Etta's Journal

I had a hearing screen done today. I'm still little, so they couldn't really do the behavioral portion or the test where I am expected to turn toward a sound (which I did twice- once on each side before losing interest), but the Audiologist was able to do some other fancy tests with a computer and a little ear bud. I was a little wiggly which made it difficult at times to get the earbud in my ear, but I eventually sat still and passed the test beautifully! She said she'd like me to come back in six months for a follow-up and so I can do the behavioral portion of the test.

After my appointment with Audiology, Momma and I walked ALL THE WAY across Vanderbilt hospital to the Optical Center so we could pick up my glasses. The lady there made sure they fit and we were on our way! I was pretty tired from our adventures, so I napped all the way home!

I had my glasses on for about 2.5 hours before Momma took them off so I could take a nap. I didn't mess with them that whole time! Not once! The only reasons there were even smudges on the lenses were because I touched them while I was chewing on my thumb AND when I was trying to rub my eyes I rubbed all over the lenses(cause I was sleepy- poor thing).

Momma took a few photos of me wearing my glasses so you could see!! Please don't mind the crooked pigtails! It's been a long day! ;)

I had a pretty busy weekend!!

I had PT on Friday. Mrs. Shannon says I'm doing awesome! She taught Momma some more exercises for me to work on and I'm scheduled to see her again next month. Momma and I ran a couple of errands after PT and when we got home, my new "My Bei Bei" carrier had arrived!! Momma was VERY excited about this! She has loved "wearing" me in the Peanut Shell, but since it's a sling pouch that goes over just one shoulder my weight isn't balanced. Since I'm getting bigger, Momma finds it hard to wear me for long periods of time. So, she began the (online) search for a new style of carrier. She found LOTS of different styles (which was very overwhelming) but settled on the My Bei Bei because it kept my legs together. It's not good for my hip joints to have my legs splayed as many of the carriers would have had me do. Momma's gonna have to use it a few more times to get quicker at putting it on, but she's loving it so far! We had a photo shoot that night so I would be able to show it to everyone!

Friday was also Lita's birthday and I forgot to call her. I feel really really bad about this because I DID think about her ALL day!! Happy Birthday, Lita!! We'll have to have a little party when you come in a couple weeks!

On Saturday Momma slept in a little and Daddy played with me in the morning. After everyone was up and moving and dressed for the day, we all went to Walgreens, Lowes, and we took a trip out to Murfreesboro to "help" Great Uncle KJ, Great Aunt Lori, and my cousins Olivia and Amelia move into their new house! I really didn't help too much. I was more of a distraction, but everyone was SO happy to see me!! I also got to see a BUNCH of my family while were there "helping". Grandmomma and Granddaddy were there and so were my great uncles Brian, Stanley, and Daryl. We left there just as it was getting dark outside and about to be my bedtime. I cried (screamed) almost the entire 40 minute drive back! I was so worked up that I threw up all over myself!! Momma and Daddy weren't sure what the deal was because as soon as I got home and out of that carseat I was a sweet little Sunshine Girl again! Momma's theory is that I don't like the car seat when it's dark outside (I have pitched these types of fits while on a road trip and usually in the dark). After we got home, Daddy and Momma gave me my Valentine's Day card, and I gave Daddy his. He's my Valentine and I'm his!

Today, Momma got to sleep in A LOT!! First of all, I slept straight through the night!!!!!!! I have been waking in the middle of the night lately and Momma just changes my diaper and puts me in their bed so we can all get some sleep. But today I slept until 7:00am! Daddy got up with me and Momma kept on snoozing! She really needed the sleep. After we all got going for the day, the three of us went to the jewelry store in the new Kroger Marketplace (!!!!) to buy me a new set of earrings for my Valentine's Day gift. I needed a new pair because I lost the back to one of my current earrings sometime yesterday. I got some pretty little gold flowers with a tiny, sparkly diamond in the middle. Then, I slept in my new My Bei Bei while Momma and Daddy did some grocery shopping. I also saw my neighbor Mrs. Melinda while we were there! When we left, we ran through Tractor Supply for fun and then we came home so I could eat and take a nap.

