Josiah's Journey

I've thought for some time now our family would make for an interesting reality show. I'm not sure I'd want anyone to have that much access to everything that occurs within these walls though.

We have 5 children, ranging in age from 20 down to 9.  The oldest has the 'I should be an only child' syndrome and has since she was the only child many years ago.

I distinctly remember sitting her down to gently explain she was going to have a little sister or brother.  Barely two, she looked me square in the eye and said, "Ship that baby to Alaska!" 

That pretty much describes the relationship she has had with her younger sister from day one.

Despite my father's best attempts at fostering loving feelings between the girls when they were young with a song he composed and recorded for them entitled, "I love my sister" the bond was never a strong one.

 I reassured myself they would become the best of friend, once they went off to college.  We are just beginning to see signs of a budding friendship now that they are not under the same roof. 

When the girls were 3 and 5 we watched videos of them as babies.  My husband and I had recently given away all our baby things, quite content with our 2 daughters. 

Those videos did us in. 

We sobbed and decided right then we were open to having more children.  Three more arrived within the next 5 years.  We had a boy, another girl and then Josiah. 

At 22 weeks gestation, we were told our unborn child had Down Sydrome. 

The ultrasound showed 4 markers for Down Syndrome; a short femur, extra skin at the nape of the neck, I can't recall the third marker, but the last I will never forget. 

The Dr. looked at my husband and me and said, "Looking at you both, I would expect this baby to have a big nose, but he doesn't.  This child has a small, flat nose."

He might as well have stopped talking at that point.  Because quite honestly, all I kept thinking, (and I know this sounds vain but I could not stop thinking to myself)  "I have a big nose???"  "Really?"  "I've always known my husband has a big nose, but ME?"  

I was so consumed with the big nose comment I thought more about it than of my unborn special needs child during the drive home. 

A week later, an amniocentisis confirmed the diagnosis.  Our child had Down Syndrome. 

Thus began our journey with Josiah.   Even before he arrived on the scene, he was rocking our world.

Join me as I share some of the trials and triumphs our family has experienced on this eventful, oftentimes chaotic, always interesting adventure.