"wiff no drops-es in my eyes!"

This is how my conversations with Savannah looked during the days leading up to her most recent eye appt:

ME: What are we doing on Thursday? Are we going to see Uncle Nathan?
S: Yeah, wiff no drops-es in my eyes! I so uh-SITE-ed!! *bouncing up and down with a huge smile*

Enter that short conversation on repeat and you have Savannah for 72 hours straight. This was the first eye checkup she had that didn't involve her getting her eyes dilated. And it made all the difference in the world! She was still hesitant about putting her chin up on "dat big fing" (where Nathan could take a look at her lenses). With the help of a few fruit snacks and the promise of a green sucker from the nurse, she finally did let him take a look. She really did great overall. It wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did had Katie not offered to take the boys though (thanks Katie!).

Boy did she ever soak up her special time with just mommy and daddy. Daddy got to read her a little story in the lobby before we were called into Nathan's office.

We were so pleased with the results! Over the last 3 months, we have been patching her right eye for 3 hours/day in order to strengthen her left eye. In just these short 3 months, her left eye has improved enough that we now only have to patch 2 hours/day! Wooohoo!!! This improvement also means that Nathan does not have to refer us to a pediatric opthomologist in the Cities. Obviously, we'd do anything we need to in order to give Savannah the best eye sight possible, but we sure do love having Uncle Nay Nay as our primary optometrist. So, all in all, we heard wonderful news this week!

favorite places and spaces

I'm not really sure how, in all the years we lived in Mankato, we never ventured over to Saint Peter's Creative Play Place (in the community center). Now that we are practically down the block from there, we've worn ourselves out on many chilly/rainy/snowy mornings in this (teeny little) wonderland. I just love that the kids are encouraged to rearrange anything they want in the room, grab any art supply their little heart desires, and run with their imagination. And the best part? It's FREE! I do sorta like that word.


This is the first room we see when we walk in - the baby room. Lots of infant and toddler-friendly toys. No chokeables. They also have a couple shelves full of snacks for the kids, coffee and tea for the parents, and juice if you want. All free, of course (though donations are always welcome).

Here's a quick scan from right to left (from my view in the castle).











This is under the castle (and Savannah's favorite).

Ash-man in the baby room (with Auntie Heidi's feet behind him ;-) )



Savy Lu Lu (with cousin Audrey peeking from behind)

Mr. Miah at the sensory table

...and fully equipped as a "fido fido" (fire fighter ;-) ).

And Brookie-do in what clearly is the most fitting place for her in the room (top of the castle, near the throne and all the dress-up clothes? Yes, that'd be it)


Yes, yes fun for all. The only sad part about this place is the minute mom says it's time to go home. We like it here :-).

Tubby Tub

I was realizing that we don't get enough post-bathtime pictures. The kids are just so squeaky clean I want to smooch them up!