Doing Down syndrome different

Many of you may know that we didn't know about Jaxson having Down syndrome, or a major heart defect until after he was born. He definitely was the most traumatic birth. My bed was half-way out of the room when he was born, because they could not get his heart rate up, and they were taking me for an emergency c-section.
As soon as they threw this tiny person on my chest, I knew he was different. It wasn't until he was bundled, and they handed him to me, that I could see the Down syndrome. I even said something out loud, and the nurses didn't say a word. He was wisked away because his breathing was labored. Ray and I both weren't bothered by the DS diagnosis. I'm not sure why we didn't have the feeling of loss, but we really didn't. Even his heart defect didn't scare me. I guess that's the benefit of working at the children's hospital as a CNA, in the process of getting my nursing degree.

Even when we brought him home I didn't worry to much about his health. His NICU stay was quite uneventful. Bili lights, oxygen and feeding tubes, very typical stuff. He struggled to take anything by mouth because breathing took all of his energy. But I knew as soon as his heart was repaired he would able to grow and develop.
I specifically remember his two week appointment with my ped. She asked me if I had any questions or concerns with Jaxson. I told her the only thing that bothered me was this was going to be my last baby, and not being able to breastfeed him was killing me! She said there was no reason at all that he couldn't breastfeed. So we started working with the lactate nurse, and he started nursing really well. He would only nurse for 5 minutes or so, because he tired so easily, but at least he was nursing, and we were getting that bonding time. The pump would give him all the breastmilk he needed through his tube!
Little did I know how quickly things would take a dramatic turn. Diagnosis would start piling up, and his health would go downhill instead of uphill. Our experience with Down syndrome has been much different than most.

Then a certain princess entered our lives, and I've seen a whole different side of Down syndrome!

One that makes me more and more angry with the word "retard". And makes me so angry with the stigma that Down syndrome still carries. This girl couldn't be more typical. As typical goes that is, I mean, every kid, extra chromosome or not, develops at a different rate.
As spring approaches, we are entering a whole new world of firsts for our princess. This girl has never wiggled her toes in the grass before. She's never been in a swimming pool, or to the zoo.

I still can't believe that she was thrown away, doomed to live in an institution, simply because of her diagnosis.
She is entering a whole new stage, the stage of toddlerhood, and I'm loving every minute of the naughtiness! After all, its been 8 years since we last had that in our home. Now that she has discovered the kitty food, I'm chasing her away from there constantly! Seriously, cat food can't taste good!
You should see the fits that this girl throws if you take a toy away, or move her away from something she was getting into. Its a far cry from the quiet child in the orphanage!

She also gave me my first toddler scare in a long time! She was in my room with me, and she started choking. I had just vacuumed my floor, so I couldn't figure out what she had in her mouth. She had just eaten, so I wondered if something she ate was stuck. She was breathing ok, but she kept gagging, and crying. Training kicked in and I did infant Heimlich on her. Nothing. As I was trying to decide how to proceed, 911, or emergency room, she finally coughed it up so I could pull it out of her mouth. It was a piece of that tape that they put on the sides of DVD's. I have no idea where she got that. She must have reached under my dresser or something.
Sheesh!
I have no doubt that she will go to a regular school, with typical peers. And she will soak up every minute of what they teach, because that's what she does.

Its been interesting to see both sides of Down syndrome. I'm grateful for both my babies, and wouldn't change a thing about either one! Jax is severely delayed because of his medical problems, not his Down syndrome. But I'm telling you that this boy will change your life! People hold him and they just cry. He does that to you, he's just too perfect! We need to continue to educate people that Down syndrome is more alike than different!!