What's with the giant "nerd" glasses?

My leisurely browse through Pinterest for cute back-to-school photos ideas just turned sour. Giant oversized glasses are a thing now?

My daughter began wearing glasses at a young age. She endured three eye muscle surgeries and too many ophthalmology appointments (see past BalancingMama eyes posts), but she is now doing awesome and she looks gorgeous in her frames. She knew from the beginning that glasses made her a little bit different; no preschoolers had glasses and she was the only one in her kindergarten class also. Daddy and I were diligent in making sure that Amelia understood the whys and the hows of her lenses and frames - and I tossed my contacts too. Like daughter, like Mama!

Goofy photos of glasses as a prop can send a bad message to a child who is struggling to accept his or her glasses. The whole "nerd" theme that is out there now on clothes, posters, even Mickey Mouse items? It annoys me. Stop it.

Please, nix these photo ideas this year...

Really, Babble?

You can't stop laughing?





Photos from Pinterest. No, I did not link to them. If you are desperate to pin them, do a search. But seriously... please don't. 



It's a double-whammy celebration weekend for meeeeee!

Friday, May 9th is my birthday! It's a grown-up birthday, which means it will basically be like any other day. But at least it is a Friday! No cooking for the weekend for me, because Sunday is also Mother's Day. I always get the double-whammy celebration weekend to commemorate both extra-special days.

Amelia's kindergarten class put on a fantastic Mother's Day breakfast event for us this week. As each mom entered the room, their child greeted her and led her to their seat. Each child-sized seat was decorated with drawings on the paper table cover with a special art piece set to the side.

Later, we had breakfast and viewed an adorable interview video, in which each of 22 precious children answered questions about their moms. Amelia reported that my favorite thing to do is play board games with her, and my favorite drink is Coke. The children also read a part of their mom journals. Amelia said, "My mom wears glasses, just like me."

Melt. So proud.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers out there, including my own, my mother-in-law, my sister, sisters-in-law, friends, neighbors, and more. Wishing everyone an enjoyable day with some precious kid art thrown in for good measure.

 

I love her in the spring, summer, and snow too!  

 

A board book for young children in glasses - #kickstarter

I have written 29 posts with the label "eyes".

Most are related to the chronicles of our experience with strabismus and eye muscle surgery. Last year was a whirlwind of heartache, stress, and a virtual roller coaster of hope vs. hopelessness. The Little Four Eyes support group provided the hand-holding that I needed, and I continue to follow the journeys of others around the globe via this amazing group.

Today's post is written by a dear guest, the founder of the Little Four Eyes site and group. 

- - - -
A board book for young children in glasses
Ann Zawistoski

I am a librarian, but even before becoming a librarian, I was a lover of books. I’ve always thought books could be a wonderful way for anyone to explore new ideas and situations, and to feel a little less alone in whatever it is that we’re facing.

"I like your glasses"

You know... no one tells me that they "like my glasses". However, this seems to be the #1 most common statement anyone says to my child. Amelia hears this comment at least twice a week, usually more. At the dentist the other day? Four people told Amelia, "I like your glasses" in a span of ten minutes.

The first couple times, she smiled and quietly expressed thanks.

The third time, she grinned, then hugged me.

The fourth time, she looked at the ground.  

Children's IS the best for children!

My sweet girl had an MRI this morning. It was a brain scan, ordered by her amazing and cautious pediatric ophthalmologist (because after three unsuccessful eye muscle surgeries, we want to rule out anything unexpected). It was similar to her surgeries; we arrived two hours early, asked a thousand questions, went from room to room, and watched as Amelia was evaluated, squeezed and poked by several different people.

Strabismus that just won't quit

Ugh... Amelia's eye issues will continue for a while.

After now three eye muscle surgeries, we got word yesterday that she still has a fairly significant eye turn. We are not able to step off this path yet. One year has passed since surgery #1, and we are tired and discouraged.

Pick a doctor like you would pick a spouse

I have another guest post up at LittleFourEyes.com today!

This time, I focus on our lesson in choosing a physician. I titled it "pick a doctor like you would pick a spouse", because the same important qualities really do apply.

 Trust. Listening. Respect.

 Please support this wonderful community of loving parents; click on over to read it there.

  Choosing a pediatric ophthalmologist 

Thanks!

I left my heart on that table

As a mother, I long to hold my little girl tight and keep her close. I stand prepared, ready to fight off the world's evils and dangers. I watch over her sweet heart, wary of those who might cause her pain. I want to shield her from lumps and bumps and scrapes.

Sometimes, though, being Mom means I have to step back.

Surgery update

5:30 p.m. here, six hours after we left the surgery center. Amelia slept for a few hours but has since been very fearful and tearful. She has moments of calm and is eating a bit, so I know we're going to make it through this day!

