The Brianna Series 2/12: Monica/Mom

(THE BRIANNA SERIES 2/12: Monica/Mom)

(THE BRIANNA SERIES 2/12: Monica/Mom)

I decided not to have a baby shower. This baby growing in my belly would be my 8th child, and upon learning in utero that she had Down syndrome and a heart defect I decided not to do a baby shower. It wasn’t that I did not want her. I did. Even when the genetics doctor encouraged us to terminate the pregnancy, more than once, I knew not having her was not what I wanted. I wanted her. After everything I had heard about Down syndrome and the health complications that come with it, I was already just so scared to lose her.

Now that Bria is here, now that I get to watch her everyday, a little girl full of joy and love, loved and adored by her siblings, grandparents, teachers, everyone who knows her, I can see that the thing I was so afraid of was not my daughter but a life of the unknown.

I think back to my pregnancy and if I knew then what I know now about the pregnancy, the delivery, and having Brianna, I would have enjoyed every single moment instead of being worried all the time. Brianna with her cheerful smile and giggles always brings sunshine to our lives every single moment. She has helped me to recognize life is too short, and to live in the moment and enjoy being together everyday.

#TheLuckyFew #ThisIsDownSyndrome #TheLuckyFewFoundation #DownSyndrome