Katelyn's 1st Christmas

Preemies

Even preemie clothes were big on Katelyn.  I tend to forget how tiny she was.

Children's Hospital Stay (part 2)

Ten days after Katelyn was born, she was finally rid of the tubes.  In order for her to go home she just needed to gain more weight.

10 days old

Katelyn was being fed by a nasogastric (NG) tube after her surgery.  On day 15 I was able to feed her by bottle.

Finally after 19 days of being in the children's hospital, we were given the okay to go home!  What a tough little girl!  It was such a relief and great feeling to be able to bring my baby home.

Katelyn giving me the "Let's Go!" look

Children's Hospital Stay

I had so much determination to see my little girl that I was up and walking around the very next day after my c-section.  I was lucky that they discharged me so I could head down to the children's hospital.  By the time I made it there Katelyn had already been through her first surgery.  This surgery was called duodenal atresia repair.  The first part of the small intestine is called the duodenum which in Katelyn's case it was completely closed off.  In other words, the opening never formed.  The doctors bypassed the blocked portion.

Katelyn after 1st surgery

It was difficult arriving to the hospital and seeing your daughter like this.  She was such a trooper though.  The doctor did a great job too.

I stayed at the hospitality house that is connected to the hospital.  The staff at both the hospitality house and the hospital were great!  I couldn't have asked for better help from all the generous people I came across.  Besides the staff, other parents that were staying there could relate to how you were feeling and talking to others gave much comfort that you were not alone. 

Katelyn progressed much faster than the doctors had anticipated.  I was told to expect at least a month stay at the children's hospital.

Tiny fingers

Tiny toes

The Beginning

I found out that I was pregnant with my second child when my first child [Nathan] was only 10 months old.  This came as a bit of shock to me.  I was actually upset because I wasn't prepared for another baby yet being they'd only be 18 months apart.  Eventually everyone learned to accept that another bundle of joy would be joining us shortly.  In the meantime, I had a great pregnancy with only gaining about 10 pounds total (lost weight then gained it back).  I had a routine ultrasound at 22 weeks to find out that I was having a baby girl.  This seemed so great to have one boy and one girl.   

3D Ultrasound picture at 29 weeks

At about 2 months before my due date I was measuring about 4 weeks ahead of schedule so my doctor had me get an ultrasound.  I thought it was pretty routine but I was told that she had many signs of Down Syndrome which included an intestinal blockage and a heart defect.  She was also very small for her gestational age so I had an abundance of amniotic fluid to make me measure so far ahead.  I had an amniocentesis done in order to confirm what the doctors had suspected.  

All I could think was, "Why me?"  I felt so many emotions: guilt, anger, sadness, worry, anxiety, etc.  Honestly, I prayed to not have a baby with disabilities with my first pregnancy (of course every mom hopes for a healthy baby).  How could someone like me take care of child with disabilities?  Since my first born was healthy, it didn't even cross my mind the second time around.  There was so much fear of the unknown.  I ended up grieving.  Of course not over the loss of a child but the loss of the idea of a healthy child.

I finally accepted the fact and made preparations for my baby girl’s arrival.  My co-workers, family and local community held fundraisers to help pay for the expenses that would come with having a baby with a disability.  It is just amazing at how many people reached out to an unborn child.  About 1 month before she was born I went into preterm labor and was put on medication and strict bed rest.  

On November 10th 2005 I woke up with the feeling that I was going to go into labor.  Later on I passed the mucus plug which prompted me to get to the hospital.  On the way there contractions started in full force.  Once at the hospital, I was given medicine to try to stop the contractions.  A few hours later I was being prepped for my c-section.  It was too risky to try for a natural birth knowing this little girl would already be coming out with complications.

Katelyn's first picture

Katelyn Marie finally arrived at 35 weeks gestation weighing in at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and a length of 16 ½ inches long.  My family were able to see her and I was only able to hold her for a couple minutes before she took her three hour ride down state.  She was transported to the children’s hospital where she would stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  The journey of a lifetime began that moment.

Who and Why

Who:  I'm just a regular mom who works full time, attends college and has been blessed with two wonderful kids.  Nathan is my oldest child at age 7 and in the first grade.  Katelyn is my youngest child at age 6 and is in preschool.  Katelyn has Down Syndrome.  She is my angel and "a million dollar baby."  My name is Joan and my husband's name is Carl.  We were married in August of 2011.  My children are from a previous marriage.  I work as a web designer but I am attending college to become a registered nurse.  I know this is just a brief description, but hopefully you'll join my blog and learn more in future posts.
Why:  I'm creating this blog to share my stories of challenges and accomplishments to keep the memories alive.
I hope you will continue to read my posts.  I apologize that I need to catch up on the past 6-7 years.  It's been quite the adventure so stay tuned...