Re: New Member w/5 week old T21 son

[Guest guest]

Hello, First of congratulations on the birth of your son! Right now you are in the midst of a tidel wave of emotions and feelings. Almost all of us can relate to the overload of information and feelings in the beginning after getting a diagnosis. I am the proud mother of a beautiful 15 month old daughter with Ds. We just adore her and feel very blessed to have her in our family. This is a great place for a lot of information. I also invite you to check out these forums: http://www.downsyn.com/phpbb2/ It is a very welcoming and caring bulletin board. We get new introductions almost everyday from people with just born babies with T21. All feelings and thoughts and questions are welcome. Plus you get to see pictures of so many cute babies and children. Please feel

free to ask any questions - there is a lot of info thrown at you in the beginning! Take care, Lizdlhensley <DLHensley@...> wrote: Hi, This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group. 5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah. Two days later he was diagnosed with

T21. My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended) Noah is the first child of my husbands. I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage. I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff. I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart! We do not tell others Noah is different. Honestly we do not know how to handle it I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ? Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance. We're not even sure what it consists of ? I hope to learn alot from other parents. I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our thinking. Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders. Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ? Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just happen while the cell was

splitting ? Is it passed from one of our parents ? (Husbands mother has issues. Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.) Thanks in advance Confused, Leann and family in Ohio

[Guest guest]

Welcome Leann!! And CONGRATULATIONS on the new addition to your family! My daughter's middle name is Ada which was my mother's name. In Hebrew it means " beautiful addition' and that has been so TRUE!!!! She is a beautiful addition to our family. :-) We had the middle name picked out before her birth ( we didn't know prenataly either) Now we have to laugh that Ada also stands for American Disability Act!!! <g> There are many, many patents who have felt the way you do. It's all very normal and part of the acceptance process when you are the recepient of such a large surprise! It does take most people some time to adjust and work through lots of issues. You will become more and more comfortable with the DS as time goes by. This spring as we were walking through a resturant and all eyes were on and me, I was trying to figure if I had TP stuck to my shoe,

left my zipper down or what?!?! It took me a few minutes to realize they were staring at us cause of the DS!!! I had FORGOT about it!!! :-) It really won't be a big deal after awhile ( And, no, we don't always get stared at. The worst offenders for staring are those who have a kid or some relative with DS btw- try smiling at them and 9 times out ten they will tell you *all* about them) I am sure lots of people will give you some ideas of things to say when people comment. You might be surprised at the number of POSITIVE comments you will get. And it's OK to look different!! No one has more beautiful eyes then . Her smile is off the charts for beauty too. Be proud of Noah, as it sounds you are, in your comments to others and they will follow your lead. Lots of people never bother to mention their child has DS either. Some do. I do both, just depends. It's not the first thing I think

about when describing her any more. I know of one mom who never mentioned the DS to anyone out side her child's Drs!!! LOL I would LOVE to see how school handled that. ;-) You should raise Noah as though he were no different. Expect the same things from him as you did your other kids. Just expect to work on it a bit harder and longer. I just started sooner with many things. I LOVED our therapies!!! Learned loads! It should be FUN, should be at HOME ( if you choose, many don't choose therapy). I also read everybook I could. Woodbine has many wondeful ones. I followed the suggestions in Doman's books as well. I like knowing what I can do to help her maxamize everything. I want her to grow up and be very independent and happy. So far, so good! Things included in therapy areOT/ occupational therapy ( baby 101 ) helps teach baby each

developmental step needed to be a competent baby, <g> also fine motor skills, any sensory issues that may crop up. PT/pysical therapy -lots of ideas and methods to help baby over come that pesky low tone, learn to crawl and walk ST/speech therapy-feeding issues and speech of course DT/developmental therapy- cognitive type issues, my favorite therapy :-) You might want to go and look over the file section. I never did get a page for new parents done... maybe now that the kids are back in school... though now I am going to help teach HWT at school This should be FUN and helpful to me and as well as the school. Anyway- there should be lots of useful information in there for you, and we are always available to answer questions. As for you feeling guilty- why? If you had known would you have changed things? Course, well now I am not

