Daniel is about six hours old in this photo. I had just pushed his hospital bassinet over to the window where the early morning light was peeking into the small room. I played around with the camera for a few minutes trying to find a composition I liked when suddenly, something in the viewfinder made me put it down and look at him more closely.
Several hours later, the staff pediatrician came in to talk with me about Daniel’s suspected chromosomal abnormality. Words flew out of her mouth: trisomy 21, floppy baby, low muscle tone, advanced maternal age. I half heard. I didn’t cry or feel sad. Strangely enough, I just showed the doctor that picture and said, “I thought so.”
But in my mind, I suddenly pictured the swaddled newborn laying in my lap with a large red bow on his head. Here, at last, was my gift. And what a gift he has turned out to be.
He is still new, almost eight months old, and we have so much more to learn. But Danny is delightful, easy going and very sociable. He loves to smile and sing with his six siblings. And maybe it’s the low muscle tone, but he is the snuggliest little guy of all.
What a beautiful black and white picture!! Thank you for sharing! All four of your little boys are absolutely adorable. Maybe someday my daughter will be your son’s teacher. She has a tender place in her heart for special children and plans on being a Special Ed. teacher. She is a peer advocate at her high school and a classroom aide in the Special Needs department.
That’s a beautiful post and beautiful baby, Jessica. Of course, his brothers look pretty wonderful, too.
What beautiful boys. Glad to see you’ve gathered the courage to write about your special gifts.
hi Jessica, i just left you a message on FB. Daniel is such a beautiful little bundle of joy! As a mother of a special needs child, i can tell you for certain… hold on tight and enjoy the journey with your darling son. It will be so rewarding!
Hi Jessica.
Beautiful. What a beautiful photograph of Daniel…and what a beautiful blog post. Thanks so much for sharing.
What a lovely lttle chap and his brothers will love and protect him, thanks for sharing this very intimate moment with us all x
What a wonderful gift you have been given in Daniel.
He is absolutely precious…perfect! What a lovely post…thank you for sharing.
This is a beautiful post. What a great way to start my morning…seeing the grace of God in your words and their faces.
Jessica, what a beautiful and moving post. He is a very lucky little boy to have such a wonderful and supportive family.
You have shared so beautifully. I feel your love for Daniel pulse through the screen of my laptop.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
hi Jessica… Daniel is so very sweet…. such a gift…what a beautifully moving post….. thank you for sharing….
xo, Kim
Thanks so much, everyone! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the positive feedback on this. : ) It was a big step to come forward with our story and the support was so beautiful! Thanks!!!
Jessica – wow…as someone much further down the river with a different disorder, please continue to share. I will tell you that is connecting with other parents of kids with disabilities that makes all the difference. I will message you privately. Also…I love the photographs…and white, clean look of your blog!
He is so precious. I’ve always heard that people with Down’s have the sweetest personalities. He is a gift as you said.
Oh Jessica, he is so very precious. You were given him because that is where he needed to be. He will have an amazing life with so much love in your household already, no doubt about that.
The photographs are to be cherished and each, I am sure makes you smile. They’re all beautiful.
There is so much available for Downs children now … as long as he has positive energy around him, he will always be the best he can be because his family is his rock. He is very lucky to have all of you.
Congratulations by the way on your new addition, he is beautiful.
love **