Sip, Swallow, Breath

Yesterday, we colored eggs with my niece. I think it will be a tradition moving forward. The girls were VERY excited to see each other. We try to see each other at least once a week. Yesterday was a fun day. I can't say the eggs are of Martha Stewart quality but they are quite cute. My favorite part of the day was when the girls were holding hands walking around the house. With guidance, of course, as my niece is a new walker and Sloane is a sprinter.  My brother and I are very lucky to have had our daughters close together. Neither my daughter, nor my niece have any other cousins on either side. It is a very special experience. 


My niece is a social drinker. LOL She always has a cup or 2 when we are together. She does handle her JU quiet well. She doesn't start to slur until after her 3rd. I knew Sloane would love to enjoy a cup of JU with her cuzzy so I brought along the sippy cup and Simply Thick. Sloane has acquired a taste for her favorite JU.  Although, she did sip away on the Gerber juice my sister in law had. She wasn't into it as much as her V-8 fusion. Sloane apparently has already decided on her drink of choice. Like her mother, fruity flavors are for her. Strawberry Banana seem to hit the spot best!!   


I know it must seem silly that I had not taken the JU on the road before this week. It does take me time to break away from what is safe. I am not sure if that is about me or if it is a result of this experience. I am sure it has something to do the progress we have made and not wanting to fuck it up in anyway. Life has a certain feeling of normalcy to it and we are enjoying it every day. There are sips, swallows and quiet breaths of yeah because each sip and swallow happens naturally!!!! My hubby and I try not to get to ahead of ourselves in terms of the end of our journey. 


I had dinner with 2 of "my other girl" friends this week. We were discussing Sloane's progress. One of my friends said "I wonder if because Sloane is such a thick head, she is like you, if she will just learn all on her own to swallow perfectly in spite of the cleft sooner than later." This is something that I and many in our circle of trust have wondered before. Sloane is a block head. She is THICK! I have read studies that babies will learn early on in life how to tweak their swallow to become more effective drinkers. Our SLP and I had also discussed it once. I do think Sloane is aware enough to know what works and what doesn't in her world. And maybe as time goes on that will translate over into her swallowing???
Or maybe it already has??