What We're Watching

We spent the morning watching tennis! Aaron loves it and I get addicted once we start watching. ESPN is so tricky they never really just show one match so I'm constantly curious to the outcome of all the different matches. Anyways, my two favorite women of the day:

The 17 year old American Melanie Oudin ranked 124th and beat 6 seed Jankovic.
And of course we're cheering for the German Sabine Lisicki who won in a very competitive match-up with recent French Open winner Kuznetsova.
As for the men...it was probably the most boring match of the day but I can't help but feel sympathetic to the British hope Andy Murray (he won without much effort). 73 years without a Brit winning Wimbledon... they deserve a win!
We've also been watching the HBO series John Adams. It's a very interesting documentation on his life and a great depiction of our country's origins.

Sometimes in the Night...

I feel like Santa Clause

every night while Aaron brushes his teeth I prepare for what we call, "The night shift". I gather all the scattered baby items and bring them back to the nursery so Porter and I can have a smooth night. I also put together some goodies for myself. Since I've been nursing I really do need a 2 a.m. snack and I can't get enough water. I totally do think of Santa Clause when I walk in half asleep to find a plate of goodies waiting for me.

The most recent of Porter: (yes I'm a little obsessed)Pulling faces for the cameraLately, he's been smiling more. I swear last night he smiled because of something we did, and then he made me wonder again this morning.
He's growing up so FAST...TOO FAST!!!Today he took his first nap in the crib, he looks so little in it. *Sigh* I don't like the thought of him sleeping there over night, good thing I get 4 to 6 more weeks with him in our bedroom.

To Daddy:

Dear Dad,
I knew you would be a great Dad even before I left Heaven! I've been looking forward to being with you for a long time now and am so happy to finally be a part of our family! Thanks for loving me, bouncing me, and for our special daddy son nap time! I know you'll teaching me so much and make life fun! I know I'll always be well taken care of because of all your hard work.

Love, Porter

Babe,
I am a lucky woman to have a man who puts his family first and loves us so well. You show your love in all the little things you do: the daisies and note at the hospital, the late night team feedings when Porter's blood sugar was unstable, the prayers you say for us, or calming our little one all night long so your tired wife can rest. All the little daily things you do, let me know just how blessed Porter and I really are! Thank You!
You're the love of my life and an awesome Dad!
xoxo,
Megs
p.s. I love to watch your eyes when you hold Porter.

Happy Father's Day!

Hear's to You, Porter!

As many of you know, Porter didn't pass his hearing test at the hospital when he was born, so we had to schedule a visit for a re-test. The first thing the audiologist told us when we got there was "I've only had a few down syndrome babies pass this test when they are this young, so I wouldn't be surprised if he fails today as well". We are happy to report that Porter exceeded expectations and did very well! His left ear passed both tests with flying colors and his right ear passed one test and "partially passed" the other! Partially passed means that he heard the higher frequencies just fine, but had a little trouble with some of the lower ones. The audiologist was very impressed and told us that the reason was most likely still some fluid in his ear and that he was confident that his ears were fine! Hooray!

So "hear's" to you, Porter, you've exceeded people's expectations once again!

This Makes Us Optimistic

We know that this isn't unheard of, BUT for our guy it makes us excited. For a boy who we were told would have weaker muscles, he is very strong! He just keeps getting better at rolling over and is now rolling both left & right. He has turned tummy time into roll me back over time. So, Porter Boy, the doctors can tell us what to expect, but that doesn't mean you have to do as they say. We like it when you surprise us and that's what we're expecting.

Our Two Week Champion!!!

Porter had his two week check-up and there was lots of good news. Our two biggest concerns were low muscle tone and heart problems, since these are very common in down syndrome children. The doctor was checking Porter out and said that his muscle tone and strength were good. When the doctor was listening to Porter's heart I was praying with all of mine and I'm pretty sure Aaron was, too. The doctor couldn't hear any problems and seemed very optimistic about there being no heart troubles in the future. We were overjoyed as we left the office. We came away knowing we have a healthy little boy!

Porter is getting better every day at tummy time and holding his head up. We're also enjoying the deep blues of his eyes more often! He's already got so much attitude and personality, we can't help falling even more in love with him! Having Porter in my life makes me feel as if I've never had so much to live for, so much to look forward to, and love in every single moment. It's hard to describe, but my heart is so full just looking at him.Doesn't he look so thoughtful? Wish I could see his dreams.

Sweet Angel Child

I'm so sorry, we haven't posted since the birth of our son! Things have been crazy and I intend to share our story with you a piece at a time as I find the strength to do so.

Remember my list of things to do with the three weeks remaining which was actually only one week? Well, there was lots of chocolate and a trip to the temple. As Aaron and I attended the temple that evening we felt the peaceful comfort that we always do. Aaron and I like to talk about impressions or feelings that come to our hearts while at the temple. We shared with one another the feelings we had of, "A very special spirit was coming to us." and "That the Lord was putting great faith in us." Now we understand a little more why the intensity of theses feelings.

The evening of Porter's birth the on call pediatrician came to tell us that they were pretty sure Porter had Down Syndrome. It's been an emotional roller coaster and the lab work confirmed earlier this week that he does have an extra chromosome. Aaron has moved through the emotional steps much faster than me and is my strength. I'm doing better with every moment and anticipate a love stronger and deeper than I've ever experienced. I feel as if this is a time to rise to a new potential and that the Lord will help me reach the expectations He has for me. The fear and anxiety are subsiding. I know some fears will never completely disappear but I'm beginning to see past the scary. Living on daily faith is not something I've ever really had to do, but that's the only way I can see to raise Porter. Trusting in the Lord to guide us one day at a time rejoicing in the journey. I'm learning so much about Porter and aw at who his is to have been sent to this earth with the protective shield of downs so Satan cannot reach him. WE ARE TRULY BLESSED TO HAVE HIM!!!

Below is a letter his daddy wrote to our family:

Hi Everyone -

Meghann and I would first of all like to thank all of you for the love and support you've shown us since Porter was born. We had constant visitors at the hospital and continue to have many visitors at home. It's nice to know we're loved.

We got the results of Porter's chromosome study last night and it was confirmed that he has Down Syndrome. We have both struggled with this news, both with the original diagnosis the night of his birth, as well as now that it is confirmed, but through lots of praying and with the help and support of family and friends we are doing much better now. In fact, we look forward to raising and loving Porter through his life. What a blessing it is for him that he is perfect and always will be! He will bring such a light to our lives and those around him and he will enrich our lives in ways that we cannot yet imagine.

Again, we thank you all for being so loving and supportive. One of our biggest fears is that people would think we did something wrong or that people wouldn't love him as much as if he were "normal". This has not been the case at all, and for that we are so thankful. It's nice to know that our family and friends will love Porter no matter what. We have also appreciated the fact that there have been no "I'm sorry's" or any other indication of remorse from anyone. We don't feel sorry for ourselves or for Porter's condition. In fact, we feel blessed that we have the opportunity to have a celestial child and that he chose us to be his parents.

This became a little longer than I originally intended, but I just wanted to keep you all up-to-date and to express our feelings in general.

Aaron and Meghann

This is my favorite picture of him! We love you Porter and will do our very best for you!