The Fanning Four

21 Questions- Bethany Fanning, October, 2011, 3 years old 1. What is something Mommy always says to you? Daddy always comes back. 2. What makes Mommy happy? That I can go to school by myself 3. What makes Mommy sad? Not doing anything happy 4. How does Mommy make you laugh? Swing me really high 5. What was Mommy like as a child? Laughing 6. How old is Mommy? 4 7. How tall is Mommy? Really big- puts hand up in air 8. What is Mommy's favorite thing to do? Take a shower by herself 9. What does Mommy do when you're not around? Clean up 10. If Mommy becomes famous, what will it be for? being on TV 11. What is Mommy really good at? Swinging me 12. What is Mommy not very good at? counting 13. What does Mommy do for her job? Get ready 14. What is Mommy's favorite food? Chicken 15. What makes you proud of Mommy? Pushing me really high 16. If Mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be? Cinderella 17. What do you and Mommy do ...

Yesterday was Caleb's big day at Shands with the craniofacial team. We saw at least 9 different team members plus about 25 students/residents. It was a long and overwhelming day. But a good one! Some of the things we learned: We're in good hands at Shands- we felt very well taken care of and we are happy fo far with the information we've been given. Caleb is not hearing very well but it is most likely due to the fluid build up in his ears (very common in cleft kids, and kids in general for that matter). He will get tubes during the palate surgery. It doesn't look like the cleft is associated with any syndrome. He has moved from indiscriminate attachment (he used to reach out to strangers often) to insecure attachment (he's still afraid we will leave him and does not want us out of sight). This is a step in the right direction. He has all of the teeth he is supposed to have- this is very good news! His drooling is from teething, not from the cleft. He will ...

Please, oh please, go read this blog post: After the Airport I have read it multiple times in the past week or so since a friend sent the link to me. It is everything I need to say but haven't been able to put into words. Today, I scooped my screaming son up off the floor of our church activity building today. I had put him down just a second too long and he began to fear we would leave him. The terror I see in his eyes when he thinks we're going to leave him is not a terror I am used to seeing in children's eyes. He won't even let the Publix bag boy push him in the cart with me right there. Although we have made great strides in three months, we still have a long way to go in this journey. It's hard but I know it's worth it.