Always at the Dentist

It seems like I am perpetually on the way to the dentist. Daniel had to go every week from birth through his surgery. I foolishly thought I'd be done with the dentist for a little while. Now Sarah is starting her orthodontic work, so this month, she has three orthodontist appointments for her appliance to expand part of her arch and one dentist appointment to have a tooth extracted. Naturally, Dr. Vincent is even further away than Dr. Palmer! Adding to the excitement, she swallowed a spacer at appointment #2 today. This is apparently a big deal, and we must find it. Yes, I am serious. Since my original post, I've earned she didn't swallow a spacer . . . she swallowed a metal band. Now things make more sense, especially the need to find it and the ability to see it on an x-ray. I can't imagine how she did it without shredding her esophagus, but she apparently did.

Daniel is still learning how to eat his cereal. Today he broadened his culinary experience with some applesauce. I'm not entirely sure he enjoyed it. He made quite a few funny faces, perhaps shocked by the sweetness.

Daniel started rolling over last week. He is very proud of himself, and he enjoys his floor time so much more now. He can't quite free his arm completely when he rolls over, but he is getting better. I've tried to capture the moment on video, but he is a tricky little fellow!

I had forgotten how tiring life with a newborn is, let alone a newborn with a cleft lip and palate. We have a rare treat this week with only one doctor's appointment! On Tuesday we saw Dr. Palmer and she added acrylic to his nasal stent. Dr. Palmer again stated that his nose would not be ready until May, making his first surgery later than I would like. One day I will actually call Dr. Hoy, his ENT, and see if that is too long to wait for tubes. He has failed two hearing tests, but this is not a shock, as virtually all children with cleft palates need tubes since the eustation tubes hook around your soft palate. Since the fluid can't properly drain, he can't hear. Once he has his tubes, his hearing should return to normal, thankfully.


Daniel was baptized on Saturday. It was a great time with family and friends. He wore the dress that has been worn by everyone except Andrea and me from Nanny (my maternal grandmother) on down the family tree. Andrea and I aren't bitter . . . really. Debbie, Scott, and 5 of the 6 kids were here, as well as Gayle and Nana B. Daniel was happy to have some quality snuggle time with everyone. My brother Jeff and Kathe, his wife, are his Godparents.