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Our Little Extras A Mother's Day Down Syndrome celebration.
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Our Little ExtrasA Mother's Day Down Syndrome celebration Our kids have a little extra. A little extra enthusiasm, a little extra innocence, a little extra charm. Oh, and did I mention an extra chromosome? The one on the 21st pair that inspires so much fear in parents-to-be. I suppose at one time all of us were fearful about Down syndrome. But take a look at our faces. Who knew how much joy lay ahead? Having a child with Down syndrome has helped me see there’s infinitely more to life than intelligence, beauty and “perfection.” Each of us moms has received a gift we never would have thought to ask for, bringing lessons we never knew we needed to learn. The greatest surprise is this: Our lives with our children have been less about us helping them reach their potential than about them helping us reach ours.
Theresa and Candace - I hope you know what you were in for when you asked for pics!! We all love sharing pics of our children and while I'm rarely in them, the ones I was in I couldn't choose between. So I'll let you choose. She always makes me smile and I love the close ups. But I also love the beach picture as one that would probably best give hope to new or expectant mother's that life with a child with DS is more like than unlike you always expected it to be. But as you say, it just has a little extra! Theresa Moffitt, Mom to Candace, 6 with DS and Dawn 5
Andrea and Reece - I am the Executive Director of the Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry at www.reecesrainbow.com We promote the international adoption of children with Down syndrome exclusively. We work in 26 countries and have 125 children on our site waiting for grant donations and adoptive families. In only 9 months, we have found adoptive families for (30) children with Down syndrome worldwide....completely volunteer and non profit. Thank you for doing this Mother's Day project! Sometimes I am so busy with the adoption ministry that I forget to take time and remember that I am a mom first. It is amazing how far one can come from the initial grief and shock of this diagnosis, to a feeling of "my cup runneth over" with pride. I don't think I am worthy of the gift Reece brings to my life, but apparently, God does.
Michelle and Morgan - Morgan turned 5 in May and is our middle child. She is a joyful, confident, happy, typically developing child who has made our lives complete! Thanks for asking, Michelle Summers
Pam and Brigid - Honestly, it's hard to put into words how I feel about my little strawberry-blonde beauty, Brigid. She is absolutely, most certainly, the most exquisite gift from God that I have ever seen. I am not worthy of such a gift of love from our Heavenly Father. In her, I see the perfection of Christ – in the way she loves unconditionally, in the way she enjoys and appreciates the little things, and in the way she reaches out to those who are uncaring and unsympathetic to her. And as every mom of a child with DS knows, those hugs and kisses are from Heaven. Even though she will be eleven this year, she still smells like a baby –my husband says it’s the smell of Heaven that stays with her. She has changed our family’s life forever, and in a way more wonderful than I could ever have imagined. Everyday I hold her rosy little cheeks in my hands, gaze into her eyes, and say a prayer of thanksgiving for my little angel, and then I hear her say, “I lud you, Momma.” Life is exquisitely good. Pam
Angelica and Gabriel - We had just finished a meet and greet with the Wiggles at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, CA and were anxiously awaiting the start of the show! Gabriel had just turned 4 years old and was recovering from a tonsillectomy. He's such a trooper!
Amy and Kiernan - I love this photo of us together. We were in the studio after a formal family photo session and we were just playing on the floor and the photographer snapped this shot. This photo shows my daughter Kiernan's wild at heart God given spirit that we cherish so much. We feel blessed to have been chosen to be the recipient of one of the Lord's most precious gifts. She has taught her family, friends and her community invaluable lessons in her short time she has been here with us. Her unconditional love, joy and happiness touches everyone.
Sarah and Jacob - Jacob is 2 years old and is my inspiration. He has been through so much in the past 2 years and has strength and courage beyond his two years. He touches every heart he meets and is a true blessing in my life. He adores his 7 year old sister, Hannah and she loves him unconditionally. Thanks for including us- Happy Mother's Day! ~Sarah Koon
Angie and Dominic - This picture says it all about my precious little boy, Dominic. He has a the most beautiful smile and a belly laugh that is so contagious. Dominic is 3 1/2 and he is truly a blessing from God.....as all children with Down Syndrome are. What would this world be like without our happy angels?
