of another baby in our neighborhood being born with Down syndrome?
We live in a smallish town. Most of the people on our road grew up here and built/bought homes near their parents. I love the sense of community we have. When Goldie was born the outpouring of support was unbelievable. Neighbors brought food, watched my older girls, folded my laundry and scrubbed my stove. They are like our extended family. During the summer we visit often and its easy to keep up on the latest news.
But, its winter so the news of my neighbor's new baby took a little longer to get to us. First, I asked around to find out if she had her baby. Then, I heard he had a hole in his heart and was still in the hospital. Finally, my husband tells me he has something on one of his chromosomes. I couldn't take it any longer, I stalked the new mama down at her parents to get the details.
Baby C was born November 11th, so he's 2 months old now. He has translocation Down syndrome. Please pray for him, he is having heart surgery tomorrow. They had hoped to wait until he was 4 months old, but he needs his heart repaired sooner. I never had to deal with this, so I don't know how much help I was to her. We also talked about EI, SSI, and medicaid.
I just can't believe Goldie will grow up with another child who has Ds living 1/4 mile away from us. She is only 20 months older than him. He also has an older brother and sister close in age to my girls.
Now, any ideas for a gift? I know they could use a gas card for traveling to the hospital or maybe they would just like some regular baby stuff. He is their third and their kids are spaced apart like mine, so some new items might be welcome. I haven't read Gifts, but I know it comes recommended. Hmmm.
8 comments:
That's wonderful that you live in a community like that.
I enjoyed the book "Gifts".I bought it when Ruby was in the NICU,it helped me to read what other parents went through and how their children were doing,and it has great pictures of children with Ds."Road Map To Holland" is wonderful,too.
I'll pray for his sugery to go well.
Hey! I'm so glad you delurked!! When was Goldie born? She must be so close in age to Ruby (who just turned 20 months old).
And how awesome to have a nearby friend for Goldie - strength in numbers!
small world! hope the surgery goes well. i highly recommend Gifts (order one for you too!) and gc for meals.
I think its wonderful that you have a supportive, close neighborhood to raise your children together in.
Wow, that is really neat. I mean, of course you wouldn't wish Ds on anyone, but very cool that you two will have each other, and Goldie and her little boy will have each other.
I highly recommend the book Road Map to Holland by Jennifer Graf Groneberg. A friend sent it to me when Finn was in the NICU after he was born and it was like a lifeline to me. And yeah, just some regular baby stuff. One of the most meaningful gifts I got when Finn was born was a blanket embroidered with his name and birth stats. It was personal and made me feel like my friend was celebrating his birth as much as she would have any "normal" baby.
Can I cheekily suggest that you point them in the direction of our website in case we can help in any way.
Down's Heart Group - www.dhg.org.uk
Penny Green
How fun that you have someone for Goldie to grow up with close by. I'll bet that new mama will appreciate your reaching out.
I would have loved it if someone had given me the "Gifts" book. Also, we loved gift cards to restaurants so we could get takeout.
I just found your blog. You have a lovely family.
I highly recommend Gifts - it really helped me when Kai was born! I also look back on it now and again (like when I find time to linger in the bath with bubbles and stuff!!) and read just one story here and there.
How amazing that one small community will get to see how your two little ones grow and learn and love!
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