Update on Little Samuel...who doesn't feel so little in a big cast :)

Praising the Lord for His goodness. Through His Word and through the encouragment of so many who love Him and love our family and are upholding us in prayer, He truly has renewed our strength and strengthened our hearts. How good it is to trust in Him! He never fails!
Samuel had a rough first night...lots of tossing and turning. And of course, I jumped to his side at every little whimper just praying and wanting him to be as comfortable as possible.
But he had a really good day and today he's even better! He slept wonderfully ALL night last night and slept in nice and good this morning. I missed having him by my side for my quiet time, but was so happy to see him rest so peacefully and soundly.
He normally spends his days scooting all around the play room, going all over the house in his walker, watching everyone from his swing or high chair, or hanging out with mommy in a sling or in my lap. But now, when he's not in his crib sleeping, the only really comfortable place we've found for him is on the couch in a semi sitting position. But he seems to be quite happy there, and he can see not only the play room but the kitchen and dining/homeschool room where most of the activities of the day take place. The children are constantly bringing him new toys so he "won't get bored" :) and reading to him and playing peek a boo and he's just overall doing so well. Thank you, Lord!
The children signed his cast :). Noah hadn't signed yet, and I'd told him that as soon as he finished up his school, he could sign too. So when he was done, I got him a marker, but I was reading with another child, so wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. He brought back the marker when he was done quite proud of himself. A little while later, I went over to Samuel and right over the front of his diaper in big bold letters so carefully written it said, "NOAH" :).
On the leg of the cast it said, "NO".
Noah said that the cast was "too bumpy" to write on and it didn't look nice. He was a bit disappointed when I told him that I would have to change Samuel's diaper. :)
How encouraging it was to us to get so many comments and emails sharing stories of one's own children or another child having broken his/her femur. It was just a comfort to know they are all doing so well now.
A few people have asked about how we are diapering Samuel. The cast is completely around his broken leg down to the ankle; it wraps around his hips and waist and then down the good leg to the knee with a stablizing bar between the two legs to keep the broken leg immobile (*note to self to tell about the bar in a minute :) ). From the comments/emails, I think what he has is called a spica cast. They left an opening in the appropriate area so that he can "do his business". :) It's been an experience trying to figure out how to diaper him without it leaking or getting the cast wet/dirty. I've found what is working best is putting on a larger size diaper than he normally wears, lining it with a smaller diaper for extra exorbancy, and tucking it as best I can between the cast and his skin. So far so good. :)
The other concern I have is that the back of the cast is beginning to leave a good mark on his back...like a dent. I don't want him to get a bruise there but the most comfortable position for him to sit for his leg just pushes that back part of the cast into his back. I lined it with lots of cotton this morning. Hoping that will help.
I was just proof reading my post and saw my note to self. When they were setting and wrapping Samuel's leg, the doctor told the nurse to find a broom handle. She left and came back with a piece of something (maybe pvc?) but the doctor said that wouldn't work. Later someone came in with an old, broken broom handle. The janitor/maintenance man asked how long it needed to be and cut it and that became Samuel's stablizing bar :).
The doctor talked to Daniel yesterday and said if Samuel's leg is healing well and surgery is not needed, he'll be in the cast for 6-8 weeks. I have heard that children can heal pretty quickly, so I'm thinking it will be a long haul, but I'd be very happy if it was a bit shorter. Just praying for wisdom for the doctors, healing for Samuel, and a patient, joyful spirit for Samuel and us too :)
Oh, the Lord is so faithful and so good.