Recent Updates

First of all, I want to express how thankful I am for all of the wonderful feedback I have received about my blog. It is very rewarding to hear from others who are going through similar events in their life, as well as those who are just inspired by reading my blog. I have received several touching emails from moms around the world. From the U.S. to Australia and Peru, it’s fulfilling to know that Brandon’s journey has touched so many lives. I love receiving comments, emails, and hearing about other's stories...so keep them coming! I'm also pleased to announce that my new venture, Sew Many Blessings Boutique, is growing leaps and bounds! I am excited that I will soon be able to make my first donation from the boutique to a Cleft Charity. YAY!

As Brandon gets older, there isn’t as much new information to report regarding his cleft repairs; hence the lack of frequent status updates. I'm happy to share some additional updates though as to how Brandon is growing, developing, etc. Honestly, I see him as just any other little boy...with the exception that...he is still very little. At our last appointment with the endocrinologist, the doctor indicated that Brandon may not be responding to his growth hormone injections as well as they hoped, or he is resistant to the growth hormone. In light of that, Brandon's medication dose has been increased and we have an appointment next week with his orthopedic doctor to further evaluate his bone growth. I love that he is so little; it's very cute from a mom's perspective...but I do realize that he is a boy that will want to be bigger as he gets older. Only time will tell. We did hit a milestone this week by moving up to size 5 in shoes! In regards to Brandon’s other developments, his daycare is working with him on drinking out of a normal cup. They are also in the beginning stages of introducing potty training...OH BOY! He still has some snot/food coming out of his nose as he eats and we’re hoping to have that resolved at his next surgery when he gets his bone grafts done. However, this surgery, won't be until he is closer to 7 years of age. Brandon has made great strides in his speech development! He is saying more and more words every day. Some words are becoming much clearer and used more frequently (i.e. "No", "Stop", "Go" as well as many others), and he is also starting to express his 2 year old "attitude" lately. Regardless, there is never a day where he doesn't make me laugh and smile. He truly is a blessing!

Lastly, as I was reading some of the other blogs I follow; it brought back some memories that I wanted to share. I started this blog about Brandon's journey in an effort to reach out to others. In my personal experience as a parent of a child born with a cleft, the cleft does not define my child. It's actually amazing how quickly it becomes so "normal" for you. Sure, there are reminders when it comes to feedings and the excessive doctor's appointments, but overall, Brandon’s cleft was easily accepted by me and my family. His cleft is not something that is "an issue" in our day to day living. At times, I would forget that others who may have never seen Brandon before would be a little surprised when they took their first glance after he was born, but overall most people were very understanding and accepting. Anyone who has spent any time with Brandon knows that his personality and good nature is what draws you towards him. You can't help but fall in love with the little guy. Brandon's cleft was so familiar to me that after he had his first surgery and I laid eyes on him for the first time I cried. Seeing him so swollen with stitches made my heart hurt for him. I missed his old smile, but quickly fell in love with the new one. As a parent though, even though you love your child just as they are, you still have this part of you that feels the need to protect your child from the ignorant people in the world. I can only recall one negative comment made to me since Brandon's been born that I just couldn't forget. Brandon was 4 weeks old and I took him with me to a funeral (a funeral of an infant none-the-less). In the lobby a woman waived to me across the way. I smiled at her and she proceeded to come over in my direction to say hello. Apparently she knew who I was, but I did not recall who she was. I just figured maybe she knew my parents. As she approached me she was asking me "How are you? Is this your baby?" (keep in mind at this point, I was holding Brandon and his face was turned away from her). She walked around to take a look at him and immediately gasped quietly and said "Are you going to get that fixed?” I have to tell you, it is probably a good thing that at that particular moment the only word that could come out of my mouth before she walked away was "yes". In usual circumstances, my tongue is quick to make a tactful, yet crisp, reply. In this circumstance though, I was completely dumbfounded and shocked into silence that this woman would actually say that to me. Although her comment was hurtful it taught me a lesson on how to respond to others when they ask (or rudely comment) about Brandon’s condition. I am much more prepared now at how to respond in situations like that. I share this not to put down the woman who made this hurtful comment, but to bring awareness to others that words can hurt despite how much you have accepted something. The world can be very cruel sometimes and all I can do is teach my kids to accept people regardless of their differences.