Wednesday, June 14, 2006

 

guttentag


hello, I have not written here for quite some time. The baby is doing fine, better than fine actually. Very very healthy, we are very very blessed. Above is a picture of her just one or two days old, when we were still at the hospital. She's a little over 2 weeks now.

Thyroid test came back today with the all clear. Heart is perfectly normal and healthy. Blood platelette count was down a bit last week but now within normal range. Some jaundice in the week after birth but that’s been cleared up. Aside from the jaundice and the platelette count, both resolved, and both apparently not linked in any higher rate of occurrence to down syndrome, we have had virtually no signs of any health problems, despite quite thorough checkups and monitoring. our pediatrician has been ON IT, and we were happy to hear the easter seals people (see below) sing her praises as well.

Seeing as to the fantastic health we have not yet started nutrivene, pediatrician took a look at the bottle but said to hold off, that most of that stuff is in mom’s prenatal vitamin. I looked and there’s way more stuff in the nutrivene, but does a baby that for all intents and purposes seems to be doing absolutely fabulously need those extras? Is mother nature of the third chromosome exerting a hold toward something unforeseen? We shall live & we shall learn. As shall she.

Are we crazy? We still have not told anyone (besides, obviously, health professionals) about the Down Syndrome. The few people that have visited the baby have exhibited no suspicions, whether or not they have any? She seems like any other little baby to us, but we are first time parents, so who knoew? We were kind of tripping out, she doesn’t have the one line across her hands that is common with the DS, but the “M” like mom & dad. Interesting…. We find ourselves wondering, "does she really have it?" but the results of the amnio were crystal clear. three very distinct squigglies on numero 21. Things will likely manifest themselves later? Or not? But, hey, why paint the little one in a corner, as long as we are getting good medical care & they are aware, and we are taking advantage of services for her (already had a visit from easter seals and they’re working up her OT and PT program).

My parents and sister land tomorrow for a meet & greet with the new addition. I am sure the little one will charm the pants off one and all.

What else? As said, we are very blessed, very busy, and very happy. hope all is well for all of you and your respective bundles of respective joy, as well as any other entities important to you. salud and selah.

Comments:
Aaahhh she's beautiful! Glad to finally meet your sweet little daughter! Glad to hear all is well with the medical front and she's healthy. You'll find nutrivene to be a touchy subject with parents...those who love it and those who hate it. Have you been to Dr Len Leshin's site? He's a pediatrician and has a son with Ds. He has an article about nutrivene. Anyway, you're right - she is a baby just like any other baby - so just enjoy her! Cant' wait for more pics!
 
She is beautiful! Dittos on the Nutrivene per Michelle. And for not telling yet, I fear if you wait too long some may think you are "embarrassed" to let on? I don't know.....its your call of course. Maybe with this visit of sis and your parents you can tell them all at once, holding her and explaining the whys of not letting on earlier...she is BEAUTIFUL! (PS I didn't see the features in my son either, just love!)
 
She is beautiful....

Sidenote...ditto on the Nutrivene. I have never considered it for Miss E-and she does very well in all aspects of her life. I am not against it, nor would I discourage it, but I would certainly not encourage it...just my two cents.

No one could tell with Miss E in the beginning either.
 
I with the others on the nutrivene - but it's each parents personal choice.

I'm also with mauzy on the holding off on telling people for too long. I'm not saying that you should blurt it out first thing when they come in the door but make the time once they've had time to meet your beautiful girl and appreciate her.

It's hard to really pick up the signs when they're newborn unless you know what you're looking for, so it's quite common to have some denial even if you've seen the blood test results.

We explained away all Callum's DS features in the begining, relative x has this, relative y has that, daddy has this, etc.

Great news on her being so healthy. looking forward to seeing more pictures as she grows.
 
thanks all so much for your comments. you make very good points, we know we're going to have to tell all the family pretty soon. we just couldn't do it last night, as they were meeting her for the first time and cooing about how beautiful she is. I have the feeling we'll send a letter after they leave or do it over the phone. in any event, i'm glad we waited until they could meet her first, but it's tough cuz it still leaves breaking the news. hard cuz we just want to protect her from the world! but it's not fair to keep it too long from the fam... sigh sigh sigh.

thanks all for the support, it really helps...
 
It's been a couple of weeks since I last looked in and WOW! You're a Dad!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!

The way you describe that feeling of overwhelming love and the need to protect her sums up exactly how I felt when my children were born.

Breathe it all in.

You're a father, and that's an incredible thing. You have a daughter and that's an incredible thing. Your daughter has DS and that's such a minor thing compared to the other 2 things.

Like the others, I would recommend you don't leave it too long before mentioning the DS to those who are close and important in yours and her life. But I do think it's a good idea that they get to meet her first without prejudice.

Give your wife and daughter a big hug and let them know that there are people out there who are rooting for you all.
 
Hey, you are leaving us high and dry here! How about your first father's day? We are eager blog readers waiting for our feast.....

PS Happy Belated Fathers Day!
 
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