You know you're an "imom" when...

So some of the other great moms that I have connected with online have coined a term: imom.  Moms who are dealing with intense eye issues in their little ones.  We are versatile and up to date like an ipad, provide memory and entertainment like an ipod, and we deal with eyes so we are the mighty "imoms."

So I have compiled a little list.  You know you're an "imom" when...

1.  You choose your child's patch to match his/her clothes.  I mean really, to my diva, the patch is just another accessory to work her style.  When she gets older and can choose herself, I'm sure it won't match, but for now - we color coordinate for the most stylish looks.

Lady bug patch, lady bugs on the dress.

Pink and orange patch, pink and orange outfit.

This one is older, but note the black/white animal theme she is sporting!

2.  You have some sort of bin like this:

Patches, saline, cleaning solution, cases and even milk of magnesia for those pesky patch rashes!

It may be a drawer, a countertop or a bucket - but you have a centralized spot for those fun eye supplies. 

3.  You may also have a container like this:

Drops, drops and more drops.  And a few extra cases and some eye shields.

Again, it may be a bucket, drawer, or counter - but you know you are an imom when you are a stealth bomber when it comes to putting in drops.  If a random stranger watches you put in drops at daycare and comments on how easily you can administer drops and how well your child tolerates them - then you know for sure, you are an imom.

4.  You probably have something like this in your diaper bag:

A pretty way to carry a spare contact case and solution!

If your diaper bag has contact cases, saline solution and random spare patches - you might be an imom!  (I never thought contact solution and cases would be necessary in my diaper bag - it definitely wasn't on the registry list I saw before my babies were born...maybe I need to inform Babies R Us that they need a diaper bag with an "eye" compartment.)

5.  You probably have this in your diaper bag too:

Spare glasses.  She won't keep them on, but we at least have them as back up.

Nothing worse than losing a contact when you are out an about.  A smart imom keeps a spare set of glasses in the diaper bag.  Even if said glasses will never stay on the child's face for more than a nanosecond - the imom feels better about having the glasses and carrying them around.

The glasses are on...

.05 seconds later...

Here mom - I don't want these (note the matching patch!).

6.  Everywhere in your house you see this:

Yep, that is a patch on the changing table. 

If you find patches stuck to tushies, on the couch, in the swing, and even on the bottom of feet - you are definitely an imom.

7.  You have a stash of these:

Flashlights.

Every good imom knows that the best way to find a contact is to shine a flashlight everywhere and look for the "sparkle."  You also know you are an imom when your 2 year plays with the flashlights and says "find the contact, find the contact."  Or he constantly tells his sister "stop rubbing, stop rubbing."  Such a good "ibro" helper.

8.  You have toys like this:

Flashy toys.

The "shiny" imom knows that patch time is better with flashy, loud toys.  The brighter and louder, the better.  (That star actually blinks and suction cups to the wall - spectacular!)

9.  This is only for the hardcore imoms.  Those with particularly stubborn kids (or drugged up kids after surgery:

Can you guess what it is?

Extra patches, but something else.  It is fancy, fun elbow splints!  In all seriousness, most kiddos don't have to resort to elbow splints to keep the patches on.  But Julia was rubbing, rubbing, rubbing after surgery and these splints were the only way to keep her from damaging her fragile eye.  We are keeping them "just in case" we hit a rough patch. (get it - rough patch?  I crack myself up.)

10.  You use acronyms like "PO" or "EUA" and expect everyone to understand you.  The words strabismus, esotropia and amblyopia are not foreign languages, but words you actually know and understand.  You know what the normal eye pressure is for a child.  You know you are an imom when you scour the internet for information because you want only the best for your baby.  You cheer on other imoms when they have victories like low pressures at a PO visit and you cry and pray when these fellow warriors find out their babies need surgery. 

11.  Last but not least...

You might be an imom if...you are the strongest person your friends have met.  All the imoms I know are the strongest, most amazing people on the planet.  They swaddle their babies and put contacts in their eyes.  They have to put a sticky, icky patch on their kids everyday.  They might be crying inside, but on the outside they smile and kiss that patch and tell their kids how courageous they are.  They go to countless appointments and hold their screaming babies while doctors shine lights in their eyes.  They check their baby's eye every 5 minutes for the elusive contact.  When the contact is not there, they gather the flashlight and search and search and search.  They've been through surgeries, EUA's and other traumatic experiences.  They fight to keep the patch on, keep the glasses on, keep the contact in.  They fight the battle on a daily basis - and they are fighting to win.  You see...imoms are not fainthearted.  They are not fighting for a trophy, a ribbon or even a cash prize.  They are fighting for their kids to be able to see.  And that is the best prize of all. 

So if you identify with even one item on this list - consider yourself an imom.  And know that all across the planet (even though you don't see them) are other imoms that are fighting the fight.  We are fighting together and we will win this war.  We may lose some battles along the way - but in the end, the war will be won.