sure I would have, but that's ANOTHER post :-) Mom's would do whatever they could to insure success for their children. No one sets out to have a child with a disability, it wasn't your fault. We also have many young moms who's first child has DS. You can go to a genetisist and get more answers. We never did as honestly, it didn't really matter how things came to be. You can't change them! So why not work on what you can change instead. :-) Not saying it's wrong to feel guilty!!! I think we all do/did cause we are Moms and it's our body. but honestly, what kind of control do we *really* have over such matters??? Or want for that matter.;-) I am very, happy having in the family. She has done nothing but enrich all of our lives. I could only hope *I* do as well at life. :-)dlhensley <DLHensley@...> wrote: Hi, This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group. 5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah. Two days later he was diagnosed with T21. My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended) Noah is the first child of my husbands. I have two non-T21 daughters from

previous marriage. I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff. I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart! We do not tell others Noah is different. Honestly we do not know how to handle it I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ? Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance. We're not even sure what it consists of ? I hope to learn alot from other parents. I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our thinking. Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders. Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ? Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just happen while the cell was splitting ? Is it passed from one of our parents ? (Husbands mother has issues. Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her

son.) Thanks in advance Confused, Leann and family in Ohio Carol in IL Mom to seven including , 6 with TOF, AVcanal, GERD, LS, Asthma, subglottal stenosis, chronic constipation ( cured now ) and DS. My problem is not how I look. It's how you see

me.

All-new - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

First congratulations on your son. Second you are very normal to feel and questions at any time. I went through a similar time after the birth of our Olivia (check in this list for her pictures), but my husband handled it just fine. He is Mister Mellow and loves everyone. We all process our feelings differently and must work through all kinds of stuff before we can accept our situation.

You will do fine and your Noah will be who he was meant to be. Feel the feelings and then get on with loving and raising your little guy. These is a TON of information and support on this list and the web. We all are in the same club and have the same challanges. You are in good company!

Joan, wife to King. mom to Nina Joy 12 and Olivia Rose 10 living with DS.

New Member w/5 week old T21 son

Hi,

This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group.

5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah.

Two days later he was diagnosed with T21.

My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended)

Noah is the first child of my husbands.

I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage.

I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff.

I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart!

We do not tell others Noah is different.

Honestly we do not know how to handle it

I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ?

Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance.

We're not even sure what it consists of ?

I hope to learn alot from other parents.

I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our thinking.

Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders.

Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ?

Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just happen while the cell was splitting ?

Is it passed from one of our parents ?

(Husbands mother has issues.

Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.)

Thanks in advance

Confused,

Leann and family in Ohio

Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email and IM. All on demand. Always Free.

[Guest guest]

Hi Leann and welcome to this group. You'll get lots of good advice and support. Where in OH are you? I'm up north on Lake Erie.

JillMom to Mac (8 yrs., 3rd grade, Ds) and Kit (5 yrs., preschool, Ds)

New Member w/5 week old T21 son

Hi,

This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group.

5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah.

Two days later he was diagnosed with T21.

My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended)

Noah is the first child of my husbands.

I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage.

I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff.

I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart!

We do not tell others Noah is different.

Honestly we do not know how to handle it

I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ?

Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance.

We're not even sure what it consists of ?

I hope to learn alot from other parents.

I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our thinking.

Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders.

Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ?

Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just happen while the cell was splitting ?

Is it passed from one of our parents ?

(Husbands mother has issues.

Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.)

Thanks in advance

Confused,

Leann and family in Ohio

[Guest guest]

Leann -

Welcome and congrats on the birth of your son, Noah! He will be a wonderful

addition to your family! I am also the mother of a son with Down syndrome. What

you are feeling is perfectly normal and completely understood! Please feel free

to ask any questions. Have you been able to connect with a family in your area?

You mentioned Ohio, I live in Fort Wayne which is very near the Indiana/Ohio

line.

Again, welcome to the world Noah - looking forward to getting to know you!

proud mommy to , 9 yrs old w/ Down syndrome and Hannah, 7

Fort Wayne, IN

=====================

From: dlhensley <DLHensley@...>

Date: 2006/08/23 Wed PM 01:44:05 CDT

Down Syndrome Treatment

Subject: New Member w/5 week old T21 son

Hi,This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group.5 weeks ago

today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah.Two days later he

was diagnosed with T21.My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect

intended)Noah is the first child of my husbands.I have two non-T21 daughters

from previous marriage. I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to

shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff. I am

so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart! We do not tell others Noah is

different. Honestly we do not know how to handle it :(I want to raise Noah as if

he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ?Meaning:  at this

particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for

Developmental Guideance.We're not even sure what it consists of ? I hope to

learn alot from other parents.I/We have so many questions and sometimes

confusion clouds our thinking.Although my belief in God is strong my mind still

wonders. Why Noah ?  Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish

and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ?Is it

something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just

happen while the cell was splitting ?  Is it passed from one of our parents

?(Husbands mother has issues. Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism

to her son.) Thanks in advance Confused,Leann and family in Ohio

[Guest guest]

Jill are you near Andover? Marcy

[Guest guest]

No...I'm not sure where Andover is. I'm in Marblehead.

