To the Birthday girl!!!
Twenty seven years ago today...
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| Mary's high school graduation. |
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| Mary and Danny - her first Christmas |
I got up and went in for an early morning Dr. appt.
I was due in 3.5 weeks to give birth.
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| Danny, Amelia and Mary - 1986 |
It had been a hard pregnancy and I had been confined to bed for 2 months to stop early labor.
At the appt. the Dr. told me it was safe now and I could get up and start doing things.
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| Amelia and Mary 1988 |
So...
on the way home I went shopping.
It had been soooo long since I'd been able to do that.
By the time I got home I had regular contractions.
By 5 pm (or thereabouts) our Mary was born!
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| The family 1985 |
Weighing in at 8 lbs and 5 oz. she was whisked away immediately after she was born due to low oxygen levels.
There was lots of whispering among the Dr and nurses.
I was surprised at how "different" she looked compared to my first child, but I was thrilled beyond words that it was a girl. I'd had some pretty strong feelings about it being a girl and had only brought girl clothes with me to the hospital.
Later, in my hospital room, my pediatrician dropped in to see me.In the gentlest way possible, he informed me of his very strong suspicions that our new baby girl had "Down Syndrome". He said that even though it couldn't be confirmed until a genetics test, that he was pretty certain.
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| Ready for Pre-school: Mary, Amelia & cousin Scott |
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| Danny, Loren, Amelia & Mary 1993 |
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| Mary, Rachel & Jessica 1997 |
The clothes I had purchased with so much excitement and brought with me to the hospital had been for "another little girl" from my idealized imaginings. The discrepancy between my expected child and the one that I got was hard to reconcile. The adjustment was very hard to make.
Long story short, we DID made the adjustments and were on our way.
We informed family and loved ones and moved ahead.
Long story short, we DID made the adjustments and were on our way.
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| The girls - abt 2002 |
Throughout her life, Mary has been a delight and a blessing.
She was the happiest of babies and children, always giggling and chattering. She was selfless and loving. I won't lie, we've had some rough patches, but...
She has taught us more than we have taught her, and I am grateful for each and every one of those "life lessons". It has been a fun ride.
I'm sure you've all heard (a variation of) the story of how a woman planned a 2-week trip to Hawaii. She prepared, made purchases and boarded the plane, ready for a tropical vacation. Instead of landing in Honolulu, however, the plane landed in Austria.
She was surprised and shocked. Her ticket was non-refundable. She hadn't packed the right clothes. She wasn't informed on all the places to see and things to do in Austria.
She had a choice. She could sit in her hotel room and sulk and grumble for the 2 weeks, or she could re-adjust her plans. She could research Austria and get out and enjoy it's amazing beauty and unique-ness. She chose the latter.
She had a choice. She could sit in her hotel room and sulk and grumble for the 2 weeks, or she could re-adjust her plans. She could research Austria and get out and enjoy it's amazing beauty and unique-ness. She chose the latter.
Well, this is a simplified version of what it's like to have a child with special needs. It was a surprise and a shock at first,
But,
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| At Daniel's graduation from BYU |
it's been a beautiful and amazing and interesting (very) journey thus far.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!
Here's to many more!
We love you SO MUCH!!
