Ella's eye update

Ella had a check-up at Arkansas Children's Hospital yesterday. It has been a few months since we've seen the doctor there and since we've been patching for 6 hours a day. So, I was anxious to know how everything was going. The news we got was that nothing much has changed, which, I guess isn't necessarily good or bad news. We have to continue patching for 6 hours everyday, and we go back in 3-4 months for another check-up. At that appointment if Ella's eye isn't straightening up more we will have to start talking about her having surgery to manipulate the muscle to get her eye straight. I do not want another surgery for her. And, this sugery could lead to other problems. So, please keep Ella and her lil' eye in your prayers so that the patching will work and be all she needs for her eye. Oh, and, of course, Ella did great during the appointment. She just smiled all sweet as the doctor shined several lights in her eyes!! She's so wonderful!! I love her.

My Target incident

This past Sunday afternoon Ella was feeling better so we all went to Target to pick up the regular baby needs...formula, diapers, and wipes. As soon as we got out of our car and started walking into the store, I heard this man screaming at his kids. And, whenever I hear anything like this my ears perk up and I have to see what is going on. Well, this time the dad was jumping out of his two-door car and jerked up the front seat up and was bending over into the backseat of the car. He was using language I would never use much less yell at a child. He told the child he was going to put his fist through his face, along with some choice cuss words. I figured this was a young child because I couldn't see his/her head above the seat. By this time Todd, who is holding Ella, and I are just a little bit away from the car which is parked in a handicapped spot in front of the store. I tell Todd that I'm not going inside until I know this man isn't going to hit the child. So, I'm standing there watching and waiting. I have my gameplan ready to call the police first, then get the information to the child abuse hotline, after getting the license plate information and a good physical description of the man. But, the man stops yelling, and is getting back into the front seat. So, as he is turning around he sees me looking as I'm turning around. So, I turn back around so he will know that I saw him screaming at his kids. This makes him mad. He starts yelling at me that I need to mind my own business. I told him that I was just making sure he didn't hit his kids like he said he was going to do. He told me that it's not my business and if he wants to pull his belt off and spank them, he would. I told him that I was not worried about him spanking his children, but rather hitting on them because there is a difference. He kept telling me that it's none of my business, and Todd stepped in and said that since he is in a public place it's not a private matter. Of course when Todd got involved the man stepped forward to us. Just as this is happening, a lady comes up from behind asking the man what he has done. He tells her that one of the kids took a toy away from the other kid, and he was getting on to them for it. He also tells her that I was being nosy and getting into his business. I told her that I was just watching to make sure he was going to hit the child like he said he was going to do. She asked me what he had said so I told her, and he piped in that he only said he was going to bust the glass out and not hit the child. The lady looks at him and told him that she couldn't believe he would do and say that, and they walked toward their car. As we are walking away, the lady yells thank you to me. A friend's husband walks up at this point and teases us that we are picking fights in the parking lot. I'm not sure what he was doing, but he wasn't going in the store so I guess he was coming to check on us. All of this took place in just a minute or two.

I didn't think much about what I did, except for getting on my soapbox about the man's behavior, until Todd came home last night talking about it. He was a little embarrassed by us standing in a parking lot getting into an argument with a stranger about what he was or was not going to do to his child. I was not embarrassed at all, and still not, about what happened. I think there are too many people who do not say anything when they see something happening that is clearly wrong. I felt very comfortable that the man was not going to anything to me for saying something to him. I just couldn't stand by and let a child get abused and do nothing. I also hope the child learned that the man's behavior is wrong, and will tell someone if the man does something to him. And, thinking back, there are some things that I may want to change that I said to him to maybe help clarify or explain why I was doing what I was doing.

As most of you know I worked for nearly 7 years, until Ella was born, as a child abuse investigator for the Arkansas State Police. Although I complained about parts of the job, I really did enjoy it. And, I can't imagine working and doing something else. I think this will always be a part of me, and I'm glad about that.

