The A-Team

Whenever the kids start complaining about the awful things we make them do (like clean their rooms, collect the garbage, sit through their brother's basketball games, or-perhaps worst of all-hug or compliment one another), Matt and I try to explain that to be a part of a family is to be a part of a team.  (And we don't say this just because there are enough of them to have our own basketball team....)  We are a team because we celebrate each other in our success, and support each other in our weakness.  And like any team, we have moments when we are working together and performing flawlessly, and other times when we are like poor Peyton Manning at this year's Super Bowl, unable to even run a play. 

I'm very grateful that our newest teammate, Annie, was born when she was.  Although there is still a long way to go for people with disabilities (especially with a 90% abortion rate!), there is also much more awareness and opportunity available for her today than there was even 10 years ago.  Once upon a time, babies with Down Syndrome, or any other physical or mental handicap, were simply "benched," or sent away to an institution, never to know the love of a family or the acceptance of a community.  This little girl will always know our love, and, like each one of our children, is an integral part of our family and our greater community. 

 

Already, at the age of 3 months, Annie has quite the support team (and quite the schedule!).  I like to call them her A-Team.  She meets regularly with her pediatrician, cardiologist, home care nurse, physical therapist, and a PhD candidate from the University of Michigan. (Annie is part of her 12-month study on the developmental benefits of "tummy-time" on babies with Down Syndrome.)  It's also likely she will need occupational and speech therapy down the road.  She will be re-evaluated by a team every 6 months until the age of 3, when she enters the school system, and they'll make necessary changes/recommendations to her intervention.  These specialists devote their time to helping our daughter succeed to the best of her ability, and they help coach Matt and I on the best strategies available to meet her physical, mental and even financial needs.  They show her so much love, and alongside us, are quickly becoming her greatest cheerleaders!  We celebrate even the slightest weight gains (last week was her biggest increase yet!  She is now a whopping 8lbs/4oz!)  We are giddy when she lifts her head or moves her hand to her mouth.  These seemingly simple things don't come easy to Annie, and you can bet we are going to notice.  And cheer.  Heck, maybe even add some spirit-fingers!  We are her biggest fans after all!

Her heart surgery has been set for March 5th.  We ask for your prayers for Annie, for Matt and I, and most importantly for her surgical team.  We've know this day was coming since that awful day in August.  We've prayed...We've prepared...And we are so ready to get this behind us.   

Go Annie!  Your team is behind you all the way!  

GAME ON!!!