Step by step

Well a lot has changed since Maddy's last post. On Thursday of last week they removed Madison from the ventilator! This was awesome to see for many reasons but mainly because she can now breathe on her own, she can lay on her back for the 1st time in her life, and we could again hold our sweet little girl. They also have now finished up the turning of the distraction device, this was stopped on Sunday night. Now that they have finished turning them they changed the hardware so it can now hold her jaw in place as the bone grows in between, the new hardware is lighter and not as big which is nice for her and us. This new hardware will be on her face for 4-6 weeks from this week. She has begun eating by mouth again and is learning how to swallow all over again. We now just waiting for her feedings to improve and they are saying that it should just be a few weeks or so to get her to where she needs to be in order for her to come home. I can tell you that both Amber and I are really, really, really ready for her to come home and Kennedy is ready as well. They have also been talking about maybe getting her a prosthetic mouth piece to cover the cleft and help her eat better but this usually comes after the distraction device comes off. It feels really good to see Madison awake and alert, and she has started to smile at us which melts our hearts. It was also great that Amber got to hold both her girls on Mother's Day. Thanks again for all the support and love we have felt from all of you.