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Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

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Iowa trip #3

Soaking off his second set of casts and signing “more”… his first baby sign!

Waiting for his appointment

After cast #2, just look at those tootsies!

Dr. Morcuende, reassuring Shepherd that his feet are looking GREAT!

Ready for his next cast with a bottle in one hand and a chip in the other… what more does a guy need?

I had the pleasure of meeting up with an online friend, Jenny, and her daughter Kelly. Kelly was treated by Dr. Ponseti as an infant and was in Iowa for her yearly check-up.

Jenny is not only a great friend, but she has been my mentor when it comes to clubfoot. We ‘met’ when I was researching treatment options for Jude, shortly after we received his referral. I am forever grateful to her for giving me the ‘push’ I needed to take Jude to Iowa instead of trusting my sons’ feet to a less experienced local doctor. Clearly, Shepherd likes her too πŸ™‚

Shepherd is a pretty easy going guy. Here he is relaxing in the car on the way to lunch with Jenny and Kelly, all smiles!

This is the great room at the Ronald McDonald House. All these lovely quilts were handmade and donated to the kiddos who are staying at RMH. As you can see by his expression, Shepherd was initially overwhelmed by his options…

I chose this quilt because the John Deere reminded me of Iowa. Shepherd chose it for the adorable teddy bear attached πŸ™‚

We were delayed by a day due to bad weather in Iowa. We decided to make the most of our time by spending some time at, where else? the MALL πŸ™‚ Here’s Shepherd having a great time at the mall’s mini playground
And then Shepherd had his first carousel ride! He was nervous at first…

Uhhh, nice horsie…

Realizing this is actually pretty FUN!

Some pre-bedtime chillin’ on the couch and loving on his new teddy bear

Ready to go HOME! See you in a week!
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07.23.08 · Uncategorized 37

Comments

  1. Mike & Ramona says

    July 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM

    Wow his feet look great! What a cutie!

    Reply
  2. Adam and Cynthia says

    July 23, 2008 at 1:11 PM

    That baby is crusin’ through those casts – and what a difference a week makes!!!

    Wow – God is good!!

    Reply
  3. Victoria Schlensker says

    July 23, 2008 at 1:21 PM

    awww that last picture of you and shepherd is really cute!

    Reply
  4. JLauren says

    July 23, 2008 at 2:03 PM

    First of all, his feet are lookin’ good! But more importantly, that is one happy baby! And cute too!

    Reply
  5. Chris and Deb says

    July 23, 2008 at 2:47 PM

    What sweet pictures and what a difference those casts make in a week! Amazing! So glad to hear the process is going so well! Have a great week!

    Reply
  6. ~~ says

    July 23, 2008 at 2:53 PM

    Wow! His feet look great! I must tell you ~ Shpeherd is the most beautiful child. I am in love with him from your posts. He has the most amazing smile and expressions… how blessed you are!!
    Patricia

    Reply
  7. Judi says

    July 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM

    He has the cutest smile! I have enjoyed following the journey!

    Reply
  8. mom 2 many says

    July 23, 2008 at 5:16 PM

    What a blessing that he is able to get such great care!
    His feet look fabulous!!

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    July 23, 2008 at 5:47 PM

    What great photos! I just love the last one. Shepherd so happy with his mama!

    Reply
  10. Tish says

    July 23, 2008 at 5:56 PM

    wow…he is one happy guy! and his feet look like they are responding so well! i showed matthew the photos as we read a book about a baby tiger being sick and being helped by the doctor…he tried to share the book with shepherd through the screen!

    you look gorgeous in the photo of the two of you!

    Reply
  11. Tami says

    July 23, 2008 at 6:03 PM

    Glad everything is going so well!! The bottom picture of you and Shep is priceless;-).

    Reply
  12. ww says

    July 23, 2008 at 6:08 PM

    Glad that all is going well with his adorable feet and that you’ve had chances to meet your online friends in Iowa!
    Wendy

    Reply
  13. Andrea says

    July 23, 2008 at 6:43 PM

    Amazing. His feet look SOOOO good!
    I cannot get over how fast this is going.
    Great pictures! Hand Made Quilts..what a treasure.

    Andrea

    Reply
  14. Snowflowers Mum says

    July 23, 2008 at 7:34 PM

    wow, his feet look great! Let me ask you…when are you going to be on Oprah girlie…you have a lot to share!

    I think Shepherd is the smiliest boy I have ever seen.

    Reply
  15. Wendy says

    July 23, 2008 at 8:56 PM

    wow…it’s all so amazing!
    he looks wonderful…the joy on his face is so evident. the changes in his beautiful feet are incredible…thanks for sharing this with us…it’s so inspiring. jenny led you along your path and now you lead so many others and have made a club foot diagnosis so much less frightening. it’s been a wonderful education for those of us still awaiting our sn matches. i added club foot to the lists of special needs i thought we could handle after following jude’s journey and i’m sure i’m not the only one!!!

    blessings,

    wendy…typing one handed because of a baby sleeping on my chest πŸ™‚

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    July 23, 2008 at 9:27 PM

    Dear family,
    My Englisch is not that good because i live in The Netherlands but i want to write to you all that i am proud that there are familys likes yours!!
    It feels great that you welcomed the Chinese kids and that they are doing so well with youre biological kids.
    We have two Chinese girls and they are born with a special need.
    We wanted to start up a 3th procedure but unfourtenately we are to old (44+42 y.o.) for the Dutch law to go to China ones again and close a 3th child in our arms.
    I wish all the best for you and youre family,
    best regards from Holland,
    Laura, proud mom of FΓ© and Suu.