Life after the stomach virus

Ella is just getting over having the stomach virus. This virus has been going around, and lots of people have gotten it. It's so awful watching your baby sick like this so I'm very glad it's over. What's strange about this is now Ella will not eat any table food or really anything that is not the mushed up baby food. She had gotten to where we were eating mostly table food or the Gerber Graduates, but now she won't put any piece of food in her mouth. I don't know if this is common with babies after being sick. I was so excited that she was eating whatever we were eating, and now we are back to baby food. If anyone has any ideas how to get her back to eating table food quickly or why she is doing this please let me know! I'm hoping her tastes buds are just out of wack, and will want food food again soon.

Moms' night out

Last night I got to have a Moms' night out with my friend, Beth Yearta. We went to eat, and saw the Sex and the City movie. I had heard from a few people that it was good so we went to check it out. And, it was really good!! I wasn't sure at first if I was going to see this one, but I'm glad I did. I've said that watching this TV series was a guilty pleasure of mine since there are inappropriate things on there. And, I guess the movie was one also. I didn't know that I was going to need to bring Kleenex in with me to watch it!! I think I cried as much as I laughed!! It was a good night, and hope we get to have another night out soon!!

Making Daddy proud

Ella learned a new trick over the weekend, and her daddy is so excited about it. In case you didn't know Todd is a huge football fan. He played in high school and watches as much of it as he possibily can during the season. Ella started out when she was tiny, tiny putting her arms above her head when she slept, then as she got bigger she would raise them when she got excited. We joked that it looked like she was calling a touchdown during a football game. So, this weekend, we got her raise her arms when we say touchdown!! It's so cute!! She even tries to say the word, and it usually sounds pretty good (and, no, she still doesn't say Momma).

Ella when she was about a week old napping. She didn't have both of her arms up here like she would, but still, very sweet baby!!

"TOUCHDOWN!!"

The Beginning

I think about this encounter every so often because it still amazes me how simple it was, but yet it was the beginning of the rest of my life. I first saw Todd one night while I was working at the mall, the old Indian Mall, at Kinney Shoes. (The best job ever...so easy and met great people!!!) I was standing at the front of the store to greet customers, and a co-worker was behind the counter. This guy came in and acknowledge me but kept walking straight to the counter. I remember thinking he was cute, and remember distinctly turning around to look at him as he passed by. I figured he knew my co-worker so I planned on asking her about him when he left. But, Todd was there to talk to the manager about getting a job at the store!! The co-worker and I decided that he definitely needed the job. Todd has said that he remembers me from walking in the store also, but doesn't remember his first impression of me. I don't remember our first time talking or the first time we worked together. But, we did get along from the very beginning, and we eventually started hanging out together all the time, going to fraternity parties, etc. I don't remember the details but we went out some, but it never came to be much. I thought that he needed to date around because he was new in town and had just broken up with his high school girlfriend, and I wasn't the kind to date more than one person at a time. Todd said he doesn't remember this. So, we both dated other people over the next year, but became great friends. We talked about everything and still hung out all the time despite dating other people. I had been dating a guy, and remember when I told Todd we broke up Todd telling me that he never liked that guy. I never knew that, and later Todd said it was just because he was dating me. A month or so later Todd moved out of state, and during a visit home he kissed me. This took me by surprise because I had no idea Todd felt that way. He went back, and sent me flowers and a letter apologizing for telling me he liked me while he was living away. We had our first official date shortly after that. (Amy, I still wish I would've let you take a picture of us before we left.) But, I still wasn't ready to commit while he was living so far away. I told him that we couldn't be boyfriend/girlfriend while he lived away because I thought a long-distance relationship would be too hard. Todd would come to Jonesboro almost every weekend, and we would hang out. We would also call each other all the time, no matter what time of day or night. So, a few months later Todd moved back to Jonesboro, and less than a week later we were a couple!!! This was May, 1999. We have barely been apart since this time. We dated for a year and a half, and then I moved in with him. Then in 2005 we got married at St. Thomas island, bought a house in 2006, and had our first baby in 2007. Todd has been with me through my best and worst. He is my best friend. Todd can always make me feel better, and he knows me better than I know myself sometimes. I had a hard decision when trying to decide whether or not to start dating Todd after we became friends because he was such a close friend I was afraid we would mess that up. After much thought I realized that Todd had every quality I wanted in a husband, and only dated him because I could actually see us married one day. I knew he was the one for me!!

