To my extended family...

I am so overwhelmed by the number of amazing emails I have been receiving from people all over the country and Canada! Thank you so much to all of you that have commented or emailed or both! When I first began writing this blog I think it was more of a therapy for me than it was anything else. What it has become today is a way for me to share the love and joy that I experience with my sons with the world. That is truly a blessing I never imagined!

Writing that last sentence makes me realize how far I have come as a mother and advocate. When the boys were first born I think I merely COPED with the diagnosis. I just got through the day, often numb, but still overwhelmingly in love with the guys. As time went by, I began to get more comfortable with it and didn't feel the need to blurt it out to everyone. In the beginning, I would announce it to everyone to gauge their reactions. It was my way of seeing if it mattered that they had Down syndrome. I would say it really fast, like I was ripping off a painful ban-aid. "This is Casey and Connor and they have Down syndrome." Pause. Wait for reaction. Prepare to cry or fight. Sigh with relief when someone said they were adorable.

Now, I celebrate my sons. EVERY SINGLE CHROMOSOME! They are such fantastic little beings! And it's no longer a painful band-aid in need of a quick rip- it's a badge of honor I wear. It's more like "This is Casey and Connor and I GET to be their mother. HOW LUCKY CAN AM I!??!"

People tell me that I am a great mother and I used to shy away from that. Now I agree. I do everything I can to make my sons feel important and validated and capable and amazing and PERFECT. I make plenty of mistakes- hell, my boys have not willingly eaten a single vegetable since December of '10, but that's OK. There are days when I am the reigning queen of morning sickness and they watch too much TV while I try just to keep breakfast down but anytime they turn around I am there and I tell them I love them.

Being a parent to any child is challenging. Being a parent to twins is often like being a super hero- how many places can I be at one time? But being a parent to 2 children with Down syndrome is the least of my concerns and is probably the least challenging part of my life. If someone would have told me that 2 years ago I would have told them they were crazy. Now, I know it is nothing but an absolute truth.

All the letters and comments I have gotten lately remind me of how truly outstanding my life has become! Thank you for reminding me! All of you who read this blog, who share this blog and who live your lives loving someone with a bonus 21st make MY LIFE better. Even if I don't know you or your story, the mere fact that you share in our journey makes you family. I love my family.

Thanks so much!

p.s. Keep the emails and comments coming. I want to know where you are from so that I can mark it on the map! meghan_wilkinson10808@yahoo.com