Then, today, the boys and I went to Atlanta for a recheck of Cyrus' eye at the ophthalmologist. He's been patching for about 9 months now and has made amazing progress. Despite that, the doctor stressed to us that we have to continue patching his good eye until he's nine years old, because that is the time until which we can affect the way his brain will choose to use his lazier eye. Sigh...four more years of patching. BUT, the good news is that his left eye is almost completely perfect in its vision. I'm so happy.
-Shirin
Our two little extra passengers to RH, SC.
Kai, on my parent's back porch with his water gun.
The boys climbing over the railing to shoot at the plants below with their water guns.
Riding on the seesaw together has gotten easier now that Kai is bigger.
Wheee!
Despite being in a comfy guest room overnight, Finn managed to twist his ankle and started limping one hour before he was due at his new house. We had to take him to the vet in RH, which meant I couldn't do any of it for free by myself. Bummer. (As you can see, my dad came with me and is doing quite well these days. Go, Daddy!)
Luckily, there were no fractures seen on the x-ray and I was able to bring Ellie and Finn to their new home. Marzieh, the mom, and Lua, her daughter, have been planning and preparing for these little guys for weeks!
Lua, showing off Finn to her neighbor's grandbaby.
Because Finn had to be confined and rest his left ankle for a week and their home will be the garage and back yard, Marzieh's husband quickly made this awesome little enclosure for them. They get to come out and snuggle with their family for a while and then go back into their little temporary den to sleep and eat. I get regular updates and have loved seeing them getting adjusted to their new forever home.
Back home, the boys smothered their favorite auntie in snuggles.
Sunday morning, Gabriel got to do a Google hangout with Garrett, his college roomie and best man at our wedding; we all joined them a little later for our monthly book club, where we discussed "The Golden Compass."
While we were on the book club chat, my mom babysat the boys and spent almost 2 hours reading them books. She asked them if they wanted to do something else and they wouldn't let her stop!
This book came from my cousin's wife, Christina. It's all about the different states of the USA switching places. The boys love it.
Sunday afternoon, David came over for lunch and dinner and we all put together the ladder golf game we got my parents for Christmas. (Better late than never).
All the men were involved in the task. It was really fun and Gabriel and my dad were surprisingly good at the game.
Heading home to Athens.
Cyrus hadn't napped that afternoon, so he fell asleep before 8 PM and didn't wake up again til Monday morning!
Today (Wednesday), before heading to Atlanta to see Anahita's new museum, we made a maze out of blocks for their animals to go through.
I didn't get the Dramamine into Kai early enough and had to pull over after only 20 minutes on the road to change Kai and clean up puke everywhere. What a mess!
Despite a chilly drizzle on his skin, this sweet boy just picked flowers and patiently waited for me to clean the car seat and put him in fresh clothes. (Yes, I did bring extra changes of clothes and towels, for which I was extremely thankful!)
Cyrus refused to take any Dramamine, but at least he didn't vomit.
Kai's car seat lined with towels for the rest of the drive to Atlanta in his underwear.
Whoa. Cool artwork. This was the boys' first art museum experience.
Checking out the art. We talked about how we all saw different things in the artwork and we were all correct!
Checking out the cool painting.
It looked like spilled paint was on the floor.
So many amazing works.
Playing in Tita's office.
At the vegetarian restaurant next to Tita's museum (lucky girl, right!?). Amy met us there for lunch and we had some delicious food with wonderful company. She is due with her baby next Friday, so I think this is the last time I'll see her without a precious baby girl. I loved the location of Tita's museum, with regards to the surrounding food establishments. Cafe Sunflower, Fresh Market, Persian Food, etc. Yum!
The real purpose for our Atlanta visit was Cyrus' ophthalmology recheck. As you know, we've been patching Cyrus' eye daily to help strengthen his left eye. Today, his results were awesome.
This is all I've ever seen of his Ophthalmologist. He was a second opinion doctor for us and I've liked how capable and no-nonsense he is, but his bedside manner could be a little better. At least he's making my son's eye better, which is what really matters to me.
When Cyrus was first diagnosed with amblyopia, his right eye (good eye) was 20/30 (reasonable for a 4 year old), and his left eye was 20/100 (terrible)!! Last visit, his left eye was 20/50, which was a remarkable improvement. Today, his left eye was 20/25! Only five points from perfect. We'll take it! (Of course, that's with his glasses on. He'll always need those, but will only have to patch til he's 9).
