The Hailey Herald

The Hailey Herald

Friday, February 1, 2013

The internet...friend or foe?

My poor neglected blog.  This is such a crazy winter.  The weather is wacky, the temperatures crazy and the sicknesses going around annoying.  With three children, it seems as soon as one child recovers from a bug or cold, another one catches something different.  I've had my fill of poop, snot, and phlegm over the last two weeks to last a lifetime.  Everyone seems to be on the mend and fortunately, no one had anything serious.  Just enough to keep children home school, schedules and routines are thrown off.

I've been doing a lot of reading while we have been housebound.  Mostly blogs and message boards.  Some make me sad, like the Today show this week when a couple has the new genetic testing with their first child.  They shared their "good" news that they were "safe" because their child did not Down syndrome.  Jennifer Dawn shares her thoughts on this here.  No, I don't live in a fantasy land.  I know most people do not "want" their child to have Down syndrome.  But it doesn't make the twinge I felt hearing those words any less.  The sadness that I feel that most people do not want a child like Hailey.  I didn't choose for Hailey to have DS.  I get frustrated with it at times.  It's not fun teaching a child for 12 months to walk, when we never had to teach our other two.  They just did it.  It's not fun to work day and day to try to get my daughter to speak more.  It is hard for her and it hard for us, but no where does it say that life is supposed to be easy.  Hailey doesn't know that her brother was speaking full sentences at 24 months or that both boys were full blown running at 12 months.  Nor, does she care.  Her value isn't determined by what milestones she has or has not achieved.  Frankly, Hailey doesn't know any other life.  She is living the life she was given (with a giant, dimpled smile).  She is a little girl learning every day at her pace (just like her brother's did).  We've accepted that Hailey will learn at a different rate that her brothers did.  No, she isn't at a "typical" 2 year old level in most areas, but who said "typical" is that great?

Some of what I've read is beautiful and thought-provoking.   They brought tears to my eyes in a good way.  Like this video on ESPN, about the love of two brothers.  It is definitely worth the time to watch it.  I've also read two perspectives on prenatal testing that Amy Julia Becker (author of A Good and Perfect Gift) shared from two mom's that have beautiful little girls with Down syndrome.  Patti talks about her experience with Lily here.  Meriah shares her story here.  Tricia shared her thoughts on her blog about being different and why is it a bad thing.

It's a great deal of thought and emotion to deal with on little sleep.  It all makes me look at my bubbly, happy funny, mischievous, loving, smart, inquisitive, rotten little hurricane (and her two brothers) and be thankful for them.  Not everyone would see her as the miraculous gift that she is, but that's okay....we only like to share her a little bit :-)

Here are a few (okay lots) of pictures of what we have been up to over the past couple of weeks.

Her new favorite "reading" spot.

Basketball is still going strong for both boys.

Kisses from Mamaw

and snacks from Papaw


Crashing on Dad


Apparently walking was the only thing holding Hailey back from dancing!






I guess it is better to "sit" on Dad

I think Ian watched an episode of Ellen (dancing behind someone)

Anyone guess how left this mess?

I think they were watching My Little Pony for Hailey

The boys love building tents

Hailey likes it, too...even if they are ignoring her!




Stacking with blocks

One day I will tire of watching her walk....just not yet!





I guess basketball is tiring.


She LOVES her brothers!





This tugged at my heart last night!!!

10 comments:

  1. Mama, she IS walking! Maybe not completely all the time on her own, but look at her! So great. And I think she's just getting cuter. Love her to pieces.

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    1. She IS! Now we get to focus more on speaking and fine motor...always something :-) I think she is getting cuter...all of them are! All turning into little boys and girls. Our babies are disappearing!

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  2. Great post, and I love the pics!! So sweet, that little girl of yours. :-)

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  3. I had a conversation with the security guard at work the other day. He was talking about a test tube baby and how they have a full genetic map and will prevent things like Down Syndrome in the future. I told him I had a niece with Down Syndrome and I would not trade her for the world. She may be different and her unique perspective on life adds value to mine. I love my family.

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    1. You two need to come over sometime. She is even funnier on her own turf! I can't imagine life without her!

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  4. Thank you for all the links. I've spent the last 15 minutes or so reading/watching all of them. Hailey is on the move!!!!!!!!! We are road tripping to Lexington, KY, this summer. Maybe we can stop and treat you to lunch on the way!

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    1. She is on the move! I don't think I will get tired of watching her walk for a long time! No, you aren't treating me to lunch....getting to see you will be treat enough! You will have to message me when you have dates for your trip so we can work something out one direction!

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  5. Great thoughts and great pics. Thanks for sharing the links.

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    1. Can you tell I spent too much time trapped indoors last week?!

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