Yes, that is Natalie "playing" a video game with her Baba. She built the controller out of her Pooh Lego set. So, while I appreciate her creativity and her wanting to be like me, I am not sure this is how I wanted her to emulate me. What can we do other than shake our heads? Well, I could always play video games less, but I don't really see that happening.
There is some other news to update everyone on. Natalie had an appointment with the orthopedic specialist at Shriners Hospital in Lexington on Monday. This was a regularly scheduled appearance, but there was a bit more to it than that for us. Amy and I had recently become concerned as we could tell Natalie is starting to turn her surgically repaired foot inward a little when she runs and occasionally when she walks. She also falls down a lot, but she is 2 and that happens at that age, right? Help me out with that one, parents. So there were concerns about a recurrence of her club foot issues.
The Dr. listened to our concerns, watched her walk and run, and even did a gait test in the Super Fab Lab. (We thought a fancy title would keep Natalie more interested. Turns out she did just fine.) He was nowhere near as concerned as we were. He continues to feel she is doing great. He says that kids often have residual effects from this kind of condition and that they eventually grow out of them as they get older. That means there may be some change physically as she matures, but most likely she will just learn to adapt.
So now we, or at least I, feel like overprotective or paranoid parent(s). We have no reason to not trust this Dr. or the staff working with him. We just want what is best for Natalie and hate to see her struggle with something if there is a way we can help and especially if there is a way we can prevent long-term issues. Regardless, we move forward with our plan and with the Dr.'s blessing to have her play soccer in the spring. She is very excited and I must admit that I am as well. I really hope she takes to it as she likes to kick the ball around the house. Also, despite the struggles mentioned previously, she seems pretty darn fast. Finally, you know Natalie on the soccer pitch will make for great photos.
Speaking of photos. Enjoy.
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| Showing off some of her CNY gifts from China via the wonderful Julia and Marvin (and Suraiya) |
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| Besties having fun at the Green Bamboo for CNY |