Momma and Daddy are having our unfinished bonus room finished this week! The crew starts tomorrow!! So, Momma and Daddy had to spend some time this afternoon upstairs moving some boxes and furniture so they would be out of the way. I'm SO excited that I'm going to have my own room to put ALL of my toys/play centers!!!

Hmmm.....

I've been hearing about a LOT of family and friends and friends of family and friends who read all about me all the time! But I don't know who's keeping up with me because no one signs my guestbook anymore. :(

I would love to hear from everybody (even if I don't actually "know" you!).

Actually... out of curiosity, please leave a little comment to this journal entry once you've read it.

I wonder how many comments I'll get?!?!?

WHEW!! Momma, Daddy, and I had a very very busy day today! To start with, I woke up at 4:10 this morning. I've been doing this a lot recently. Momma just changes my diaper and puts me in bed with her (and Daddy) and we snuggle until I fall back asleep. Momma thinks that I might be waking because my diaper is wet. So, today she bought me some special diapers for overnight. She REALLY REALLY hopes this does the trick. (My ghost writer would like me to insert a *yawn* here!)

Anyway, we got going and left the house a little after 9:00am. I had an appointment in Nashville to get my monthly RSV shot at 10:45. So, when we got to the parking garage, Momma gave me a bottle in the car and then we went in to get my shot. :(

After I had my injection, we went over to Vanderbilt's Optical Center. My Opthomologist suggested we go there because they would have a better pediatric selection and frequently fit infants for eyewear. It turns out we only had about two glasses to choose from and they didn't take our insurance and the glasses we ended up choosing weren't in the "Kids Special", and it's going to take 7-10 BUSINESS days for them to be ready.... *sigh*

BUT, the glasses we chose are ADORABLE and seem to fit really well. They have a light pink frame with a comfy bridge and are made by Fisher Price. Momma and Daddy hope I keep them on! The new picture in the Feb photo album is the pair they had available for me to try on and the blue thing on my left eye is just a sticker (I've already had two people ask..).

You can copy and paste this link to see what they look like:

http://www.theyedoctor.com/products/_cid_10001-pid_201468__product.aspx

So, after the glasses, We walked down the street and Momma and Daddy had lunch while I took a nap on Momma. After lunch, we went over to Granny and Pop's house.

We were giving them our old computer and we stayed a little while to visit. Grandmomma also met us over there so she could play with me!

We left there around 3:00 and ran by Kroger on the way home. So, it was after 4:00 when we got home. By 5:00, Nana V and Grandfather were pulling up in our driveway!! YAY!

We visited for a while and the grown-ups ate dinner and then I had a bath, a bottle, and I went to bed!!

I had my opthomology appointment today with Dr. Morrison. I saw him back when I was about two months old. He told us at that time that I was slightly far-sighted (on the high end of normal range). When we went back today for my check-up, Momma told him about my left eye that sometimes turns in (mostly when I'm tired) and that sometimes my eyes quiver back and forth (also, usually when I'm tired). So, I happened to be very sleepy at this appointment today. Dr. Morrison didn't see my eye turn in, but he did note the quiver. It's official name is Nystagmus and it is not uncommon in children with Down syndrome. The Nystagmus makes it more difficult for me to focus on things (which is why I sometimes look at you with my head tilted down or titled up instead of straight on). Dr. Morrison would like to give prescription glasses a go. So, he wrote out a prescription for me. He wants me to try them for a couple months and come back to see him. Momma and I are going up to Vanderbilt's Optical Center in Nashville tomorrow so I can get fitted.

I'm 8 months old today!!!!!!!!!

Watch Me!

(copy and paste)

http://www.ndsccenter.org/morealike/flash/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-P4t2jR1g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwlXyoHMfYA