Wordless Wednesday

Gosh, he melts my heart!

She wasn't quite what we expected...




She's more.


Only 1 in 800 babies is born with Down syndrome.



I'm the lucky one.

Wordless Wednesday

And since I am NOT a woman of few words, I just HAVE to explain this picture. Our school district called a snow day today, even though there was no snow...just in anticipation of a big storm that has yet to hit. Anyway, we made a huge batch of cookies today...thus the picture.

Even though it was fun baking with my daughter and the cookies turned out great, there had BETTER be school tomorrow.

Sometimes the busyness of life really gets in the way. It gets in the way of a lot, actually. The house gets messy. The laundry piles up. The refrigerator becomes bare. Friendships get neglected. And the list goes on and on...

Lately, I've craved just sitting in the big, brown leather recliner--feet kicked up and arms snuggling my baby. And the great thing is, now that Faith is a 'full time nurser' there has been plenty of time for that. For that, I am eternally grateful. Babyhood is so fleeting, it's something to savor. Savor indeed. The sweetness of a baby just can't be beat.

It's still hard for me to believe that my oldest child is 13. A teenager. Officially. Where did his babyhood go? Did I drink in his sweet baby smell and his chubby baby legs? Did I take the time to enjoy his toothless grin and his silky soft hair? Did I hold tight to his hand in mine? I hope so...I hope I didn't let life get in the way. Now, although I look almost eye to eye into my son's face, I still see that sweet baby. He's still in there, somewhere.

Since Faith's birth, I have tried to focus on more of the positive. She's smaller than a 'typical' baby of almost 5 months old. In fact, people that I run into in public that ask how old she is, can hardly believe that she is not younger than she is. I just smile and think to myself "at least I get to enjoy her babyhood that much longer"...and when I worry about how floppy her muscles are, I say to myself "at least I can enjoy cuddling with her as her body just melts into mine"--a perfect fit.

It's hard to believe how this tiny little girl has changed my perspective on life. On love. On acceptance.

Now, onward we go. Adventure ahead. A Princess with 47 chromosomes was born into our lives. And with her 'something extra', hearts and lives are changed.

I am so very thankful for this eye-opening child that has been gifted to us. She is a treasure. Complete in a pretty package, wrapped in a shiny bow...waiting to be unwrapped. As we all know, big things can come in small packages!

Love Struck

I know, it's been MONTHS since I've updated my blog. I have a lot of things to blame it on. Hospitalizations. Summer. Six kids. Insanity. And oh, did I mention six kids?

I am trying to get back into the swing of things now that the kids are back in school, and blogging is one of those things that I am trying to catch up on.

Please don't throw rotten fruit at me. I'm doing my best.

Since I titled this entry "Love Struck", let me just tell you why I chose that. Over these last couple of months, as the shock of Faith's "diagnosis" has worn off and I have had more time to enjoy her, I have become *totally* love struck with her! She is a JOY to behold. A complete and utter ray of sunshine! I love everything about her. From the top of her tiny head to the tips of her teeny toes, she has captured my heart and I am completely in love with her. In fact, I love her so much, my heart could burst!

Thankfully, my severe and agonizing post-partum depression has been treated successfully, albeit with a lot of medication. Medication that my doctor plans to keep me on for at least a year. And you know, I am *totally* okay with that. Heck, I'll stay on the medication forever if I need to. I can't imagine sinking into that black hole of despair EVER again. It was horrible, to say the least. I really had no clue that a person could feel SO bad--especially after just having given birth to a beautiful baby.

Stupid hormones!

Anyway,Faith is now 4 months old and is doing wonderfully. She is having physical therapy once a week and early intervention twice a month. So far, she is meeting all her milestones, although she is struggling with low muscle tone in her upper body--still having some trouble with head control at times.

Here we go! Faith, you are 4 months old! What have you been up to?


* You are nursing now--no more bottles!

* You weigh 11 pounds and 10 ounces

* You are 24" long

* You are wearing a tight size one diaper

* You are wearing 3-6 months clothing (it's a bit big yet)

* You are rolling from your tummy to your back and sometimes from back to tummy

* You LOVE to lay under your baby gym and bat at the toys

* You sleep ALL night long!

* You are a very happy and content baby--a smile is never far from your face


Someone said to me the other day that Faith was lucky to be born into our family. Truth be told, WE are the lucky ones! I am so thankful that we were chosen to be Faith's family and I am thankful that she is here with 47 chromosomes.

Gosh, I love this little girl!

2 Months Old!

FAITH-YOU ARE 2 MONTHS OLD!!

What are you up to these days???

* You still sleep A LOT.

* You are smiling at me!

* You are eating 3 ounces every 3 hours and are showing interest in nursing--finally!

* You weigh 9lbs 8oz.

* You are 22.5" long.

* You wear a size 1 diaper and it's huge on you!

* Your eyes are a beautiful blue...I love to see them open :)

* You love to be held and rocked.

* You are Mama's little girl--as you should be!

We had a visit to the pediatrician today. I had some concerns that Faith may have reflux (turns out she does) so the doc started her on Zantac. I also mentioned that sometimes she gets a bit 'dusky' around her mouth. Doc checked her oxygen level and it read in the 80's (between 84%-88%) and it should be above 90%. So, an overnight oximetry study is ordered as well as a swallow study to make sure Faith isn't aspirating. My heart is worried about all this stuff, but I know she is in good hands. The hands of our Father!

I am SO in love with this little girl :)

BIG NEWS!!!

I can't believe she lost her first tooth. Unfortunately, she really lost her tooth after she lost her tooth--if that makes any sense at all. Apparently dancing around in the street holding your tooth is not good--so, in lieu of the actual tooth under her pillow tonight, she wrote the Toothfairy a note explaining that she misplaced her tooth and begging her to still leave money.

Let's hope the Toothfairy comes through.