Look How Far We've Made It

How can it be?  Is she really 7 weeks old already?  When did that happen?  I feel like it was just yesterday that I was wondering if I was really in labor.  Looking back, it amazes me just how far we've come.  For the first week I wondered how I would ever deal with my new life.  I didn't think I had it in me.  The last seven weeks have taught me a lot.  I've learned how unfair things can be.  I've learned how important a good support system is.  I've learned that I am Kennedy's best advocate.  Most importantly, I've learned to trust my motherly instinct and not to give up.  

Kennedy has shown Marlon and I a new meaning to life.  We always talked about having children.  For eight years, we dreamed of what it would be like to be parents.  I can honestly say, it's better than I ever imagined.  Kennedy has changed my life in ways that I could have never imagined, and I know my husband would say the same.  It's the most simple things that give us the most joy now.   

She is the sweetest and most easy going baby I have ever met.  She continues to amaze me more and more every day.  I am so proud of her, and I'm so proud of the way that she has taken on the world.  She has proven people wrong since day one, when they said she couldn't breastfeed.  We made it out of the hospital not only with out formula, but we avoided a feeding tube.  They told us she wouldn't have good muscle tone.  She's holding her head up, pushing down with her  legs, and she even rolled over this week!!  Yes, you read that right.  At 6 weeks and 6 days she rolled over from her belly to her back.  I even have the video to prove it!  I could not be any more proud of my sweet baby girl.  She may not be a champion at gaining weight, but clearly we're doing something right!

 

While I'm on the subject of how great Kennedy is doing, it would be a good time to bring up our Evaluation with the Early Steps program.  This was done on Thursday.  I was really nervous going into it.  Of course I thought Kennedy was doing amazing.  What mother doesn't.  But I've come to expect a challenge of some sort any time we have an appointment.  I'm proud to say, that it went amazing.  The evaluators were shocked.  They said that they just don't see babies her age, with Down Syndrome, doing the things that she's doing.  She scored average to above average for "normal" babies her age, in all areas that they tested!!!  They did not recommend any additional services at this time.  At my request, she will continue to be evaluated, so that we can be sure she's staying on track with meeting her milestones.  

Here are some more pictures from Kennedy's first seven weeks!