Heather and Lily - Lily means so much to me. Even though she is only 8 months old I have learned so much from her. She has taught me joy in the little things. It's also amazing to see her affect other people. Lily brings joy where ever she goes. She is truly my Sunshine.
Ria and Matthew, 17 months. "We enjoyed the sunshine on this fine windy spring day
Jessi and Danial - We knew that Danial was going to be born with Down Syndrome when I was 5 months pregnant. They asked if we wanted to keep him. My husband and I did not even talk about it. He was part of our family already, he would be joining his big brother Dominick. He has changed out lives for the better. He has taught us what patients is, and what small miracles look like. Most parents take the small things for granted, we have learned to celebrate them.
Avery and Jennifer I'm mom to three sons - one 8 plus 4-year-old twins. Avery, a fraternal twin, was diagnosed with Down syndrome at five days old. Both my husband and I are writers, and we live in a small town in the mountains of Montana. Because I felt as if I were learning everything for the first time (I was a newborn mom all over again), and because our resources were limited, I turned to books. I read everything I could, and when I didn't find what I was looking for, I made my own: it's called Roadmap to Holland (New American Library, 2008). In it, I write about things as I learned them, in my journey as Avery's mom. I also have a blog for parents of children with Down syndrome, Pinwheels, at http://jennifergrafgroneberg.wordpress.com. When I was a new mom to Avery, I remember feeling overwhelmed, mostly, and I was sad, because I thought I'd lost the child I'd been dreaming of while I was pregnant. I didn't know, then, how much I would come to love Avery. Love makes all the difference.
This is my little ray of sunshine, Marissa. She had heart surgery at 4mo old and she is now 7 mo old and doing fantastic
Linda and Bridgette - My name is Linda and I am the mother of Bridgette, our 26 month old with Down Syndrome. I found your blog ‘Mommy Life’ and love it!!! Bridgette is our # 3 child (my oldest daughter Kathryn is 5, and son Kevin age 4. Bridgette was our surprise baby and we did not find out she had Down Syndrome until 2 hours after she was born. She has been surprising us ever since with daily wonderful miracles and we are so blessed to have this little angel with us. We also homeschool and are loving it! Thank you for your website, your support and your inspiration
Lisa and Cannon - I must say, when Cannon was first born, I did not realize the gift we were given. He is just 9 months old now and I can't imagine a world without my little guy. He is absolutely amazing! This is an amazing project you are doing. I wish you the best of luck.
Brigid and Elsie - Elsie is 8 months old, and we found out about her Down syndrome while I wasstill on the operating table at delivery. From the moment she wasborn, God showered me with grace. Elsie continues to be a wonderful blessing for our family. I've come to believe that God gives us Down syndrome babies toprovide a clue about how He feels about us. Elsie can be screaming at thetop of her lungs to be picked up out of her crib, and the second I walk intothe room she breaks into a smile that lights up her entire face! And Ithink that's how God feels about us when we come near to Him (only more so).Fr. Benedict Groeschel tells a similar story--how, in Europe of old,whenever a person with Down syndrome entered a room, everyone in the roomwould make the sign of the cross because they were in the presence of God.I think that through Down syndrome people we are able to begin to comprehendthe truth about ourselves--that God is crazy in love with us!
Christina and Sofia - Born April 15, 2007 bringing love and pure joy to my heart and soul
Hi, I've found the most beautiful pics of babies & kids with Down syndromeon your Picasa account. I've been looking for such pictures for a couple of weeks 'cause we've got our own baby with trisomy since April 14th this year, but none of those which I found have been so pretty & touching as these are! - - - - Attached you can find 3 photos from Poland with mom Gosia and her little Jasiek, you can add them to your gallery if you wish :)
Rita and Pascal - Ich habe den Link von meiner Facebook Freundin bekommen, und möchte gerne Ihnen auch ein Föteli von Pascal senden zum veröffentlichen!Ich beschäftige mich sehr mit dieser Behinderung, denn ich habe eine eigene Gruppe erstellt im Facebook. Unter dem Namen: Menschen mit Down-Syndrom haben ein recht respektiert zu werde. Gründerin ich selbstMit lieben GrüssenRita Zieri
Donna Marie and her mom Laura at the Ronald McDonald house after atrail septal defect repair in Schneider's Children's Hospital.
