So far so good!

In just a few days Lilybear will be 4 years old! I am so excited for her that she does not have to wear her boots and bar to bed anymore. She is loving every minute of it! I ask her about once a day usually since last week if she misses her boots, and every time she quickly says "NO!" with a big smile. I am so proud of her for all that she has gone through, and to know that she is so strong because of it all. For anyone just starting out on this journey I have a few words of advice!

1. It isn't always easy, and that's ok! It's ok to cry, and get mad and frustrated at what is going on with your little one.

2. It will all be worth it in the end. Try to be strong, but cry when you need to. It will be worth every tear, every long night, every stressful Dr appointment, and it will be worth every penny. You will know it was worth it when you see your child crawl, stand, cruise, and then take those beautiful first steps. I think clubfoot parents celebrate these moments more than a lot of other parents because it feels like those moments may never come when you are neck deep in plaster casts, tendonotomies, and boots and bars.

3. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, but you don't have to be a super human. You don't have to do it all alone! Find a few good friends or loved ones, and let them help you. Let them know what they can do to make life just a little easier.

4. The end will come. Even though it seems far away now. There will come a time when you can bathe your babe whenever you want because they have graduated from casts to boots. There will come a day when they do not have those boots on all day long! There will come a bed time when you tuck in that sweet little darling, and you get teary leaving the room because you didn't have to strap on their boots. There will be a time when you watch your sweet child crawl, walk, run, skip, dance, and be free and happy. It will come, and when you look back at all you two have been through, hold your head high and smile! You smile cause it takes so much to be a clubfoot kid, and it takes so very much to be a club foot parent! You can do this!

Cheers!