Cleft-Palatese

One of the things we think is most adorable about Willow right now is the very thing we're trying to rid her of, speaking in unintellig- ible garbles and tones. Without the proper "equipment" in the roof of her mouth it's been almost impossible for her to talk and enunciate words that are comprehensible. We actually find that to be cute, especially at this age, even though we know it would be best for her if she could pronounce words properly. So, we call her language "cleft-palatese". Although there's many times we really cannot understand a word she's saying (other than tonal references to one of us, or a "yes" with a short, puffy laugh or a "no" with a "uh-uh"), Poppy can remarkably understand most of what she's saying most of the time. So, whenever we can't make out what Willow's trying to articulate, we'll ask Poppy what she's saying and nine times out of ten she'll get it right. 

Not too long ago Willow was in the back yard playing with Poppy and she was earnestly expressing something to Poppy which Victoria happened to overhear through the open window that looks right down into the area where the girls were. Victoria could hear Willow's expressions but didn't understand them, so she asked Poppy what she was saying and Poppy said, "Willow's telling us to open the door.  She wants to come inside." Sure enough, once Victoria heard the interpretation she could understand that this was in deed what Willow wanted, then opened the door and Willow entered the house with a smile on her face and a sweet little giggle.

Enjoying Cleft-Palatese for now, especially with our interpreter,

Tom (& Victoria)