Endless Surprises!!!
The moment your child is born, you are given your first surprise, and probably the most significant...Down Syndrome. For many, it's an unexpected shock to realize that their journey into parenthood is going to take a path that they hadn't planned for. But eventually, the shock fades, and you hit the ground running, trying to plan and learn and adjust to the different kind of life that you're going to live.
And the surprises keep on coming. First, you are surprised by the fact that your child doesn't fit the picture of a baby with Down Syndrome that was painted in the numerous books and websites that you read to "prepare". You realize that he doesn't have every single physical marker, or every single medical condition, and he doesn't look or act like every other baby with Down Syndrome. It is an exciting moment when you realize that he has your eyes, and Daddy's mouth, and the same spiky, thick hair that both of his parents had as newborns...he's not the "baby with Down Syndrome"...he's your baby...what a fantastic surprise after all the worry!
As he grows, you are surprised by the fact that he has a personality that is very much his own! He isn't the stereotypical "happy all the time" person with Down Syndrome. He is loud, and oh-so-stubborn. When he wants something...or doesn't want something...he is fiesty, and cops quite the attitude. He laughs so hard that he can't catch his breath, and dances like a rockstar.
Having a child with Down Syndrome ensures that you are going to have a lifetime full of wonderful surprises. When you have a typically developing child, you can anticipate things to happen around a certain time...sitting around 6 months, crawling around 9 months, and walking around a year. When that 47th chromosome is involved, all bets are off; there is no handbook to tell you when to expect this and that to happen. But when they do happen...WOW! Everyone likes to be surprised, and being a mom of a child with Down Syndrome, you can be sure that they will be a part of your journey.
And the surprises keep on coming. First, you are surprised by the fact that your child doesn't fit the picture of a baby with Down Syndrome that was painted in the numerous books and websites that you read to "prepare". You realize that he doesn't have every single physical marker, or every single medical condition, and he doesn't look or act like every other baby with Down Syndrome. It is an exciting moment when you realize that he has your eyes, and Daddy's mouth, and the same spiky, thick hair that both of his parents had as newborns...he's not the "baby with Down Syndrome"...he's your baby...what a fantastic surprise after all the worry!
Kerry I loved this post!! Ty is such a lucky guy. Thank you so much for your e-mail about the ear tubes. I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet. These past few weeks have literally been the busiest I've had in years. I hope you guys are doing well and give that handsome little guy a hug for me!
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