Her eyes are their usual red after such a procedure, but otherwise looking great. A good night's sleep is going to work wonders on all of us. Then we begin the long 8-week waiting game. Last time we had a "perfect" six weeks, this time we need to make it past eight. Eight weeks until an all-is-well report. We are longingly looking towards that day for sure.

The day is here... again.

My sweet girl has eye muscle surgery again today. The first one was in January. The second was in March. In September, we tried bifocals for her. Surgery number three is our only remaining choice. Once again, we cling desperately to hope that this time will be "it". I am feeling good about it and look towards a happy day when all of this is in life's rear-view mirror.

Send us happy thoughts and prayers if you can spare a few today.

Happily keeping our secret

Almost a month ago, I let you in on our little secret: we're going to Disney World! We have kept this plan a secret from Amelia and will continue to do so. Probably until we're actually in the car on our way to sunny Florida.

The funny thing is, Amelia asks to go to Disney World nearly every day. Over and over again, she flips through her photo book from our February 2010 trip. She makes comments like, "I know it is expensive, but I really wish we could go there again sometime." She is such a kind and understanding four-year-old!

Family photo with celebrities, Feb 2010

Surgery - 3rd time's a charm?

The pediatric ophthalmologist appointment went pretty much as expected. Mamas know these things. Her glasses are not helping the eye crossing enough. Our only course of action at this point is a third surgery, this time on the inner eye muscles, next to her nose. We do not know yet when the surgery will take place, but we will do our best to balance holiday events and recovery time - we want her to have every chance at a fun-filled holiday season.

Velma G has glasses too

Friday afternoon - an event for which we have been waiting in anxious anticipation for nine long weeks. We're going back to the pediatric ophthalmologist! Amelia has proudly (and adorably) worn her pink glasses for nine weeks. She says they help, but she tends to tell us anything helps (perhaps so we will leave her alone). We still see the eye crossing. She still makes funny head tilts. This mama is ready for a plan C. Probably back to surgery? We will see. I have my questions ready. I hope the doctor has enough time in his schedule for us! I plan on grabbing his undivided attention for a while.

Until I have an update, why don't you pop over to the beloved Little Four Eyes Site to read my latest post: a review of Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly.

Measure twice, cut once - another sumbission to Little Four Eyes

Posted a summary of our anxiety-ridden eye journey on the Little Four Eyes site!

It is my second post for them - I cannot thank them enough for including me. I have already "met" some moms with a similar rare outcome like ours, and I even have a new question or two for our doctor when we see him again next month.

Send over some support to this great site:
Measure twice, cut once: Our tale of strabismus surgery 

Peer support for kids with glasses

I contributed to the Little Four Eyes site today!

Come visit the post: Bifocal Questions and Answers

LittleFourEyes.com is "a community for family and friends of little ones in glasses. A place to share experiences, tips, tricks, and pictures." Such a fantastic resource!

If it isn't right, it is not the end

I have been known to scoff at all those quotes and images friends post all over Facebook these days. And now I must finally admit that one made me sit up and take notice.

"Everything will be alright in the end. If it isn't right, it is not the end." 

Through all of Amelia's eye issues and unsuccessful surgeries, I have often floundered, gasping for breath, in the quicksand of guilt and worry.

Too hard to let go

When we are in the "ups", the little things shape our world.
Smiles. Crayon drawings. Laughter. Music.

When we are in the "downs", the fog rolls in to cloud our minds and stifle our hearts.
What ifs. Worries. Guilt.

Only parents can understand the power of parental guilt, the heart-squeezing fear of doing something utterly wrong. When rational thought attempts to break through the clouds to let in some light, the guilt can smack it back with tremendous force. I believe there is no greater power on the face of this earth.

Fun Friday - spoiling my girl

Amelia got her new glasses yesterday evening! She was quite upset and angry with me initially, but has since adjusted somewhat. This morning was another little battle, but once again it passed rather quickly.

When my little girl goes through something new, difficult, or sad, I want to make her feel better. I am definitely guilty of showering her with gifts or fun activities to brighten a challenging day.

Since she began the new school year, we lost a "home with Mommy" day. So Fridays are special to us. The only day remaining where she and I are on our own with nowhere to be.

Today, I declared a "Fun Friday!" We have had a fantastic morning.

My baby's eyes and strabismus

So, we have been on our "eye adventure" for 10 months. Amelia has strabismus, a condition where her eyes do not stay aligned all the time. Originally, hers floated mildly outward, called exotropia. We noticed this intermittently for most of her infancy, especially when she was very tired. We thought it would go away.

An event dear to my heart - and my little girl's eyes

I recently met (virtually) some sweet women from Peeps Eyewear and LittleFourEyes.com. They introduced me to an upcoming event they are co-sponsoring called The Great Glasses Play Day. The event celebrates kids who wear glasses, but it also has an important goal that is at to my heart: to increase awareness of early childhood vision health.