Happy Heart Day, Isabella!

While pregnant with Wes, I made many connections in the Facebook and Baby Center Down syndrome communities. Some parents were veterans of Down syndrome, while others were young, fearfully excited mom's to be just like me!

Brittany was one of those fearfully excited mom's that I met on a Baby Center board in January. She shared the news of her prenatal diagnosis how she found out that her daughter, Isabella, had Down syndrome. I was so drawn to Brittany, her story and her love for her unborn daughter, I just had to reach out to her. 

Expecting a child with special needs can be a scary experience. Scary because of the intense love for that child and the need to do anything possibly for that child to thrive. The first question that arises is, "Is my baby healthy." That question out trumps any fears of future plans you may have for your child. {You soon learn that these "plans" cause unrealistic expectations for ANY child. Damaging.}  During our pregnancies, we both had our emotional ups and downs regarding the health of our children. Though we were both ever exciting about becoming moms (#2 for Brittany), we were still scared of the unknown. The fears of heart surgery for Isabella, and possible surgery due to Hirschsprung's for Wes (he ended up not needing), kept us nervous and on our toes. However nervous we both were, it was beyond comforting knowing that we were just one message away from each other. 

The morning that I had Wes, it was a flutter of updates and messages to family and friends. I was excited enough that Wes shared the same birthday as my dear friend Erin, momma to Grady, but then I got news that Brittany gave birth to Isabella that same day! Let me just say that April 23rd is quite the lucky day for us all!

This leads us to where we are today...

Little Miss Isabella had her heart surgery on Friday. Wes wanted Isabella to know that he was thinking about her, so he asked me to help him write her a message. {I think Wes has a little crush - she sure is a beautiful little girl!}

To keep up on Brittany and Isabella, check out her blog. She's been updating us on Isabella's recovery like a mad woman... like a momma in love with her little girl...

Friends, Tiny and Tall

This past weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with my {new and dear} friend, Erin. Erin and I are both graduates from the same high school and practically grew up next door to one another, but never "hung out" as teens. Not until I learned about Wes's diagnosis did I reach out to Erin {though I stalked her blog like crazy!}

Here are some cute pics from this weekend....

Erin, Wes & Baby June-Bug

Me and Grady

Love <3 !

Photo credits to Erin Witkowski and her lovely iPhone!

We've got a whole lotta love going on here! 

{MIA from the pics are Paul (daddo-o) & Mason (Grady's big bro)

Ski'ing Through Life

Love: Father & Son

Not a whole lot to say today... The pictures will tell the story...

1-2-3- Wee! {Wes lifts his arms up every time! He loves this!}

"Daddy, you're so silly!"

You cannot deny John's love for Wes...

Daddy's world!

I've got a sucker baby

I think it was my sister who referred to her first born as a "sucker baby". You know, the ones that never cry, happily sleep in their cribs, good travelers, can amuse themselves for hours, can be held by anyone. Just an overall content baby. Those angel babies are the ones that "sucker" you into having another baby.

Yea, I have one of those. He makes me want to have a brood. Four kids*? Yea I'd like that.  

This week Wes did everything with me. We went to the park, grocery store, farmer's market, dress shop, outlets, Target, Michael's and not to mention a visit from the physical therapist and a trip to the pediatrician's. He was perfect; not a peep! Just a happy baby as long as he can sleep, eat, play and amuse himself endlessly with solid eye contact with whoever is holding him. I always lose that staring contest. We may not be anywhere near my brave friend Tammy who traveled to California with her 3 month old daughter for a 36 hour trip, but I see us as a rather active duo. 

But then comes in the reality that no matter how angelic and easy going he is, I know that the chances baby #2 will surely be like Linda Blair in the exorcist, head spinning and all. Then there's the lack of sleep we're getting now. How can we possibly have four kids? We had tornado warnings last night, so I hauled all of us, furbabies included, down into the basement. Wes and John were fast asleep, while I was too nervous to sleep. I had to be the one listening for the tornado {yea, I'm intense}while periodically checking on Wes, who was situated in the crook of the sectional surrounded by a barrage of pillows. My wild dreams don't help either. Every night in my sleep I strip the bed of the comforter, pull the pillow cases off, and check the bed, floor and pack-n-play for Wes, thinking he is surely suffocating. John has basically programmed himself to tell me "Wes is in his crib" in his sleep while simultaneously holding onto the sheets with an iron grip so I don't pull them off. Oh, and don't get me started on the noises this kid makes. Sometimes you think a dog is in his room barking, or a demon talking directly into the monitor. It's freaky, and it does not promote good sleep. 

This morning, like every weekend morning, was tough. We're off our schedule and so is Wes. We're exhausted, our house looks like a tornado went through it, and so do we. I can't believe it's Saturday. I can't believe I want more kids. But then you look at this kid...

*I'm the dope that wants four kids. John would be satisfied with two; three at the absolute max.