Adele is almost Two!

Adele will be two next month. In the last year she has grown taller and more confident. She walks with her cane in usually her left hand and holds on to someones' finger with her right hand. She loves to sing, dance and rock on her rocking toys: the caterpillar is almost too small, but the Radio Flyer rocker and a giant rocking horse from Aunt Theresa are used every day! Her favorite song is "I like the Flowers" but she sings her ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle, Eensy Weensy Spider, to name just a few. Her brothers have been big Star Wars fans since before Christmas, and she hums the Imperial March right along with the others! She is learning her baby dolls, and loves to feel their fingers, plastic hands and ears, and their toes. She knows all her body parts and is so cute when we ask her where they are; she gets the giggles easily especially when Mommy asks "Where's your bellybelly, Adele!" She knows a tickle is coming! She knows her brothers and says all their names. She explores the ever-patient Henry the dog. She LOVES the feel of the wind and laughs every time. Adele has several books with Braille labels and a collection of touchy books. She loves to sit on Mommys' lap for reading time.
This summer Adele and her parents travelled to Boston to the ICAN convention. The International Childrens' Anophthalmia Network offered all kinds of valuable information, especially networking with other familes(25 attended) with anophthalmic children. They also were priveledged to be seen by the folks at the Albert Eienstein Institute, some of the premiere researchers in this rare disorder. Mom and daughter anophthamics are rare but present worldwide; the genetic mutation can be carried by Adele's brothers as well. They learned as well that Adele's current treatment modalities need to be changed, and so are to go to Columbus to have the solid orbital implants removed and replaced by dermal fat grafts and likely the osmolar orbital expanders as well.(these are small grain-like substances that absorb fluids in the orbit and expand to many times their size). Adele will likely have her eyelids glued shut while these processes take place, so artificial eyes are down the road a bit. We don't mind at all; we are used to seeing her with closed lids as it is rare that she stretches them enough for us to glimpse the white conformers.
This year Adele's therapists noted that her gait is very unusual and that she is very flat-footed. She is to be fitted with orthotic braces to stabilize her ankles and arches. Over time, these should help her develope a more stable stance and walking gait. 
So a long road ahead yet, but Adele is developing as she should! She is bright and happy and learning her world! We are so priveledged to know this little girl!