The first anniversary of our prenatal diagnosis has just slipped quietly past us, with nothing more than gentle acknowledgement of how far we have journeyed in the past year. I think it’s still a little early, a little raw, to be thinking back too much, so a gentle acknowledgement and gratitude for the beautiful youngest boy in our lives seems sufficient at this one year mark.
After Nicholas’ diagnosis, I may have felt alone at times but I knew that I wasn’t really. As I have said many times before, I am so thankful for all the parents and carers who have gone before us, who have pioneered to make this journey a little easier. And we have benefitted not just from the support of our family and friends, or the wonderful ‘friends of friends’ we have met along the way, or even the local Down syndrome association. This web stretches far and wide to an international community of people reaching out to new parents like us – the forums, the blogs, the social media… it truly is a ‘world wide web’.
As well as the large number of families who allowed us a glimpse into their worlds and shared their beautiful kids with us via personal blogs, I want to mention two organisations that were instrumental in getting me through some dark moments. Through the Babycenter Down syndrome pregnancy forum, I met some amazing women who are dedicated to supporting those of us who had a prenatal diagnosis or those who’d been told they had an increased chance and are waiting until birth to find out. The Down syndrome Pregnancy organisation was formed by some of these mothers and provides invaluable support through resources such as the downloadable e-book. Another organisation is the International Down Syndrome Coalition (IDSC for Life), promoting the message that ‘all life is precious’. I am thankful for their dedication in helping us see the light (or at least help us believe that eventually it would return) in a very tumultuous time in our lives.
Over the past week, I have been so honoured that very-gorgeous Nicholas and this here Mummalove blog have received mentions from two wonderful bloggers – the amazing mum of soon-to-be-eleven (!), Patti Rice at A Perfect Lily, and the ever-entertaining Angie at The Little Mumma. Thank you both so much for sharing the love x
It is my hope that in sharing our story here at Mummalove, we further build this community and make the journey for future-parents-of-chromosome-enhanced-superkids a little easier too. Thank YOU for being here.
{giveaway#1} is now completed! Thank you to everyone who commented… those were some pretty good odds for winning, I must say 😉 A big congratulations to aysjaysandayches for her winning entry. The beautiful ‘Bloom’ book by Kelle Hampton and gorgeous little cosmetic purse courtesy of Handmade by Helena will soon be on its way to you!
Beautiful, as usual, Annie. I love reading your stories and the way in which you weave the ‘ordinary’ times of life into ‘extra-ordinary’ ones.
Love Kay
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I won! 😀 Thank you so much! Luckily I keep a close eye on your blog posts as I almost never check my email address haha. I can’t wait to read Bloom! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou and keep up with the awesome posts! 😀
Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog this morning, Annie. That was an unexpected treasure. You were brave through your fear, and you have a wonderful gift now to cherish, don’t you! We try to speak the truth on Baby Center and through Down Syndrome Pregnancy, and really feel that is the very best way to help mothers bridge from the unknown and fear filled there to the more than ok here! Have a great day!
I like your blog. My Shane (9months) also have DS.
Hi Martha, thank you for your comment. Sounds like Shane and Nicholas are pretty close in age x
He is such a cutie! We don’t deal with Down Syndrome here, but we do have a son with Autism. Special needs kids require special attention, but they are so worth the extra effort!
Sandy
Thanks for saying hi Sandy. Wow – 12 kids. You are a supermum! x