    Reply
  17. Diana says

    July 23, 2008 at 9:37 PM

    I am AMAZED at the difference in his feet..he has the BIGGEST and BEST smile:)

    Reply
  18. Patricia/NYC says

    July 23, 2008 at 10:06 PM

    WOWEE!!! Look at those tootsies!! They look fantastic already!! He is just sooooo HAPPY too…fabulous!! Look at him go on that carousel!
    SAFE & speedy travels HOME!!

    Reply
  19. Don and Lisa Osborn says

    July 23, 2008 at 10:15 PM

    This is all so amazing and wonderful. Thank you, God, for giving people the heart and mental capacity to be in the healthcare profession! I am so happy to see how well sweet Shep is progressing.

    Many blessings,
    Lisa

    Reply
  20. Cate says

    July 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM

    He is BEYOND cute! His feet look great too.

    I’m 35, been walking just fine for 34 years, but I’ve had a nagging pain in my foot for a couple of years. Turns out, my feet don’t pronate when I walk. Who knew?

    So now, I’m basically doing a treatment for mild club feet. I’m thinking this is probably something better treated in infancy. Holy cow it hurts!

    Reply
  21. Amie says

    July 23, 2008 at 10:47 PM

    Look at those beautiful feet!!!

    I LOVE that last pic of the two of you. His smile is priceless, and as always you are looking stunning..grrrr. πŸ˜‰ love you though.

    Sending lots of love!

    πŸ™‚
    Amie

    Reply
  22. Doreen says

    July 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM

    Can he get any cuter??? His feet are really starting to come together nicely and so quickly. What a relief!

    Doreen (taking out the “in Montreal…it’s enough already!)

    Reply
  23. a little leprechaun says

    July 24, 2008 at 1:08 AM

    What a sweetie! Seeing the pictures from week to week, the progress is just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your story.

    Reply
  24. Jenna says

    July 24, 2008 at 1:27 AM

    Shepherd has the MOST infectious smile! πŸ™‚ I loves seeing just how happy he looks!

    Reply
  25. sara says

    July 24, 2008 at 2:00 AM

    Another fun time in Iowa, eh? Glad you got to meet another friend – that is so special!! Shepherd’s feet are looking GREAT!

    Reply
  26. Linette says

    July 24, 2008 at 2:47 AM

    Oh..that last picture of you and Shepherd is awesome! I just can’t get enough of his sweet smile. πŸ™‚
    His feet look so great! Truly amazing to see the progress.

    Reply
  27. kris says

    July 24, 2008 at 4:19 AM

    His progress is SO amazing to me Stef… just beaming over here.

    Frame that last pic and hang it on a wall- incredible!

    Reply
  28. tiffany says

    July 24, 2008 at 4:55 AM

    I love to see how that little man has just come to life in your care. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  29. Janelle says

    July 24, 2008 at 5:15 PM

    His smile lights up the world! And his feet look fantastic — it must be so rewarding : ))

    glad you got some ‘mall’ time – always a fun distraction!

    Reply
  30. Jenny says

    July 24, 2008 at 6:11 PM

    Stef,
    It was such a pleasure to finally meet you (and sweet Shepherd) in person. It would have been wonderful to meet the rest of your family as well- perhaps some day!! Kelly cannot stop talking about how cute and sweet Shepherd is. I feel blessed to have you as my friend and pray that we can spend more time together some day.
    I’ll send you my pics…I haven’t uploaded them yet!

    Continued safe travels-
    Jenny

    Reply
  31. a Tonggu Momma says

    July 24, 2008 at 8:17 PM

    So happy to hear that he continues to make progress! And what a great last photo of you two together!

    Reply
  32. Jenny & Robert says

    July 24, 2008 at 11:50 PM

    Stefanie,
    I think it’s just incredible from your pictures how his feet look after 2 castings compared to when you first brought him home. It is just unbelievable to me. Thanks so much for sharing your heart and those wonderful photos. They give us hope too.
    Jenny

    Reply
  33. Colleen says

    July 25, 2008 at 2:19 AM

    He feet look amazing!!! What a happy little guy!!!! I just love checkin in on your blog : )

    Reply
  34. Jill says

    July 25, 2008 at 3:07 AM

    WOW!!! What an incredible transformation! Such a cutie pie too!

    Reply
  35. Melanie says

    July 25, 2008 at 2:03 PM

    Stef, he is too cute! His feet look so good too – love those little toes!

    Reply
  36. Cathy says

    July 25, 2008 at 7:01 PM

    Hi!

    I am a recent viewer and love to check in with what your family is up to! Sheperd’s feet look great! He is so blessed to have your family to grow with and live a more fulfilling life! We are also adopting from China. Our LID is April 12, 2006. We have a while to wait, but reading blogs like yours helps to believe in this journey. I suppose it will be another year. God has a plan!! I wish you many blessings while you raising your family!
    Cathy

    Reply
  37. Maureen says

    July 30, 2008 at 6:24 PM

    I LOVE looking at his sweet face. He is so special. πŸ™‚

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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