Etta's Journal

I have set up my fundraising page for this year's Buddy Walk. Mark the date on your calendar (October, 17) so you can be sure to join us that day!

You can sponsor me by visiting this website:

www.firstgiving.com/ettamay

THANKS!!

:D

I LEARNED HOW TO CLAP!!!!!

This was SO exciting for Momma when I did it for the first time yesterday. Ms. Amy and Ms. Yolanda were both here to witness it. yay! *clap* *clap* *clap* Then, I showed Daddy when he got home from work and it made him happy too!

Still trying to get a good video of it!

Yesterday, Momma took me to a consignment sale and I got a BUNCH of new toys for fairly cheap! Ms. Amy was also there so she helped Momma pick out a few toys that were developmentally appropriate.

Today I had an appointment with Dr. Morrison, my opthamologist. I was in a pretty rotten mood after they dialated my eyes, but I guess I held still long enough for Dr. Morrison to get a good look. He happily reported that I am less far sighted now and that I may "grow out" of it! So, he wrote me a new prescription that isn't as strong. Momma also asked him about my nystagmus (eye quiver) because the last time we were there he indicated that he might like to order an MRI to make sure that there wasn't anything neurological going on. He said that at this point he felt comfortable NOT ordering the MRI. Momma was happy to hear this. She did NOT like the idea of sedating me for an MRI. He didn't think the nystagmus was any better, but he also thought that it wasn't any worse. He thinks I tip my head back to look up at people because I have found a "null point" where my vision is clearer/less shakey. I'll go back to see him in February.

When we left Dr. Morrison's office, we went up to Vanderbilt to drop off my glasses at the optical center so they can put my new prescription lenses in my frames. Momma was quite happy to hear that it had (just barely) been less than six months since we got the glasses so the new lenses will be free! The glasses should come back in 7-10 business days. I hope I don't have to be retrained to keep them on.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also, A day-late Happy Birthday to my Lito and my Grandmomma who celebrated their birthdays yesterday. I gave Lito his card and gift while we were in Panama and I'll get to see Grandmomma when we all get together on Sunday to celebrate her birthday and Daddy's birthday at Granny and Pop's house.

Daddy took the day off work today so he could spend it with me and Momma. We had planned to maybe go swimming, but it was a rainy day. So, after Daddy got back from renewing his driver's lisence the three of us went to Logan's for lunch. I thought the yeast rolls were made of yum!

After lunch, we went to GiGi's to pick out a couple of fancy birthday cupcakes and then we went home so I could take a nap. Well, before I took my nap Daddy opened his presents. We gave Daddy some T-Shirts from Panama, a couple of CD's, a new watch (that was exactly the same watch he already had), and we gave him a toaster oven. After my nap, I had a snack and then we all went upstairs to my playroom. Momma and Daddy watched a movie and I played with my toys and took another nap. When the movie was over, Momma and I sang "Happy Birhday" to Daddy and he blew out the candle in his giant cupcake. I wonder what he wished for...

Today I went to the Atlantic (Caribbean) side of Panama! Momma and I went with Lito and Lita and some of their friends to a little island called "Isla Grande". The Atlantic side is a lot different than the Pacific! The water is clearer and calmer and things just seemed more laid back there (like things can get much more laid back in Panama).

It took us about two hours to get there this morning with the last half of the trip being windy and kinda bumpy (though we hear it use to be MUCH worse). I slept some of the way and the rest of the way, I entertained everyone with my babbling and motorboat noises. After the car ride, we all piled into a boat and took about a five minute trip over to Isla Grande. We rented a tiny little hotel room for the day so we could have a place to potty and change our clothes and so I would have a place to take a nap, which I did shortly after we arrived. When I woke up from my nap, Momma took me to play in the water. It was an overcast day today which I liked because it was less bright out and I didn't have to wear sunscreen, but it also meant that the water was kinda cool. But I only half cared! I love water and I LOVE splashing! I splashed for about 15 minutes before I got out and put on some dry clothes. After everyone else got out of the water, we all took a walk down to the end of the island and back. It started to rain on the way back a little and since it looked like it was going to just get worse, we decided it was time to pack up and motor back over to the mainland. Then, another 2 hour car ride and we were home! I played for a bit with some tupperware before I had a bath and went to bed.

Tomorrow we plan to go to our beach house (on the Pacific side) for the night.

So far, I'm doing a pretty good job of going with the flow and staying in mostly good spirits! We'll see how I feel after two more days of the beach. ;)

Panama

Momma and I have made it to Panama. It took us two full days to get here, but we've made it! We were supposed to arrive on Tuesday night at 8:30, but our flight out of Nashville was delayed and made us miss our connection to Panama in Atlanta by about 15 minutes. So, I got to visit with my friends Natalie and Alyssa again!! They live in a suburb north of Atlanta and Ms. Lori came to the rescue! I went to bed pretty late, but it was fun the next day to get to play with my friends again! Ms. Lori and Natalie escorted us back to the airport yesterday about two hours before our flight was supposed to start boarding (Momma didn't want Ms. Lori stuck in rush hour traffic, so we were okay with that little wait). Well, of course, our flight was delayed out of Atanta. The flight that was supposed to take off at 5:30 didn't take off until about 7:30, putting us in Panama a little after 10pm and after getting off the plane (we were in the second to last row), getting my diaper changed, going through imigration, getting our luggage, and going through customs, I finally got to see my Lito and Lita. I was too tired/fussy to let them hold me and I cried and cried when I got stuck in the carseat. So, we finally got to the house around 11:40 and to bed around 12:15 or so. This is WAY past the hour I turn into a pumpkin!

So, I slept in till 9:00 this morning and I've been out of sorts all day!

BIG news in my physical development.... I climbed a flight of stairs today!! GO ME! Video is on its way! :)