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.