It is so weird to me how time can seem to fly by but certain moments seem to creep. Overall, this last year has absolutely flown…. but there were some moments that seemed to drudge on FOREVER. Last year, for her 1st birthday, Hudsyn had her palate repaired. It was not a fun day – in fact – one of the hardest days of my life, but she is such a trooper and took the whole thing like a champ.
Although we had a rough time with her ears for several months after surgery (from having tubes put in at palate repair), she is growing and blossoming and turning into the sassy little princess I always knew I wanted.
She has come so far in this last year! She has her 4 front teeth and 3 molars. Because there is still a gum notch that won’t be fixed until her bone graft surgery somewhere around age 7 or 8, the front left tooth is pretty crooked – and she has the same gap her daddy and brother do!
She has not passed her hearing test in both ears at the same time yet, but that could be contributed to a number of things. We know she hears… I can whisper the word “candy” from across the house and she will come flying!
We recently started putting her paci and her blanket in her bed when she gets up and she only has them at nap time and bed time. This has been huge for her speech! There are still lots of sounds she has not learned to make yet, but she is trying so hard! I adore her for her determination and perseverance!
We should be hearing from her surgeons office soon to schedule a “Cleft Clinic” appointment. I have not been before, but from what I have been told, it is simply a place where a cleft affected patient is able to see doctors of all types – any specialty they could need basically, and get a better plan and understanding of the future. There is a possibility she will have a speech related surgery when she is 4-ish; this procedure would elongate her palate making it easier for her to form certain sounds. I assume we will discuss this some at Cleft Clinic. I believe they will also do some oral x-rays to determine what her tooth situation is like. I am looking forward to this appointment just so we can get a plan! I know she will need to have more surgeries in the future, but hate the unknown. Hopefully we will have a more definitive plan in place in the coming months.
This baby girl truly amazes me every day. She is strong-willed, adorable, stubborn, wild, sassy, sweet, and determined. She knows what she wants and does just about anything to get it! Although she is definitely giving me a run for my money, I would not have her any other way! Happy birthday Hudsyn Rae! I love you!
