The World Through Bella's Eyes

So it is not a very widely known fact that both Sean and I have very bad eyes.  I am extremely far-sighted and Sean nearly has lost all of the vision in one of his eyes; we both have a variation of a group of eye conditions collectively referred to as "lazy eye."  I started wearing glasses as a toddler and wore a patch for many years as a child.  Sean started wearing glasses at a very young age as well; although his overall vision is nowhere near the mess mine is.  So with that in mind, the two of us agreed to be very proactive when it came to monitoring Bella's eyes; we promised each other to do everything we could to ensure that we protect Bella's vision and eye health.

 

This promise meant that we would have a constant dialogue with Bella's pediatrician and be diligent about following whatever direction she gave us.  So this meant we took Bella to a pediatric ophthalmologist shortly after her 1st birthday.  The doc confirmed what we knew was inevitable, but we hoped and prayed wouldn't be the case.  Bella has her Mommy's eyes.  At 12 months old, her vision was still developing rapidly and could have improved, so we were told to pay close attention and come back in six months unless we noticed any measurable shift in her eyes (in which case we would go back sooner). 

 

Nothing changed and she seemed to be able to see well.  She could find the tiniest thing on the carpet, but last month we were scheduled to go in for her 18 month check-up.  The doctors confirmed that her vision had gotten worse and it was time to help her out and get her in some glasses.  Her vision should eventually even out, but as infants and toddlers their ocular development is very dynamic.

 

In keeping our promise to ourselves and our little girl, we immediately walked into the optical department and selected Bella's first pair of glasses.  She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about the process and didn't really show any interest in keeping any of them on her face until she found this pair.

 

She kept these on, so this was the pair we selected.  Ever since the day we picked them up with her lenses in place, she has not fought having them for more than a couple minutes total over the past two weeks.  My Mom said I acted the same way when I got my glasses.  I mean why would you want to fight it when you can finally see how beautiful the world is ... that and they are very stylish!

The last 12 months

I have been silent here for about a year now.  The return to San Diego has brought a lot of change to our world and I have definitely needed to focus on loving my family and learning how to be fair to myself in my new role as a mother. 

Lots of things have changed.  Families members have left their earthly bodies and moved on to whatever it is that is next for them.  Friends have married, started their families, and some have been charging through those curveballs of life and it all has left me overcome.  I am now realizing the truth of adult life that things never get easier, you just adapt, and things keep changing and you just keep having to adapt.

Sean has left the industry he has worked in for the first 14 years of his adult life and has embarked on a new career that he has spent the last twelve months fighting to get into.  If there is one word that describes my husband it is: determined.  I am so proud of him.  So impressed by the man that this last twelve months has helped form him into.

All dressed up for a Christmas party

 

I have returned to traveling quite a bit for work and find myself on the road more than I care to be, but all the while remain feeling blessed and grateful for such a life that has allowed me to see parts of the country that family vacations may have never brought me to.  My career has provided me with friends and colleagues all over this country and a travel schedule that allows me the occasional facetime that otherwise would not be likely.



Me and Bethie at a BoSox Game.  Fenway Park - Boston, MA

I am blessed.  I am thankful.  I am overwhelmed and awestruck by how dynamic life is and how beautiful the human spirit can be.

Our sweet Bella has grown so much.  She is tall and beautiful and hilarious ... the only hints of our baby left are her diapers and her cries of frustration that her tongue has not learned to articulate what her mind is thinking.

Here's just a few of our favorite pictures of Bella's first holiday season, her first snow, and so many other firsts!



Bella's 1st Thanksgiving



Bella's 1st Christmas

 

1st trip to the Children's Museum

Bella's 1st taste of Birthday Cake 

With all these firsts, she takes lots of naps.  Some she gives in to.  Some she fights 'til she can't fight any more.

 

 Seriously ... can you believe how big she is getting?

 

  

With Spring, came Bella's discovery of the great outdoors.  She now brings us her shoes and begs to go outside.  She cares very little about TV, but water and the outdoors seem to call to her.

 

 

She is hilarious and beautiful and fearless and so charismatic!

 

Oh and she loves music!  Here she is dancing with Auntie Dani at her first Farmer's Market this summer.

So that nearly catches us up with the basics for the past twelve months.  I am feeling a pull back into writing and sharing and opening new doors and windows and blazing new paths, so stay tuned!

Biggest, Hugest case of the "I Don't Want Tos"

I officially have the biggest case of the "I Don't Want Tos" today.

I feel like a wandered seized by the quicksand of reason and rationale.  Ugh!  I think my lack of want for doing what I am supposed to be doing right now may be indicative of a need for a change.  I've felt the winds of change coming for a while, but they are really starting to blow hard.

Looking forward to seeing what it stirs up in me.