Our Little Walker…

Baby J had his first orthopedist appointment yesterday without a cast on. Incidentally, it was also his first appointment without screaming, crying, or hitting anyone. Progress!

When baby J walks, he throws his foot out to the side, protecting his hip. This is a problem, because that newly regenerated achilles tendon needs to be worked and stretched. Walking is great for that, but he has what we jokingly call a “pirate walk,” and he doesn’t get and “heel-toe” movement the way that he walks.

The orthopedist had x-rays done of his hips, and had some other doctors come and manipulate those joints, and it was determined that even though it is quite loose, it does not appear to need any intervention at this time…

The hope is that, with walking and building up the muscles around the hip joint, his hips will be fine with time and exercise.

Yesterday was also the first time baby J said a “real” sentence…
He uses single words well, and can use two word sentences, but yesterday when the doctor walked into the room, baby J hopped off the bench, hobbled across the room, and said “see, doctor, see? I walk!”
Everyone in the room cheered…both for the walking and the talking!

Overall, baby J is doing so well. He is so resilient…considering that he just had surgery eight weeks ago, and has only been walking for less than two weeks, he is a champ.
I know he has a long way to go, but I love seeing him progress and make new strides each day!