Wide Smiles Gallery: Ty

(L) Ty was born with a complete bilateral cleft lip and palate. He weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 19 inches long. Ty had feeding issues and would not gain weight. It took him 18 days to gain 2 ounces. His formula was switched to premature and in 7 days he gained 4 ounces. We were so glad things were starting to look better.

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(R) 2-1/2 weeks old. His clothes are all too big for him, by this time he's gone down to 6 lbs., 14 oz. He lost 6 ounces, which isn't very much, but the doctors were concerned.

3 months. Ty and a real bunny are posing for Easter pictures 4 days before lip repair and now weighing 10 lbs.

Ty 1 hour post-op. I cried so much; I never visualized what my angel would look like after repair. He was smiling the next morning and oh how beautiful that smile is. It was like bringing home a new baby for the first time. Our 4-year old couldn't understand where his boo-boo went. He did so great during recovery, it's just amazing how they bounce back after major surgery.

(L) Three weeks post-op. Easter Sunday, his repair is looking so great

(R) 5 months old (8 weeks post-op). Ty waking up from his nap. He's looking more beautiful everyday.

Ty at 6 months old and 1 day before palate repair.

Isn't his smile just gorgeous?!

My brothers Brock (9), Trad (4) and sister Tori (8) join me for a summer beach party!

6 months old. Mom & Ty before surgery (7/12/00). Gotta love those curls and his finger in his mouth all the time!

1-1/2 hours post op palate repair & PE tubes. Only a slight amount of swelling around his upper lip area.

10 hours post-op and still snoozing with only a little bit of bleeding on his shirt. We were so glad of that.

24 hours post-op. Laughing and playing with Daddy, getting ready to go home YEAH! Ty's recovery went so well.

We had our post-op visit and everything is going beautifully. No more trips to the PS for 1 year!

My half sister, Carrie, taken from us 05/31/85 at the age of 8 years old.