Brinlee Is One!

Brinlee turned one on August 20th. She isn't walking yet, but she crawls everywhere and walks along furniture. She gets into everything and leaves a path of destruction to show where she has been. The only word she says is "Mama", but she growls and yells a lot and says words that kind of sound like "Dada" and "Night Night". She is the sweetest baby who loves to snuggle and give loves and kisses. People are drawn to Brinlee and they fall in love with her wherever we go. Her siblings adore her and she is a tough little cookie with three older kids dragging her and carrying her around everywhere. We love Brinlee so much and are so glad she is a part of our family! happy 1st Birthday beautiful girl!

Brinlee's 3rd surgery

Brinlee had her third surgery on May 5th. This surgery was to start repairing her soft palate and they made an uvula for her. To repair the soft palate they cut skin from the sides of the palate and stretch and cross it over to make a soft palate. Her palate was pretty wide so they couldn't do the whole repair. They will do another surgery in a year where they will do the same thing with the muscle and then her soft palate will be completely closed off. I was nervous for this surgery, but Brinlee did great. She had a hard time when she first came out of surgery and was only content if I was holding her and we had to keep up on the pain meds or she had a really hard time. After about 12 hours she started to feel much better and was much happier. We had to stay in the hospital for two days because Brinlee didn't want to eat, but she was a happy baby. We went on lots of walks throughout the hospital and played while Brinlee sat in a high chair or on my lap. She was "talking" more, smiling more and genuinely happier that I have ever seen her. I think she likes having a soft palate. I think towards the end of her stay she was sick of the hospital and wanting to go home because she got really restless and grumpy. I love this little angel and am so proud of how brave she is. Watching her go through all of this is so hard, but I feel a special bond to her and love her so much. I must say she is quite attached to me also, which I love.

Brinlee Bug

Brinlee has been busy growing up way too fast. She sleeps through the night, is eating lots of new foods, loves her johnny jumper and is sitting up all by herself. She is seven months old now and I can't believe it. She is a genuinely happy baby unless she is tired, hungry or poopy and then "angry baby" comes out which isn't very fun. She is such a joy, her siblings and everyone she comes in contact with adores her. People are drawn to her everywhere we go and I know it is because of her special little spirit. I feel so blessed that my Heavenly Father saw more in me that I do and entrusted this sweet little one to my care. I want to quote the country song that says, "thank you for unanswered prayers." We prayed for Brinlee to be worn whole, but now I am thankful she wasn't if that makes since because she has taught our family so much and I trust in my Heavenly father so much more because of what we are going through. Brinlee is a strong little girl and I am so proud of her and grateful to be her mom. I love my little angel so much!

My friend Daisy

This is my friend Daisy. Our Mommy's met at the doctors office because we have the same plastic surgeon. We were born 2 days apart and live 5 minutes away from each other, but the neatest coincidence is that we were both born with bi-lateral cleft lip and palate and have been going through surgeries and doctors visits together. I think we will be good friends.

"Aren't we cute!!!"

Chiquitita tell me what's wrong

I'm a shoulder you can cry on...

How the heartaches come and they go

And the scars they're leaving

You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end

Brinlee 2 months post-op

Five weeks post-op

Doesn't my little angel look AMAZING. I love this little girl so much!