Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a disorder resulting in the improper closing of the velopharyngeal sphincter (soft palate muscle in the mouth) during speech, allowing air to escape through the nose instead of the mouth. During speech, the velopharyngeal sphincter must close off the nose to properly pronounce strong consonants such as "p," "b," "g," "t" and "d." To close off the nose from the mouth during speech, several structures come together to achieve velopharyngeal closure. These include the velum (soft palate or roof of the mouth), the lateral pharyngeal walls (side walls of the throat) and the posterior pharyngeal wall (the back wall of the throat). If the velopharynx is not closed, snort sounds may be produced through the nose. Improper function of this structure also produces a nasal tone in the voice. Surgery can consist of doing a sphincter pharyngoplasty, where the surgeon moves tissue from the back of the throat closer to the back of the palate. Most times this surgery is recommended when the surgeon decides that the palate is working as well as it can, but the back of the throat isn't moving correctly.
Matt with his lighted sword.
Hannah thoroughly enjoying cotton candy.
Mallory stayed camped out on her grandma's lap.
It cracks me up to watch Matthew write. He's my lefty and loves to do crazy things with his tongue while he writes. He used a list that his teacher sent home and followed it to make all of his valentines.
Hannah's hair has grown very long in the last year. It's hard to believe that she's only two and has this much hair. The unfortunate thing is that her hair was getting unmanageable, she hated to have it washed, and would fight when ever it needed to be combed. Todd and I made the decision this week to cut Hannah's hair. We ended cutting about 5 inches off. 
Hannah did a great job of sitting and holding still. Our friend, Gina, is the one who cuts Mallory and Hannah's hair. She does a great job and is extremely patient.
Needless to say, the haircut went fine. It was probably more traumatic for her mother than anything. Her new "do" makes her look less like a toddler and more like a little girl.
Mallory loves to walk the dog, however on this particular afternoon they had differences in opinion.
Hannah has hit a major growth spurt. She is growing out of clothes quickly. Her language has just blossomed. She loves to dance. We've also started the process of growing her bangs out. They are finally to a stage where they are not always in her face.
Matt & Casen
Mallory, Macy, & Hannah
