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Kennedy is here! T&Ps Needed Please.
Kennedy Aleise has arrived!! She was born on 2/19/11 @ 4:04am. I had an AMAZING water birth at the birth center. I haven't had the chance to write my birth story yet, but I hope to soon. She is the most perfect, sweet and amazing baby ever.
Unfortunately, when my Midwife did the newborn exam a few hours after her birth, she found some signs of Down Syndrome, and Kennedy had to be transferred to the NICU. She was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and has a Congenital Heart Defect that will require open heart surgery in a few months.
We spent 5 days in the NICU. I can honestly say, it was the hardest thing I've ever been through, and I felt like I was in a constant battle with the doctors and nurses. I am just praying that we don't have to go through anything like that again, and that her heart surgery will be as uneventful as possible. There is no way to know the severity of the Down Syndrome, until we watch her grow up. The good news is a lot of the signs that they see typically are not present in her, so we are hoping it's a more mild case. The whole thing has been shocking and pretty devastating. We had no family history, and are considered low risk, so it was really hard to accept.
Please keep Kennedy in your thoughts and prayers, we are facing a really challenging time over the next several months, and I'm praying that my sweet baby can get through it with as much strength as she did the NICU stay.
I haven't even uploaded pictures yet, except on FB. If you'd like to friend me, you can find me under jennifer8080 @ gmail dot com.
Kennedy Aleise 2/19/11
Life As We Know It
Re: Kennedy is here! T&Ps Needed Please.
est. 10/10/10
I have been thinking about you! I am so glad to hear that your birth was what you wanted.
I will keep baby Kennedy in my thoughts and prayers. But like Bre2Be I agree, that you were chosen to be her mother for a reason. Babies are such a blessing and Kennedy is your blessing.
If you have not read this blog, please do! It's about a family that was faced with somewhat similar circumstances as you and it is the most beautiful story I have ever read. He daughter, Nella, was diagnosed with DS at birth but her blog is testimony that Nella's life is nothing short of amazing. I am so inspired by this family's story and I hope you can find some inspiration too. I still remember the first time I stumbled across this blog. It was 3 AM in the morning and I ended up waking my H up so he can read it too. It was that moving.....
http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html
I will be thinking of Kennedy and hoping that you are able to get some answers!
Baby Macy is here!
12/09 - Macy (daughter) | 4/10 - Began TTC Baby #2 | 12/10 - Chemical Pregnancy | 1/12 - Miscarriage at 14 weeks | DX - PCOS & Hyperthyroidism
Sending lots of T&P's your way!
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The Plan Stan
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Jennifer... while hearing that news may have been hard to accept, you are going to be a wonderful mother to her. Kennedy is blessed to have 2 wonderful parents who are going to love her and support her as she continues to grow. Kennedy will be an inspiration to you as you will be to her.
:hugs: Sending lots of T&P your way.
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Congrats on your baby girl!! Can't wait see photos!!!
I will pray for you and little Kennedy. If you need anything, let me know, please.
I love my crazy child!
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Ellie ~ 3.29.12
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Congrats on Kennedy's arrival and that you were able to have the amazing birth you wanted. I look forward to hearing your story about it.
I am sending you my thoughts and prayers, and especially hope that when it is time for her surgery that your experience differs from the experience you had with her time in the NICU. I wish you strength during these next few months. And I agree with PPs that there is a reason you and your H were chosen to be her parents.
Congrats again! I saw some pictures on FB, she's beautiful. As pps have said, you & your H will be wonderful parents to your little princess. Can't wait to see more pictures.
I'm sorry your experience in the NICU was tough. I hope it's better when she goes for surgery.
Please keep us updated, we are here to support you through all the ups & downs.
Congratulations on Kennedy's arrival and I'm so happy you had a wonderful birthing process.
Your sweet baby girl will be in my thoughts and prayers. Like the pps have said, you were chosen to be her mother for a reason and Kennedy is blessed to have you just as you are to have her. I will pray for your strength to get through the next several months.
I am so happy to hear that she has arrived and that you had a great birth. Kennedy is in my thoughts and I hope that her surgery is uneventful as well.
Congratulations on your new family. If you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to reach out to us.
Congratulations!! Reading your post gave me goosebumps. I can't imagine what that must have been like for you go go through. With all that you go through with your IL's, you are obviously a strong and tough girl and you can handle this! Like everyone said, you were chosen for a reason, none of us are given anything we can't handle. Your daughter must be beautiful and she is so very lucky to have you for a mom! I spent a year working with down's kids and autistic kids at the Y in NY and all the ones I knew were the most loving kids and the most wonderful people I've ever met and they've made such an impact on my life. I've also read the birth story that MrsJason linked and I think about it a lot. She made it seem like such a beautiful experience and like she is the luckiest mother in the world. I hope for you and your family a lifetime of joys and much much love.
Congrats on Princess Kennedy! Prayers are with her and you all during everything!
Congratulations on mommyhood :-)
I'm so sorry that these first few days have been so difficult, and battling with nurses and doctors doesn't help at all.
I think good advice for all brand new mamas is to seek out and accept support wherever and whenever possible.
You, Kennedy, and your family will definitely be in my thoughts.
My silly Lily is almost 4.
Congratulations on Kennedy's arrival - and being able to have the birth you wanted!
Like others have said, you are a strong woman, and I can tell you are already an amazing mom. Sending you lots of T&P's that Kennedy continue to grows strong and ready for her surgery in a few months!
DX: 6/9/2011: Azoo ICSI/IVF only option for biological child
IVF #1: ER - 9/26 * ET - 10/1 * beta#1 10/13 - 140 * beta#2 10/17 - 477 * beta#3 10/20 - 1101
1st u/s at 6w6d - one hb * 2nd u/s at 8w3d - no hb detected 11/10/11 * natural m/c 11/13/11
FET #1 Jan/Feb 2012 - 3 delays - cancelled 2/13
FET #1.2 - May/June 2012 - ET 6/6/* beta#1 6/15 - 95 * beta #2 6/19 - 322 * beta #3 6/22 - 940
7/6 1st u/s @ 7 weeks - one beautiful hb - released from RE
EDD 2/22/2013
PAIF/SAIF/PGAL welcome