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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

18 Months Old and Rockin' the Specks

Where has the last year and a half gone? Seriously? Scout is now 2 pregnancy's old. When you start thinking of it that way, it really seems crazy! I'll tell you this, it's been the most exciting 18 months of my life. Scout teaches me more than I would have EVER known. I love being her mama, she blesses me so much each and every day!

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been very busy, as usual. We've been enjoying all of the free "Christmas in the City" events in Knoxville. Scout's loving every minute of it.

The day after Thanksgiving we went to "Regal Celebration of Lights" where they lit the Knoxville City Christmas tree on Gay Street and you could enjoy other lights in Krutch Park and festivities in Market Square. We didn't stay for long because it was so cold, but we did get to enjoy the most important part, lighting of the tree.

On Friday, December 3rd, Scout attended her very first parade. WIVK/Fowler's Christmas Parade going through downtown Knoxville. She really enjoyed herself despite being bundled up. She danced to the beat of the drums as the marching bands went by and loved seeing all of the lights. This Friday, we'll attend the Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee Park. They have a forest of lighted trees on the lake and lots of fun activities. We might take time to see Santa again and even go for a carriage ride. I can't wait!

This past Sunday, we attended our first ever "Living Christmas Tree" at Thompson Boling arena. I was a little concerned that Scout wouldn't cooperate because she is just 18 months old and sitting for a long period of time can be difficult for her at times. She proved me wrong once again. She was outstanding other than playing musical chairs in Grumpy, Gran, Papa's and my lap. She ended up crashing in my lap towards the end. As for the show, I was amazed! I will never miss another "Living Christmas Tree"!

Scout recently went for her 18 month check up. She received her last immunization until she's 5 (Kindergarten Check up). It's kind of sad to think about her going to kindergarten, but they have to grow up as much as we don't want them to. I would love to keep Scout young and innocent forever. Scout's check up went well. She's up to 20lbs 15oz in weight (we're almost to 21lbs!!), she's 31in long, and her big ole' head circumference is 50. Her body is finally catching up with her noggin'! She's still "petite", but as Dr. Rimer says, she isn't scrawny! He said when you see her age and weight in the chart, you would think she's a little, skinny toddler, but really she's filled out nicely. I was happy to hear that! They did an autism screening on Scout, which was a Q & A for Adam and I to fill out. They didn't tell us what it was for until after he gave us the results. I guess so we wouldn't cheat. Anyhow, good news...she has no signs of autism. As far as her development goes, she's above a 2 year old level. She was off the chart actually! We are very proud of our smart girl!

On a not so good note, we found out yesterday that Scout will need to wear glasses. We are hoping this is just temporary. A couple of months ago, Adam started noticing Scout's right eye floating in a little bit. I guess I was in denial because I didn't notice it until a few weeks back. I ended up calling a pediatric opthamologist to schedule her an appointment. She's way too young to go to an optometrist. She saw Dr. Allyson Schmitt and was diagnosed with accommodative esotropia. Basically, it means you are "cross eyed" due to being farsighted. The good thing is, Scout's case is not severe and it doesn't cross all the time. When she tries to focus on something at a distance, her right eye floats in. Dr. Schmitt said patching her good eye will not fix the problem because her left eye (based on examination) has the tendency to do the same thing. So, if we patched the eye, we would be creating another problem. Our first option to fix the problem is to get Scout glasses. She has a very simple prescription +2.25 for both eyes. It may seem like a lot, but toddlers eyes are very different than adult eyes. They still aren't fully developed at 18 months. Dr. Schmitt said Scout's vision is actually average for her age, which was a huge relief knowing family history on Adam's side. Wearing glasses may or may not fix the problem. If it doesn't, surgery is our next option and it's a definite fix. Since this was caught at such a young age, Scout may not have to wear glasses when she gets older, as long as it gets corrected. I'm not going to lie, I did cry after we left the doctors office. I was a bit overwhelmed. We've never had to deal with anything other than her normal check ups and an occasional sick visit. I kept questioning myself, "why??" am I having to deal with this as a parent, but then I looked up and saw the pediatric cardiology office that we were passing by to get on the elevator and I realized that we are really blessed to have such a healthy girl. I am still having a hard time dealing with this soon-to-be change, but I'll be fine. I'm mostly frustrated that I can't find cute toddler frames. I had no idea it would be this hard. We'll get through it and who knows, Scout may only be rockin' the specks for a few months before her problem is fixed. It can make a difference that fast. I'll keep everyone update on our eyeglass finding adventure and will post pictures as soon as we get them. Please just pray that she takes to them well and doesn't break them within a week. Glasses aren't cheap!!





Attempting to Get Scout's Picture in Front of Our Christmas Tree

It's really hard to get Scout to sit still long enough for a picture these days. 1st attempt at getting her picture in front of our Christmas tree.



