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Henry’s “Smileversary”

Today marks 1 year since Henry had his first surgery. He had his lip/nose/gumline repaired April 1, 2014. In the cleft community it is usually referred to as their “Smileversary.” It’s the day we said goodbye to his old smile, and fell in love with his second smile.

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When I found out at my 20 week ultrasound that our child would be born with a cleft lip and palate, I remember finding the online support groups and everyone would always say, “Just wait, once his cleft is repaired you will miss his old smile.”

I honestly thought this was just something that parents said because it makes the new parents a little more at ease. Why would you miss their cleft?

Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels Photography

Caitlinn Mahar-Daniels Photography

Well, the day of surgery I remember feeling really sad that his lip was being repaired. This is how God gave him to us, this is how it should be. Of course, I knew it had to be repaired.

Now when I think of the parents that said, you will miss his cleft after it’s repaired, I wouldn’t say that I actually miss it. I feel like it was a lifetime ago and it was who he was. He was perfect in our eyes then and he is perfect in our eyes now. So it kinda seems like it was just a phase or blip that he went through. I don’t miss it. I am so focused on how big he is now, how he likes to laugh in our cats faces as he touches their nose, and how he thinks he’s jumping when he squats down and stands back up.

I guess I should say I don’t miss it in a sense that I yearn for it again. I miss it in a sense that when I look at old pictures of him my first thought is “He’s so small!” The cleft doesn’t even show, it’s just him.

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Continue reading about our journey….

Sheila

Sunday 26th of March 2017

What a cute little monkey you have, congrats! Hope you are enjoying your newest edition, love YAYA

Maureen

Saturday 5th of September 2015

What a beautiful child - before and after his surgery! Cherish him always.

Nancy Nier

Wednesday 27th of May 2015

You have handsome young man Mommy.

HOMEGIRL

Wednesday 27th of May 2015

Aww! Thank you Nancy! I would have to agree!

Debbie

Thursday 2nd of April 2015

Congratulations! Henry is so precious...before and after. The last photo makes me want to just reach in and give him the biggest hug!

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