What Happened...

So for those of you who always wondered here is how it all went down (no pun intended-you have to have some sense of humor).  I was about 18 weeks pregnant and had already refused all the prenatal testing that screens for Downs Syndrome and others.  We went in to see if Kierstin was having a brother or a sister and after all that excitement my doctor told me they found a "bright spot" on his heart called a echogenic cardiac focus.  She said she only saw one and it was probably nothing, but wanted me to see a specialist because they are linked to babies with Downs Syndrome.  She kept saying it was probably nothing, but wanted to be cautious.  

So after a planned trip to Florida to see family, we went to a specialist in Buffalo, NY.  First the ultra sound tech looked over him.  I have to add that Preston has always been a mover, I felt him around 13 weeks and he never stopped!  I thought for sure it was not him at first, but it got stronger and stronger and pretty soon there was no denying it was our boy! So anyhow, due to all the moving around it was hard for her to get an accurate measurement.  The measurements she finally got were off and we got all worried.  Then the Dr. came in and re-measured every inch of him and after about 3 hours she said to her all looked fine, giving the disclaimer that you can never be 100% with an ultra sound and I should get an amnio test to be sure and then I could decide what I wanted to do.  No thanks!   I know what I am going to do and finding out is not going to change it so why worry!

So then I went for the dreaded glucose test to see if I had gestational diabetes.  I failed!  I went for another 3 hour test, failed again :(  So put on a strict diet and the doctor decides to monitor me weekly with ultrasounds.  So first one I go in for shows something "funny" with the stomach.  He makes us come into his office and tells us we need to go back to the specialist.  

So we go, and she confirms that the baby has what they call "double bubble" or Duodenal Atresia.  Which, as easy as I can describe it is a closure or block in the duodenum and food would not be able to pass through unless he had a surgery to repair.  This occurs in 1 out of every 10,000 births.   However about 40% of babies with downs syndrome have this condition.  Still she says measurements look fine and she double checks the films from last time and said there was no sign of this.  So she explains we need to meet with a Pediatric Surgeon and it will mean I need to deliver in Buffalo and he will need a surgery soon after birth.  

We were upset!  We were thinking he would be in the hospital for 2 weeks and I just remember thinking how horrible that would be and how I did not think I could do that.  Little did I know it would turn into 6 long weeks!!!!  So we met with the surgeon, I am going to call him Dr. I Am Soooo Good.  ha ha, he was a trip!  

Then we had to see yet another specialist at the Children's hospital on March 1st....this is the worst day of mine and Eric's entire life......Cliff Hanger!

Meet Preston!

My blogging career was short lived!  So much has happened since I last posted and that is really the reason I want to start this again!

We had a baby boy!  A wonderful, handsome, glorious baby boy!  His name is Preston and he was lucky!  He was born with an extra 21st chromosome.  I want to elaborate on why we are so happy with how beautiful God has made him just in case someone stumbles upon this blog who is pregnant with a baby who has tested positive for Downs Syndrome.

We found out it was a possibility late, I cried, I worried, I was so sad, I was mad, I hoped for the best, but I decided that no matter what he will be loved!  I have always been pro life and knew all along that whatever baby God blessed me with I would love unconditionally.  That is why I never got the prenatal testing the doctors like to shove down your throat.  I always said that, but to be honest I never though my baby would be anything less than "perfect".  We already had a totally healthy 4 year old daughter.  We wanted to add a little brother or sister to the mix.

We had a plan and we thought it was a great plan....little did we know God had an even better plan for our lives!  One that would change who we are and how we viewed life.  He is only 6 months old as I write this.  I know there are challenges I have yet to face.  Battles I will need to fight.  I don't care!  I am in love with a boy named Preston and I will move heaven and earth for him.  I was chosen.  I was handpicked by God himself to be his Mommy.  I view this as an honor.  All children are blessings, but I received an extra special one.

I am going to commit myself to write more of our story.  The story over the last 6 months and the story that has yet to be told.  I might not know how it will go just yet, but I know that it is going to be a beautiful story about a boy who changed the world!