Jill

Mom to Mac & Kit

Ohio

Re: New Member w/5 week old T21 son

Jill are you near Andover? Marcy

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi,

> This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group.

> 5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named

Noah.

> Two days later he was diagnosed with T21.

> My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended)

> Noah is the first child of my husbands.

> I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage.

>

> I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him

from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff.

> I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart!

>

> We do not tell others Noah is different.

> Honestly we do not know how to handle it

> I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if

that is fair to him ?

> Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah

to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance.

> We're not even sure what it consists of ?

>

> I hope to learn alot from other parents.

> I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our

thinking.

> Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders.

>

> Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being

selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs

old ?

> Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries

or did it just happen while the cell was splitting ?

> Is it passed from one of our parents ?

> (Husbands mother has issues.

> Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.)

>

> Thanks in advance

>

> Confused,

> Leann and family in Ohio

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Leann, Congratulations on the birth of your new son, Noah. What a blessing! My little girl just turned 6 and will be starting Kindergarten on Friday! I can't believe she is not a baby anymore. Your devastation is not unique. Most of us can relate in one way or another to your feelings. I also felt very protective and wasn't sure if anyone could tell if she had Ds so wasn't sure if I should tell anyone. But there were people, especially people who have Ds in their family that knew she had Ds even if she didn't look it to me. So soon after her birth I decided to send an announcement with beautiful pictures of her with and without my other children telling all that I knew that we had received a very special gift, the usual birth statistics and I also included the Ds creed. I never said she has Ds in so many words, but I think it was clear that she

was wonderfully different and that we were proud of her. I did this because I started to picture myself at a wedding or other family event in the future and the older aunts or my Mom's cousins commenting kindly to each other, "does Bonnie's little girl have Ds???, Oh my, I didn't realize." I just didn't want people to wonder and then be afraid to talk to me about her fearing that I wasn't accepting or was ashamed. You know?? That's just me. I do know others that have never told anyone their child has Ds, but there are people all around them wondering why the Mom doesn't just say something. Because it is obvious, and people are afraid to offend. I had early intervention in my home since she was three weeks old and took her to pre-school with the school district at three years old. I have never regretted any of this. She has always responded very well to EI and did exceptionally well

when she went to school with other kids. In all stages of development, therapies and schooling I began to see her as a very strong, determined, brave and inspiring little angel and I love and admire her so much. We have also received exceptional support from our local support group, the Upside of Downs of Greater Cleveland. All support groups are different but all are there to offer help, encouragement, information, etc, you get the idea. I strongly encourage you to contact your local support group. I see that you are in Ohio, any chance you are in Northeast Ohio? Just in case: http://www.theupsideofdowns.org/ Being 's Mom has opened my life up, it has given me a broader insight into life and all that goes with it. In the beginning I cried a lot but I didn't feel sad really. I didn't know why I cried. I think

it's because the vulnerability of being a Mom just got deeper and I was feeling that, as I still do now. But the joys of being a Mom are greater too - every day. Congratulations and welcome to our special group. Love and enjoy that little guy, because someday he'll be six and going off to Kindergarten like and you'll wonder where the time went! :-))) Bonnie from Ohio Richbmom@... SAHM to 23 now living on her own, 10 and 6 Ds, CHD, Bronchial Tube defects, gastroesophageal reflux with

silent aspiration, slight Nystagmus, Alopecia Areata, and AAI, excellent gross motor skills. . . bet you can't catch her!! http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/amr/

[Guest guest]