This was our first Halloween together. We dressed up for the first few Halloweens. That was so much fun!!!

Our wedding!! I loved our wedding at St. Thomas!!

Our wedding reception we had to celebrate our marriage with our family and friends.

Sorry about the picture quality...they are pictures of pictures.

Ella's got teeth (finally!!)

I am so excited that Ella has finally grown some teeth!!! We've got the two front bottom teeth sprouting out now. They have been in for about a week now. But, she is just now starting to show them off. She wouldn't let you feel or look at them for a few days! I'll post a picture of them when she ready to show 'em.

This is a picture from 4th of July (Ella's last first holiday!).

Sunday's list

I've decided to start making a list on Sundays of things that I want/need to get accomplished in the upcoming week. The list will only consist of things that either are new to me that I have to learn or things that I don't like doing but have to get done. I hope this will keep me motivated since I'll be making my to-do list public! I'll also post everyweek what did and didn't get done. For this week I want to:

1. Sew Ella a pillowcase dress. This is huge for me since I haven't sewn since 8th grade home ec class. But, I've always thought I would like to sew, and since I have a little girl I want to be able to make her little outfits or costumes. Everyone tells me these dresses are easy to sew...so we will see!

2. Decide whether or not I will be making Ella's cake for her birthday or if I will let someone else do it. I want to do it, but I am also picky so I'll be practicing on decorating cakes and cupcakes all week.

3. Clean my floors. And, I mean get on my hands and knees to clean my tile floors and get the baseboards while I'm there. It's been too long since I've done this.

4. Get pictures in photo albums. This one is not added because I don't like to do it but because I enjoy it too much that I have to designate lots of time for it so I can get them pictures in chronological order.

5. Get Ella's baby (her little baby things) things in the attic. I have been putting this off because it makes me a little sad putting her cradle up and other things she has outgrown, but I'm ready to put my house back into some order.

Ella's eye patch

Today I have really struggled with people's reactions to Ella wearing her eye patch. Somedays this doesn't bother me at all, and I can take it all in stride and go on with my day. Other days, like today, I seem to have the thinnest skin ever, and I can't get past it! I understand people's curiousity and even people being a little surprised or shocked to see a little baby with a patch covering an eye. I try to imagine how I would've reacted if I were on the other side of this, and it's hard for me to know what I would've done. But, I hope I wouldn't constantly stare at her as I walk through a store or point at her or continue to "ooh and awe" at her as I walked by. I also know that most people mean well when doing this, and they aren't trying to be rude. Here's an example of what people say--Today we were shopping at the mall, and as we were leaving a husband and wife were walking in the other direction. The husband jokingly said "Oh look, that baby has a black eye!" I put on a smile to acknowledge that he was talking to me, and went on. Then he asked me to turn around so his wife could see Ella with her "black eye". So, I did because I wasn't sure of what else to do. I wanted to smart off to him for asking us to do that, but I knew that wouldn't solve anything. I was floored that he actually asked me to turn Ella around to show his wife like Ella was something to be put on display! I really start to get mad when I start thinking about how this will affect Ella when she is old enough to notice the people staring and pointing. Right now she is too small to know. And, I know that I will have to be able to explain to her why they are doing that, and I won't be able to show her that it makes me mad because I don't want her to learn that from me. So lets just say I have a long way to go to get there!!.

This gets me thinking about how I would like people to react or not react to us when Ella is wearing her patch. And, truthfully, I don't know. I think that for strangers walking by that a simple smile and look to show they have noticed would be fine. It gets tricky when you have to talk to someone like when you are at the bank or are checking out somewhere. I can tell they have noticed, and sometimes they don't know what to say. I just go along with what I'm doing and leave it to them to bring it up if they want. And, it gets even more tricky when we run into someone we know that doesn't about Ella's eye because it seems they don't know what to say or how to ask about it. And, I don't want to bring it up because I don't want to look like I want attention because of it. It's like there is an elephant in the room that no one is talking about. I would like for them to ask me about it, but I know it's awkward for them.

