Crazy Eyes

Have I ever told you about Alessandra's different-colored eyes? She was born with one brown, (the color of her daddy's), and another greenish-brownish-hazelish, (the color of her mommy's). We had expected to enjoy them for only a few weeks, or months if we were lucky, and then to follow suit with the rest of her infant counterparts': One eye would eventually catch up to the other's shade (whichever one would ultimately win the Big Bad Iris Classic), and change to her final lifetime color. We had secretly hoped that they wouldn't, however, because what is more interesting than both mama AND daddy looking into her eyes only to see ourselves looking right back? I often say that she is such a perfect mix betwixt the two of us, that it is difficult to tell exactly whom she resembles. As to prove my point perfectly, God let our beautiful offspring keep each one of our eyes through her first birthday and as far as we or any of our trusted physicians can tell, they will likely stay that way forever.

As if her two different colored eyes were not interesting enough, she also has one of the most happenin' right eyes around! In the brown eye, as if her pupil were a mouth to a cave high atop a picturesque mountain, a "waterfall" of the hazelish color inhabits the bottom part of her iris. Also, there is a bluish-colored "shadow" that is on the white part of her eyeball, just outside of the iris, and is in most cases hidden by the eyelid. With all of these exciting things happening, our pediatrician Dr. Clark suggested we see a pediatric opthamologist for a precautionary visit, as we all know that eyesight is not something to mess with. She referred me to one of the best in town (one that she had sent her own children to, in fact) which is probably why it took me 3 months to get into see her! Dr. Clark did assure us that it was not urgent, so that wait would be okay.

Ali's diagnosis was that she is the proud possessor of Heterochromia. It is very rare and her case especially is: Not only does she have Complete Heterochromia (two different colored eyes), but also Sectoral Heterochromia (the "waterfall" in her right eye or basically, one eye with two different colors). It is genetic, and we aren't quite sure where it came from, although my eye color is definitely suspect for Central Heterochromia even though I've never been officially diagnosed. If you follow this link, it shows the different types that I've just talked about. As for the "shadow", it is a completely normal dose of pigmentation that is common in babies of Hispanic or African American descent. See honey, she may not have your dark complexion, but she does have some of you in her eyeball! :)

We also had Ali's 12-month visit a couple of weeks ago. She is starting to slow down in her growth curve and is now 22 pounds, 29 inches tall and an 18 inch head circumference. She is still a bit bigger than most of the other little girls her age, but definitely no longer in the 90-something percentiles like she has been.

We'll soon be weaning this little one from a bottle of any kind, and have been filling her sippy cups with whole milk, as her canisters of formula have been depleted. I bought just two more the other day knowing that these were her last, and I have to admit it was a little bit sad when they were all gone.

Ali will be walking any day now. She stands and stoops and hangs out all by herself for a few minutes at a time, but then will become aware of what she's doing, and then scare herself off balance! She seems to stand on her own for the longest when she's really involved in something else like examining a toy or looking off at someone or something else. I missed her first steps while my mom was in town!!! I went upstairs to grab something while Ricardo and my mama remained downstairs and she took three steps towards my mom. How fair is that?!??! Anyway, I didn't agree that they were her first steps until I saw them with my own eyes, and let me tell you...They were glorious! :)

And you read it right...My mom was here again! It's been so nice for Miss Ali Mae to hang out with her Grandma Jo. GJ usually works with her all day to acquire some sort of cool skill and it is always a treat for Cardo and I to come home to something new that Ali has learned. She had been working with her to walk, so that would make sense that she would take her first steps toward GJ. She also now plays Patty Cake thanks to GJ and knows how to rooooolll 'em and pat 'em and (not quite markin' 'em with a B...yet) but she can THROW 'em in the oven for Ali and me! It's so cute.


Alessandra also has begun to let the jargon gates open! In the midst of all of her chatter, there are so many little words that you can pick out that she utters, I can't even begin to recall all of them at this moment, but let me assure you, they are some good ones! Her favorite thing to do lately is point at her cousins' pictures on our shelves and practice saying their names. She says "Mama!" And I say "Yes?" And she says "Dat?" And I say "That's Gianna!" And Ali says "Neenana". Then we move onto the next one: "Mama! Dat?" And I say "That's Maaaaarley." And she says "Mooooommy". And on and on we go...

And finally, on a more poopy note: We've been nursing a sick girl back to health over the last couple of weeks from a menagerie of various illnesses, none too serious, thank God. A week ago Friday she was sent home from day care with a nasty case of pink eye.

Isn't it the saddest thing you've ever seen? She took it like a champ and knocked that thing out in a day or two after some heavy duty antibiotics. We were just finishing up that round of antibiotics when we noticed a little rash on her just last night. This morning it had gotten far worse so we took her into Urgent Care. Now we're onto a fresh dose of antiobiotics fighting off our little trooper's first case of strep. Weirdly enough, she has no fever and seems to feel fine. Keeps us in your prayers that this is the last round of health oddities for poor little Ali this year! The following photo does this rash no justice. If you squinch up your eyes really tight and notice all of the little pink spots (it might help if you double click on the picture to make it bigger), and then imagine them to be briiiiight red, then you'd be close to how it looks in real life. Thank God they don't itch, otherwise we'd be in BIG trouble!

As for Cardo and I, we've been the world travelers since the last time I wrote! Cardo's been to Phoenix and Las Vegas (for pleasure) with his cousins Carlos and Crystal, and I've been to the far less exciting metropolitan of Kansas City (for business). This weekend was the first in awhile that we were all able to just sit and do nothing and I must say, it was WONDERFUL!

Here's to a great week and a Happy Autumn!

Until next time, Love,

RAD