What Symbrachydactyly Can Look Like at 5

A few times each year, I receive emails from families that have found my blog while researching Symbrachydactyly. My eldest daughter was born with it and while I don't discuss it much on the blog, I'm always open to discussing it. In fact, at any time you can click on the "Symbrachydactyly" link on the top of my blog to learn more or of course you can email me.

Why don't I mention it much? Honestly, it just doesn't come up much in our lives. The first year of Kiddo's life was dotted with visits to hand surgeons and specialists. I joined every limb different group I could find and researched a ton. I grieved, I questioned my actions while pregnant and then I came to terms with it. After that year, well yeah life went on. 

I could write pages on the all things my Kiddo can do, but it would be easier to maybe highlight the few challenges. She can't do monkey bars (I never could either and I have 10 full fingers). She has some trouble carrying very large objects. And that about wraps it up..seriously. She is at the very top of her class and has reached milestones beyond her 5 years. Am I worried about her? When I have worries or struggles in regards to Kiddo, they are the very same I have for her siblings. 

On Kiddo's 5th birthday she received a *pink* BB gun and real archery set (no suction cup arrows here!) My husband is a hunter - born and raised.. and so will my children. That's the start and end of my words on that matter. Rather, I'm incredibly proud of watching my daughter wield both her gun and bow without any issues in regards to her special hand. My husband is training her now to use both, but once she turns 6 she will be taking professional classes as well. The pride she exudes is contagious and whips the breath right out of me. She is truly in her element and is so very comfortable in her skin. It is quite simply magical to watch my husband and daughter when they are practicing.

How does symbrachydactyly look at age 5? 
It looks beautiful, confident and inspiring!

Teaching Kiddo To Sew

My husband and I have long planned two of Kiddo's 5th birthday gifts. I wanted to give her a sewing machine and he wanted to give her a pink BB gun - I guess we are both eager for her to follow in our footsteps. Both gifts were something that would not be shoved in a toy box and forgotten in a week. Both gifts encourage bonding, one on one time with her. I desperately wanted to buy her the Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine, but since I have a total of 5 machines already it was hard my husband to swallow the idea of bringing in yet another machine. We agreed to gift her one of the machines my mother had given me as a backup machine. I decked it out with hand cut vinyl stickers including her name. At 5, that's about all you need to do to make her happy.

Ever since she opened her gift last week, she has been requesting time with me to learn how to sew. The first gift she wanted to make? A quilt for her baby brother due in a few months. Yes, she knows how to melt Momma's heart! We finally had time today during Baby Girl's naptime and we decided that Sundays will be our sewing lesson day.

I was really nervous as how to begin, but we took it slow and made it fun. I let her choose some fabric from her birthday stash and my own. We then practiced basic straight stitching with her on my lap moving the fabric while I manned the presser foot. After just a few times she was eager to start an actual project. We decided to do a small quilt for her. My first two quilts were gifts and I encouraged her to make her first project a gift for herself, something she would always have.

After just a row of sewing the squares together, Kiddo again wanted more independence with the machine. She eased off my lap and squished into the front part of the chair. She manned the presser foot, lined up the fabric and used the safety pins ALL by HERSELF! I was astonished and so very proud. During our session I did let her once sit on her own and try it completely solo, but it was a little too much and our seam allowance went a  little crazy. Kiddo learned the importance of a seam ripper, though of course I did that part.

This session she completed all 4 rows of the quilt. Next week I will help her piece the rows, measure the final size and finish the quilt. Her pride in this amazing accomplishment is one I will always remember. Yes at age 5, children can learn to sew. I can't wait to see what project she picks out next!

Quiet But Busy..

I know my blog has been awfully quiet this past week. My husband has been gone hunting this week (the first time in a couple years), so my mom came out for a girls only weekend! We had lots of fun creating a "movie house" in my studio with candy, popcorn, and pillows. We of course are eager to have Daddy back home, but it was a very fun distraction!

I've also been working on a quilt & two pillows for Kiddo's school fundraiser. I had a great time making these and I hope that they find a special home. I would love more than anything for it to find its way to her teacher, but we shall see..

There is my Kiddo's sweet, colorful hand print. To see her little hand in her finger painting always brings up a ton of emotions for me; I'm literally swept off my feet sometimes. I'm so proud she accepts her difference with grace and beauty. I love to see her shine and hope that amazing confidence is something that stays with her always. What makes us different from other people can be sometimes hard to accept, but she embraces her little hand without any qualms. Love my sweet girl..

I'm Different, I'm the Same, Just Like You

I don't blog as much as I would like about my girls.

For some people, hearing the stories from a SAHM/WAHM

is like nails on a chalkboard.
I get it.

But if you have kiddos, you know it's hard to have a conversation

where they don't pop up.

Today was a special day.

I'm sure some of you that only know us via blog

have noticed that Isa has a special left hand.

It's called symbrachydactyly.

And if anyone ever has any questions,

we are very open about it and have no issues discussing it.

I don't bring it up a lot anymore because

it really doesn't effect our everyday life and I don't like the idea

of writing about Isabelle as my daughter with the special hand.

She is so much more than that.

She is turning 3 this month

and she is more intelligent and perceptive than I ever was.

She is starting to get that her left hand is special.

And amazingly enough the house cleaners we use before parties

has a daughter with a hand just like Isabelle's.

The mother & I have talked about it before.

I've never shown Isa the other girl's hand when they have visited.

I wasn't sure how the young woman would react.

Today I asked if it would be okay for Isabelle to see that

another beautiful girl had a special hand just like her.

I'm not sure if Isa got what took place today,

but like most things with Isabelle..she gets LOTS more than she lets on.

She took about 2 microseconds to look at the young woman's hand

and then proceeded to announce that she was Cinderella

with beautiful golden hair.

Yes my sweet Isabelle.

You are my beautiful golden hair princess..