Hi, I haven't been on here in a really long time. My daughter Karley doesn't really say a whole lot either. She is 16 months old and her only words are "mama", "bye" and she tries really hard to say dada but it comes out sounding like "nana". She knows what I'm saying to her most of the time and will follow simple commands. We have her back in speech once a week but I hope they will possibly bump it to two times a week. Up until about a month ago she wasn't walking, scooting around all the time. I was thinking she would never let go. She had a hearing test done at our Cleft Clinic appointment the 20th of March, she passed and has excellent hearing. She did have tubes put in her ears when they repaired her palate back in September of 2007. She still has a tiny hole(fistula) in the middle of her palate that will have to be repaired. They also want to see how her speech will sound to determine if she'll need to have her palate extended a little further than what it already is.
Other than everything I just listed above, she is a sweet, caring little girl. I have to remind myself she has been through alot since she was born. I'm sure she will pick up on everything I'm worrying about as far as developmentally when she's good and ready and in her own time. I know it's only natural for us as parents to worry though. We are all trying our best to give our kids what they need along with the extra help they need. I too was born with a cleft palate 34 years ago, when my parents didn't have all the resources and help that I'm able to give Karley. I have to tell myself I turned out fine and so will she
Here is a recent picture: