To patch or not to patch?

It is not really a question.  2 months ago when we began patching Ava's right eye, we needed to do it for 3-4 hours a day.  At our next appointment, the doctor up'd it to half the the day (around 6 hours).  Those six hours are not the best 6 hours of Ava's day.  She spends about 1 of those hours asleep, 2-3 in the bjorn, and the rest moving from place to place/thing to thing around the house.  All of that time is spent with me very close to her.  Yesterday she had the best day.  She was so happy, so content, spent 45 minutes sittting up in the living room with her sisters playing around her, and 45 minutes in the exersaucer while they did crafts.  Not once did she need to be in the Bjorn.  I did not have to be by her side, actually most of the time I was not in the same room.  It was so great.  There was just one problem, I never patched her.  She wore the patch for 1 1/2 hours while we were out but that was it.  I am really good about her wearing it for the whole time except when she is not feeling well or when I am tired of seeing her unhappy (which is about once a month).  Yesterday was that day for me.  Today we are back to the patch and back to her not being very happy.  It is probably a mistake to not patch Ava's eye for a day because I keep thinking about what she was like without it on.  Wearing the patch is VERY important to Ava.  We are working hard everyday to see if those little, beautiful eyes can work together so that she can have 2 eyes to see with for the rest of her life.  So back to the fussing it is, but for a very important reason.  Today I am trying something new.  She wore it for 3 hours this morning and right now we are taking a break.  She is sitting next to me, playing and laughing. 

The doctor advised against patching her twice a day because pealing off the patch two times a day could cause irritaion.  We will try it for now and see. 

Last night after dinner, Kiara and Mckenna had a bath while Ava was in the swing watching them.  We came downstairs for a show before bed (Strawberry Shortcake - the girls new favorite show) and I put Ava in the middle of them on the couch.  She lasted the whole show between her sisters and was very happy.  What a great ending to a great day!!