Saturday, August 28, 2010

Our Guy....With Glasses

Well, our newest bump in the road has been that Reid's eyes have started to drift inward...sometimes more his left and then sometimes more his right, and often both eyes at once. We went to see the eye doctor and we were told he was very farsighted, which is what we were told last time as well...except this time they said now that he is older and his attention is held longer on items and he is focusing more to see things up close his eyes are drifting. To help strengthen those muscles we were told it was time for glasses.

I was not sure how he was going to take to glasses....so we set a plan in motion. While we waited the week for the glasses to come in I sent away for some books on getting glasses. We read and read those books in preparation, we oogled and ogled over anyone and everyone we saw in public or on tv that had glasses, and we bought Luke some frames because Luke is Reid's hero and if Luke will wear glasses chances are better Reid will follow suit. ...actually this was a surprise to Luke, I could tell he secretly wanted glasses so when I went back yesterday to pick up Reid's glasses I asked if they had any discontinued frames that did not have any prescription in the lenses..and viola they did and now Luke has glasses too.

When I walked out of the office with the glasses I quickly took Reid's out to see just how strong the prescription was and ...honestly my heart suddenly had this very sad feeling. I just sat in my car for a bit with that old familiar feeling of being hit in the gut when you realize your child will have one more struggle. When I looked through those glasses I could barely see anything...geez louise they are strong. The poor thing has been living with incredibly blurred vision all this time and it really made my heart sad.

We decided to "unveil" the glasses as if it was a present. We handed Luke his present first with prior directions to cheer and act excited when he opened his case (which truly he was excited to be getting his own glasses ;) ) and then we handed Reid his....which he opened excitedly with all of us standing near cheering, and then we had Toby put his glasses on that we had to dig out of the archives.

Below are pictures from the big "reveal" of the glasses.






Hmnnn...can I still dance around and be silly with these???




Whoa, what's going on....I can see so much better!?!

Seriously...that's what those Backyardigans on tv look like????

Mommy loves me in my glasses!!!!

Just being cute but goofy!

As part of our "plan" we decided to watch a children's movie after the big reveal so he would be engaged in the show and hopefully notice enough of a difference that he would not resist us in wearing them. He sat the whole hour and a half with them on.... I wonder what was going on in his little brain now that he can see so clearly!

.....and thank you big brother for indulging us by wearing "your" glasses ;) to help your brother!
Photobucket

24 comments:

Heidi said...

I loved the way you introduced Reid to his new glasses - brilliant! Luke is such a great big brother and a great help! I'm sure Joel will need glasses soon too. The last time he had an eye appointment the doctor mentioned that he is far sighted and will need glasses eventually. Thanks for all of the helpful hints in making a smooth transition! I hope Reid continues to like his glasses.

heidi marie said...

i know it is never fun to have to have glasses for parent or child, but i just love kids in glasses. there is something so adorable about kids in glasses. i hope he continues to like them and keeps them on.

Heather said...

I LOVE his glasses!He looks darling,but isn't he anyway and always?

As a life long eyeglass/contact lens wearer,I can attest to the difference seeing clearer and crisper,can make.It will be interesting to see the difference you see in all areas of his little life as he wears his new accessory!

Love from us all.Can you believe we didn't get together once this summer?Shame on us!

Cory said...

Is it weird that I bawl my eyes out while reading this blog. :-) It's the sweetness of it. Reid is perfect in his glasses, and I bet that he didn't know he was suffering, he might just know that now, ta-da, things look better in his world. :-)And Luke is the sweetest thing for going along with all of it, and for secretly wanting his own pair. :-)

Wren said...

Didn't think he could get and cuter and then he got glasses....seriously he's just darling! I would also like to know if Luke can be my big brother?! He is by far the best brother ever!

Patricia said...

You guys are terrific...Reid is so lucky to be surrounded by such love...

Nan P. said...

Cute, cute, cute!

Please let Luke know how much I admire his maturity. I am deeply in awe of him, playing his Special Big Brother Card to the full.

