Tuesday we finally had our appointment with the eye doctor after months of me worrying that Katie was going to have to wear an eye patch and she said it's..... pseudo-strabismus. Huh. Really?
So that was good news. In weird coincidence news, that very morning before the appointment, Katie decided to stick her finger in Charlotte's eye. The eye was teary and red all morning. I mentioned it to the doctor and sure enough, she had a scratch on her cornea. We had to apply an ointment for three days and take her back the next day (where we were told it looked better). MUCH screaming was endured Tuesday night though - I know it hurt, poor baby.
Bad news (you know there's ALWAYS bad news I mean, come on....) is that both girls have astigmatisms and Charlotte is also near sighted. They are both going to need glasses before they start school, at the latest. It is not a surprise I obviously have bad eyesight (I have astigmatism in both eyes) and PJ's isn't much better (he's nearsighted) but it still made me very sad.
Can't these kids catch a freaking break?? Can they not inherit EVERY CRAPPY THING that's wrong with my body? Are they doomed to fatness too, and being pigeon-toed, and dry skin and cracked hands and two big front teeth and low self esteem and on and on. I hate it. I want them to have endless possibilities, be anyone or anything, go to school and not be the girl with the glasses. I don't know if this even makes sense to anyone else. I just wish they didn't have to have bad eyesight too, so young.
I keep telling myself, in the whole scheme of things, this is so nothing. It's okay. They'll look more like me! They'll be fine. I just wish those beautiful blue eyes were perfect.
Today we had a great day - I got a pedicure, then we all went shopping with Grandma, out to lunch and - most importantly - had our first of many many trips to Applegate Farms in our pajamas (well I didn't wear pajamas but the babies did).
Katie and Charlotte waiting in line with the cows for their ice cream:
(okay, they didn't actually get ice cream.... but Mommy and Grandma and Grandpa did!)
Grandma says MOOOOO... and Mommy says CHEESE! LOL
Nice day. Poor Daddy had to work but we'll make it up to him this weekend, for his birthday on Sunday!
30 comments:
Aww, I feel you. My 4 year old has strabismus and has to do patch therapy and wear glasses. They'll be fine, mama.
I am a recent reader of your blog, I wanted to tell you that I think you are so, so strong. *hug*
I'm also a nestie, hi!
I hope they turn out just like you.
Aw, my daughter is going to be the same way. I have tried to take her to the Optitician multiple times but she screams bloody murder each time. I know she needs glasses, its painfully obvious. Your girls will be gorgeous, as they are now. Just think Lisa Loeb, hot and wears glasses. As they get older they can opt for contacts of laser surgery if they want. I personally think glasses are so adorable.
They will turn out perfectly! Know it is scary, but they have one teriffic mama!
~Elyse~
OK, I suck. I know you probably dont want to do this but I got tagged with a Meme and I would love to hear what you could do with it. So I've tagged you. Check out my blog to see it. Feel free not to do it, I know you're busy.
Wow, I honestly didn't know they could check for that this young. Good thing is that wearing glasses doesn't have the stigma attached to it that it did when we were young. Now, they are kind of considered a cool accessory! And, really, little ones look so darn cute with glasses on - they're going to be beautiful, just like their mommy!
Glasses are a fashion statement. And glaases are not going to change these two beautiful little girls. They have their Mom and Dad's warm hearts, kindness and love. Plus school is a few years down the road so do not stress over this. I love the pictures with the cows - how cute are they!! Happy Birthday PJ and hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
I work in early intervention, with babies that have severe visual impairments. If your girls do need glasses earlier than school age, check out http://www.solobambini.com/. These frames are great for babies, as they are all one piece, no hinges, and made of flexible plastic (almost rubber kind of). It is extremely hard to find frames for young children in the eyeglass store. Ask for Roger, he may be able to give them to you at cost since you may be getting two frames. Good luck, the girls are adorable!
You have beautiful children! My daughter had glasses when she was 4 years old. I worked in a daycare and there was a little girl just learning to walk and she had glasses. When she first came in the room in her new glasses she just looked all around like she was seeing everything clearly for the first time. I wear glasses and so does my husband. I have far sightedness in my right eye and near sightedness in my left eye and astigmatism in both! I am very thankful that I do have the ability to get glasses and wear them. You are a beautiful person and if the girls look like you they will definitely be beautiful all their lives! And boys definitely DO make passes at girls that wear glasses! Many prayers from South Dakota.
