Update...three weeks in....first cleft appointment done.

I'm not sure how to encapsulate what life is like here now. Some days are hard, some are easier, some moments are eternally precious. I haven't been able to put it into words yet, so I won't bore you with what I don't know and tell you what I do. Grace is incredibly sweet and she is trying really hard to learn a new language and a new life and I am so happy to be her Mama. And I feel so blessed to have such good friends who have loved us so well during this journey. From notes and posts on Facebook, to food and gifts, to phone calls and texts, you have all made us feel very loved. And now, about our day...

Today we spent the day at the Children's Hospital Cleft Unit. We saw everyone from the speech pathologist to the ENT to the surgeon, plus three other medical professionals. We learned more of what we already know. Grace's cleft is wide. It should have been repaired before she turned nine months old. Her nose is a problem, but in the surgeon's opinion, the cleft needs fixed first. Every sound she makes in her speech is incorrect. She has had to adjust where she makes sounds in her mouth because of the missing palate and all of that will need to be relearned, the sooner the better for her long term speech clarity. He is generally booked a few months out, and is going to note us as ASAP with the schedulers. I also told him we would be up for filling in a cancellation if one should come up sooner because we have such great support from family and friends.

So, we are trusting God for the correct timing for her surgery. Later would give us more communication and bonding time. Sooner would give her opportunity to start learning her speech patterns correctly and give her more time before she starts in school. As scary as any surgery is for your child, I am really hoping to get this done sonner so that we can help Gracie move forward in her speech.

Thanks for your prayers and your friendships, your food and your love!

With a grateful heart.

Christine