Watch Annelisa Grow: 6 Month Photo Shoot

We had the privilege of completing our next Watch Annelisa Grow session with Laura Stiller, from Still: Life Photography, on Annelisa's 6 month birthday, September 22. The photo shoot was gorgeous at a Towne Lake Park in McKinney, only a few blocks from home! The weather was a little warm, but you couldn't tell in the finished product!

Make sure you check out Laura's blog (linked above) and you can like her on Facebook to watch all of her sneak peeks for our future photo shoots and all the others she does!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from 6 months! 

The Diagnosis is Exotropia!

We finally had our first appointment for Annelisa's eyes on Tuesday, October 16. Back at her four month update, I talked about our initial concerns with her vision. Shortly after that blog post, I began noticing Annelisa's eyes not working or focusing together more frequently throughout the day and decided to push ahead with the referral process. Dr. Starnes, Annelisa's pediatrician, recommended we see Dr. Stager, Jr. at Medical Center of Plano. I promptly called their office in early August, to make an appointment, and this was the first available!

We were very impressed with him and his awesome bedside manor! You can read his impressive bio here.

We had initially thought that her eyes were going cross eyed, but over the last 6 to 8 weeks we've changed our thinking, she tends to have one eye at a time drift to the outside. It is intermittent during the day, but it shows itself in almost every picture I take of her shifting between both eyes.

When Dr. Stager first walked into our exam room, he noticed one of her eyes was turned out. We went over our family history, specifically how Christopher had corrective surgery for Strabismus as a 2 1/2 year old, and how he has prisms in his glasses today to continue correction. These genetics likely have an impact on Annelisa and her eye muscle development. Dr. Stager proceeded to examine her eyes by using various toys and a series of movie clips down a narrow hallway to catch her attention. Christopher said that this part of the appointment was very reminiscent of his childhood appointments with his ophthalmologist.  At this point, her diagnosis was determined as Exotropia. (An information page can be found here.) He wanted to dilate her eyes in order to measure more specifically...so Annelisa experienced her first refraction. She didn't cry when the drops were put in, but there was a lot of eye rubbing and hiding her face while we waited the twenty minutes for the drops to work. We were taken to a different room for the conclusion of her exam. She had been a really good trooper to this point, but that changed. Dr. Stager needed for her lay down so he could hold her eyes open and get a good look at each eye. I had to hold her arms and feet. She cried, pushed, and kicked at me trying to break free....for which I don't blame her! She isn't old enough to understand what is going on, and why her eyes feel funny.

Dr. Stager, Jr. then discussed with us his approach at this point and the severity he sees. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being most severe, he would rank Annelisa's eyes a 6...he performs surgery at 7. She will likely have surgery to correct both eyes before age one...that's less than 5 months from now. He went on to say that she has 25 to 30 degrees of refractive prism...or muscle deviation from center. The surgery will involve general anesthesia and surgically altering the muscles on each eye to cause her eyes to straighten.

It is so important for this to happen...as the information sheet he gave us explains:

The natural history is one of deterioration as evidenced by drifting occurring more frequently, to greater degrees ("further out"), and "staying out" for greater amounts of time. In the earliest stages the child may experience diplopia (double vision) but quickly the visual brain suppresses ("turns off") the image from the deviating eye resulting in the child's seeing with only one eye. ...Since precise simultaneous use of the eyes is necessary for good depth perception, there also occurs a corresponding reduction in this visual skill.  

The timing of the surgery is important. As the early years are important and critical to normal vision development. The longer a child goes with this pattern of strabismus, the more difficult it is to completely cure. The immature visual brain "adapts" to this abnormal relationship between the two eyes and restoration of good binocular (use of the eyes together) skills become harder to restore. Untreated eyes drift farther and farther apart and are never "straight". Binocular depth perception is virtually lost and the abnormal appearance of the eyes becomes an increasing cosmetic and social problem for most. 

We will have a follow-up appointment on November 15 to measure her eyes again. This may happen two more times, a month apart, before surgery is scheduled. He wants to monitor the rate at which she progresses and attempt to only have surgery once. At the same time, we have met our out of pocket maximum for the year with our insurance, so if he is comfortable doing the surgery before the end of the year, it would be helpful to us financially. 

As in all things, I am thankful for having the opportunity to see such a skilled doctor and provide what Annelisa needs. We are praying for wisdom as we navigate these waters and to the timing of her surgery. Ultimately, the financial aspects of this process are not most important! Instead helping Annelisa develop into a healthy, strong little lady is the most important part! 

Status Update: Stay-at-home Mom

I've been encouraged by so many women who have plodded through these "long days and short years" ahead of me. Reminding me to enjoy every moment, to not worry so much about having a clean house, but instead on making memories with Annelisa....despite the voice inside my head that keeps telling me "I've done nothing today!" I've done a lot of memory making with Annelisa. And perhaps more importantly, I've grown up some (mmmm, maybe a lot!)

