Update on my eyes

This post is for Rob, who asked in the comments section of my last post about this how my eyes were doing.

Well, it's been over 2 months and they are GREAT!!!  I don't have any pain at all, and my vision is perfect.  I have another follow up next week, so I'll be sure to post more on how I'm doing, even if it's just a quick blurb.  As you know, I didn't have Lasik- I had advanced surface ablation, which is a little different with the same out come.  I had a slight astigmatism, and slightly weakened corneas, so this was determined to be the best procedure for me based on these things.  The recover was kind of tough for a few days, as I felt like scratching my eyeballs out, but it only lasted a few days, and a few adult beverages took the edge off and I slept for 12 hours straight.  The best thing you can do for your eyes is SLEEP.  So if anyone plans on doing this, and has ASA rather than Lasik, I recommend you either a) get a babysitter if you have kids or dogs, or b) make sure your spouse has a handle on the kids/dogs.  But about 5 days after the surgery, they took out the hard contact lenses, and that made a BIG difference.  Every day got a little better, and a week after surgery, I would say I was pretty close to 100%.  For a few weeks, I was having a bit of trouble with halos (and I think almost everyone gets those) but I have been taking my eye drops and vitamin C religiously, so that has helped.  With it now being dark when I go to CrossFit in the morning, or dark when I drive to the chiropractor at night, I've noticed a huge improvement.  The moon still ocassionally halos, but that's about it.  It doesn't affect my driving, because even if the "red light" haloed, I could still see that it was red!  People, houses, street signs, etc. did not have halos.  Just bright lights, and only when you look directly at them. 

When I last went to the doctor, I was 20/16, and could even read a few letters on the 20/12 line.  I had to go searching for it, but I was previously -2.00 prescription in one eye, and -1.75 in another. I think I was about 20/90 and 20/80, or pretty close to that.

Halloween 2011

Happy Halloween!  OK, I'm a little late, but better late than never, right???

This year, Natalie went dressed as an Auburn cheerleader.  She decided at the first house that she didn't want her props- her megaphone or her shakers/pom poms.  Grant only made it about 4 or 5 houses and Todd had to take him home.  He didn't get it, didn't care for candy, and was only excited about the fact that it was dark outside! 

We went over to our friend Chris' parents house to pick up our friends Chris and Tiffany, and their kids Jackson and Samantha.  Sammi was a princess, and Jackson was Buzz Lightyear!  Here are 3 out of 4 of the kids waiting to go trick or treating!

Here you can see Natalie waiting patiently at a door for someone to answer and give her candy.  Grant has already turned around and is ready to take off and fly around the neighborhood so he can save a few damsels in distress.

See?  Here he is, saving this lady, ahem, Mommy, from the cold, fall night! Let's go Mommy!!!

Finally Daddy had to take him home.  Daddy tried his best to get in on the Halloween act!  At least he put forth an effort, which is more than Mommy can say.  Mommy was only concerned about staying warm.  That being said, I realize neither of my kids have coats on.  Neither wanted them on!  I figured Grant was only out for a few minutes, and if Natalie wanted a coat, she was big enough to ask for it.  She finally did, with about 3 houses to go!

Here's Natalie with Jackson and Sammi (and Tiffany!) at this awesome lady's house- she gave out Matchbox cars and candy!  Natalie was sweet enough to get a car for her brother, since he had already gone home.  We just love going trick or treating with our friends the Kelley's! 

Grant's 2nd Birthday Party

My little buddy turned 2 on October 30.  Sniff sniff.  For his birthday weekend, we went down to Grammi and Bean's house for a little family birthday party.  We got there Saturday right before lunch, and while the kids took a nap, Bean made us some cocktails.  This is what ensued:

After the kids woke up, we snapped a few pictures of Natalie and Grant on the stairs in their Halloween costumes.  Natalie is an Auburn cheerleader, and Grant is Superman!  Here he is attempting to fly!

Then we took a nice Bailey family picture on the stairs.  Natalie grabbed her props for this one!

After a delicious dinner, we got to enjoy some yummy birthday cake that KK made for Grant!  It's Lightning McQueen!!!  Can you believe she made this?  It's so awesome!  Wish I had talent like this.  Good thing I married into a talented family!

