A tongue tugging...?

Dear Nicky,

I was talking to Shelby your speech pathologist this morning. I told her Mom and I are concerned about your tongue protrusion. She basically told us that at this stage and with the therapy you're getting, it shouldn't be a problem. We hope she's right. See, I'm concerned that with all the oral stimulation you're getting, we're building up the muscles in your tongue to the point where it's becoming a supertongue, more likely to stick out than remain inside simply because it's been worked out and thoroughly developed. Wouldn't that be a bitter irony to add to our list of bitter ironies? I shared this theory with her: if, when you push against a muscle and it pushes back and gets stronger (this is resistance training, like weight lifting), doesn't it make sense that if you pull against a muscle it pulls back, too? In other words, tongue tugging. Shelby said we could try it. I tried it on myself this evening. I used one of your feeding cloths because it provides for a good grip, and I gave my tongue a nice tug. Sure enough, I had a definite desire to pull my tongue back rather than push it forward. We'll do it gently with you. Other news: you got over half an hour in your Bumbo seat today, watching Baby Einstein with your head up the whole time. Great head control, pal! We've worked you out a lot this week, because tomorrow we go to New Hampshire to visit your Yaya and Papou, my parents and your grandparents. They can't wait to see you in person. I think they'll go crazy for you.

Love,
Dad