Counting Down To Carver's Forever Smile

Time feels like it’s both racing and standing still. With Carver’s first surgery now less than a month away, every day feels heavier with anticipation, yet sweeter with all the moments we’re soaking in. We’re getting closer to a new chapter, and while our hearts are full of hope, they’re also filled with nerves as we walk these last steps before surgery.

The start of several pictures in this chair!

Only 28 more days until we see our baby’s beautiful forever smile! This week was a big one. We had our pre-op appointment with both our surgeon and dentist. Carver had his very last NAM adjustment on Monday, and now we only have one more visit left with the dentist before surgery. Our dentist is so impressed with Carver’s progress and is confident the outcome will be amazing, especially because of the NAM helping close things up beforehand. That reassurance has been such a comfort to us.

Our baby has come so far!

Our surgeon walked us through what to expect for surgery day, patiently answering all of my questions. The procedure will take around 4–5 hours. Carver will go right into trying to bottle feed afterward, no nasal stents, and they’ll use glue to help close the incision (with a few stitches as well). We were told to bring things to help pass the time, though as any parent can imagine, nothing will truly distract us while our baby is in surgery. It’s a day we’ve been eager for, but now that it’s approaching, my mommy heart aches at the thought. It’s such a bittersweet countdown filled with nerves, hope, and the promise of fast, easy healing.

We also had an unexpected appointment with a genetic counselor and doctor. Originally, we were told there were no openings until 2026, but a cancellation gave us the chance to get in right away. We learned about genetic testing options and were reassured that since there’s no family history on either side, Carver’s cleft is likely an isolated occurrence. They do want to do ultrasounds of his kidneys and heart to rule out any hidden abnormalities, which we feel good about moving forward with. As for the full genetic screening, we may wait until later since it can be costly and isn’t typically covered by insurance. For now, we’re grateful to know Carver is healthy and hitting his milestones.

Dad couldn't make the last minute appointment.. Both grandmas made the cut!!

Carver is also starting to notice his device more, grabbing at it and pulling. He can’t chew on his hands or play with his toys. On the one hand, he’ll eventually need to learn to eat without it, but on the other, our dentist still wants us to keep trying to keep it in for this last stretch. He loves chewing on his hands and playing with his toys, and with only a few weeks left, we’re pushing through. We can do this.

It’s incredible how quickly time is moving. We’re soaking up every single smile, knowing we’ll soon get to see his “forever smile.” We even scheduled professional photos at home the week before surgery to capture his first smiles, his NAM device, and this whole process, memories we’ll always carry and someday share with him when he’s curious about his journey.

The countdown is on, and our hearts are holding tight to every moment.