I dare say that I've begun to find a rhythm amid the chaos that is Annelisa's "schedule." I know what to expect of most days, and weeks, and I'm slowly learning how to make the most of nap time to do things I need to do...and even realized that some days naps won't happen (don't judge!!) so we can get out of the house to do other important things.

We now sit in the middle of the what I found to be the most emotionally challenging month of the school year...October.

October is hard on lots of levels as a teacher...mostly in you know your students, the newness has worn off, you know how much each needs to learn, you know which pet peeves are going to be irritated daily, you know how tired you already feel, and how far off Thanksgiving is...October is hard.

I'm thankful that I'm not missing all of that, as I feared I would. I've found other things to occupy my time and days. Don't get me wrong...I thoroughly enjoyed teaching, my students, and especially all of my teacher friends! I don't miss the challenge of the job daily and especially the strain it placed on my marriage and family. I am finding my way into stay-at-home mommy hood...it's a slow process for me....Annelisa is almost seven months old...

I've realized, or better yet, God has shown and taught me some of his truths again in the new light of motherhood that have helped me embrace this new position I have as mommy in the home full time. Galatians 5:22-23 was the memory verse this past week in our ladies Bible study...I memorized it long ago, yet it had a whole new meaning to me this week...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..."

As a stay-at-home mommy, I have found myself more able to tap into the life-source of these characteristics to show them in my home. To be a better helper to my husband...both I lacked in earnest as a working wife...I was too tired, or too focused on my job, to live out these things to my husband and to fulfill God's purpose for marriage.

I am thankful for these days: some hard, some joyful, some lonely, some chaotic, some simple to love my Savior through serving and loving my family. I'm thankful to be here...to show up daily for work and not know what I'm really doing, and be molded and shaped into a vessel for Him.

6 Month Well Baby Exam

Today, we saw Dr. Starnes for Annelisa's six month well baby exam! Our little lady seems to be developing into quite the observer (like me) and thinker (like her daddy). Her little personality also has a streak of stubbornness mixed with plenty of easy going, cuteness!  I will admit to being more nervous this time, than for the last couple of well baby exams. Why was I nervous, you might ask! She hasn't reached all of the developmental milestones...which are really averages, on time. For example, the child will not initiate rolling over! She has rolled twice on her own to date! I was worried that this milestone not being reached yet would be a signal to worrisome things...yet, God is so good to continue to grow little Annelisa in His timing and Dr. Starnes found her to be perfect in every way! We all agree that Annelisa will roll, it's just a matter of time... especially since she's starting tripod!

6 Month Stats (27 Weeks, September 27, 2012): 

Weight: 16 pounds, 11 ounces, 60th percentile
Height: 27.5 inches, 95th percentile
Head size: 16.75 inches, 50th percentile

Where Annelisa's been by the Stats! 

4 Month Stats (18 Weeks, July 26, 2012):

Weight: 14 pounds, 7 ounces, 60th percentile
Height: 25 inches, 75th percentile
Head size: 15.75 inches, 25th percentile

2 Month Stats (9 Weeks, 1 day, May 25, 2012):

Weight: 11 pounds, 10 ounces, 60th percentile

Height: 23.75 inches, 90th percentile

Head size: 15.25 inches, 50th percentile

2 Week Stats (2 weeks, 4 days, April 9, 2012 (the day before my due date)):

Weight: 7 pounds, 10 ounces, 25th percentile

Height: 21 inches, 75th percentile

Head size: 14.14 inches, 50th percentile

4 Days Old Stats (March 26, 2012): 

Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces, 35th percentile

Height: 20.75 inches, 85th percentile

Head size: 13.75 inches, 50th percentile

Birth Stats (March 22, 2012):

Weight: 8 pounds, 0 ounces, 70th percentile
Height: 20.5 inches, 85th percentile
Head size: 15 inches, 99th percentile

Annelisa has grown 7 inches in length since her birth day! And she has doubled her birth weight! She continues to grow in every way! Her personality has charmed us, her smile melts us, and her giggle is music to our ears! I look forward to watching her grow while entrusting her to God daily! By His grace, I am the mother to this darling little girl!

Annelisa is 6 Months!

Half a year, 26 weeks and 2 days, 181 days until she turns 1! Simply crazy!

Annelisa's 6 month milestones:

