After waiting, being profiled and not be chosen, waiting some more, we received a call on Oct.1 ,2008 from the Down Syndrome Association about an unborn baby girl due Jan.10, 2009. She was to be born with Down Syndrome and Duodenal Atresia (intestinal blockage) that would require surgery shortly after birth. Of course we said yes and excitedly began making preparations, filling out paper work and paying adoption fees. On Dec.8 we received a call from the agency that the birth mother was on her way to the hospital for a C-section and our baby girl would be born in a few hours! I called Mark to come home from work NOW so we could be on our way. We made arrangements for our children at home, packed our bags and drove to near Albany. We went into the hospital and were introduced to our precious baby girl. We hugged each other with tears of joy in our eyes! This is the first picture of Janae when we entered the room-
Next we began making arrangements for Janae to be transfered to Golisano Children's Hospital for her surgery. On Dec.9 she was transfered there- we had this picture taken before she left in the Special Care Ambulance. How emotional that was, to see our baby girl, knowing what laid ahead for her and our family-
After settling into the NICU Janae had her surgery on Dec 12 at 4 days old. The surgery was successful and her G-tube was feeding her around the clock. Since she was in the pod area we were not able to stay over night, so we went back and forth from home everyday tovisit her and help with her care. Each day the surgeon would make his rounds as well as the attending doctor and nurses. Each day we would hear him say, "not yet-it will take time". We did not know how long she would be there as only time could heal the unblocked area of her intestine to see if she would be able to take a bottle orally. Day, after day, he said the same thing, Janae healed more each day. Finally she was able to feed about a teaspoon via a bottle and I was so happy to give that bottle! Meanwhile I was learning more about the care required for her G-tube feedings when we were able to go home. I would sit by her little crib and read or sing to her for as long as the nurses would allow. Each day I cried when I had to leave her there until the next day when we returned. The day finally came when her intestines were working- yep poop! Can you imagine anyone being so happy to cheer about poop! That meant Janae was able to take her feeds and process the waste. We had the okay to go home! Here are pictures of after her surgery and on Jan. 5, 2009 when we were released from the hospital to take Janae home.
Family and friends welcomed us home with our precious new bundle! We settled in pretty quickly of our new routine of feedings and changing feeding tube bags. Janae was very content and so very sweet. A couple of months later her g-tube got infected so off to the hospital we went. After discussing how much she had been taking orally via the bottle the doctor decided the tube could be taken out! That was great news for us and of course Janae. It had been difficult to have her on her stomach with the g-tube in. By this time we had been actively involved with Early Intervention services and therapists were coming to our home to provide therapy.
We had Janae dedicated at our church on March 8, 2009. It was a special day. Our daughter Elizabeth played the piano and sang Jesus Loves The Little Children and Praise Him Praise Him before the dedication. Baby dedication to us means that God gave us these precious ones to love and care for. We make a promise to dedicate our lives to be loving, committed parents for as long as we are alive. We have dedicated all of our children in this way.
Since this time we learned a lot about Down Syndrome and watched Janae accomplish milestones. Yes they were achieved later than her peers, but we are so happy to see her growth. The following pictures are just a few to show you how she is growing.
On Nov.5, 2009 we went to court to finalize Janae's adoption. What a day of celebration for our family! I made Janae's dress and a matching colored skirt for Elizabeth and me. The judge was awesome and spoke to each one of us with nice comments. Note how Janae made herself comfortable by resting her foot on the judge's desk! A perfect day it was!!!
Fast forward to this date-
Janae-Sept.2012
Janae is almost 4 and a live-wire! She is busy from the time she gets up until bedtime. She loves everything life has to offer her! Janae receives PT,OT,Speech,Early preschool education and Music therapy in our home. Each day holds many new adventures. She loves babies, people of all ages, animals, books, swimming, being outdoors, music and being on-the-go. Don't blink or she will be gone- climbs everything. Our lives have been so enriched by her adoption into our family. Yes we have our challenges too but what family doesn't. We don't know what the future holds for Janae, but we will be right there every step of the way. Rejoicing with her for everything she is able to accomplish! I hope you have learned a little more
about our family, how much we love our children, and how blessed we are.by them.
No comments:
Post a Comment