Update

Miah is doing great!

We arrived at the hospital yesterday at 7:30. Mommy got up extra early due to the time being wrong on the alarm clock (a whole other story.) Miah was happy and excited to explore her new surroundings once we arrived at the hospital. A huge answer to prayer was that I was allowed to escort her to the OR. I had my whole "momma bear" speech ready to go, but when the Anesthetist arrived he said "So Mom you all ready to come in with her?" I didn't have to plead my case at all! Miah walked independently into the OR and was smiling and making all the OR staff fall in love with her! I got to hold her while they put in her IV and put her to sleep. She fell asleep in my arms with me whispering in her ear how much Mommy loves her. She was not frightened at all! An overwhelming sense of peace was on both of us. She quickly went limp in my arms and I was able to place her on the table, kiss her and walk away....OK...a few tears were shed by Mommy on the way out...there is nothing like feeling your child go limp in your arms, knowing they are no longer breathing. But I felt fully secure that she was safe in the care of the wonderful staff.

Her surgery was on time and lasted just under 3 hours. First the ENT put tubes in her ears and then the plastic surgeon did her palate repair. I was able to get a good look at it this afternoon and it is truly amazing! A perfectly shaped palate! They even added some tissue to her gum line and if it takes (we will know in two weeks) she might not have to undergo a second surgery when her adult teeth start to come in. Fingers crossed!

She is kept comfortable on a morphine drip as well as some Tylenol and Advil. However, the morphine does turn my sweet smiling girl into a grouchy angry bear when she initially wakes up. I have seen a side to her not seen before. She has been so cooperative with all the Doctors and Nurses and does exactly what they ask of her. She is wearing restraints on her arms to prevent her from pulling out the stitch in her tongue and even holds out her little arms for me to put them back on after I have taken them off to rub her arms a bit. The stitch in her tongue has been the most bothersome part for her and she keeps showing me her mouth in hopes that I will pull it out. They told me they have left it in as a way to pull her tongue forward quickly if they need to find an airway.

Tonight she has started sipping some soup broth and even had a few spoonfuls of ice cream for dinner. For lunch she enjoyed her Jello and even started asking for it by name.

Mommy came home tonight for a good night's sleep so Daddy is on duty tonight! I will go back and trade with him in the morning. I am sorry there are no photos...I brought home my camera to upload them, but forgot the connection cord at the hospital! You'll have to take my word that she looks pretty cute in hospital jammies!