DownSyn Forum

queenk · Posted: June 20 2006, 4:25 PM Post subject:

Hi everyone!

After lurking for months, and posting here and there, I'm finally posting my official hello!

My name is Kathy and I have seven children. Thomas, my baby, was born on Oct. 18, 2005 and was diagnosed with DS shortly thereafter. Thomas was 10 weeks early and stayed in the NICU for 6 weeks.

As I prepared to bring Thomas home I went searching for more info about DS. I was surprised and delighted to find this forum. Thanks to Rebecca [always_chaos] for leading me here! (For those of you who have not visited her personal blog site, it is a tremendous resource for parents of children with DS.)

I am a SAHM with several projects spinning on the side. My passion is creative nonfiction writing that centers on family life and/or spiritual development. I am the editor of Segullah, a literary magazine for Mormon women. I just started writing a book about my first months with Thomas, although I'll probably be a grandma before I complete it, ha ha. I also have a personal blog (my little red house at the top has the link--I love visitors!)

I just wanted to thank you all for the time and energy you invest in this forum. It's beautiful to feel all the kindness and support that you all give to each other. I can feel your love for your children and that brings me joy.

Here is my sweet little Thomas on his blessing day, and me and my husband Reed.

_________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper

mother of Thomas (DS) 8 mos.
Sam - 3
Matt - 5
Christine - 7
Andrew - 9
Ben - 11
Elizabeth - 13

momtofourgirls · Posted: June 20 2006, 4:37 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome!! Thomas is beautiful Very Happy

I'm curious about your magazine.. I don't think I've ever heard about it. When I first had Sadie I went to the local church bookstore and tried, without any luck, to find a book from a mom's perspective with a lds point of view. I will be interested in seeing what you come up with and if you ever need any good church or member stories.. let me know- we've had some interesting times since Sadie was born. Do you know Janice Sills?? I think she is from your neck of the woods and she is expecting a baby boy with ds soon... I think. Just heard from the grapevine she is having a really hard time and thought if you were close.. it might be good for her to talk to you.

_________________
Kari
Mom to..
Kiersten 12 yrs.
Madison 10 yrs.
Hannah 7 1/2 yrs.
& Sadie(DS) 2 yrs. (6/17/04)

queenk · Posted: June 20 2006, 4:53 PM Post subject:

Hi Kari,

What cute girls you have!

I don't know Janet Sills, but I'd be happy to contact her, or for her to contact me. Let me know what you think would be best.

Segullah can be found at http://www.segullah.org
We are relatively new; we're still trying to get the word out. And we're always looking for contributors!

Great to hear from you.

_________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper

mother of Thomas (DS) 8 mos.
Sam - 3
Matt - 5
Christine - 7
Andrew - 9
Ben - 11
Elizabeth - 13

rhonda · Posted: June 20 2006, 4:55 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome. Thomas is just precious. Looking forward to learning more about you and your family!!

_________________

Rhonda

Taylor 13, Jordan 12, Dylan 3

dect · Posted: June 20 2006, 5:50 PM Post subject:

Hello & welcome to Downsyn! I look forward to finding out more about you and the family!

_________________
Deryck
Dad to Xena 2 Aug 97, Lucas 28 Jun 99, Persephone 12 Jan 2004 (DS & AVSD repaired)

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Theodore Geisel (Dr Seuss)

http://www.picklesnet.co.uk

Mary Beth · Posted: June 20 2006, 10:16 PM Post subject:

Welcome aboard Kathy. Your son is adorable.
Mary Beth Very Happy

victoria's dad · Posted: June 20 2006, 10:37 PM Post subject: welcome

i love the picture or ur baby lookn up to her daddy .....
welcome future DADDY'S GIRL :p

_________________
victoria's dad

always_chaos · Posted: June 20 2006, 10:47 PM Post subject:

Oh Kathy, I love that photo with you, your husband, and of course Thomas. You should put it on your blog as well.

I am so glad you have made a more formal introduction, it is nice to learn these extra facts about you after months of reading your blog.

_________________
Rebecca, mom to Marcus 16, DeAndra 15, Hannah 12, Chandler 5, and Elainah 2.

Check out our blog: Always Chaos At Our House

LinMac · Posted: June 21 2006, 6:56 AM Post subject:

Hi Kathy

Welcome to Downsyn.

Congratulations on the arrival of Thomas. He looks so like you! And you look far too young to have seven childern!

I'm off to click on your link.... it interests me!

By the way, I'm Linda, Hannah Kate and Roberts mom!

_________________
Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age Cool

, Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

kellyrimmer · Posted: June 21 2006, 2:58 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome. Thomas is a beautiful baby. I cant wait to see pic of all your children and read more about your family. You will really love this site.