"I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart!" And may that be the reaction of others to him... Since my na Ruth was born 5 1/2 years ago, I can't count the people who've smiled just looking at her. I believe that Yes, God made our babies different. I don't look at her as a kid with 'Birth Defects' but 'By Design.' She has opened MY eyes and my heart, and the eyes and hearts of many, many other people. She is 'color blind'-- or body piercing blind, or tatoo blind, or weird hair blind, or ____ blind-- she smiles at EVERYONE, and hey! Everyone needs a smile Ü Embrace life

with your little one. Soak up his innocence. He will grow; he will establish himself with his own personality, and all too soon he'll want to be running the show. Some things about his Tri21 will complicate your life-- extra doctor appts, therapy sessions, and just the plain ol' everything takes longer, takes more repetitions... But life with him WILL be extra special, too. na, the youngest of our 8 children (now 25 to 5), was born when I was 43, so like you, I'm an 'older mom.' And I've LOVED having a baby who has STAYED a baby long enough for me to fill up that 'she's my last baby' part of this hungry mother's heart!! na is finally outgrowing her size 3 clothes, so she really has been little long enough to suit me. (Laugh if you'd like. I do LOVE babies! It's teenagers that butt heads with!!) We do not tell others Noah is different. Well, Noah IS different. Nothing is wrong with different-- we're ALL different. His difference just has a name. But in more ways than he is different, he is the same-- he needs YOU, he needs your love, he needs your pleasure in him! Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders. God looks at the heart. How could he stir compassion in a 'perfect' world? Where there are needs, he can stir people to meet those needs. His goals are SO different from ours! Ours include: ease, convenience, 'happiness,' 'excellence,' productivity, and performance. His are more along the lines of heart, relationships, character, service to others, selflessness. "Love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These are qualities that he wants to grow in us. Sometimes, by having a child with special needs, we, and those around us, have more opportunities to grow his way. God want us to see beauty in differnt places. He cares very little for comfort or NOW. With eternity at his disposal, he doesn't mind giving us time to work on these things! Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ? These are questions that many of us consider. My own wondering has led me to know that na, like all children, is "a gift from the Lord." She is created in His image for a purpose. I personally think that part of her purpose is well stated in Proverbs 15:30. "A

cheerful look brings JOY to the heart!" That fits my na to a T. And if we already have an overabundance of JOY in this stressed and busy world, well, I haven't had too much in my life to never want any more!!!! On one particular morning, I was wrestling in my Quiet Time with the weight of my responsibilities in na's development. I was thinking that if only I could do this or that, then na would ___________. Like if only I could get her certain meds down her throat, that she'd have fewer long term negative consequences of that extra chromosome... or reach her fullest potential, or be brighter, or.... I was carrying the weight of her future development (or lack thereof) on what I was able to do for her. At the time, I was NOT able to get her to take these meds (which I still believe are important, but she still will not

take.) Anyway. I was wrestling, REALLY wrestling. I finally came to the point of acceptance in my heart that I, I could not make this happen. In my heart, I put my hand on the door knob of the door "Willing to share in the suffering." I came to the point of being willing to share in the suffering of those who had gone before me. Those who bore the sadness, if you will, of not being able to make a difference, or alleviate the handicap of their loved one... I turned the door knob. I pushed open the door. Lo and behold!! Instead of finding resigned sadness, I found that I had entered Narnia!! I was greeted by a banner that proclaimed, "DISCOVER THE JOY!!!" Discover the JOY. Discover the

joy! By accepting that I could not change na, that there was no 'magic wand' for me to wave, I entered a new place in my heart. Since then, I've discovered the joy EVERYWHERE! na's simple delight at 'the same old thing' for 'the millionth time' has deeply affected me! I've found joy in her joy-- joy in dandelions, for instance. Joy in bubbles. Joy in pocketbooks. And beads. And puppies. And books. And outdoors. And bugs (a shivery sort of oo-ey joy!) and brothers and sisters and books and dollies and grits every morning and ice cream!! and popcorn and chicken nuggets and french fries and dancing and music and. That's it-- it's ALWAYS AND. na's GLAD about nothing, glad about EVERYTHING. I'm finally getting it-- "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us REJOICE and BE GLAD!!" May God BLESS you and

your husband and little NOAH. May he fill your life's journey with finding joy wherever you look! "May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in him, that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (I think, or 13:15. At 2:55 a.m., I need to go back to bed!) My heart is with yours-- susan Ü

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Dear Leann and family, Congrats on your son Noah. You have many joyful times ahead of you! That's not to say it wont be hard sometimes but it does help to focus on positive things and whatever progress your son is making. Some thoughts regarding therapy--Early intervention is very helpful--threrapy in the home is definately convenient especially if you have other kids and your schedule is busy. Please don't rule out center based therapy as it gives you the chance to meet other people in the same or similar circumstances. You might develop friendships or support systems and its a way for your other children to meet friends who have a sibling with special needs. The ideal situation might be a combination of home therapy and center based therapy. Enjoy your son and all the blessings he brings. Michele

[Guest guest]

Leann,

Your email touched my heart. Congratulations on the birth of your

beautiful son Noah. My son, Mark was born 3 months ago today and he

has been the joy of my life! I had an extremely difficult labor and

scare that he might have to spend time in the NICU b/c he was born 5

weeks early. The next day, my husband went home to get some sleep

and the pediatrician came in and told my mother and I that she

suspected that Mark might have DS. I was floored as all indications

during my pregnancy were that he did not have DS. We had to wait 10

days to confirm the results b/c he was born on a holiday weekend. My

husband and I were devastated as well. We did not know what to do.

