Follow-up trip to Portland....

This past week we made a follow-up trip to Portland to see our doctor at Shriner's.  We had a great time and Maddie did very well with all the commotion associated with a teaching hospital.  At one point, we had two nurses, our doctor, two 4th year residents, a speech pathologist, and our care coordinator in a small examination room!  She was so brave and opened her mouth up for the doctors to see how her cleft palate looked after 4 months.

The doctors thought everything look fantastic!  We mentioned she is still having some drainage through her nose when she eats thin foods or drinks liquids.  The doctor thinks there is a tiny hole where he contected the closed cleft into the area where the doctors in China closed the lip.  He isn't too worried at this point - it may close on its own (please pray for this outcome!).  He doesn't want to do any more surgery at this point unless it interferes with her speech development.  He wants us to come back this summer for another checkup.  We think we can tie a trip to Vancouver, B.C. for a niece's wedding and the doctor visit together.

Here are a few pictures.....

 (Taking pictures of Maddison is still a little challanging.  She is not excited to have to smile or look at the camera.)

We also had a chance to visit with family while in Portland.  It was so good to see Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob and our nephew Morgan.  Aunt Mary and Uncle Bob have been so helpful in our adoption journey to Maddison - Uncle Bob was one of our medical professionals who reviewed Maddie's medical files for us!  Cousin Morgan has always been one of Maddie's favorite cousins - the first one to meet her when we came home from China!

"Cousin Morg - this is how you read.....!"

We also had the chance to go to the zoo.  Maddie just loved the animals!

How short can cousin Morg get?