I love the picture below of Grant and his Godmother Nauni. 

We sung happy birthday to Grant, and of course, we only have a really long video and no pictures, but we did snap a few of him devouring his cake.  Double fisting!!! 

Here is a kind of blurry picture of most of the family (minus Nauni, who's taking the picture!) at Grant's birthday feast!  Little buddy was so cute and really loved his cake and ice cream.

After dinner, we opened presents!  Grant really loves this Lightning McQueen car that Seth got him.  Forget the other presents dad, I wanna play with LMQ!!!  The kid has a one track mind, and there's gotta be at least 4 wheels going on that track!

Mommy, Daddy and Sis got him a big loader.  He loves loaders, dump trucks, and tractors.  It's the funniest thing.  I've never seen anything quite like it! 

It was a great 2nd birthday celebration with our wonderful Bailey relatives, who showered baby boy with love, cake and presents!  I hope someday he realizes what a lucky boy he is!

Little girls and lipstick

This is what happens when you let little girls put on their own makeup...

Auburn-Florida Game

War Eagle baby!  Todd and I were lucky enough to have my mom come up and watch the kids for about 48 hours while we went down to Auburn for the Auburn-Florida game.  My besties and I try to do this at least once a year, although this year, we actually went twice, if you consider we all went to the National Championship game back in January.

Me and Ayala on our way to the potty with Jordan Hare in the background.  The bathroom was at the Livestock Arena.  Man, only in the south...

Nice pic of Jordan Hare, and oh, did I mention we are reigning National Champions?

Here we are putting up the tent for the tailgate.  This pic isn't as funny unless you know Todd, Lee and Braxton were just sitting around beneath the other tent, having a drink and watching us work.  Thanks guys.

I can't believe I'm putting this picture on this blog, because really, this just isn't me.  First of all, I hardly drink beer anymore.  Second of all, I most certainly don't shotgun.  Well, at least not in the last 15 years anyway.  But I got called out by the Gator fans, so what's a girl to do?  It was only me and Sherpa representing Auburn and all of the other girls were too chicken to do it.  The Crossfitting competitor in me couldn't let it go. I came in first of the three girls (the other two girls were Gators), but third to last overall, ha ha. 

A bunch of us didn't go to the game.  Kim and Rick, Ayala and Lee, and Sherpa, Todd and I decided to go downtown and watch it at the new bar/restaurant that is located where Buffalo's used to be, not too far from Toomers.  This is what our poor, sad trees look like after that crazy Bama fan poisoned them.  Not so good.  The restaurant was kind of lame, but the waitress was nice, and they had TVs, and it wasn't crazy packed.  And... we won!  17-7!  We worked those silly Gators!

The good thing about being where we were is that we go to go roll Toomer's ONE. LAST. TIME.  For having just beat the Gators, I was pretty sad.  Look how pretty it looks!  Not quite like '94 (what a game!) but I'll take it.

Toomer's Drugstore really needs to be open for post game lemonade! 

One last pic before we went back to the hotel for our 3 hours of sleep.  We had an early morning flight out of Atlanta (hour time change, 2 hour drive, had to return the car, etc.) But here we are, 2010 National Champions baby!  This year, not so much.  But it was fun while it lasted.

Pumpkin carving on a warm fall day

Natalie and Daddy carved a pumpkin together on a nice, warm fall day in early October.  Grant wasn't at all interested.  So I had to chase him around the yard.  Here they are, getting ready to start the pumpkin!  (Note: Natalie had a super cool green fairy band-aid on her leg that Grammi had given her after getting a bug bite at their house).

Here is Grant, wondering if he can break loose from this joint.  It was really warm out, so he had fun just running around and playing with his firetruck and remote controlled car.

He just really liked playing with the remote control.  Never mind actually using it to make the car drive and spin around.  Natalie did a great job of helping daddy scoop out the pumpkin guts!

Todd was trying to get Grant interested in pumpkin carving, but he didn't want any part of anything he couldn't remote control.

I would like to tell you that this is the finished product, below.  However, it was getting late, so after cutting the top off and scooping out the guts, they put the project on hold for dinner, bath and bedtime.  Within a few days, the pumpkin rotted, so Todd had to go buy and carve a second pumpkin!

