October 30, 2006 9:32 PM
Celebrating the birth of a baby with Down syndrome
Earlier this month, Kari of Healed Waters sent me a birth announcement from a friend who'd had a baby with Down syndrome. I was so touched by it and wanted so much to share it with you, that I asked the parents for permission - plus a picture - to show off here.
Now I have both. Enjoy!
Aiden Nathaniel
8 lbs 2.5 oz
Oct 3, 2006 5:56pmThe Gift
On, October 3, 2006 5:56pm EST, our bundle of joy came as a gift from God packaged quite differently than the rest of our children, but right away we knew him to be every bit as special, unique, and loveable.
In this package came the innocence and simplicity of childhood that will last a lifetime. He will not face the same challenges that we face; he will face different ones. He will not worry about the
complications of life; he will simply experience and cherish every moment. He will not be bogged down by the stress of life; he will savor the simple things that give pleasure and joy. He will love and accept in the purest essence of non-judgmental, unconditional love, truly as a gift from God. He will enjoy God’s wonderful creation in its utmost splendor without questioning the purpose or meaning of life. He will simply know that he is here to cherish every moment and savor the most basic elements of existence. What an amazing quality that has been woven within him!
This condition has been labeled by the medical community as “Trisomy 21” or more commonly, “Down syndrome.” We prefer to think of him as a “breath from heaven.” God has given him this special ability and we are truly grateful and blessed that our Father God has bestowed the trust in us as parents to care for such a piece of heavenly grace and bliss.
Unique challenges
Such a unique individual certainly has many complex layers that will be peeled away as time progresses and when God sees fit to reveal.How ironic that the first layer that has been revealed is the condition of Aiden’s heart. Metaphorically, the heart is the symbol that God uses throughout Scripture to measure the essence of life in our spirit. It is also a vital organ giving life with each rhythmic beat and it is He, the Lord, who forms the hearts of all (Psalm 33:15). We like to think that Aiden’s heart was so full of love when he came to us that it burst a hole in the chamber between the lower left and right ventricle, medically labeled “Ventricular Septal Defect.” This hole can become life-threatening in the first two to nine months of life unless it is corrected by a surgeon or by Creator God, as, over time, it will wear his healthy heart muscle out, due to the extra load it has to carry. This hole will need to be corrected when the medical symptoms become more threatening than is the procedure to fix the problem.
The doctors have informed us that this condition is common in packages of this special nature. The procedure requires heart surgery and would take place at UVA in Charlottesville at a yet to be determined date. The doctors hope to allow Aiden to grow as old and strong as possible before the impending need for surgery. They have assured us that there is a high success and recovery for babies as young as one day old. We do pray for miraculous intervention in the meantime and will rely on the doctor’s expertise to tell us when surgery is necessary.
There are many pending layers yet to be revealed. Some of them are hearing and sight in the short term and developmental delays for the long term spanning his entire life. His pediatrician has been more than wonderful and sensitive to our family, and has given us a list of common issues we will be watching for as Aiden grows and changes.
We are so thankful to God for delivering this gift to us and entrusting us to care for one of his purest creation. He has been positioned in a loving family and we are encapsulating him with
warmth, acceptance, and love for all his wonderful days.
Our faith has not faltered…
Psalm 139: 13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
We Believe…
▪ Though our journey has shifted, our destination remains secure.
▪ All life is a gift from Creator God.
▪ The blessings that lie ahead will be testimony to God’s goodness.
▪ The challenges that lie ahead will draw us closer to God’s faithfulness.
▪ We did not choose this journey, but we graciously and humbly accept it.
▪ We rejoice in the equality of all mankind.
▪ We rejoice in the miraculous ability of life to be created with this genetic anomaly.
▪ We rejoice in the creative work of God.
▪ We are filled with wonderment and excitement as we explore the uniqueness of God’s gift.
▪ We will never be the same again, as we grasp tighter to our loving Heavenly Father!
We hope…
▪ We hope you will be as blessed as we are when this “breath of heaven” blows in your direction.
▪ We hope you will join us in this journey and share in the excitement with us.
▪ We hope the sorrow that you may feel will be focused on the physical struggles and pain that this precious little boy will face in the days and months ahead.
▪ We hope that your belief and faith will be stirred, seeking comfort and answers in the character, promises, and grace of the amazing God who calls himself “I AM” and who will carry you through whatever journey you face as well.
We are Blessed!!!!
Love to you from,
Matt & Mary Margaret
Caleb, Ashlynne, Hayleigh & Aiden!
I'm sure the Brown family would love to hear your congratulations. They also need your prayers for Aiden, as Mary Margaret wrote me today: By the way, he just started some medication today to reduce pulmonary pressure, as he is breathing rapidly. Probably means surgery could be coming soon. Keep him in prayer!
