Everyone has 'flaws'

I came across a website that i'm not sure is ethical or not (haha!). It basically has a list of celebrities and their unknown imperfections. I don't want to point fingers and concentrate on these 'flaws,' but if you are interested: http://www.nerdygaga.com/7642/unique-celebritys-flaws/ ;) There are a couple that I'd like to focus on, though. Show these pictures to your kids -- let them know that these handsome looking people once had a flat nose, open palate or nose, scarred face, funky or no teeth, etc. Development in the womb is a complicated process. Who has defined what is "normal" and what is "different?" NOT ONE human being is made the same, we all know that. As I explained to Rocky the other day, mommy's nose is different than daddy's, your eyes are a different color than grandma's, you're bigger than your cousin ... the list goes on and on. So from the second he was born with his doctor saying "Whoa, he's going to need a lot of work!" to last summer when I witnessed Rocky getting bullied at a playground, I hope the things I post on here will limit these kinds of things.




Stacey Keach

  


Tina Fey  (not cleft, but who knew she had a scar? Seriously!)

 

Joaquin Phoenix

New beginnings

I am trying a new approach to this blog, hoping to make it an open opportunity to inform parents and children of the history of clefts, and first hand experience. This past week, as we were driving to "Nana's house," Rocky said something that hit me hard. "Some kids at daycare say that I look different." It totally caught me off gaurd and made me realize that Kyle and I need to start talking to him about appropriate responses to these remarks. This year, it's "different." Next year, it could be "weird" ... and so forth. It is going to be a difficult road, but I hope that you, as a parent or child, will inform yourself and others of cleft lip and palate. To the right, I have broken down his major surgeries. To see in more detail, you can click on the date. Feel free to comment!

Everyone is created differently.

Update

I didn't think anyone looked at this blog anymore ... but I just had someone tell me I need to update it! So apparently some people do still count on it for updates!! So here it is.

Rocky is in his 'terrible two's' stage. And boy, can he be terrible!! He can also be such a sweet little angel boy. But they weren't kidding when they added that 'terrible' word in there. He is talking a lot now ... not to say that we can understand him ... but we try! :) He started daycare about a month ago, and although he dreads going, he is always sad to leave when I pick him up. It has been good for him to play with other kiddos his age. Well, I will let pictures do the rest of the updating! Thanks everyone :)

Easter/Birthday!

Rocky is officially TWO!! We spent the day at the zoo and than had a picnic afterwards. We enjoyed spending the day with family :)

Rocky is keeping us laughing, as you can tell. :) Not a whole lot has happened so I'm going to mostly just post pictures today. He is starting to try and talk, and is doing pretty good. I understand most of the words he says. :) I'm sure we'll still have to put him through speech therapy though. Other than that, all is good! Enjoy the pictures!