A milkshake. Something we take for granted, no?But for a child born with a cleft palate, learning to suck from a straw is one of the greatest challenges.
After a few accidental false starts over the past month or so, our Q mastered the straw this past week, just under a year after her first surgery. And on what did she choose to master her technique? A chocolate shake. Arguably the most difficult thing that one can suck through a straw (don't elaborate on that, OK?).
And here's the thing, she doesn't even like icecream! So why a shake? My guess is, a lot like Mt. Everest: because it's there.
A beautiful sight to a mother's eyes.
11 comments:
You should be very very proud.
hey, as long as it's not a 'latte' right Maia!
That is wonderful! A really major achievement. Very funny that she chose a milkshake, and amazing that she kept drinking it, considering how little enjoyment she would get from it! Must have been all your excitement and encouragement. Give her a big congratulatory hug and kiss from us! xox S.
She doesn't like ice cream?
Monica, that's correct. She does not like icecream. She does love to GO to the icecream shop. There are a couple of reasons for this - it's a very cool icecream shop, and they have many wonders like a bucket of sidewalk chalk, some vintage swing/benches, a bicycle cart, and (Q's favorite) a hula hoop collection. Right now they have a pumpkin patch as well. So, she likes the event of going for icecream, but try and get her to actually EAT the icecream and the best she'll do is touch her tongue to it once or twice. Try and put a spoonfull in her mouth and she'll dig in her heels lock her jaws. She's not much of a sweets eater to begin with - prefers salty. I also think she may not like the coldness.
That is quite an achievement, and I know it must mean so much to you. She really is a phenomenal little girl. Really, does she let anything hold her back?!
Gin =)
GO QQ! So excited for her...and for you. H doesn't like the cold stuff, either.
Woohoo! Yay to QQ on this new accomplishment! And chocolate is always yummy.
How exciting! I remember when my daughter (also born with a cl/cp) first mastered using a straw! She didn't care for cold stuff then either, but is now an ice cream/popsicle champ! ;)
Way to go QQ! I understand your excitement and the possibilities this brings. Now it is OK if you forget the sippy cup when going out to eat. We have also thrown out all the Nuby cups and are now using Munchkins soft straw cups.
Yippe for mastering the straw!! :)
I can't wait until our Reed does the same,
Tina H
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