Joshua's Sideways Look

Joshua saw the ophthalmologist on Friday to get a general check-up for 4Q related concerns and to investigate why he frequently looks out the side of his eyes.  Joshua does not have any major eye problems, thankfully, but the doctor did diagnose him with astigmatism, so as of this week, he gets to start wearing glasses (pictured below).  The hope is that glasses will help him look at things at a distance head-on, fall less often, have a better sense of depth perception, and just generally be more comfortable.  He is not a huge fan of the glasses and it's unclear whether they are helping much, so we will see if this is a lasting change.  

[Note added later:  Joshua saw his neurologist in October 2015, and the neurologist believes that he has oculomotor apraxia.  This means that it's sometimes easier for Joshua's brain to process what he sees if he tilts his head or views it by looking sideways (you can see him doing this in all the pictures below).  For now, nothing needs to be done to "treat" this condition - he doesn't need additional therapy or surgery - we should just let him keep looking sideways / head tilting since that seems to be most comfortable.]

   In any case, the main reason I did a whole blog post to announce that Joshua is getting glasses is because I wanted an excuse to post a gallery of some of the pictures we have of Joshua doing his most classic expression - the sideways look.  Here they are:

With stuffed Buster, checking out real Buster on the couch.  

At Autumn's 2014 summer tea party - here he's playing hide and seek, "hiding" behind the plant.  Photo credit to Hope Hepner.

At the Virginia Beach farmer's market but getting in touch with his Nebraska roots.

At Scheel's in Reno (which is allegedly the world's largest sports store), checking out the bridge shaped aquarium.

In Lincoln for Christmas 2011.

At California Pizza Kitchen in Virginia Beach.  Photo credit to Judy Coleman.

First time playing in the snow, in Lincoln, Christmas 2012.