Stats: Solidly in nine month clothes. Her hair is starting to grow in a little bit! It's significantly more than peach fuzz, and that's fun.
Okay, the biggest bit of news: Lucy's Eyes.
We went to our pediatric well check right after Lucy turned six months. She's growing well and although she's behind in a few milestones, we expected that - and truly she's doing really well. Dr. Foster encouraged us to continue to have her wear hats and sunscreen, but other than that he is happy with her growing. Shortly following her pediatrician appointment, we had our follow up appointment with the Pediatric Ophthalmologist that we saw when she was two months old.
Dr. Scott Yates checked her out, did a brief eye exam, and confirmed his diagnosis of Albinism and Nystagmus. He was so pleased with her progress and I feel like it was truly a miracle. He said that at the last appointment he was worried that she would be at the low end of the visual spectrum but that he was relieved that she would be toward the upper end of visual quality of life. He seemed to pass it off as coincidence, but his words from our first appointment echoed in my ears, "If she has any significant improvement - it would be a miracle." By all of my understanding, she shouldn't have improved so much, but she has! Not only is she tracking even small objects, she can obviously see you when you're close. She smiles when you smile. She follows her siblings while they race around the room. She started out with only seeing large bright objects but now she picks up small cheerios off of her tan tray that she's eating on. (The first time she did that, I about cried.) It still seems like she's looking through me when she's trying to look at me and I'm truly not sure what she is seeing actually looks like. Her eyes still move pretty constantly, but it's not as erratic. She's a miracle.
Before Lucy's follow-up appointment with Dr. Yates, she had a blessing. Among other things, she was blessed..
To recognize throughout her life that her eyesight is a miracle from God. For her vision to continue to improve. Blessed with safety- if her vision impairment puts her in harms way she will be protected by those around her and by Angels sent from the Lord. That her development in other areas will continue to grow.
Even just typing that blessing brings tears to my eyes. When I first heard the blessing, I thought that clearly the Lord meant that her improved eyesight is a miracle from God. And I believe 100% that is it. But there is a small voice whispering to my heart that, also, it's her reduced eyesight that is the blessing. This is exactly what she needs in her journey. This is the thing that will bring her closer to her Heavenly Parents and to the Savior and that will help her progress on her journey.
I'm so incredibly grateful for the progress that we've seen, the miracle that her eyesight is, and a loving God that knows her and us and is here to lift, support, comfort, and bless us.
-We went to a second-opinion appointment with Dr. Leah Owens at the Moran Eye Center (connected to the UofU and Primary Children's). They did a slightly more thorough eye exam and were very pleased with what they saw. Dr. Owens said several times that she was relieved because from what we'd told her she expected it to be much worse, but that Lucy's improvement and where she's at right now is very hopeful! She's not convinced that the diagnosis of Albinism is right, so she referred us for genetic testing. Either way, the future is bright for this little light of ours and we are so happy. We won't really know how much the depth perception will affect her vision until she starts getting bigger and can hit some more milestones. But we will cross those bridges when we get there.
After seeing Lydia carrying Lucy around all last month, Austin has decided that he's also big enough to carry her. I get a little worried about it sometimes and stay close to him always, but to see how proud he is, and how much he loves "His Lu" (he calls her "My Lu" and it's darling) I mostly just let him hold her like he wants to. I'm just so grateful she's getting so big because I'm not so worried about her as I once was.
This month we celebrated Lucy's first Christmas! It was everything that a baby's first Christmas should be, including darling pictures of her in front of the Christmas tree. She was happy, interested in what was happening, and content to go along with all of the holiday craziness, including sleeping at other people's houses for much of two weeks. We had a bunch of different activities before and after Christmas including the actual days of Christmas Eve and Christmas and it was just a great holiday.
Darling pictures by the Christmas Tree
Lucy's first gingerbread house!
Christmas Eve
Christmas Morning
Christmas Day at the Peaden's House
It was a really really wonderful Christmas.
I didn't get very many pictures of this, (I'm surprised!) but we celebrated New Years by staying in Morgan and hanging out with our newest little family member - Juniper! Lucy and Juniper are only a few months apart and they were fast friends. Hoping that they will keep that love for each other alive for many years to come.
Several family members said that they saw her roll over the Christmas break - but I didn't see it so I don't believe it. Here we are two weeks later, and I still haven't seen her roll, although by all other indicators she seems like she
could roll ... if she wanted to. She just doesn't particularly care to.
We spent the month go-go-going and this girl was a champ through it all. From Christmas shopping and seeing lots and lots of people to routines getting adjusted and sleeping in different spaces - she did great.
She still sleeps swaddled, and I know I should transition her out of the swaddle, but I'm in the place where I'm not ready to change up any sleep ANYTHING because I'm too tired. But soon. Soon.
-I asked David what he would say about this last month and he said "Just that she's gotten big. Heavier, bulkier, stronger." And she really has.
-I always say that babies at 8 months are my very favorite stage, and I feel like she's hitting that stage a little early. She's sitting, not mobile, and SO curious and happy.
I will never get tired of matching these two sisters together.
Visiting with Grandma Peaden on a Tuesday afternoon.
Often at bedtime, the kids ask if they can have a "Lucy snuggle" before they go to sleep.
Lydia was holding Lucy and tied her into her bathrobe. she was so proud of herself.
The kids have started calling her "Lu" or (especially Caleb) "Lu-lu". I had a college professor named Lu, and I loved her. She is the professor that helped me sew my ballgown as a sewing project. Lucy certainly isn't named after her, but it does make me smile to have the small tribute to such a wonderful woman.
We love you LuLu!
