Considering how much I blog about Kate, you may be surprised to discover there’s something you still don’t know about her. Kate was born with a cleft palate, which is, in very simplified terms, a hole in the roof of her mouth. She is having surgery this afternoon to get her palate repaired, and Greg and I would deeply appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers during this time. Please pray for our daughter to make it through this difficult procedure and recovery, for us to stay strong and be the kind of parents she needs us to be, and for her talented medical team with whom we are entrusting our most treasured gift.
Thank you all so much. 
I’ll be thinking of Kate and your family today…my thoughts and prayers are with her.
You are one of the strongest people I know and I have faith you are going to make it through this and come out even stronger. You are an amazing mother and that little girl of yours is a very lucky baby. Everything is going to be okay. I love you so much.
Sending lots of prayers your way! Hugs and love to you friend
Thinking of your family.
Wow! One would never know just looking at her sweet face! Thanks for sharing… sending good vibes to you all and hard core prayers to the big guy upstairs! Wish I could find a service that could deliver wine (like flowers, but more useful perhaps)to you and G in the waiting room, to help take the edge off.
Blessings,
Cara
You just made me cry with this entry. That sweet baby girl is in the best hands today with you as her mom, G as her dad and God as her Protector. I will pray for an army of angels to guard and protect her in that operating room and to help her heal quickly and easily.
You are such an amazing mother. Strength, prayers and lots of hugs are being sent from me to you.
Many prayers, I know she’ll do great though
Thinking of you all in this stressful time and wishing Kate a quick recovery.
Praying…
Sending lots of love and prayers to Kate and you guys, Dusty! Hang in there!
My daighter had the same thing and had surgery a year ago in the Twin Cities….she did awesome and the MDs were amazing….you will be shocked about what a trooper she will be!!! Prayers for you all!!!!!
I was going to ask you if she had one few posts back, just because of what you were talking about…I cannot remember the exact post, but it made me think….hmmmm I bet Kate has a cleft palate…..
Kids are amazing and so adaptable, I look at my daughter everyday in amazement at all she has been through in her short 21 months of life!!!
I read your blog all the time, but I don’t think I’ve ever commented. The son of one of my dearest friends was born with a cleft palate in August. I’ll be praying for you and your little one today!
Will be praying for y’all! God bless!
Healing thoughts and prayers are being sent your way.
She’ll do great! My niece was born with a cleft lip and a little dent in her palate. She had surgery when she was 5 months old. She’s turning 3 next week and you’d never know it!! She has to have surgery to correct some teeth issues because of the dent in her palate, but that’ll be a few years.
It’s hard to see them after surgery with all the tubes and such. Best wishes to Kate and you and your husband. You’ll be in my prayers!
I am sending you all the positive thoughts in the world and a {squeezy} hug for good measure. All will be well for you two and your little one. Love to you all.
jbhat
I’m with you. My love and strength to you all. -Marcia
I love you so much, D! The world is praying with you right now. I’m lifting you and Greg up in my thoughts and prayers right now and praying for a flawless surgery and speedy recovery for Kate.
Lots of love and prayers coming your way from Charleston, SC. Even though we’ve never met, I feel like I know so much about you and your beautiful family. Kate will be just fine. She has a wonderful Mommy and Daddy to tend to her after her surgery.
Sending prayers, good thoughts, chants, and howls at the moon for little Kate and her loving parents!
I hope you feel comfort in knowing how many people are praying for little Kate! Me included. Take care.
Sending lot of positive vibes, hugs, and prayers your way! Please let us know how she’s doing, as soon as you can.
Absolutely sending a prayer your way! Keep us posted!
Good luck — warm thoughts coming your way!
A million prayers and happy thoughts for you. I’ve been thinking about you a lot, you, G and Kate are on my mind.
Prayers and hugs your way.
Sending you TONS of positive thoughts and prayers for your precious Kate. May she heal quickly and painlessly. May God bless her and you both today and always.
Praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery for your adorable baby girl!
Sending lots of loving thoughts and prayers for you, G, and Baby Kate.
Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way… poor thing…
Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers for Kate! I will be thinking of you and your family. Please update us when you can on how she did.
Sending good healing thoughts and prayers to you, G, and Kate!
Wow, I would have never guessed that Kate has a cleft palate. I was born with a cleft lip and had surgeries as a child and adult to repair. Children are resilient and it made me a stronger person to endure what comes along with surgeries. You seem like a very supportive, wonderful mother who will provide what she needs. I would be interested to read more about your experience in caring for an infant with a cleft palate. Sending my thoughts and prayers!
Much love, strength and prayers to you, G and your little Kate.
Prayers your way for a safe surgery and a quick, easy recovery.
I am a nurse and take care of these kiddos all the time so I should warn you, she’ll probably be pretty out of it after she wakes up and she’ll probably be fussy for a while. In my experience, the best thing for babies after a cleft repair is cuddling. Lots and lots of cuddling! Good luck!
