oops

About a month ago all of my kids had their well child checkups. I then remembered that it had been quite awhile since my older kids had seen the optometrist, and my middle ones hadn't ever been, so I made them all appointments for the same day. My oldest(11) I was fairly certain was fine, the second one down(8), I was pretty sure needed reading glasses since she decided a few weeks ago to start holding books about 6 inches from her face. She told me that the letters get all mixed up if she holds it any further away. The pediatrician thought that the third one(7) might have some vision issues, since he was having a hard time reading their chart, and the fourth one(5) was just kind of along for the ride.

So on Monday, after 5 hours in the optometry office, many annoying shows on PBS, a ton of snacks and treats, and I'm sure the biggest family visit they've ever had, this is what we found out. We were right about the oldest, his vision is great. The second one doesn't need glasses(although she REALLY wishes she did), the third doesn't need them quite yet, although he probably will by next year, for the OPPOSITE reason we thought he needed them! It turns out that he will need them for reading soon. They were amazed that he doesn't complain about it or anything!

My poor poor sweet fourth child, the one that was really only along for the ride, the one I was kicking myself for even making an appointment for... her vision is terrible. It's worse than 20/40, and is so bad that the optometrist won't even give her the full prescription yet. He wants her to wear half her prescription for 6 months before he gives her the full one. It was so bad that she couldn't even name one letter on the board, and they had to switch to pictures. She could still only make out the biggest 2, and then guessed some of the 3rd biggest. Poor thing can't see a thing! He had to use a stronger eyedrop to dialate her eyes, that didn't wear off for over 24 hours, just so he could make sure her prescription was accurate.

It runs in the family, both sides really, but we would have NEVER guessed that she was having issues. I was kicking myself wondering how I didn't notice, why she didn't say anything... I started asking her questions after we got home, like why didn't she want to sit on the couch to watch tv, already knowing the answer now. I had thought it was because she was 5 and couldn't see past all her siblings. I asked her to show me where she could see the tv well. She pulled her chair about 3 feet away from it. I stood about 7 feet away from her and asked if she could see my face. Nope. Poor thing! It answers so many questions, and explains so many things! We've been just cracking up talking about how she won't come to me when I call her in a crowded room, she probably can't tell which adult I am. No wonder when I give her a dirty look from across the room she smiles at me in return. I thought she was being ornery, she was probably thinking, my mommy sure does love me! HAHA! 

I told her yesterday that when she gets her glasses she'll be able to see my face from across the room, and see the tv from the couch. She got pretty excited.  So today we went to order her glasses, and she is so happy. We got a great deal on 2 pairs that she picked out, and they should be here by next week. I'm so excited to see how much this effects her, and to know that she can see! How is it that a problem we weren't even aware existed a few days ago, could make me feel so horrible, and so relieved when it was solved? I guess that's all part of being a mom, and wanting the best for your kids. I can't wait to upload some pics of my beautiful little one with her brand new glasses. BTW, she had SO much fun trying on almost every pair in the store, and admiring herself in the mirror!