Good-bye....Hello

Tomorrow morning we will say good-bye to a unique trait that we have grown so very fond of, and hello to a new normal. Our precious Delaney will be having surgery that, among other things, will change the shape of her adorable little tongue. We will no longer see the heart-shaped tip when she sticks out her her beautiful little tongue. No, after tomorrow's surgery, she will have a pointed tongue, just like everyone else. I'm ashamed to say that this makes me sad. I have always thought that her heart-shaped tongue was a feature that set her apart from everyone else. Don't get me wrong, I love everything about our sweet girl, but her tongue is just so very unique to me, as I have never seen anyone else with a heart-shaped tip.
The surgeon assures me that her tongue will look normal after the surgery is over. It will not change the shape of her mouth, or the way she smiles. It will simply enable her to eat better and swallow better. It will also make it easier for her to suck on her pacifier. She's always had to put her sassy in the right side of her mouth. It's always put me in mind of a cigar smoker with the way it hangs there to the side. We just thought it was cute. I had no idea it was the subtle hint of a mouth issue. We know now, and are willling to do anything that will make Laney's life easier. So along with fixing her tongue, they will also be removing some excess tissue from inside her mouth and near her tonsils. We hope and pray that this will be the first steps to resolve her speech issues. I long to hear my sweet girl call me "momma" for the first time!

So tomorrow, we kiss her little heart-shaped tip good-bye. I am more than ready for this surgery to be over and quite anxious to see her speech and eating improve. I guess losing a heart-shaped tongue is a small price to pay to hear that sweet little mouth form the words we've all been longing to hear her say. I am grateful that it's being fixed. I promise, I really am grateful.

But, I'd be lying if I said I'm not going to miss photographing this sweet little heart-shaped tongue!
♥♥♥♥

Please, if you will, keep my Laney in your prayers tomorrow as she is undergoing her surgery. This momma is not looking forward to letting go of her precious babe and placing her in the hands of a surgeon for 1.5 hours. I'm already looking forward to when I can see her after the surgery is over!