20 Months + Coloboma

20 Months
Wow, time has flown by. 

Emma has become the greatest talker. Its fun to have actual conversations with you daughter after all this time. Its quite surreal. We usually start out the day with naming all of her friends "baby" "Min (minnie)" "draf (giraffe)" 'bear (panda)"... and then "bottle" "Emma" "Mama", "Daddy" when he is there in the morning, "dipe (diaper)" "peepee". Ok let's go change that diaper, girlfriend, and then we can go to school.

All-time favorite word she is trying to say is Pluto which in Emma talk is "Poop-o". 

We have been playing "side (outside)" a ton lately. Day and night. Night time mainly for her to see the moon and stars. She gets super excited, points, and says "moon" and "stars", back and forth several times until its time to go inside so she says "bye bye". During the day, lets be honest, what better way is there to run off some energy? Usually we just play in the front yard, walk/run sidewalk, ride our car, but we opted for the park a few weekends back and it was a hit. We visited Pinkerton Park right up the road in Downtown Franklin. She loved the slide, swing, firetruck, rocks, but hands down her favorite spot was the bridge. Holding our hands while on the bridge. We've been back since then and it was somewhat enjoyable, I think her stomach was upset. She was being very clingy and crying, granted it was super windy out and really bright (she still isn't used to the sun in her eyes, who is though?) But maybe it is Terrible Twos come early... perhaps?! Who knows?! We will just roll with the punches (literally sometimes). 

Dustin and I have noticed that she has become a very meticulous kid... at times. She stops to investigate when ever the ground changes where she is walking from rocks to grass, sidewalk to sand, etc. Also, with her food. She knows what she likes, but if it is new, she assess the food, first. Reasonable, but then there times where she won't try it. Stubborn kiddo... so we try to get it in her mouth so she can taste it. Lots of screaming, saying "no", sometimes spitting out, but probably 7 times out of 10 she likes it goes back for more. Whatever works, right? She plays very carefully as well but then there are times when she is all over the place. Running around like a hooligan/kid. Ever changing. Its really fun to watch. And then she crashes....

Her teachers tell us that she is excelling at daycare. Very smart/bright. Doesn't let anyone push her around (that's my girl). Loves story time. Eats a hamburger like an adult (who knew?). Loves nap time (what?) and loves having her hair played with. She usually comes home with a crazy hair-do, which is too adorable. All around, daycare has been the best thing for her and for us. She is constantly learning things and she loves going. Usually send me on my way with a wave and a "bye-bye mama". Bye grown up little thing. 

Coloboma 
To give a little background, we have been watching Emma's right eye. 60% of time it looks a little cross-eyed. We weren't sure if it was because of her petite flat bridge on her nose or if it was something serious. At our last check-up, Dr Moss suggested that we take her their partners, Lions Group, to get her checked out. So Dustin took her to her appointment on February 19th. She had no idea what was going on. On the other hand, we both (mainly me) had been a nervous wreck and anxious for a solid month. Dustin called me after the appointment and apparently she did great and the doctor even complimented her in how well she was handling the eye check. Proud mama right here. Lots of stickers were at play. However the diagnosis - Optic Nerve Coloboma. What is that? A rare defect of the optic nerve that causes moderate to severe visual field defects. Hers being on the moderate end of the spectrum. Thank the Lord. She basically has a very weak eye and has been straining to see like her left eye. So what does that mean? Glasses. Which Dustin and I were expecting her to be blind like we are but to know that these glasses aren't because of her vision, its because of a birth defect. Felt like a mom fail. And I immediately started thinking about how kids were going to bully her in school. Being a red head and wearing glasses. Been there. Not fun. But I finally came to the realization that things are not in the my control. He controls everything and He is all knowing. So, we will have faith and trust in Him and know that these will benefit her greatly. And besides, what kid doesn't look absolutely adorable in glasses, right? So after some obstacles in getting her glasses ordered, we will be receiving them in about a week. 

Now, lets just pray she keeps them on her sweet little face!