_________________
Kelly Rimmer
Mom to
Paige 11-12-92
Aaron 06-16-99
Alexis 08-19-05 (DS)
Baby #4 11-04-06

waith · Posted: June 21 2006, 3:20 PM Post subject:

THOMAS IS BEAUTIFUL, LOOKING FORWARDS TO HEARING MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.

_________________
Maxine UK. Mum to Elliott 12, Dominic 2 DS.

queenk · Posted: June 21 2006, 3:22 PM Post subject:

Thanks, everyone, for your warm welcome! I'm happy to be here. What a wonderful group this is.

LinMac, I don't feel very young anymore, lol!

_________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper

mother of Thomas (DS) 8 mos.
Sam - 3
Matt - 5
Christine - 7
Andrew - 9
Ben - 11
Elizabeth - 13

JenBrock'sMom · Posted: June 21 2006, 4:27 PM Post subject:

Welcome Kathy and family. Thomas is such a handsome baby boy. I look forward to seeing photos of the rest of your family. Thanks for introducing yourself.

_________________
JenBrock'sMom & wife to Jay
Brock 7/28/05

Grandma to Olivia · Posted: June 21 2006, 7:35 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Thomas is a beautiful baby boy!!

_________________
Cindy
Olivia's Grandma

Bitter are the tears of a child: Sweeten them. Deep are the thoughts of a child: Quiet them. Sharp is the grief of a child: Take it from him. Soft is the heart of a child: Do not harden it. - Pamela Glenconner

Maysonsmama · Posted: June 21 2006, 11:11 PM Post subject:

hello and welcome! love your pictures... thomas is adorable! Our little Mayson was born in february and was also diagnosed with DS at her birth. glad you finally decided to introduce yourself!!

_________________
Amy mama to:
Jayden-7/94
Rylee-10/97
Mayson-2/06 DS

queenk · Posted: June 22 2006, 5:20 PM Post subject:

Thanks everyone! I love seeing all these cute kid faces. How blessed we are.

_________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper

mother of Thomas (DS) 8 mos.
Sam - 3
Matt - 5
Christine - 7
Andrew - 9
Ben - 11
Elizabeth - 13

Josiesmom · Posted: June 22 2006, 7:03 PM Post subject:

Welcome!! Thomas is absolutely beautiful!! Glad you are here and we look forward to hearing more about you and your family!

_________________
Brigitte
Wife to Wonderful Husband -- Joe
Mommy to Josie (DS) 10/27/04
and Katie 11/30/05
"Most People Only Dream of Angels..... I Get to Hold Both of Mine!"

McKenna · Posted: June 22 2006, 8:11 PM Post subject:

Thomas is beautiful! Welcome!!

_________________
McKenna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darah Faith 11 Aug 04 (DS and AVSD repaired)
Baby due 18 Nov 06
Darah's Website

Stephanie · Posted: June 26 2006, 11:49 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome. I am so glad you found us here! We love to welcome new families to our group. Your Thomas is adorable. I am so glad you posted pics because we love to ohh and ahh over how precious our little bundles of joy are!!!! I am sure your experience w/ 7 will be helpful to all! Jump in and enjoy!!!!!

_________________

Proud Parents Stephanie and Joe
Awesome Big Brother Joey 3/8/97
Beautiful Daughter Megan 11/8/03
Precious Lil' Livi 7/6/05

www.megansgot47.com

queenk · Posted: June 27 2006, 11:48 AM Post subject:

Wow, thanks again for all the kind words and warm greetings. I'm happy to be part of the "Deep End Club" (to coin JenEndyB's phrase) with all of you!

_________________
Kathryn Lynard Soper

mother of Thomas (DS) 8 mos.
Sam - 3
Matt - 5
Christine - 7
Andrew - 9
Ben - 11
Elizabeth - 13

jayne · Posted: June 27 2006, 1:47 PM Post subject:

Hello Kathy and Reed, welcome to the site, baby Thomas is such a handsome little fellow.(But then he is a libran!) Look forward to hearing more about you all and goodluck with the book. I like the photo of you all together, how proud you both are! Its lovely to see. Smile

_________________
Colin and Miranda parents of Bryan (DS) 29/01/03 and Kayla 14/3/05.

"Only the most sensitive fish discover the wetness of water."

http://makebelievers.blogspot.com/

** Hannah's mom ** UK · Posted: June 27 2006, 7:23 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome to the site

glad you found us and Look forward to getting to know you better

_________________
Jo mummy to Hannah (DS ) who was 3 in July 05,Rebecca who was 2 in Jan 06 and Rachel born 6th April 2006

My beautiful girls

Please visit Hannah's webpage read all about her journey
Hannah's Video

mommartin · Posted: June 30 2006, 3:31 PM Post subject:

[big][blue]Hi and Welcome to the boards[/blue][/big] Smile

_________________
Katie
Jerry 1/02,Bethany 8/03(cp)Faith 5/05 (ds)

http://katies.stayinhomeandlovinit.com