I thought I'd share the casts that we made of Dylan's foot. The first one we did last night is on the left down below, not the best, but we were okay with it considering it took four frantic adults trying to keep a VERY wiggly 1 year old still enough for at least 1.5 minutes. It was kind of hilarious. So we were okay with the not quite so perfect outcome. Figured it was good enough.
Some pictures we were able to take last night prior to frantically asking my dad and mom for help. It looks much more peaceful than it actually was. haha.
We had two more kits so we figured today we would try it again...why not? It went quite a bit better. My mom and I loudly sang "If You're Happy & You Know It" over and over and over again and it KIND OF helped. It helped enough that we were able to get a really great mold the second time around (the one on the right down below).
Not bad...the pictures don't show the detail on the one on the right too great. You can see his toenails and wrinkles...it's so sweet. We made a cast of his right foot tonight (it's still setting) with the last kit we had, so we can have one full set of his feet at the time of surgery. They are exactly what his little foot looks like, all crooked and big toe taking a right turn and all...we LOVE it! We will definitely treasure these.
We have these two little feet sitting on our mantle drying and my dad said, "Aw, poor guy will never dance...he has two left feet." hahaha. :)
Today I have been trying to tickle and kiss and love on this little foot as much as possible. I'm going to miss it. I'm so not ready to say goodbye to his foot, but I don't think I ever will be. I've been trying to dwell on not what will be lost, but what will be gained in return. This surgery will open doors of a whole new life for Dylan. We can't be sad about that.
Tonight my husband gave Dylan the most beautiful blessing. It brought me so much peace. I'm so grateful to be married to such an amazing man. He's been my rock, especially as of late. Love him!
Well, so much for trying to take my mind off of the whole situation. :) Back to packing and trying to relax and sleep (and probably a few more tears). :)
Feeling Heavenly Fathers love for us and for Dylan tonight and I know He will carry us through tomorrow and the next few days. What a gift that is. So grateful for my knowledge of Him.
Thank you for all the calls and messages...we love you all and appreciate each of you!
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i just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that i am praying for you, your family and sweet dylan.
ReplyDeletemy grandma forwarded me your link, which i think she got from a prayer group in her church.
i can only imagine the struggle that tonight/tomorrow brings, but wanted you to know that your sweet family is being lifted up (even by someone you don't know) but He knows. He knows and will guide, protect, strengthen and give you peace.
May his perfect peace be yours.
p.s his little foot mold is just precious ;)
Dylan, we've never met, but I feel like I know you. So many have fallen in love with you. You really are an Angel on earth. Best of luck you little warrior! I know you'll be just fine. Take care of your parents ;-)
ReplyDeletegood luck tomorrow (and tonight, getting rest). keeping you guys in our prayers right now :)
ReplyDeleteand his cast turned out GREAT.
I will be praying for and thinking about you and little Dylan tomorrow. God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHey, I follow Ashley and so I got here.
ReplyDeleteI think you are very brave I wish you all the best and I will be thinking of you.
What a precious boy---of course you will miss that sweet foot. But he will be gaining so much more.
ReplyDeleteSurrounding you all in prayer.
Praying today goes smoothly. As the mom of a little girl with special needs, I know how devastating it can be to feel you can only choose the lesser of two "evils" though anything that improves our babies' quality of life can't really be considered evil, can it? Hope you have lots of support and distractions during the actual surgery. I did A LOT of sudoku in the surgery waiting area, just trying not to think! Again, praying for you all!
ReplyDeleteThis brings tears to my eyes, my friend. It brings back so many memories and emotions. I wish I could be there to walk with you through this, but please know of my prayers today. Press on, my friend. Press on. Much love, tara
ReplyDeleteRead your story through "Make It and Love It". Wishing you the best through this difficult time.
ReplyDeletethese feet prints are so so precious! I came over from "make it and love it" and I just have to say I can't stop thinking about you today. I've had a prayer in my heart all day that things go smoothly and that you have felt that peace and comfort that you need. I can't wait to hear about all of the updates and all of the awesome things this boy of yours is going to accomplish. We are all so blessed to be mothers of these truely special spirits. (I have to remind myself of that today as my 4 year old is driving me CRAZY)! HA!
ReplyDeleteI saw your blog on "Make It and Love It", and I have to say that you are awesome parents! My sister had this EXACT same situation, and my parents had to make the decision to amputate her foot as well. She is now 30 and has led a full and perfect life. Her "stubbie" --as we call her leg--has never held her back and she has enjoyed downhill skiing (in fact, she's better than me), wake-boarding, snowmobiling and much more throughout her life :). You are giving him the opportunity for a normal life! Well done. We'll be praying for your little man today!