Wow, I didn't know they could tell about eyesight so young!! Don't worry-- glasses are very fashionable, and their Mom wears them well.
Love the Moo-pics!
I've just started working with a non-profit organization that works with pediatric eye disorders. Check out http://www.4sightonline.org/ if you need someone to talk to.
all 3 of mine also have pseudo-strabismus. before they were "diagnosed" i was really worried about james too, but of course it turned out to be nothing. poor charlotte, i am glad her eye is feeling better now though. did you have to put ointment on the actual eyeball? that totally gives me the heebie-jeebies. thank goodness it was only 3 days and not like a course of antibiotics which lasts 10-14! i know all of our kids will have to wear glasses as well...they are doomed with our poor eyesight! unfortunately, there is a lot we inevitably pass on to our children that we would like to end with us. but the really great part about having kids is how much fun it is to see what they choose to do (often very different from what we chose) with what they get!
You are beautiful, as are your girls. And glasses are so in style right now! I had to wear them when I was younger too.
I soooo relate! My 3 year old had to get eyeglasses this past March. My dh has astigmatism and I have ambliopia in my left eye. Even though dh and ALL 4 of our parents wear glasses, who did I blame for my daughter's glasses? ME and MY genes! Lol.
My daughter was diagnosed with strabismus and nearsightedness. Her glasses were prescribed to be worn all the time. It was an adjustment at first for all of us. We eventually made the rule that she can take the glasses off when she plays outside, because I literally had to take her back to the eye doctor THREE times in the first week to get her frames re-adjusted! (She whacked them when she was playing, partly because she wasn't used to them.)
2 1/2 months later...she is doing super. She wears them all the time and doesn't seem to notice them anymore. We get comments everywhere we go, about how "cute" she is with the glasses. Many parents have asked me how we knew to get her eyes checked and have expressed concern for their own little one's eyes.
The pediatric eye doctor was really neat. Instead of the typical eye chart with letters that adults use, they had one with shapes: heart, star, house, and circle. But, she was tested after turning 3...I'm not sure how they test non-verbal kiddos.
Anyway...I am now over blaming myself. Daughter has adjusted well. We did splurge on a second pair of glasses for her. Her newest pair are "flexi frames" (VERY durable metal.) We also opted for the transition lenses because we live in Florida---now she does't have to alternate between regular glasses and sunglasses. The new glasses have been working out great!
Whew! Sorry to ramble so much. I just wanted to share that I understand the Mama-guilt. But it went away quickly for me when I saw what a change glasses have been for my daughter, and how well she has adjusted to them. I hope you find the same success with your lovely daughters.
:)
--A Mom in Jacksonville, FL
If it helps, my 8 yr old daughter DESPERATELY wants glasses and is upset every time that her vision is perfect. I am legally blind in one eye, with crappy vision in the other, so I am totally locked into my glasses, but it cracks me up that the child actually wants to buy plain glass ones so she can wear them, too! Your girls may be quite happy with their glasses :)
My daughter is in the 1st grade and has THE COOLEST purple Barbie glasses. She loves them! Check out my blog one day so you can see them! I have astigmatism in my right eye, and have red hair, freckles and the WII fit game says I'm overweight. I'm right there with ya, girl! I love reading your blog, you always make me laugh or cry! ourchambersfamily.blogspot.com
Megan, as long as your daughters inherit your big heart and your sense of humor, all the nearsightedness and dry skin in the world won't mean a thing. :-)
Oh, Applegate Farms. I grew up near there. Watermelon sherbet - it brings back memories (my dad still lives up there).
I'm new to your blog and haven't commented yet, but just had to say something about Applegate :)
I'm sorry about your girls' vision - I've been wearing glasses since 2nd grade, so my kids are probably doomed to them as well.
I think your children are beautiful. I am a kindergarten teacher and several of my students have glasses. No one notices and I (and my co teacher) always talk about how cute they are in glasses. so DO NOT WORRY! I also think you need to look deep into a mirror because you are BEAUTIFUL! I always say I wish I had hair like Megan or I wish I looked that cute in my glasses. You are an amazing, beautiful, strong woman and I feel lucky to "know" you.
