"My Eyes Hoit!"

So, we went to the pediatrician's office yesterday. I always feel weird about going, like I'm overreacting to her symptoms or something. I've never taken her for any reason that didn't end up requiring meds or treatment of some kind so that's reassuring. Guess I'm doing ok at this whole mothering deal. I love love love this office...like LOVE love them. Whenever I call, they can squeeze us in that day or early the next morning. The doctor we see is the nicest gentlest man and he's extremely knowledgeable and attentive.

So we get there and she immediately runs to the fishies and chats with a little boy who is also indulging in a little fish action. A minute later we're whisked away to a waiting room (have I mentioned I love this place?).
The doc comes in and this is how it goes:

Doc: "Hi Lula, how are you today?"
Lu: "Good, eyes hurt!"
Doc: "Oh no, are they itchy?"
Lu: "Itchy,scratchy" and then she rubs them for   the millionth time that day

Doc and I discuss treatment options and decide to try out anti-inflammatory eye drops for a week instead of a full course of allergy meds. The doctor writes up the prescription and gives
it to me. Lu requests it, so I hand it to her.

Lu: "Thank you doctor!"
Doc: "You're very welcome!"
Lu: "Doctor fix Lula?"
Doc: "I hope so!"

Lu gets up to leave and the doctor tells me that she's one of the smartest 2 year olds he has ever seen. She acts like a 3-4 year old apparently which rocks my socks off! He keeps saying "Wow!" everytime she talks to him. I love that my baby is a smart little miss but she's super special to me no matter what. As we walk out of the office, she yells "Byeeee, Thanks...See ya later!! LATERS!!!" I love this kid.

SHUSH OUT!

Baby Lu has discovered her inner hellraiser this week. I can't even count the number of times she's been to timeout. It's probably in the triple digits...and that's underestimating. She likes to tell me to "shush out" now. I'm thinking it's a variation of "hush" (which is what I tell her when she's gone on a tangent) and "shut up". I have no idea where she got the "shut up" part because it's not something commonly said in our home but I'm sure she listens to people talking when we're out in the world.

I'm starting to suspect that something else is going on though. She's been rubbing her eyes a lot and complaining that they, as well as her head, hurt. So today we're off to the pediatrician's office in the hopes of getting some answers. Could it be allergies?

Papa Bear and I don't have any allergies at all...like to anything. We could trip and fall into a pit of ragweed, hayfever, cat dander and peanuts and would come out happy/reeking of weeds and nuts.

Another concern is her vision. I have no reason to believe it's anything relating to her eyes other than they hurt her. Her daddy wears glasses and has astigmatism but my eyes are perfecto. She can see things from a mile away and up close so I've never even fathomed we could be dealing with an eye issue.

Despite all of my concerns, here she sits scarfing down oatmeal and asking when we will be going to the doctors to see the fishies. To her, the doctor's office is primarily an aquarium with a detour to see someone in a white coat...then back to the fishies.

Must Reads for Every Mommy!

Anyone who knows us, knows that we are far from the conventional family...but we are happy. I try to instill values in our daughter that we can all be proud of. She's confident, friendly and generous. Hell, that's all I can really strive for at this place in time. I still worry everyday that I'm doing something wrong or that she'll turn into a teenager who hates me despite all of my best efforts. I want to be one of those moms that their child can talk to no matter the reason, without fear of judgement.

I spend as much time as I can snuggling, talking and reading with her. I really think the reading is paying off because her vocabulary has increased 100 fold in the last month. She'll hold a conversation with anyone and will talk your ear off if you let her.

I love buying books that promote acceptance. I want her to know that whoever she becomes in this crazy world, that we'll be here loving her no matter what. Books that show you don't have to fit a certain type or dumb yourself down to make friends are what I hunt for. Accepting who you are is what is most important.

I wanted to share two of our favourite books that promote staying true to one's self. Each of these receive 5 enthusiastic baby Lu thumbs up! They remain at the top of the heap and get read constantly.

Mostly Monsterly by Tammi Sauer

We LOVE this book (serious serious understatement)! Bernadette is a monster, complete with fangs and claws but deep down she has a tender heart. She loves to bake treats and pet kitties despite it causing problems with her classmates at monster school. She finds a way to meld the two worlds and come out on top!

Highly recommend this book to all parents because of the great message, fab illustrations and all-around fun storyline.

Small Saul by Ashley Spires

Saul isn't your conventional pirate, he's a little smaller and gentler than his rough and tough counterparts. He learns at pirate school that pirates only care about three things: their ship, being tough and acquiring lots of treasure. After graduation, Saul is recruited onto The Rusty Squid to begin his life of plundering. He soon realizes that he isn't interested in the life of plunder and sword wielding. Saul wants to sing sea shanties, bake and redecorate which makes him stick out a little. His fellow pirates soon realize (almost a little too late) that despite their differences, Saul is a wonderful addition to the crew.

This is a lighthearted story about a little pirate who is finding his place in the world while staying true to himself.

Saul is a pretty awesome little pirate and would be more than welcome at my house to bake us some pineapple upside-down cake anytime!