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink
Comments
Oh, he is beautiful! I will pray for him and his sweet family! Incredible announcement!
Posted by: Holly | October 30, 2006 10:32 PM
Wow, I can barely see through my tears to type! What a beautiful birth announcement. Baby Aiden was certainly born into a wonderful family. The Lord is good!
Posted by: Bryanne | October 31, 2006 8:29 AM
How sweet! That precious baby surely has a precious family!
Posted by: Margaret | October 31, 2006 8:39 AM
He's a cutie! I will definitely remember him and his parents in my prayers.
On my street we have one of the older Down syndrome people in the state. John is in his late 50s. As I was reading your tribute I was thinking of John and some of the really delightful things he says and does still. Once my husband was in their basement fixing a light when John was sorting socks. "Now this one, goes with this one." He took such joy in finding matches for his socks and that really touched my husband's heart.
Thanks for sharing Aiden's announcement
Posted by: Elena | October 31, 2006 8:53 AM
Wow, what a wonderful birth announcement. Aiden certainly found a blessed match in his parents! We'll continue to pray for his precious little heart, and any other medical issues that may come up. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lauren | October 31, 2006 9:38 AM
Thanks for posting this, Barbara! They are a truly special family...God has linked our hearts to theirs in such wonderful ways!
In Christ alone,
Kari
Posted by: Kari | October 31, 2006 9:46 AM
Hi, I came over from Kari's (Healed Waters).
Thanks for sharing the announcement. What a precious little boy!
Posted by: Karla | October 31, 2006 1:47 PM
I will be praying for baby Aiden. My breath from heaven is now 6 and continues to teach me the ways of the Lord daily! It is wonderful to see a new family embrace this beautiful journey!
In Him, Nicole
Posted by: Nicole | October 31, 2006 9:13 PM
Oh he is PRECIOUS!!! Such a wonderful and positive outlook on this lovely blessing. Prayers for a safe surgery!
Posted by: ~Kayla~ | October 31, 2006 9:53 PM
Welcome to the World precious Aiden! and Congratulations to you all on this very special blessing indeed! May Aiden overcome these medical challenges he currently faces and may his beautiful spirit radiate out and touch everyone around him is whole wonderful life.
Peace and love, Tara Marie & Emma Sage [5 and our 'breath of heaven' on earth] and her family
Posted by: Tara Marie | November 1, 2006 7:33 AM
Great perspective! Godly perspective! Perfect perspective. May you all be blessed...
Posted by: grafted branch | November 1, 2006 3:29 PM
such a welcome to baby..WHOA...it brought tears to my eyes. Aiden absolutely is a blessed baby who would not have to go through the cruelities of this world. I never knew that there could be such a beautiful aspect life other than just being normal.
We already love you and may god be with you all the time.
Preeti/hardeep
Posted by: hardeep | November 2, 2006 8:47 PM
From another mom of 12, I just wanted to say that the post of the birth announcement was beautiful. So well written and the love and adoration of thier new baby is seen in each word. Baby Aiden is truely blessed by such a loving family.
Thanks again for sharing. I followed this through another link.
Debra and Hope sporting those designer genes
Posted by: Debra | November 4, 2006 6:26 PM
He is a beautiful baby. Thanks for your wonderful and positive birth announcement. My little "breathe of heaven" is now 13 months old. I cherish each of Conner's beautiful smiles. Prayers for you with the medical issues ahead.
Posted by: Shelli | November 15, 2006 11:22 PM
I was blessed with my breath of heaven for just 16 short months. Enjoy and savor every minute of your precious boy's life. He no doubt will change your life forever. Many blessings to you and your family. I pray for health for your little guy. He is an angel.
Posted by: Christine | January 8, 2007 9:19 PM
My "breath of Heaven" was born just 2 weeks ago and I have been compiling a letter to send with our birth announcement. I LOVE what you have here. Hope you don't mind if I borrow most of it ; ) What an awesome God we serve!!!
Mindy >>
Posted by: Mindy | June 1, 2007 5:38 PM
My sister's baby Gabriella was born with Down Syndrome today. Thank you for posting this for me to read.
Posted by: Kristin | October 28, 2008 5:02 AM
Dear Kristin -
Blessings to you and your family as you embark on this wonderful journey.
I hope you will share some of the things at MommyLife under Down syndrome with your sister and everyone who will be blessed by having this new addition.
See About That Extra Chromosome http://mommylife.net/archives/2005/02/about_that_extr.html
Posted by: barbara | October 28, 2008 7:06 AM