• She is wearing size 3 diapers...I'm liking Pampers Baby Dry best these days.
• Her wardrobe consist of some 3-6 month size onesies, 6 month size onesies and outfits (or separates), 6-9 month size dresses, and 6-9 month size onesies. Lots of variety depending on the brand. I need to re-organize her clothes and remove the items that are too snug. My newest fear is  waking up one day to it being cool outside and not having appropriate clothing items for her! 
• She started wearing PJ's! Up until this week she had just been swaddled in a blanket with her arms free. On our beach vacation it became apparent that it was time for footed PJ's and they are just so stinking cute! :)   
• She is sleeping 11 to 12 hours at night
• She is napping twice a day...however, naps are becoming a struggle almost daily of late. If she actually will take a good nap once a day I'm thrilled! Due to these struggles, her bed time has moved up to 7:00 PM most nights. 
• She is nursing 5 to 7 times a day.
• We have decided that she doesn't like rice cereal or oatmeal...I've given her some mashed banana and sweet potato...both of these went way better than cereal. Her pediatrician wants us to wait until her 6 month well baby exam to really begin solids. 
• She is smiling, giggling, and babbling tons!
• She discovered her feet! 
• She is grabbing intentionally for all sorts of items. Play time has gotten a lot more interesting! She likes to pinch your neck when you are holding her or pull your hair! Watch out for your glasses, too! 
• She rakes her hands to grab items on the floor or hanging on her play mat. 
• Everything goes in her mouth! Teething is ongoing! You still can't see them, but her discomfort is increasing.
• She is still sucking on her thumbs to go to sleep...she splits time between the right and left.
• She likes to guide our fingers into her mouth, too. 
• She is beginning to tripod...or sit up with support! She really enjoys the view!
• She is consistently spending about an hour and fifteen minutes a day in tummy time. Thankfully she has gotten a lot more comfortable on her tummy again.
• She is a "happy spitter" ...meaning she spits up a ton and it never phases her! Needless to say, we go through tons of burp cloths around here daily! 
• She shows zero interest in rolling over on her own...she has daily practice with minimal help from mom and dad, yet, she won't initiate it herself. She likes sleeping on her side though...she seems to be somewhat stubborn in this regard! 
• She is now pushing herself up by straightening her elbows during tummy time.
• She has started pulling her knees under herself during tummy time....the beginning of crawling! 
• She likes the Jumparoo and Exersaucer more and more, but after about 20 minutes she's done! 
• She and Farley are still checking each other out! He seems to care more about her though...maybe because we went out of town without him and distance made his heart grow fonder. 
• She loves her bath...in her bath tub. Learned this in a big way on vacation.
• She doesn't like the ocean...or the sand, although the sand was better than the water!...She does like the pool. :) 
• She has started kicking her legs by raising them up as high as she can then slamming them down on her mattress or the floor...it's really funny because it makes a thumping sound on the monitor! 
• Her car seat is on the largest harness setting...we are beginning to shop for her next one! 
• Her Fighten' Texas Aggies are 1-1. 
• She has been on her first BEACH Vacation! 

Pictures from Annelisa's 6th Month

The view on the monitor when I realized she had found her feet...she was supposed to be napping! 

Playing in the Jumparoo for the first time! 

Ready for the Aggies SEC debut! 

Practicing hugging...Ernie is a great teacher! 

Annelisa and Farley hanging out in the backyard! 

First day at the beach! 

Enjoying playtime under the canopy

Happy Baby! 

Pure love! 

Unsure about the waves

Love, love, love this face! 

Nap time with daddy! 

Hamming it up with Grammy in the condo

One of her outtakes from today...she looks like such a big girl! 

Mommy and Me <3

Sun, Sand, and Sea!

First of all, I now totally understand why going to the beach or the mountains in the summer is desirable with young kids! The ability to pack up "home" and take it with you to your new "home" is completely necessary. Our vacation was a gift from and with my parents and it was wonderful to get away and change the scenery of our lives for 6 days! I learned that vacation is something that will forever be different with children...my daily rhythm did not change during the 6 days we were gone; which usually had been the tell tale sign that we were on vacation.  Annelisa was a great trooper: from riding in the car for 6 hours both ways, to sleeping in her pack 'n play, to experiencing the sand and sea!

We stayed at Pointe West Resort on the West End of Galveston Island. The condo we stayed in belongs to another partner in my dad's firm and it is very well appointed with great views of the gulf! We enjoyed all the amenities! You can check it out here.  We have come to really enjoy Galveston Island! Far too often the Island gets a bad reputation...I'll agree with those that complain about the lack of white powder sand...but that's the only draw back to me! September was a great time to go, too! No crowds, great weather, and slightly cooler temperatures made for a picture perfect time! Some of our favorite places to visit on the island are: The Spot (Yummy Coconut  Shrimp), The Sunflower Cafe (great for Breakfast!), La King's Confectionery (Awesome Old Time Candy Store!! With Homemade Divinity, Salt Water Taffy, and Chocolates! Yum!), and strolling other boutique shops on The Strand.

Finally, some pictures of our sand and sea get away!

Top of the bridge going onto Galveston Island

Annelisa and me introducing her to the Gulf

Baby feet! 

Observing the waves

Observing the sand and waves

Studying how the ocean works

Unsure about this...

Happy Girl in her stroller! 

Tummy Time! 

Touching sand for the first time with her fingers! 

Sand going in mouth for first time! 

Studying the towel! 

Eating the towel with sand! 

View from under the canopy

Annelisa playing

Gorgeous blue eyes

picture perfect

laughing! 

Smiling

Still not sure about the water

Annelisa loves her daddy! 

Napping with daddy

Laughing with Grammy