Medical Updates and Holidays

I believe I'm quite overdue for an update.  I'm going to go backwards because I know that most of you want to know how Jordy's check up went in Chicago on January 2nd.  Then I will let the pictures tell the story of the last month.

What better way to start off the new year than a trip to Chicago in the snow.  Because it is a new year, Dustin was able to take a day off of work to go with me.  Lucky me because it meant I didn't end up having to do any driving.  Dustin had never been to Shriners and had never met the doctor that did Jordy's surgery. It was nice to have him along especially with all five children in tow.  Whitley County roads-not swell. Kosciusko roads-the pits.  However, once we made it towards Plymouth on State Road 30, surprisingly, things cleared up for the most part.  Not that there wasn't any snow but in Chicago, the roads were clear due to the sheer volume of traffic.  Side roads in Chicago were piled high and deep but main roads were peachy. We left at 9 am Indiana time and arrived at around 1 pm Indiana time.  We stopped for lunch then headed to Shriners which was a ghost town.  I mean who really travels long distances in this kind of weather.  Ha!  We got right in because most people had cancelled their appointments for the day.  Dr. Altiok was just waiting for someone to show up because he nearly greeted us at the door.

The news was fantastic.  The hip did not move out of socket and the doctor felt good enough about it to take Jordy's cast completely off after seven weeks in.  Yahoo!!!!  Instead, we were sent home with a pillow which Jordy is required to wear for one month between his legs that will still sort of keep him in a fixed position.  However, Jordy has free reign to do what is comfortable outside of putting any pressure on his feet or knees.  As most of you may recall, they used his femur bone to help reconstruct his hip.  The bone has not yet fully healed.  The x-rays show that it is starting to fill in very nicely but it is not quite finished and so walking or standing is not an option yet.  We go back in February for re-evaluation.

The first thing Jordy said about getting his cast off was, "I get to take a bath!"  It's all he cared about and so first thing this morning he requested one immediately.  He wouldn't even eat breakfast first.

This is one happy boy!

The months of November and December were filled with lots of holiday fun, family, traditions and parties.  It was fun adding Jordy to all of it.  It's still hard to believe that he's not been with us all along.  It feels like he's been with us forever.  Are we ever so thankful for our smooth transition!

Parkview Emergency Physician's party in November.  This isn't even close to the whole crew but this is who we caught at the moment.  As always, a fun night out with my second family.

We were roaring twenties.

Thanksgiving at our house so we didn't have to transport our casted buddy.  He loved Aunt Angie's tablet!

Loved watching the kids decorate the tree . . . especially after the tree fiasco.

Our annual trip to the Embassy Festival of Trees.  Dustin's favorite tree . . . imagine that!

Beautiful view.

Uh yeah, Melina, don't touch that, please!  Caydra, don't look so thrilled.

Minty Edy's Ice Cream.  Mom can't stand mint but kids don't seem to mind.

Off to the Botanical Gardens next.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.  "Mom, where's our chimney?" -Jordy  Uh, you got me there buddy!

Dustin's Interior Product Supply annual movie night for customers.  Ugly sweater/costume contest between employees.

Haven't been to see the gingerbread houses since I was a kid.  LOVED it!!!  Thank you Parkview.

With inspiration, we were able to come home and do our own.  Kids liked the part where they ate their work.

They get along sometimes.

Making grandma Barr's sorghum cookies.  Yummy!

Jingle Jammie time.

First Petrosky Family Christmas.

Thank you so much for cooperating, Dustin!  I love him anyways.  LOL.

Christmas morning.

And all anyone really cared about in their stocking was the fruit stripe gum.

Christmas in Michigan.  So fun to watch all the cousins together.

Took up most of the dining room at Culver's in Portage with our party of 31.  

Happy New year to all our friends and family.  Looking forward to an excellent year of the Horse! (Techinically doesn't start until January 31st)