What I have found is that there is incredible support out there. We

have started ECI and Mark is doing extremely well. We found out that

he has Mosaic DS - I had to ask for this test specifically from our

pediatrician as we decided (for many reasons) not to see the

geneticist.

I too find myself falling in love with my son more and more each

day. He is our first baby. And I also find myself feeling extremely

protective of him. But, I also remind myself that he will be given

every opportunity to have and do anything that he wants and he will

fall but we will be there to catch him. Did you see the 20/20 story

last night on the DS couple that got married? If you didn't, I

recommend that you try to get a copy from them to watch - it is so

inspirational.

I reached out to many of my friends in the form of an email

describing what we went through with his diagnosis - you would not

believe the support that I got from friends of friends (people I did

not even know!). I found out that at least 4 other people I know

have a relative who has DS! And each one of them said the same

thing - how special and wonderful these children are. If you would

like, I will forward this letter to you.

You ask yourself " why me God " ? Well, because God knows that you and

your husband can handle this. God knows that you are an

exceptionally strong family who will embrace your child and give

Noah everything that he will need. Even though I have only been

doing this for 3 months, I find that there are certainly challenges

but I wouldn't change anything for the world! God has given me, as

he has given you, a gift to cherish and nurture throughout his life.

There are a lot of good resources out there. I recommend that you

reach out to the local DS support group ASAP. Also, get the

book " Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide " - it is full

of useful info. In fact, my husband and I gave a copy to both of our

parents to help them cope and understand. Also reach out to Early

Intervention - they will assess your son and get him started on

whatever therapy he needs.

Hang in there Leann.....it will get better.

Gwyn

Mommy to Mark (3 mos)

Austin, TX

>

> Hi,

> This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group.

> 5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named

Noah.

> Two days later he was diagnosed with T21.

> My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended)

> Noah is the first child of my husbands.

> I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage.

>

> I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him

from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff.

> I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart!

>

> We do not tell others Noah is different.

> Honestly we do not know how to handle it

> I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if

that is fair to him ?

> Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah

to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance.

> We're not even sure what it consists of ?

>

> I hope to learn alot from other parents.

> I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our

thinking.

> Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders.

>

> Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being

selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40

yrs old ?

> Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries

or did it just happen while the cell was splitting ?

> Is it passed from one of our parents ?

> (Husbands mother has issues.

> Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.)

>

> Thanks in advance

>

> Confused,

> Leann and family in Ohio

>

[Guest guest]

leann- Congrads on your beautiful baby boy! Maybe in two decades, he can meet my little princess, Caroline, and there will be another wedding story ;o) Tish and familydlhensley <DLHensley@...> wrote: Hi, This is my first time writing and first time joining a T21 group. 5 weeks ago today I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy we named Noah. Two

days later he was diagnosed with T21. My Husband and I were devasted. (no disrespect intended) Noah is the first child of my husbands. I have two non-T21 daughters from previous marriage. I tend to hold Noah alot and feel as though I need to shelter him from comments *IF* others ask or notice he looks a little diff. I am so drawn to this baby! He has stolen my heart! We do not tell others Noah is different. Honestly we do not know how to handle it I want to raise Noah as if he is NOT different but I'm not sure if that is fair to him ? Meaning: at this particular time we have opted out of taking Noah to Childrens Hosp for Developmental Guideance. We're not even sure what it consists of ? I hope to learn alot from other parents. I/We have so many questions and sometimes confusion clouds our thinking. Although my belief in God is strong my mind still wonders. Why Noah ? Is it something I did ? Is it because I was being selfish and wanted to give my husband a child even though I am 40 yrs old ? Is it something Husband did ? Is it a gene that one of us carries or did it just happen

while the cell was splitting ? Is it passed from one of our parents ? (Husbands mother has issues. Sister in law believes their mother passed Autism to her son.) Thanks in advance Confused, Leann and family in Ohio