after three separate snowblowing episodes, I got our driveway cleared. I'll admit, I felt pretty empowered and independent...... but I also was sore from using upper body muscles I had never needed to use like that before.

We didn't leave the house on Monday, but eventually, we could have. It felt good not to be stuck or "shut in". So, while many of my colleagues and friends were making turns in the gobs of snow that were falling from the skies, I was feeling sorry for myself about not being able to ski.... until my dear friend Mary called to see if I wanted to join her at Mad River while swapping off Hazen care... and then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. And what a light it was! It was a feel good, bluebird day and ideal conditions. Plus, I got to ski with three lovely wombats (and some other their offspring) with whom I never get to ski these days and they fought about who would get to hang out with Hazen in the lodge.

On Wednesday, Cally and Hazen's dear Aunt Nif came to help out. She arrived with cousin Will and brought a wonderful attitude and horrible weather. They entertained Cally, cuddled with Hazen, and gave me the opportunity to get out and exercise Zephy.

And it takes a village....... other key players in helping me through my week of single parenthood were the Ganz clan (more on them later) who brought us dinner on Tuesday night, The Harris Plimpton crew who entertained us on Thursday night,

and Uncle James, Aunt Paula, Kesley and Jameson who entertained us on Saturday night.

I couldn't have survived this week without all the aforementioned help. I'd been nervous about my time alone before Cally even hurt hersel, but once that happened I wasn't afraid to ask for help. Fortunately, I've got wonderful friends and family members who could be there for us. That said, I'm not going to lie, I'm counting down the hours until my co-pilot returns!