I've been reading your blog for some time now and haven't commented but this last post makes me sad.
It makes me sad to hear you talk down about yourself like this. You are a beautiful woman, and your strength through all you've endured is an amazing example to be setting for your girls. I know they are and will grow up to be as gorgeous as you. Glasses - hey - it's minor, how many of us have them and there as such great styles now.
I think it's all in how you look at things. Hopefully you can see yourself the way an outsider does because if you are worried about how you look (when you don't need to be)that is what the girls will see and they might put that on themselves. They are perfect, just like their mama!
Oh I do hope they inherit a lot from you Megan...your writing ability, strength, sense of humor, beauty, and general kindness. And glasses are HOT, not dorky! Unless it's 1955 or 1987 then they are a little nerdy, lol. They are turning more and more into little people, scary! Glad you got out and about! Happy early bday to PJ!
I know you didn't talk about this - but I can finally see a difference in the girls in these pics!! Their face/head shapes look different to me. Thought you would like to know someone else sees they have their differences!
I was going to say something different but I saw that someone said that they hoped that the girls turn out just like you-and this person is so right. You are so wonderful Megan-if they're anything like you you have nothing to worry about. They are so beautiful and perfect, Megan. I am always thinking about your family and your Jack. Lots of hugs to you.
It must be worrisome to see your beautiful girls deal with anything outside of normal. You've had enough struggle and loss in the past several months, so I'm sure things that seem little to some people feel more than that to you guys. That makes perfect sense. Hopefully glasses will be all that Katie & Charlotte have to face.
Yeah, we inherit all sorts of things from our parents. Everything from physical traits to personality quirks. (I yell at traffic just like my dad!) That's what makes us family! Your girls will continue to be beautiful and perfect, and if anything sways from that, your strength will show them how to handle it.
I think you're really cute with glasses, and I'm sure the girls will be too!
(I promise I'm not a random stalker...I've been reading your blog since a fellow Nestie posted it months ago.) :-)
Oh the things mother's worry about :o) - I would have never thought the girls were crossed eyed, etc. from the pics/videos you've posted - they are just adorable!
Anywho - I, of the crappy eyesight, just wanted to say at least they found out early. I didn't get glasses until the 4th grade and then the eye dr. asked my mom if I was a poor student (no) 'cuz I was so blind there was no way I could see the blackboard (if that doesn't show my age -lol). I'm sure the girls will look as beautiful as you when they have to get their spectacles.
And I like the other commentor am beginnging to tell the girls apart too!
- Just another nestie checking in.
Hey-
I haven't posted in a while but I try and keep up. They are gorgeous girls im telling ya. And if it makes you feel any better, Im legally blind I have a whole SLEW of eye issues (and im freaking out that Arabelle will have them too) If you need a good eye dr that specializes in kids I know of one in Manasquan. Give me a shout if you need their info.
funny you should mention this because I was just about to post about Sam...
I have strabismus and amblyopia, as does my mother. I've had four eye muscle surgeries to correct the strabismus, had eye patches as a kid, prisms in my glasses, etc. I always figured one (or more) of my girls might have strabismus. But I've been noticing that one of Sam's eyes turns in (nothing pseudo about it) and then we had the Early Intervention folks out to assess the kiddos and THEY noticed it and I talked to an optometrist friend of mine and SURE ENOUGH, I wasn't wrong!
Frack! Poor kiddo. It was bound to happen, but sheesh, I guess it just never occurred to me that it would be Sam! (There absolutely NO reason to believe that it's a sex-linked issue, it's just that my stupid brain figured it would be one of the girls, it was dumb... mostly I was hoping they would ALL escape it, as my brother did)
Oh they are scrumptious!!! So so so sweet!
And funny thing is..I thought one of our id girls had an "eye thing." My ped doc brushed it off as well as the eye doc. I'm sure we'll all wake up one morning and we'll notice nothing. Moreover, they must have inherited your looks because they are cuties!!!
Hi there, I just found your blog and am happy I did! Your girls are beautiful, as are you. They will only be so lucky to turn out like their momma. You are strong and caring and those are fabulous qualities.
I can't wait to read more from you.
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