So, I've decided that maybe I could help alleviate some of this awkwardness by posting a picture of Ella wearing her patch for family and friends to see so if we run into them some of the shock won't be there. I also am going to give a short explanation of Ella's eye condition--Ella's right eye didn't develop all the way so she was born with a small eye, a cataract, and another condition called PHPV. She had to have 2 surgeries to remove the cataract and the membrane (the PHPV part) in the middle of her eye. The doctors weren't sure and still aren't sure how much vision she will have in that eye. Ella wears a contact in the eye so it can focus. We patch her left eye to force her brain to use the right eye in order to obtain as much vision as possible which will help keep her from getting a lazy eye. The doctors said this was one of the most severe/difficult cases they have seen so the fact that Ella does focus and is able to see some things is a blessing for her. We won't know exactly how much she will be able to see for a couple years...until she is able to talk and tell us what she sees. But, we know she can see with her eye because she reaches for toys and food and will crawl to a toy while wearing the patch.

I can feel a load lifted from my shoulders just from typing this. It's really amazing just how talking (or typing) about something that bothers you can help make it better. I hope I don't scare someone away from asking us about Ella's eye because I really don't mind talking about it. I know most people are genuinely sincere and concerned when they see or talk to us. And, I am so thankful for all the support we have had.

Oh, and Amy Barrett, I'm not talking about you or your girls today!! I'm glad Eva Grace asked about Ella's patch. Kids notice it pretty quickly and are very honest and sweet when asking what happened to Ella, just like Eva Grace!

Thankful Tuesday

Here's my weekly list of what I'm most thankful for today. I love making these lists!!! Here goes:

1. Having groceries in the house!! I love having a stocked pantry and fridge when I decide to cook something. This doesn't usually happen for me because I don't like to grocery shop, but it did today.

2. Bottled water...I love bottled water even though it's not very eco-friendly. I guess I'm too lazy to mess with getting a glass, putting ice in it, and filling it with water. Plus, I don't really like the taste of tap water.

3. Summertime...I've talked about this some already in another post, but I love that my nephews aren't in school so they get to hang out with me more. I love being an aunt and love my nephews!!

4. Baby toys...Ella has so many toys to play with, and that is great for me because they help entertain her and keep her occupied while I get things done. She just got a walker that she gets to walk behind, and she really likes it. It's so fun to watch her get around.

5. The 20Q game...Have you seen this toy? It's amazing!! It's a handheld toy that asks you 20 questions about any thing you can think of, and it has ALWAYS gotten it right!!! I don't know how it works, but it has entertained me today.

6. The rain...I'm so glad it rained the other day because we haven't had to water our yard since. We will today though. Our grass is so green now!!

7. No doctor appointments last month!! Ella finally had her first month of not seeing a doctor! I was so excited.

8. My dad retiring...I'm so thankful that my dad no longer has to go to his hot, hard job anymore. Today was his last day of work. He has already made plans to take his grandson to play golf and is talking about taking him to do other things. His job was hard on him, and he hasn't felt very good for sometime so I'm hoping this will help his health.

9. Hot showers!! I love to take long, hot showers!! These days they are usually shorter than I like, but they are still hot. A nice, hot shower not only cleans your body (obviously) it can also clear your head, which is just as refreshing!! It's so nice when Todd is home to watch Ella so I can take one without having to sing songs to keep Ella content until it's over!!

10. I'm thankful that I can calm Ella down with singing songs to her (usually). Whether she's in her car seat or at home when she gets fussy I can sing to her and she usually quietens down. The song that works best is the ABC song, and has since she was little. She even tries to sing with me now on that song, or at least it seems like it. And, I'm not a singer so the fact that my singing doesn't scare her is something else to be thankful for too!!!