Ten months ago today, at 3:04 pm to be exact, my sweet little man came into my life. Unlike most others, I never struggled with his diagnosis. After he was cleaned off and handed back to me by the nurse, I knew he had Down syndrome. My next thought was how much I didn’t care. We had tried for several years to have a baby, and he was finally here. A reason to celebrate not to mourn. I was anxious to get him home. I didn’t want to meet with neonatologists or geneticists. I didn’t need to be told what Down syndrome was or what it meant. I didn’t need the literature given to us by the DSAGC. I knew already that Down syndrome was not the end of my life.
And, that’s how we live our life. It’s blessedly normal. We go to the library to read stories, we go shopping, we planned a vacation when he was about a month old, we take walks, we play on the floor, we sing silly songs. I struggle sometimes with the decisions we have to make. When to start private therapy? Should I be doing more? But, don’t most parents struggle at some point with decisions they make for their child? I don’t see how his extra chromosome makes it any different.
I hate when others make assumptions about him. I hate hearing predictions because I think they’re mostly crap. I hate hearing things that shock me. Like when someone said they were surprised at how active, alert, and interactive he was. Umm, did you think he was going to be a drooling vegetable lolling about in a corner somewhere? I struggle with others but never with him.
Right now, he’s sitting in the floor next to me. Playing with his toys, chewing on his fingers, babbling away, chuckling at some private joke where only he knows the punchline. He says "ma ma ma" now. He looks up and smiles that smile everyone knows so well. I have had ten months of perfection. Here’s to years and years more.
Great post. Don’t you just love the “ma ma ma”s? I always pretend they’re for me, even though I know they’re not (yet!)
Liam is a delightfully beautiful baby boy, I come over sometimes just to see his pure joyful expressions.
Wonderful post.
Happy 10 months Liam!!
Happy 10 months Liam!! That ma ma ma is a wonderful sound.
I feel the same way as you do – life is normal and the diagnosis was not a bad thing at all for us. We were just grateful to have our daughter!
I agree. Whole-heartedly. Life is very normal for us. I think I had fear about DS before G got here and for about a couple hours after she was born (maybe). My biggest concerns BY FAR were her health/heart. But day to day I rarely think about it in any way other than the matter-of-factness of it. I think more people ought to look at it for what it is. It JUST is. No biggie really. I really admire you.
Hello from another Mindy. I found you on Ravelry. I just wanted to tell you that I think your son is beautiful, and that you are an amazing parent. Don’t let the stupid people get you down, for some, you can’t help their ignorance, you could give them all the facts in the world and they’d still have their prejudices. He is lucky to have you for a mom. :]
Wonderful post…you have such a fantastic outlook, you are both so lucky to have each other. God blesses those in ways we will never understand. I think YOU have been blessed with an angel!
Happy 10 months to you, Liam and your entire family!
Happy 10 months Liam!! I can’t believe that it has been that long. Where does the time go?
What a great, great post.
10 months already!!! ahhh!!!
Happy 10 months lucky boy! You have a great mommy!
A year will be here before you know it!
Beautiful! I think we all need to learn some lessons from those with Downs. They are so happy, loving, and genuine. ‘Rosie hugs’ are why I head off to church every Sunday morning. I get to spend class time with her. Some call it work, but that’s not how I see it by any stretch of the imagination! I look forward to being allowed to spend time with her.
I believe Liam’s potential is held in your hands, not in his chromosomes. So much depends on the parents’ expectations and attitudes. Keep up the good work!
I love you Mindy.