Right now I’m sitting in the living room of a truly beautiful beach house amidst absolute chaos. It’s good chaos, though – kids laughing, dishes clanking, people trying to carry on conversations from opposite sides of the living room. If I could only say one thing about my family it’s that these people live life […]
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December 23
A year ago today, hubby and I nervously walked into my OB’s office for an ultrasound. A few days earlier we had received the results of our quad screen – 1 in 227 risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. The first step after that was an ultrasound to check all her little parts […]
Fragile Emissary
Sometimes you read something and you wonder if that person somehow read your thoughts and put them into writing for you. I stumbled across this poem while reading another blog about a mom and her kiddos, including a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. Instant tears. Our Fragile Emissary by Nancy Tupper Ling With modern screening […]
What I Know – December 2010
I’ve been inspired by something I read in an online forum for parents of kids with Down syndrome. Someone posted a list of things she knows for sure in light of all that is uncertain in her life right now. Since I can absolutely relate to that feeling, I thought it might be helpful for […]
Translocation
Today we received a difficult phone call. Down syndrome is caused by a third full copy of the 21st chromosome. That is why it is sometimes called Trisomy 21. Of all the people in the world with Down syndrome, 96% have a completely random form caused by a third 21st. 3% have what is called […]
6 Months
My baby girl is 6 months old today. If you would have told me 6 months ago that today I would be this happy, I would not have believed you. Those early days were rough and ugly and raw. A hundred horrible things ran through my mind as I tried to come to terms with […]
Thanksgiving 2010
Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday. Always has been, and I suspect it always will be. For me, it is the holiday that best embodies love, family, friendship, and laughter. I can’t think of one Thanksgiving I didn’t laugh. I can’t think of one I didn’t enjoy. It’s a pure holiday – no trappings, […]
A Rowenna Update
So this blog doesn’t always need to be philosophical. I hadn’t meant for it to take that turn. I just wanted to go on philosophical tangents now and again. To get back toward my “this is what life is” course, here’s an update on Rowenna. Yesterday we had a visit with her cardiologist. Rowenna was […]
“Should”
Over the weekend I attended an acupressure course. The weekend was healing on many levels, but it left me with a lingering thought about “should.” The particular type of acupressure covered in class is governed in part by Taoist philosophy. The concept of “The Way” is particularly important. There is no one way, no right […]
Sisterhood
This weekend I stood up in the wedding of a dear friend and sorority sister. I was terrified to go. One of the other bridesmaids, also a sorority sister, has a son who is just one week older than Rowenna. I didn’t know if I could see him and hear about him and watch him thrive. I […]