ReplyDeletePrayed for you throughout the morning/day... Hope everything went well. Will continue to keep you covered in prayers.
ReplyDelete"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
ReplyDeletePraying!!! <><
Those casts are the sweetest things ever. Such a good idea!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about and praying for all of you today... especially your sweetie-boy. I hope everything went perfectly and that you and Bryson were comforted.
Love you! We'll keep praying!
~Summer Kellogg
I also saw your blog and "make it and love it" and just wanted to let you know I've been thinking of you all day. Hoping for a speedy recovery! You guys are doing the right thing :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFound you through your bestie from college, Ashley from "Make It and Love It" and I just wanted to let you know that your Sweet Dylan has been added to our Family Prayers! Thinking about your sweet family and sending lots of Prayers your way!!
ReplyDeleteI came upon your blog through Ashley's blog. These casts made me so precious and brought tears to my eyes. My prayers are with you during this time of transition for your family.
ReplyDeleteLittle boys are such troopers! I saw on Ashley's blog that Dylan is recovering safely in your arms, and am SO OVERJOYED! I know I don't know you, but I want you to know that you are a courageous and selfless mother. You put the needs of your son first, and didn't let fear distract you from what is important - your son. May God bless you and your family as you continue on this journey, and may Dylan heal and grow in your tender care.
ReplyDelete*There was a typo in my first comment that distracted from what I wanted to say
Such bravery in parenting. I'm sure it was a hard decision, but happy horizons are ahead. Can't wait to hear about first steps and eventual sprints. That kiddo is going to be hard to keep up with. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers this week. You are such brave parents and are raising such amazing boys. My heart goes out to you and the difficult decisions you have had to make in the last year. I find your story truly inspirational and look forward to following the progress of your family as you begin this new adventure. Wishing you and your family all the best.
ReplyDeleteI came over from Ashley's blog and have been following the story since she posted. I thought about you often yesterday and have been praying for you! I am so glad that it went well!!
ReplyDeleteI discipled a girl who lost her leg and half of her bones in her face at a young age. She is now on her way to the Paralympics in Swimming! I think of her often and the things she has been able to do, and the way she has been able to minister to people because of her leg. Your little boy will do great! He will change the world! God Bless you all! :)
I saw your little boy on the make it and love it blog and wanted you to know that you are not alone. My son has PFFD (Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency) and Fibular Hemomilia. I think that I misspelled that again...anyways we haven't been faced with amputation yet but it is coming soon. We did have to have his club foot corrected when he was about 6 months old. my son is 5 years old and is wearing AFO's right now but is busting through them like crazy. His right leg is about 2 1/2 inches shorter than his left and wears a lift. His is bilateral meaning that he has this in both legs.and he only has three toes on his right foot.
ReplyDeleteI wanted you to know that there are others out there who you can speak if you are interested. If you would like to talk my email is emilyguerra at gmail dot com
I also seen Dylan's story on Ashley's blog. Kudos to great friends! I am glad to see you are a very STRONG person. God only puts what we can handle upon our shoulders. He is an AMAZING little boy. He will do GREAT things one day.
ReplyDeleteWell wishes and prayers are sent to your family and your beautiful little boy. God bless you.
I, too, popped over from Ashley's website. I am so touched by your story. It's so hard that these fragile bodies of ours, of our parents and our children have to go through so much. My mom has Lou Gehrig's disease which slowly and irreversibly paralyzes and will eventually take her. When such heartbreaking things happen to people we care about, I think all anyone can think of is, "give it to me. Let me have that trial."
ReplyDeleteI am sorry your family has to go through this. However, I think it's such a blessing that your little guy is young enough that having one of his "real" feet gone will be all that he remembers :) It will be his normal and while I'm sure he'll want two feet during his lifetime, I think it would be harder in a way to remember what you had. I guess you'll get to take that burden from him as it will be something that you will always remember. That's a blessing for him, I think.
Anyhow, sorry to ramble in your comments. I'm bawling at the mo, ha. I'll probably be thinking about you guys and my mom for the rest of the day now. I sincerely hope that your little family is doing well and your son's operation was super successful and he'll be amazingly happy still :)
*hugs*
Remembering you in my prayers... "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:13-14
ReplyDelete"What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!"