The Alveolar Bone Graft

10 years and 7 months have passed since we first learned about the long road ahead for Holly.  Once the first 3 surgeries were over, it's been a lengthy, plodding road to this hopefully final procedure: The Alveolar Bone Graft.

To tell you the truth, one day post op, it's almost anti-climatic. I'm grateful, very, very grateful. The surgery went as planned, unilateral graft (so stitches on one side not two) and a tiny lip revision which will require three stitches to be removed. No sweat. After all in the time between the last palate surgery, we (as parents) have shepherded one child or another children through an 8hr dental procedure, a tonsilectomy and 4 wisdom teeth pulled at once.  A two-hour bone graft with stitches at the front of the mouth is so much easier than tonsils. So far, I know days 2 and 3 after surgery are hard. Still compared to the waiting; anticipating the scary idea of harvesting bone and grafting it into place hovering somewhere in the near future for so, so, so very long, We are all relieved to have this over.

The long road part came in the yearly visits to the cleft clinic. There was one year when surgery for speech was recommended and after careful consideration we opted not to do that. So far, Holly's voice is clearly understood and no other mention of  speech problems has ever been brought up. Then we skipped one year in between because there were no changes in Holly's progression. Next came years of  "Is it time for braces yet? Not this year, maybe next." Not this year maybe next. Not this year....you get the idea. And when braces finally did happen, the question for the last 18 months has been, "are the teeth in place yet?" First we thought surgery was going to be in December, then maybe April but it took 2 months to get on a calendar to pull a tooth and so...July, 2018 was the magic date.

Walking has not been as difficult as we thought. She has been a trooper and was up and ready to move right after we got into her room at Baptist. She didn't go far but did walk. Once the IV's were out she was ready to be free to move. So much better than we anticipated. She has taken it easy and being 10 helps a lot too. She can tell me when enough is enough.

Soft foods were a little more challenging. If it could be all dairy, then no problem. Over soft mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, ice cream, yum!  But that wouldn't be good for anyone. We worked in some almond milk smoothies and soup was good too. Holly was so glad when we got to step up to slightly firmer foods, like toast and pancakes.

Now we are 2-weeks post op. Still no swimming and 4 more weeks of no contact sports (no injuries to her mouth). Some stitches remain. Grateful beyond measure this was scheduled for summer. Even though no swimming has been a bummer, we've manged. Keeping my eye on the calendar for our last check in with the doctor and so ready for this is to be completely O-VAH!

Thank you to everyone who has prayed us through this journey!<3 nbsp="" p="">

3 1/2 Years Old

Hello! Hanging out on Facebook too much. However, cleaning out the basement sent me here today. Took time to plow through Holly's clothes and wanted to reflect on the moment.

Couldn't bare to look at the boxes and boxes of beautiful, adorable outfits she wore. It was difficult to see the clothes and remember how sick she was. And how little sleep we got.

This post is for any new mom of a child with a cleft or reflux. I am amazed all the time at how resilient Holly is. How strong and bright she is every day. She is definitely lactose-intolerant but enjoys lots of other foods all the time. And on her behalf, we talk about how much we both love "soil milk" and "match". That's soy milk.

She loves playing dress up with Anna and on one rare day let Anna do this to her hair!
Although reminders of those baby days are tough to handle, today Holly is purely captivating.
~Peace be with you until next time~

3 Candles on my Cake! 3 Wishes that I Make!

Unbelievably amazed at how much Holly has grown and learned in the past year! One morning, she pointed a flashlight at Anna, and remarked "Well, well. What do we have here?" Holly learns lighting fast and remembers everything. Even the Christmas parade from last year.

She does't have an appointment with the plastic surgeon for another 6 months, but all her scars are healing nicely. Most people don't even notice. Still having some milk allergy/lactose intolerance issues, but Zyrtec seems to make a big tremendous difference. (And if you are a parent of a newborn with a cleft, Holly can drink out of any ol' straw you give her! Hooray! Not that you'd think that is a big deal..but every success is Success Worth Celebrating!)

When I went to pick up her preschool pics, I was so overwhelmed at how far she has come. Grateful doesn't begin to describe it. Thank you for all your prayers for Holly Marie! And Thank you Jesus for blessing our family with a truly precious child!

