One year in

One year ago today, our lives were changed forever.  It was about this time (9AM) that I got to go see my daughter for the first time since she was wheeled past me after her delivery.  We had just found out that "there is a good chance that she has Down Syndrome."

What did that mean to us then?

Having a child with Down Syndrome was pretty scary.  We weren't sure how everyone would treat her, and had a tough time with the initial acceptance ourselves.  To be honest, we felt a bit cheated.

What does it mean to us now?

Having a child with Down Syndrome is pretty awesome.  She does get treated a bit differently from time to time, but she simply seems to get a bit of extra love.  Everyone in her life is so great to her.  As for us?  We wouldn't change a thing!

This little miracle has taught us so much in her first year.  From the NICU experience to all of the things we learn in therapy, none of that even compares to what she, herself teaches us.  She shows us a true joy that can be found in the simplest things.  It's amazing what we used to think of as exciting or a great time, and what we do now.  I think I got more joy out of watching and listening to her beautiful piano key mashing than anything else lately.  Everything we do in life is enhanced having her experience it with us.  She's even got her dad's taste in thrills, as she loves to be thrown up in the air, and gets a huge smile on her face if you push the cart a little faster in the grocery store.  I can't wait to see her on her first quad!

Alexi celebrated her Birthday a bit early last Saturday and had an amazing time!  She even sat up and opened every present and couldn't wait to play with them all.  Her first real cake experience was also a hit.  She wasn't quite sure how to go about eating her first Bethel Bakery smash cake, but once she got into it she LOVED it!






This blog is about us raising our daughter, Alexi, who happens to have Down Syndrome.  In the past year I am pretty sure she has taught us more than we've taught her.  It's been an awesome ride so far and we really can't wait to see where she takes us in the next year.

So Happy Birthday to Alexi, and thank you for all you have done for us.  And thank you for the cold we are both home sick, fighting today. 

365 days

Sometimes it seems like I can't remember life without her.  She's the highlight of every day, my biggest inspiration.  Though this is true, it's also hard to believe she's already turning one year old.

I make no sense, I know.  Has it really been a year since that day?  I remember like it was yesterday.
Doctors and nurses swarm Kerith, Kerith is rushed to the OR, Alexi stops by to see me on her way to the NICU.

 The weird thing is, I have no idea what happened from that moment until I was at Kerith's side when she was waking up from her emergency C-section.  Then Dr. Karamchandani changed our lives in a new way forever.


As if having a baby wasn't life changing enough, Dr K. came in to give us the news.  Our little girl made it, 10 weeks early, well under 4 lbs, no immediate procedures needed, even more healthy than we had expected, and has Down Syndrome.  


I think by now most of you have heard or read the story of that moment, the roller coaster of emotions we encountered.  But now that seems so silly.  I wish we knew then what we know now.


This has been the undisputed best year of my life.  Alexi reaches her milestones, has an incredible personality that emerges more and more each day, and is so stinkin smart!  I love watching her figure things out and try really hard to accomplish the little goals you can see she has set for herself.  She just does it all at her own pace.

So what does that mean?  That means she is sitting on her own, loves to laugh and smile, has her favorite toys, loves music, and knows when nothing will make her happy but her mother's (or sometimes father's) arm's.

She's adorable and sweet and loves people.  She has accomplished alot in this past year, and we are very excited to celebrate it all with her at her birthday party!

Alexi's cousins, Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents, and even Great Grandma Gigi are all coming in from across the state to celebrate with her which makes it even better!  So for every one coming to the party, here's what to expect:  A 1 year old.  She's got lots of personality and gives smiles out all day long like it's her job.  She's just about  into 12 month clothes and super close to being into the 1 yr old toys and activities..



I know shopping for any kids birthday party is a challenge for me,  so I figured it may be even more difficult for some families to know what to expect from Alexi.  Honestly, you can't go wrong, she's gonna get to the 1 year old things real soon and loves everything.  She plays trucks and has her favorite doll.  Right now her absolute favorite toy is her piano.  She is in love with making music.

The truth is, this past year has been so amazing that we are just excited to celebrate it.  We've been so busy lately that this little trooper deserves a bit of extra attention and celebration.  She's been working 50 hour weeks and is ready to party!

For those coming, I hope this was somewhat of a help, and for those unable to join us at the party on the 21st, Alexi's birthday is actually July 26th, so what ever comments you leave we will be sure to read to her, as being read to is also one of her favorite parts of every day!