Several attempts and minutes later, I thought I'd bribe her with Smarties candy. She LOVES them!



As you can see, she out smarted me. It didn't work!



Nearly 10 minutes later, she's over and decides to go play with her toys.




Scout's 18 Month Photo Shoot and Our Family Christmas Pictures
Taken by: Days Go By Photography (Tammy Keith)
Location: The Museum of Appalachia (Clinton, TN)














Monday, November 29, 2010

Thanksgiving Tomfoolery and Thinking of Tabby

Thanksgiving


I can't believe another Thanksgiving has come and gone. It seems like it was just yesterday Scout was celebrating her first Thanksgiving while being fed her sweet potato and turkey baby food from a jar. This year she was eating off her very own plate, all by herself. It's amazing how much changes in just one year.
Our Thanksgiving festivities started on Sunday, November 21st. We went to my Aunt Sis' house to celebrate the Stinnett Thanksgiving gathering. See pictures below:


This picture is from last year's Stinnett Thanksgiving gathering. Scout was sooo little! :(




Here's my girl this year, she's gotten so big!! Sniff Sniff!



Scout enjoyed playing in the yard with Aunt B.



Scout "talked" Auntie KK into taking her into the yard to play, too.




My lady like girl is chillin' on the porch. Playing can wear a diva out!!




Scout and our cousin, Monica.




We started our Thanksgiving day this year at my dad and Lisa's (Grumpy and Gran's) house. I was so excited about eating all of her yummy food and forgot to get out the camera. I'm really bummed over it, too. Our next and final stop on Thanksgiving was at mamaw's (GG's) house for the Helton family gathering. I was still full from eating all of Lisa's yummy cooking, so I just munched on dessert's at mamaw's. See pictures below:



A glimpse of Scout from Thanksgiving at Grumpy and Gran's last year.




I bet this years Thanksgiving tasted MUCH better to her!!




TaDa! Here's my big girl this year. Gran bought her that adorable turkey dress.




Scout's cousin (my niece), Addison.





Scout's other cousin (my niece), Abbey. Aren't they both adorable???






Scout's enjoying her drink and playing with the glue at the arts and crafts table.





Adam's attempt at getting a picture of us. Not bad, except his neck seems a bit stretched. :)






It was pretty warm in GG's house, so I stripped Scout down...well, except for her knee socks and Mary Jane's. So cute!







Someone looks like their up to no good.







Scout and Landon playing around. Why does she have to look so grown up? :(








Playing with Addison.







Nana got Scout a piece of chocolate turtle cake (made by Ami, YUM). Can you tell she fed herself and enjoyed it?









Fantasy of Trees






A picture of my tree (made in memory of Tabby) before it was delivered to the Knoxville Convention Center.





I loved this sign!






I made a tutu to use as the tree skirt.






I loved this ballerina slipper ornament, so sweet!







Thanks for adding your special touch to Tabby's tree, Auntie KK. You picked the perfect ornament and she looks so much like Tabby.






At Fantasy of Trees last year. She was so easy to take care of. This year we couldn't keep up with her. Haha!





We went to Fantasy of Trees on opening night (the day before Thanksgiving).
Scout is hanging out on Papa's shoulders during the "Babes in Toyland" Parade.






There's my tree! I hope Tabby was proud!





Scout and Gran. Scout got to meet the Chick-fil-a cow.





A list of the sponser's, designer's, etc. I'm on the far right, 8th down (I believe). I was proud. I hope to do a big tree next year!!





Me and my girl!





Grumpy bought Scout that light up, spinny, music playing toy. She LOVED it, but it died the next day and it wasn't a battery issue either. :(





Ignore the hideous look on my face, but we were in line to ride the carousel. Unfortunately, my camera died after that picture. :(





Since out camera died on Wednesday at Fantasy of Trees and we ran out of time, we decided to go back on Saturday. Scout and Papa posing in line while waiting to see Santa.





This is one of the volunteers for Fantasy of Trees, she was helping Santa out. Scout fell in love with her and didn't want to come back to me. :(





Another flash back to last year when Scout met Santa for the very first time.






This year she wasn't so sure about the big guy in the red suit.





I sit with them for the picture to ease Scout's fear. She asked for lip gloss. ;)






Scout looks so scared in this shot. Haha!






The ginger bread houses were amazing. This was one of my faves. So simple and elegant.






A replica of Wonder Works in Pigeon Forge. Awesome.







I LOVED this one. A replica of the Tennessee Theatre.







Me and my girl posing in front of Tabby's tree.







I love you Tabby and miss you greatly. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I wish Scout could have met you, but I know you are watching over her daily and keeping her safe. Thank you for being my baby's angel.