Big Day for Isla Rose

Last Monday we had our first visit with the ocularist. It was such a good visit. I was really anxious about the ride to the Birmingham (she hates her carseat) and how she would do at the visit, but she slept the whole way there and most of the way back! and we were able to learn a lot about what to expect in the coming year for Isla. We really enjoyed meeting the Cox Ocular "family". They, of course, gushed over what a darling little chunk of love Isla Rose is, which we already knew :) They looked at her eye and made a conformer for her. It is basically a clear shell that looks like a really thick plastic contact lens. They put it in her eye and it slid right in. She did not like it one bit! It caused a little bit of swelling, but once she got calmed down, we were able to see that it was in place and didn't seem to be hurting her. They showed us how to take it out and put it back in (which hopefully we won't have to do) They told us that unless it shows signs of infection or it happens to come out accidentally, we would need to leave it in until we come back to see them next month. Ms. Elise (the ocularist) told us that she has a nice sized globe and socket so we won't need to be very aggressive with the conformers and hopefully if all goes well, she will get her prosthetic eye when she is a year old, if not before. She said for what she has, it is the best case scenario. They see so many children with much smaller eyes and sometimes even no eye/eyes at all.  Isla has done really well since we've been home. The conformer causes her eye to open up much more now and it is wider too. It doesn't seem to bother her at all. 

This was Monday night after her visit.  Happy girl!

This was taken this past Monday--what a chunk!!

Through a mutual friend, we were able to meet a family in our area who has a 4 year old son with microphthalmia also. I don't know if I've shared that on here or not, but we had dinner with them a while ago and they shared with us what their experience had been so we knew going in to the visit what to expect. I am so thankful to the Lord to have met this family! They have seven children--yes seven. Their youngest three are boys and Asher had the BEST time running around and playing like big tough boys play. :) I dream of seven children so it was fun to see their dynamic and how they all relate to one another and it was awesome just to be with another family who loves the Lord and have walked the road that we are walking and are thriving! So encouraging! I love how God will provide people in seasons of your life to encourage you. He is so good like that!  Here's a video of sweet Isla Rose talking. She coos and babbles so much now. I love it! I think she will be talkative like her siblings!

Dad's day

I love my man, for many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons and the one we celebrate that certain Sunday in June is for being a Father. For Father's Day this year, Zack wanted to work around the house.  You heard that right people. He spent the day cutting the grass with Asher and weed eating with his new toy :) Saturday we took a trip to Nocalula Falls and walked/hiked around the park. Low key, family fun. I know I'm sounding braggy, but I am so thankful there is not one lazy bone in that man's body. He would much rather spend the day doing something active and productive the laying around on the couch watching t.v. Sunday we went to church, we grilled ribs for lunch and that night he grilled again at my parents house. It was a fun weekend celebrating the men in our lives. Before we had kids,  I honestly didn't know what kind of dad Zack would be. He didn't ever really have much to do with children, never really talked about kids much and didn't seem to be in a hurry to have kids once we got married, while I, on the other hand loved baby sitting, loving on squishy babies and couldn't wait to have a whole houseful of my own. But my worries/fears/wonderings whatever you want to call them immediately dissipated the moment they laid our firstborn in our arms.

Daddy meeting Asher

Meeting his first baby girl, smitten from the start

Proud Daddy and brother

Holding Isla Rose....Daddy x3!

Zack is the most amazing Daddy! (and I'm not just saying that because I think he is generally awesome at everything he does--he really is!!) I live with this man people. I see him every day and I could write endless pages about his integrity, dilligence, discipline, hard work and above all his love for his children. And since I know that not everyone would love to read something like that :), I'll just show you what I mean....

....Bravery! Zack's got it, just look at that snake! All for his sweet little girl's sake...

Family Traditions...This is just one of many traditions we have as a family. Zack is so awesome about creating fun things for us to do together. 

Movie night--a few weekends ago Zack set up a big screen (aka bedsheet) and projector for us to watch a movie together.

Teaching his boy how to say War Eagle!

....Patience! Playing patient takes patience when you don't have the gentlest of doctors....

Rough housing...isn't that what Daddys are for? Every day when Zack gets home, he plays with the kids. You name it they play it, super heros, legos, trucks and car racing,  princess, tea party. Every day.  I don't know, maybe it's because I don't have any memories of doing things like this with my dad, but these pictures, these memories just make my heart happy.

Daddy, in our hearts you are the world's greatest Dad. We are over the moon for you! Thank you for loving us, delighting in us, leading us to love Jesus more. We are so lucky to have you!