Gloria and Gloria - Our walk together was wonderful at Howarth Park in the summer of 2006. Gloria Jr. is my best friend and companion wherever we go. She is an inspiration to me in so many ways I don't know where to start. She touches everyone around her with this unconditional Love that comes from God. I have meet so many beautiful and lovely families all because of her. I feel so very blessed that our Lord Jesus chose me to be her earthly mother. Gloria Sr.
Sylvia and Zachary - aka Mr. Sunshine. His smile lights up even the darkest of rooms
Berneeta and Ben -Benjamin was born three weeks early. We had no idea that he would have DS. When he was 20 minutes old, we were told the doctors suspected it. After we were told this, the adults in the room-my husband and I as well as my parents and sister- were all crying. My daughter, not quite four at the time, said, "I don't know why you are all crying, I finally got my little brother and I am happy." Boy, did that knock us for a loop. She was right. It has been over 18 years since that day and he has been such a blessing and a joy. His sister is still as in love with him as she was that first day. He is sensitive to the feelings of others and knows when you need a hug. When he was little, his favorite statement was, "Are you happy? Me happy!" Well Ben, Me happy!!! (and all because of you!)Berneeta
April and Austin - Hello, This Austin and me this summer. He is 12 now and it is hard to believe. Twelve years ago I thought I had my life all planed out and then I had Austin. He has been a stubborn little angel. I have delighted in being his mother. Being Austin's mom has shaped my character in ways I never imagined.
Easter day with my little boy Hudson, he is our little superman. He is such a fighter, he has had heart surgery and is recovering sooo well. My name is Ashley and my husband is Ryan and our other little one is sister, Ella. Hudson was such a surprise to us but I have to say that everytime I look at my little Hudson I see a little bit of God revealing himself to me. I believe that one day in heaven all of the angels will have those beautiful almond (down syndrome) eyes!!
Liita and Nathan - Nathan is 2 years old, and is an absolute joy. He's running, loves trucks, sunshine and flowers and has learned almost 100 signs so far. He charms everyone he meets with a magical smile. He is our gift. I write about him often on my blog: http://wintertreedesign.com/blog
Yece and Victoria - Husband/dad Victor writes: "I was devastated when my wife called me and told me our brand new baby was down syndrome I complained, screamed and cried to God. I don't have to tell you how much my mind has changed over her five years of life, but I'll tell you this. We decided to send her to regular classes against all recommendations from the school district,we worried about teasing and loneliness, but the total opposite has happened. Her teacher is in love with her, sometimes she is surrounded by loving kids who just want to be around her or help her out. She just captivates some people's hearts.Mommy - Yece Navarro, Daughter - Victoria Navarro, A very "lucky" blessed Daddy
Patty and Grace - We found out when she was five weeks old. After crying for a day we educated ourselves and moved forward and it has been a beautiful, difficult, scary, wonderful ride. Thank you God for entrusting us with the life of this child!
Rose and Alianna - Alianna has been such an inspiration to me. She seems to know just what to do. She always looks into my eyes...really looks, and I see her and she sees me and we are so perfect for each other. I always knew that I would have the "perfect“ baby, but I never knew how right I would be. She is what our family needed, and only God knew that. He never ceases to amaze me. He knows me better than anyone. He knew I needed Alianna and Alianna needed me.
Lisa, Michael and Alex- Our family adopted Michael and Alex in 2005. They were born to 2 different families on the same day. We are so grateful that God intended for them to live as “twins” in our family. My 25-year-old brother, Stephen, has Down syndrome. He has always been a blessing to our family, and God has used him to inspire my husband and me to adopt children who have DS. Every child who has Down syndrome definitely has “something extra” and we are blessed to know them.
