Or at least it certainly felt that way.
Through my involvement with various blogging communities I was invited to participate in some really cool opportunities that involved Toys for my son! First, eBeanStalk.com selected my son and I to be apart of their toy testing panel and this morning we received a charming wooden puzzle. A classic toy that I love and so does Ty! A full review will be here soon! I really do enjoy their approach to toys. It is nice to see that they aren’t just flinging every piece of high priced, loud, or useless piece of plastic that often lines the shelves of the major toy store chains and often break or are never touched after a day. I really like the fact that these are toys that children want to play with and that they will learn something from them!
We had a doctors appointment this afternoon. I have had my suspicions about it for a while, but the ENT confirmed, Ty has a major tongue tie. Ironic really, Ty having a tie and all. However, it does explain his shortcomings in the language department. Although his pediatrician assures me he is not delayed, I know does doesn’t talk nearly as much as most other children at 19 months. And actually, he makes noises all the time, its just mostly unintelligible. But is the same noises. The same string of syllables and vowels which roughly resemble words that I cannot decipher. I’m convinced that he knows what he is saying and is trying his very best to do so, but his tongue is just holding him back. The ENT also stated it may have some involvement with the boys timid appetite, as often he outright refuses to eat.
Tongue Tie
Diagnosis
In making a diagnosis of tongue tie, the two traditional criteria have been acute malnourishment or misarticulation of tongue tip sounds such as ‘t’, ‘d’, and ‘n’.
However, there are several other factors which can be attributed to the limitations of lingual ability that accompany a tongue tie and these should be considered in any assessment of whether a tongue tie exists and whether surgical intervention is warranted. The other factors include:
- Appearance of the tongue and its movements.
- Maternal factors including pain, nipple injury, blocked ducts or mastitis during breastfeeding.
- Infant factors including low weight, vomiting and gagging.
- Lack of lingual mobility which affects speed and accuracy of tongue movements.
- Eating difficulties caused by poor coordination of oral musculature.
- Dribbling – which is prolonged.
- Dental problems which are severe and wide ranging.
- Speech which is unclear due to several aspects, especially coordination.
Classification
There are several methods of classifying a tongue tie and currently different professions use their own means of assessment. They include the following considerations:
- Measurements of ‘free tongue’, and height to which the tongue can be lifted.
- Appearance of the margin of the tongue, and whether indentation is present.
- Function and ability to protrude or to elevate the tongue
- Breastfeeding, and any problems experienced.
- Speech problems.
I have highlighted what I noticed in tie that led me to question his pediatrician. Specifically the fact that he is so ‘talkative’ but doesn’t actually speak many decipherable words. I am glad I did go ahead and ask, even though I felt like I was trying to make my son have a problem he didn’t. I am also relieved to hear have minimally invasive the procedure is these days.
We’re having his frenulum clipped next week. We’re nervous, but I really don’t want Ty to have any issues that may cause him grief. Childhood is hard enough as it is without giving other children ammunition. Also, language is so very important. I want Ty to feel confident to communicate about anything his heart desires, and not have an disadvantages if at all possible. From what I read the processes, which involves minor anesthesia and cauterization, is apparently pretty straight forward and will only impair him for a few hours. I hope that this makes a difference for him.
After having to think about my child needing minor surgery, we were pretty bummed. But fortunately, everyone’s mood was elevated when we say 2 big boxes on our doorstep. Two big boxes with the words MegaBloks.
Holy Crap! We won the Toy Lottery, TY!
I was puzzled, at first, admittedly. Apparently I had somehow overlooked the email telling me that we were selected to participate in the MegaBloks MommyParties Campaign, but it was such a nice surprise. We couldn’t help but open the boxes and play… well with at least some of them, not all of them, we’ve got to have toys for our party guests! MegaBloks, through Mommy Parties, which is part of the Moms Select Family, are incredible to offer us this opportunity for me to bring together toddlers and mommy’s to share fun, food, and laughs I am sure. And I really can’t wait to share it with you all an upcoming #megabloksparty!
For now, I leave you with this joyful nugget:
Woo, free toys! *Highfives*
And Sensible thought, best to nip this minor problem in the bud now. Kids can be so cruel.
Sidenote: His blue t-shirt reminds me of 60s Batman.
I remember when my daughter was scheduled to have a clogged tear duct cleared. Even though I was told it is a simple, literally 5 minute procedure, I cried and cancelled the appt 24 hours prior to the appointment. Then my son needed tubes in his ears. I know, another routine thing that they do all the time. Those got clogged and he needed them replaced. Then my daughter needed a tonsilectomy and adnoidectomy. Again, routine but for each of those things, I paniced. I can imagine the stress you may be having and my thoughts are with you! I also liked the way you found the irony in Ty's tie! Your sense of humor will definitely be a blessing to you!! Congrats on the toys but I have to say that when I read the title, I was crossing my fingers for you, hoping I would read that you won a million bucks!!!!!