Thinking of your family. Good luck, I am sure all will go well.
prayers going up…
Huge prayers for all three of you! My daughter was born with some complications and we found so much comfort in having people know what was going on, because that meant they were praying hard for our girl! Best of luck to you. We’ll pray like crazy!
i hope it goes well, and she has a very quick recovery!
she’s so adorable and i hope she’s back to her smiling self soon enough!
Thinking of you all…
We will be praying for you guys!! My beautiful daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate and is now 15 months old. She went through her palate surgery at 6 months and did wonderfully! She was back to herself in about a week and half.
Your daughter is beautiful!! Prayers and thoughts are with your family. We know how hard it can be!
My thoughts go out to you and your family today. Prayers for Kate.
My thoughts go out to you and your family today. Prayers for Kate.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your beautiful baby. Here’s hoping to a speedy recovery with lots of kisses and hugs….and maybe a bottle of merlot.
praying for your family today. hope kates surgery goes well!
I only wish the best for your little family. Hugs!
Lots of good thoughts and prayers for little Kate and her parents!
We are thinking of you and praying for the 3 of you!!!
Hope everything goes well and that she’ll have a quick recovery!!
sending lots of love and prayers your way!! <3
Thank you for sharing this. Your family is in my thoughts today!
My thoughts and prayers are with little Kate today. I hope all goes well and that she has a quick recovery. Stay strong.
Oh goodness! Thinking of you and praying for baby Kate! Can’t wait to hear all about her super successful surgery!
Sending lots of positive thoughts. I’m sure all will go well!
*hugs*
Sending good thoughts!
Good thoughts to you, your husband and cutie pie, Kate!
My little guy has had surgery before as well, so I know how important faith and prayers are to getting through such a tough situation. I will pray for you and Greg, for Kate, and for her care providers. God bless!
Sending positive vibes you way mama. Kate will be in my thoughts and prayers today.
I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts! I hope the surgery goes well!
I am praying right now for your little precious one! I know it will be a success!
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Wow! My husband was born with cleft lip and palate and since I work in the NICU, I see lots of babies with cleft lip, cleft palate or both.
I’m sorry to hear that Kate is dealing with this but I know that she has great parents to get her through it! Good luck with the surgery and you and Kate will be in my prayers!
I am praying for kate, I hope she does well. Having a child go under anastesia is always scary but when they are that small it is just heartbreaking! 2 of my kids have had do go under general anastesia at a young age and i know how hard it is. you will be in my thoughts.
Saying lots of prayers and thinking positive thoughts for all of you – today and in the days of recovery! Take care!!
You are most definitely in my thoughts today! Here’s hoping little Kate will be in recovery in no time and healing perfectly!
You got it!! My daughter was born with a cleft lip & palate. She’s 8 now, but I remember those first surgeries so well. Children are so resilient, you will be amazed at how fast Kate heals and how well she does.
Sending you positive vibes today!!!
Praying for you and Kate! I know that surgery is always scary for children. Can’t wait to hear how wonderful it all goes. Would have NEVER known your beautiful gal had a cleft palate to begin with, so thank you for being open and allowing us to pray for you!
Praying for your sweet Kate, I’m sure all will go well. Bless you and your family!
xo
Kate
You and Greg will be great, you are great! Kate is extremely lucky to have such wonderful, loving parents. Everything will go perfectly. Don’t worry, be happy now.
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. Hope everything went well. I love reading the posts about Kate!
Lots of prayers coming your way for Kate. I know God will be with her during this time.
Karen
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I hope everything went well and Kate has a speedy recovery!
Praying for Kate and mommy and daddy too! I can only imagine the emotions you are feeling right now. Wishing her a speedy, comfortable recovery.
Hoping the procedure went well and helps your perfect little girl’s life become a bit more comfortable.
Praying for Kate and her parents! Thanks for sharing and I’ll be thinking about all three of you!
Prayers headed your way! And a big ol’ drooly smooch from Clara. Here’s hoping Kate is feeling great and flashing you those lovely smiles of hers in no time!
xoxoxoxo,
Sherry (& John)
Keeping you and yours…along with all of the doctors and nurses…in our thoughts and prayers. I hope that y’all have a quick recovery!
My thoughts are with you — Although I don’t have a cleft palate, I have a cleft lip and I know how tough these things can be — best wishes for the surgery!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and lots of cuddles! I wish your family didn’t have to go through all of this but I know it’ll be fine and Kate will be smiling and giggling again in no time!
I was born with the same thing. She will be fine and will be so much happier when she is able to eat easier!
Good luck!
Praying for her recovery!
Well wishes and many prayers for little Kate. Hugs!
Dusty,
I read your last couple of posts last night and I have thought so often of your darling little Kate (and you and Greg) since then. Please know you are being thought of and prayed for from my direction.
Love,
Jessica (former CCF)
I had no idea, but will be praying for your little sweetie’s recovery!