Here comes Baby Braska

Wow... I just had a whole thing typed out and bumped the wrong thing! Grrrr!!!

I've written out our story on my blog in several pieces, so I'll link to those instead of taking up all our available cyberspace here.
1. http://justrk.blogspot.com/2007/10/story-finding-out-and-telling-family.html
2. http://justrk.blogspot.com/2007/10/31-for-21-story-gtt-ultrasounds-and.html
3. http://justrk.blogspot.com/2007/11/story-big-dayor-so-we-thought.html
4. http://justrk.blogspot.com/2007/11/story-special-delivery.html

To summarize, we didn't plan to have children (hence waiting til an "advanced" age...HA!)...we found out in the spring of 2006 that we were pregnant. We had mixed feelings, but we adjusted, or so I thought. My husband dealt with the situation in some destructive ways, and the pregnancy was a very traumatic time. We did not have a prenatal diagnosis, and we're very glad about that due to the fragility of our marriage. As it came time for her to arrive, we were more prepared to welcome our little girl.

We definitely had a time of shock after she was diagnosed at birth. Overall, it was shortlived and we jumped in to take care of our little princess. We believe that part of the reason that we were able to grieve and adjust so quickly was that we had a beautiful little girl to cuddle and kiss while going through the process in our brains...we didn't have months to wait to meet her, wondering how things would be. She has changed us for the better in so many ways. She has brought a joy into daily life that I didn't know could exist.

Now we look forward to seeing her interact with her new little sister very soon. That'll be all new kinds of joy in our house, I'm sure!

Don't you hate when you type a response and then lose it!!!!??!? Grrr. That actually happened to me earlier when I tried to respond to your thread about kids repeating things they hear. I'll have to try to respond to that one again later.

Now I have to go check out your links.....

You had quite an experience having your little girl. I do pray you have an easier delivery this time around. I believe you are a much stronger woman because of your experience. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Beth

Mary Beth,
I also believe I'm much stronger for going through what we did, both with Braska herself and with the painful times around her pregnancy and first year that had nothing at all to do with her OR the DS issues. I would wish it on no one (well if I'm being honest, there are a couple particular people who I'd like to allow to feel what their actions brought at the other end!) but I don't know that I'd take it back if I could because it's made such a difference in me and my perspective especially.

We've still got alot of recovery to get through, but God is good and he's brought us such a long way already.

I do pray for a very uneventful delivery and postpartum time... it is admittedly a period right now that is bringing up alot of old and difficult memories, but I'm trying to believe that it CAN be different this time around. I'm praying every day for bonding as a family, that we will stick together for this adventure.

I enjoyed reading your blog

Oh my gosh you just had a baby! Where have I been?????
CONGRATULATIONS !!!! She is absolutely beautiful!
Now, back to your blog...