Surgery

When we accepted Harper's referral 4 yrs ago ( MLK weekend), we knew her cleft lip & palate would require multiple surgeries.

Six weeks after coming home, she had her first palate repair surgery.

It was, by far the hardest surgery on her ( and us ) physically.

Since then, she's had multiple sets of ear tubes & had her tonsils removed.

Ten days ago, she had a Z-plasty on her palate.

Waiting for surgery

Meds have kicked in...

Basically, her palate was too short, causing alot of air to come out her nose while talking, making her speech difficult to understand.

The doctor stretched a few layers of tissue ( forming a Z ) to elongate it for full closure. 

For those who care, her palate was 16 mm long before surgery.

 They were able to stretch it to 27 mm in length!

That's huge in the medical world!

This surgery will improve her speech & hopefully have her 99 % intelligble by kindergarten.

Despite a ton of stitches & swelling in her mouth, the girl is doing awesome!

Hospital Playroom

Later in the evening she had enough gusto to explore the playroom with her sister.

We're so proud of her.

She's been so brave & courageous this entire time.

We had to stay one night in the hospital & she was really missing her sister.

The next day when Daddy & Melaina came to pick us up, Melaina reached over her car seat, grabbed Harper's hand & said " I Love You Harper" 

Made this mama's heart swell.