The Shoe Struggle

The last couple weeks have been a little bit frustrating as Devin grows and so do his toes. He's had red marks on the outside of his toes for a bit and I went to see the orthotist a couple weeks ago. He agreed that it was time for a new day brace and that possibly Devin's shoes were a bit too small. This was definitely confirmed when I took him into a local Stride Rite.

The helpful lady there measured Devin's feet and his results were left foot 8 Wide, right foot 7 normal. As much as it's weird to have different sized feet, it actually works out now that he uses a day brace. Once we put the brace on (which he only uses for about 3 hours a day), Devin needs a larger and wider shoe on the right foot. None of the pairs we tried on at Stride Rite worked out well. It was a struggle to squeeze his foot in and Devin would tell me that it hurts. We figured out that he needs at least an 8 XW and I was wary of ordering online and having to go through the return process. I scoured the internet for info on shoes that fit well over braces and parents said you either buy a shoe specially designed for AFO's that were ugly and cost upwards of $50, or you buy an extra wide shoe. The two manufacturers known for making XW shoes are Stride Rite and New Balance.

Since Stride Rite was a bust I decided to take myself on over to the New Balance store (I love living in DC for the availability of stores!!!) and try our luck. The FIRST PAIR fit over his brace like a dream. Devin told me that they "Didn't Hurt!!" and so I was sold. Even better came the price tag. Originally $34.99, these were last season's shoes that needed to get out of the store and were only $20. YAY! I bought the 8's and a size up for the future. I am considering going back and seeing if I can get 10's, 11's, 12's.... yea I find a brand I like and stick to it. Especially at that price and since I can find those shoes NOWHERE online. I was completely expecting to spend $40-$50 on good, wide shoes for D. It has hit me that next year when we move back to NY the outlets will be gone and I won't have as many opportunities to save like that. Sad face.

Here's a quick couple paragraphs of what we've been up to: Visited Heather Wetmore and Fam. Earth Day Celebration at the library that included flower planting, stories, handprints on a little white picket fence, a trash collection hunt thingy, and FOOD! I love living on base, love the free and cool events they put on for us. Made popsicles with our molds for the first time. Made paleo carrot cake for the first time :( Fail.

Took Luke to the dentist and had my teeth cleaned for the first time in like 4 years. I know that sounds really gross, but I have never ever had a cavity and I brush and I just have never thought to make an appointment for myself. Well, she convinced me to floss and I will probably be returning for my first ever fillings on my wisdom teeth.

OK that's all for now folks ;)

3/26-4/9

These last couple of weeks have been pretty busy! We had a dear friend Kristen Spencer visit us from Las Vegas. She brought her adorable and very happy baby Laila with her. Most of our time was spent just relaxing with the kids and I am a little afraid we bored her to tears, but I'm sure she'll forget and visit us again soon. I got to see the Hunger Games in theaters and went to the Cheesecake Factory - which was AWESOME - so good times were had.

While Kristen was here Lukas broke out into a really bad case of hives that I'm not sure what caused. This marks the fourth case of hives in a year and each time it has been worse and worse. This last time the hives were head to toe and in bright angry red patches. This was also the first time he ever actually itched them until he removed skin. I saw his primary care doctor and she agreed to give us a referral to see an allergist. We'll see where that takes us.

In other news, I had to take Lukas out of preschool because of continuous fights to get him there. Every time we would go to leave he would tell me all of his shoes were too tight and his feet hurt, or that he wanted a specific sweater that was unavailable because it was being washed. After I withdrew him, he started to tell me things like he was sad at school and kids would take his toys or hit him. I'm glad that he's not going anymore and I wish he would've said something like that a couple months ago when the fights started!

Everything is going well with work with Justin. There is a possible trip to Norway in the future, which would be cool for him. I am just wanting the weather to get a little warmer one of these weekends so that we can go to Ocean City ;)

I have been spending most of my free time looking at houses online or watching DIY network home remodeling videos or reading some crazy cool books like "Country Wisdom and Know-How." I want some chickens someday! Maybe that makes me a hippy..