I love the way you handled the whole situation, very clever! But I understand what you're saying about the realisation of what his vision is actually like... Unfortunately, moments like that are just part of the job, aren’t they? But still not easy! On the bright side, because you brought him to be checked, and because of the way you introduced the glasses, things can only improve for him...

viv said...

Thanks for the fantastic tips on introducing glasses to kids. Our middle boy Cyrus needs glasses for longsightedness too, (he will be 3 in November) now I feel much more prepared. Thanks. Hugs for the punch in the stomach feelings, I think we DS mummas are familiar with it. love V.

The Sanchez Family said...

You have a way with words my friend but even more so you have a way with your kids that is just magic. The whole "plan" was genius, brilliant. And that sad, hit in the gut, stomach feeling....I know what you mean....but you know what? Reid really didn't know that he has struggles. He is just who he is supposed to be and takes it all in stride and wow, what a lesson for all of us. Acceptance of ourselves.
Oh man, your boys are just play gorgeous! :)
Now go enjoy your little handsome men...all three of them!

Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All Around said...

that is awesome - i love the way you found books about wearing glasses and got a pair for big brother luke, too and made the new glasses for reid into a present and a big to-do. he looks ADORABLE - I love his frames!!! glad he is able to see so much better now :) so cute!!!

Mel said...

You are such an amazing mother- what a plan! How could they possibly resist ;) What a fabulous pair of brothers. If we have to travel this road I will be using your ideas for certain.

DownTownDan said...

I love the blue frames. Very artistic. And getting a pair for the older brother - that's genius!

Glogogo said...

Reid looks absolutely ADORABLE as always and Luke too..he IS an awesome big brother..and you my friend are an awesome mom. Great to see you at my party-wish I could've visited more but the flu bug struck. :( Love ya!

my family said...

what a great big brother. precious pictures

j*e*n said...

What a great idea!! Looks like you did a fabulous job of introducing the glasses! This post brought tears to my eyes to read about Luke leading the way for Reid. Awesome job, Luke!! :) Your boys are so sweet. Reid looks so good in his new specs. So cute!

P said...

What a great idea, glasses for both! I'm gonna use that one if needed

Unknown said...

Love the glasses...he looks great! I am sure he is loving seeing now...i am sure it will open up a whole new world!

jenhiatt said...

SO cute!!! It made me sad when I looked through Zach's glasses too. You are not alone! :) Hugs!!

HiKaliberr said...

I wish we would have done this for Quinn when he first got his glasses - what a great idea! We still struggle with him keeping him on for more than half of the day. But, at least he wears them for that long. Reid looks adorable and I'm so glad that he's seeing things more clearly now. I had that same sad feeling when we found out about Quinn's vision (his is actually called Coloboma and it's where the retina in his left eye didn't fully develop - the glasses are to strengthen that eye and keep it from wandering in the future - his other eye has perfect vision). But at least they are seeing better now. Can't wait to see you guys in person and our little boys in blue! Hugs to you and your beautiful family!!!

Kele said...

Oh Cheri, you are so amazing, putting so much thought in everything.
Presley is well on her way to specs as well, but I think she is going to look so adorble, JUST LIKE REID! Oh my goodness, what a cutie. Now he really needs to be wearing his 'chick magnet' t-shirt...lol! I LOVE hin in them!
It kinda made my heart sad too when you shared the part about realizing how poor his vision must be without glasses, I often wonder how much Pres can see... I am sure I will be able to relate to your lump in the throat feeling.
But just think of how much he will push ahead and excel with this positive change!!
Love you guys!

patsy said...

reid looks too cute in his glasses! and luke, well what a great big brother to help out his baby brother! miss maggie's big sisters always impress me with how much they are willing to do for their baby sister!

Michelle said...

oh he is so handsome and adorable in his new glasses!

Sharon said...

Love, love, love the glasses!!

Hazel Kay said...

Hi, I don't know if you will see this as this post about Reid's new glasses is from last year, but I have just seen it on little four eyes. Would you guys be interested in trying our a vision testing iPhone/Pad app thats been developed so parents of young children can check and monitor their eyesight at home, between hospital visits? Here's a press release about our app and let me know if you're interested in downloading it for free to try it.
http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=63008