Chasing Thirty Toes ... : Big blue cast

On 8.18.14, the big blue cast came off! We were so fortunate that he only had to wear it almost five weeks, but that was a long five weeks! It was a rough start. He was not happy for the first couple of weeks. No doubt he was in pain, but I think he was just so confused too. For a kid who is ALWAYS on the go, being stuck in a big blue monstrosity that didn't allow you to move was tough! But by the third week, he seemed to be more tolerant of it (and was sleeping better!), and then by the fourth week, it was almost like he just started embracing it as his new reality. He started trying to crawl around in it and even tried to pull himself up onto things. I told him it make me nervous because he might fall and hurt himself. If he toppled over in that thing, he would surely break a wrist trying to catch himself. So he would laugh and say "mommy nermous" and do it anyway. So yeah, I breathed a big sigh of relief when it came off before he managed to hurt himself in some other way.

Here is what life in the big blue cast looked like.

He got a great new stroller that could fit his cast.
We tried to take advantage of the cool summer mornings.

He spent a lot of time playing his ipad. Anyone who touched it would get
scolded with "dat's El-yit's mini hi-pad!"

He loved to get out of the house and ride in the car ...
and be a "cool dude" as he calls himself.

We tried to keep him occupied with puzzles and books.

Fortunately he enjoyed kicking back and watching tv.
He could watch Team Umizoomi all day!

We saw moments of brotherly kindness when James would want to
"read" him a book.

He did this on purpose ... repeatedly. He knew the "I've fallen and can't get up"
routine would get our attention and someone would come hold him.

Yeah, we vacuumed the kid. The "cast cooler" is a wonderful invention.
I know it kept his cast dryer and cooler by circulating the air.

He actually loved to help "bacuum" himself and would ask for it.

He learned how to crawl and was able to get all around the room.

Sisters loved to get on the floor with him and pretend they were puppy dogs.

This was probably his favorite position - belly on the pillow.
It gave his back a break from the pressure.

He started to get way too daring. Looks like a sumo wrestler.

I will not miss that cast, but I did try to slow things down and take advantage of being able to baby my last baby. Love that sweet face!

And I loved rocking him to sleep, even though the cast was somewhat crushing. But I could not put that baby on that big wedge pillow and make him fall asleep by himself!

Time to go to the doctor. Poor kiddo was not too sure about that and was looking pretty scared sitting on daddy's lap talking to the doctor. Last time we took him some place like that, people were poking and prodding him and messing with his broken leg. He was armed with all his "stuff" to make him feel better.

Doctor said it was time for the cast to come off! He was a little apprehensive but did great. Kept saying "all done" every time she would stop the saw though. Not a big fan of that noise.