Costs

Took Pope to the optician at Wills today for glasses. The optician said "Do you have insurance? These are going to be really expensive..." I gulped... "No." "Well," he replied, "The lenses are going to be $200... plus $80 for the frames..." I let out a big sigh of relief! I guess when your other kid wears $5500 hearing aids, it all becomes relative! :)

Aphakic

I learned a new word today... Aphakic. It's the word used to describe having no lens in your eye. Pope is aphakic. He'll need special glasses to correct the problem. Our optician, the one who lent us the frames to try, said he can't make them. So we're back to square one... We'll be heading to Wills Eye again tomorrow, to the optical shoppe, to see about glasses for Pope.

Glasses

Pope is going under anesthesia, once again, to have measurements taken of his eye for new glasses. The glasses will provide a lens, so Pope will be better able to focus on objects. While the opthamologist said Pope's vision will never be "normal" he should be able to see a lot more now.

As we've experienced with Pope's other glasses, that didn't have a prescription but were used for protection, Pope is very good at breaking glasses. We found a frame call Miraflex that are designed for kids. The frames are nylon and polymer, so they are flexible. The temples don't have hinges and there is a built in band on the back. Since the glasses can't be adjusted, the optometrist sent the frames home so we could make sure they were a good fit. They are dark blue frames and we think Pope looks handsome in them! We can't wait for his new glasses to be made! It will be wonderful for him to be able to see!

Baptism Preview

I couldn't help but post a couple of photos of Pope in his baptimal suit! He looks so swanky! He's being baptized on July 3... appropriate as a new US citizen to be baptized on the birthday of America weekend!

Summer!

Well, summer is officially upon us! I, for one, plan to take full advantage of it!

Pope's surgery was extremely successful. We are grateful to God and the skilled hands of the surgeon. Pope can definitely see more. We've been enjoying the beautiful weather and spending lots of time at the park. Pope loves the swing!

We've also had the chance to visit the pool and we're considering getting a membership for the pool club for the month of August. Pope also loves the water!

Finally, my brother and sister in law came for a visit with their 18 month old daughter Mackenzie. She adorable and a complete spitfire! The kid's all enjoyed the baby pool at Mimi & Bop's house on Father's Day.

Things are going well. Pope should get his new glasses in a few weeks and then we'll really have some idea of what he can see. It's been exciting and nothing short of a MIRACLE!

Surgery Day

Dear Pope,
You are so strong and so brave... you have lived more and come through more adversity in your 3 short years of life (and especially over the last 3 months) than most people have to endure during a lifetime. We love you so much.

Pre-op "peek-a-boo!"

Recovering with Mimi (so Mommy could sign the discharge papers.)

Resting at home. What a brave little guy!

Can you stand the cuteness?

As Pope gets stronger and healthier, he looks better and better. He looks like a different kid than he did when he arrived here, just 3 months ago.

You can't just not LOVE this...

See? I told you...

Happy 3 1/2 Birthday, Pope!

Pope turned 3 1/2 today. Okay, okay, it's not a real birthday, but since Pope became a part of our family just after his 3rd birthday, and we found this REALLY great hobby horse on sale (for one day only) and, when we got it home, I couldn't wait to put it together, I just figured that a half birthday was enough of a reason to give a big gift and let the kids go to town! And I think Pope LOVES his new horse... don't you?