Scenes from September

Here's a little more of what we did in September.  First, I turned 35.  Booo....  But I was lucky enough to have my parents come up for a visit that weekend!  And I got to eat cake, so of course, that always makes for a good birthday...

While my parents were here, we all (minus the kids) went to the Sox-Rays game.  The Sox won, and it was a little chilly but we all had a good time anyway!  Here we are up on the Budweiser Pavilion.  I like the guy to the right making that creepy face...

One of Todd's co-workers went to Afghanistan for work for a few months.  He brought back presents for everyone, including this interesting hat, which we put on Grant!

Lastly, I caught this cute moment between Todd and Natalie while they were working on putting together a fairy mobile at the dinner table.  They looked so cute working on it together!

Trip to the Cape

Every year, Todd and I make a point to join our friends Cooch and Karen at the Cucci family beach house in Wellfleet for a fun weekend away from the kids.  This year, it happened to coincide with my eye surgery, and this turned out to be a VERY good thing, since I could barely keep my eyes open all weekend.  (Warning: Unattractive sunglasses featured below!)

KK so graciously watched the kids for us while we went to my recovery weekend away.  This is how I spent Saturday.  With a shirt over my head.  Note the sunglasses on TOP of the shirt.  Dude, I'm really white.  More trips to the beach next summer, please!

This is how Todd spent his Saturday.  Practicing handstands on the beach in Wellfleet!  We spent the day at the beach, drinking cold beverages, as prescribed by my eye doctor.

We ate a nice dinner outside on Saturday evening.  Lobstahs, steamers, corn on the cob, yum.  This is me, in my awesome granny glasses trying a steamer for the first time.  Not bad, but kinda chewy. 

Hail hail the gangs all here!  It took everything I had to keep my eyes open in this picture.  Mmm, non paleo corn on the cob!  After dinner, we enjoyed the bonfire, some s'mores, some more drinks, and then I promptly enjoyed 12 hours of sleep!  That is the first time in YEARS that I have slept that much.  It was really good for my eyes.

Sunday, we went after breakfast to pick up the kids at KK's house.  We spent the day there as Todd did some outdoor chores for KK as a thanks for watching the kids.  I kept my eyes closed.  In the evening, we ate outside.  The kids were thrilled to eat outside, especially Natalie.  Then we made s'mores in KK's fire pit.  I thought Natalie would go wild for the s'mores, but not so much.  She hasn't been a huge chocolate fan lately.  Look how big my kiddos look in the picture below with cousin Seth!  So cute in their jammies...

Grant loves ribs

This post reminds me of my Uncle Harry, and how he can perfectly imitate the "It's McRib time at McDonalds!  CHOMP" commercial!

Laser Eye Surgery

I FINALLY had laser eye surgery! 

Long story... After 7 and a half years, I left Dewberry for a position as the Flood Hazard Mapping Coordinator for the state of Massachusetts.  However, before I left, I had about $1700 in my flexible health spending account that had to be used before I left, otherwise it would have been taken from me.  NOT COOL.  Thankfully, the hubs purchased a "Buy With Me" for laser eye surgery with Dr. Leibole at Newton Wellesley Eye Care and Laser Surgery.  Dude was AWESOME.  I mean - I have never quite had the level of customer service ANYWHERE that I have with this place.  His office was amazing, and I thoroughly recommend them!

Here I am saying goodbye to my glasses for the last time!

The surgery was really quick, maybe 2 hours tops from the time I got there to the time I left.  So afterward, we went to Morse Tavern for a Pumpkinhead Ale!  I asked Dr. Leibole about taking Advil or Tylenol, and he said neither of those would do much for me, given I had exposed nerve endings in my eyes!  So I said, "How about whiskey!?!"  And he said, "That is probably the best thing for you!"  Sweet.

It was difficult for me to even keep my eyes open after the surgery.  I had this one beer, an appetizer with Todd, and went home and slept for a few hours!

When you sleep, you have to wear these awesome eye patches.  They are hard plastic, with terribly sticky tape that never comes off of your face.  Plus, you have to take about a million eye drops for many weeks after the surgery.  I was in a good amount of annoyance/irritation after the surgery- not so much pain as it was just generally irritating to the eyes.  I compared it to a cat licking my eyeballs.  Ewwww...