Peanut Butter Brownies!

I love brownies, and really, really love this recipe. Probably because I usually have the ingredients on hand.

1 1/2 cups Bisquick (or any baking mix)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 t vanilla
3 eggs
3 oz melted chocolate, cooled

Mix all ingredients but the chocolate. Pour into a 9x13 greased pan, reserving 1 cup of the batter. Mix the chocolate with the reserved batter and spoon on top. Then use a knife to swirl.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins.
Yum!

Preschool!

Who is old enough for preschool?

It's Holly!

Anna and Holly ready to go in to school for the Open House

Ms. Bobbie Lynn and Holly, although Holly is more interested in the saw.

Here's the good stuff! Can you see she has already ditched her shoes?

A spot just for Holly :-)

The Open House was so fun! And what a walk down memory lane for me and Anna. She kept saying how she remembered everything but it used to be bigger.

Flashback! Anna at age 3 in the same classroom at Bethel

Holly loves talking about "Bethelo" and enjoyed seeing the classrooms and all the neat toys. One more week until preschool begins!

Sanity Returns

Somehow, we have reached the other side of the rainbow here and sanity has returned to our home. The house is neat and tidy, even if not altogether "clean".

All except one room. Can you guess? Yes, it's the two year old's room where chaos still reigns. I am quite happy to let her change her clothes three times a day, dump out all the stuffed animals and toys...in her room.

But this is about life in general, not just our Holly. When the other children were little, I used to pray that I would never forget how hard it is to have a baby in your life. Remembering to show mercy to other mothers of young ones. (I always congratulate a mom with a new born when I see them in church. That is an accomplishment!) Still, I forgot. How totally upside down a baby changes your life.

Things that used to be routine become huge obstacles: like how to get the whole family to Mass in a church with no childcare. Or go to the grocery store with an infant seat that takes up most of the grocery cart!

Now, two and a half years later, sanity has returned. For several days in a row, we have all managed to keep the dishes done, the floors picked up, complete school assignments, do a little laundry and even enjoy playing in the yard together.

Having a baby is totally worth the crazy that comes along. It helps to remember that every day they get older. And to pray not to forget. Maybe this time I won't.

One Step Forward...

You know the saying, "One step forward, two back?" That is where I have landed today. Sigh. It is moments like this that are very tempting to despair. Here's my favorite trick in a time like this: Stand in the corner of my yard and start counting blessings.

Maybe things aren't exactly going my way. Thank God for HIS way. No matter what.

E-Mealz comes through!

We had unexpected, but very welcome, guests this weekend. And e-mealz was there for me. I looked through the cabinets, and the menus, found all the ingredients for a Creamy Curry Chicken casserole as well as side dishes! Felt a little teeny bit like Martha Stewart.

Everything wasn't prefect in the house, but not having to drop everything to run to the store really helped alot. Thank you e-mealz. (The link in on the side bar. Check it out, if you are interested.)

A Year Ago?

I can't even remember what Holly was doing a year ago. She is so very NOW. As in everything is Right Now.
We went for our annual visit to the plastic surgeon and the ENT. Everything is fine. There is still a gap in the alveolar arch of Holly's gum which is causing some food to come through her nose. Mostly chocolate and cold stuff. Dr. David said there is not anything to do about it until she has that bone graft around age 9. I'll probably read about it a little and mostly not worry too much. Anyway, I hope that is my plan.

In this picture she is playing "hide and seek" during dinner. All you have to do to hide is close your eyes.

Her speech is way ahead of her age, and so are some of her behaviors. She is so adorable, I don't mind the bossy most times. Tonight she asked "Can I play cat?" Then jumped to the floor and began meowing like our Merlin.

That is totally priceless.

Long Time, No See

Hello, its been a while. Holly has taken over my computer watching Caillou and Dora on Netflix. A blessing and a curse at the same time, I suppose. I have been reduced to using this really old Windows 2000!) computer. Not my favorite place to type. The things we sacrifice for our children.

My sister is recovering from her heart surgery. Slowly. She had a couple of unexpected trips to the hospital this week, but seems to be back on track now.

Hope to sneak a few minutes later to post pictures.

Thank you,too, for the well wishes and prayers for my sis.