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!