DownSyn Forum

Joel's Mom · Posted: August 03 2006, 4:25 AM Post subject: Introducing Joel

Hi everyone... I have been reading this forum for the past 12 weeks and feel like I already know all of you. My name is Kimberly and I am married to Steve and Mommy to Joel who was born with DS on 5/11/06.

Let me tell you a little bit about us... my husband and I got married last year on 8/7/05 and got pregnant with Joel 4 days later. We knew that we wanted to have a family right away because I had been previously pregnant 10 years ago during my 1st marriage and lost a baby boy at 6 mths. pregnant due to preterm labor. Due to this I will always be considered a high-risk pregnancy and never tried to conceive since. 10 years later God told me it was time to try again and we got pregnant the 1st time we tried.

My pregnancy with Joel wasn't easy - it consisted of lots of meds, bedrest and another preterm scare but happily we made it to 39 weeks. I decided to take the Triple Screen during my pregnancy and it came back that I had a 1 and 107 chance that he had DS. We decided not to do the amnio due to the risks. The Level II Ultrasound showed no markers. I gave my worries to God and told him that I would be honored to be a Mommy of a DS child. Joel was born 5/11/06.

Joel was born with Inperforate Anus and had a surgery at 2 days old to do a colostomy and another colostomy revision at day 10. He came home on day 20 and has been doing very well. He wasn't born with any heart defects other than a PDA and an PFO and miraclously his PDA just closed. Joel will have 2 more surgeries - one when he is 6-9mth. old to correct his anus and 1 more eight weeks later to close his colostomy.

I am hoping to meet new friends on this forum. We live in Houston, TX and we have no family in the area. My husband is a pilot for Continential and we relocated from Chicago 2 years ago. It would be nice to have others to lean on and vice versa.

All of your beautiful children and your families are in my prayers.

_________________
Kimberly
Wife to Steve
Mom to Joel 5/11/06

Laurieannie · Posted: August 03 2006, 9:17 AM Post subject:

Joel is Beautiful! Welcome to the forum, Kimberly. I haven't been a member very long, but I came to the site late Smile

My son Reuben is 27 months old. He is my first boy, I have 2 girls and I'll tell you-- he is all boy. He doesn't walk yet, he is trying, but he is into everything!
Joel will bring so much into your lives. Congratulations!

_________________
Laurie- wife to Wayne
mom to Kate-22, Micah-5 and Reuben(ds)4/21/04

If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay as he is; but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be. ~Goethe

ajbest · Posted: August 03 2006, 9:30 AM Post subject:

Joel is quite a handsome little man! i love his name and especially its meaning. sounds like Joel is doing well - so glad he got along good with the surgery and we'll pray he does again with the upcoming repairs.

welcome to this wonderful and supportive site Kimberly. there are several here that live in TX - someone will post soon i'm sure. glad to have you on board and look forward to hearing more about Joel and seeing him grow. so glad that God has blessed you with a beautiful angel, aj

_________________
Momma to Janna (AVCanal/Mitral Valve Repair-T21-02/02/05)
Wife to Joseph (TOF & still thriving)

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance." St. Francis of Assisi

maxandme · Posted: August 03 2006, 10:57 AM Post subject:

Your Joel is beautiful! I could just squeeeeeze him! This little guy will bring so much happiness to you. Welcome to our family!

_________________
Michele
Mom to....

Lauren Michele 10/02/86
Blake John 06/03/91
Max Joseph (DS) 04/17/06

Mom2Sean · Posted: August 03 2006, 11:52 AM Post subject:

Welcome to DownSyn! Joel is a beautiful little boy! I look foward to watching him grow & hearing all about him.

_________________
Deborah, Momma to Aidan Riley 11-15-02 & Sean Patrick 9-4-04

naomid · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:12 PM Post subject:

Welcome and what a gorgeous boy you have Smile

My ticket to this site is Callum who is now almost 3 1/2, it's amazing how quickly the time flies so give that baby lots of squeezes Smile

_________________
Naomi
Mum to Callum (DS) 3/03 and Kieran 8/04
Read all about us
Our Photo's
Our Video's

Josiesmom · Posted: August 03 2006, 12:52 PM Post subject:

Welcome!! Joel is just beautiful!!! Looking 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!"

Grandma to Olivia · Posted: August 03 2006, 1:44 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Joel is so cute! My granddaughter Olivia who is almost 3 is my reason for coming here. She is such a joy to our family!

_________________
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

Emdad · Posted: August 03 2006, 2:17 PM Post subject:

Welcome!

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Nature goes her own way and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order.
-Goethe

twyceborn · Posted: August 03 2006, 6:47 PM Post subject:

Kimberly, it is so good to have you join us. This is such a wonderful family. Your Joel is a cutie pie!!

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Kim and Justin (08/15/95)

rhonda · Posted: August 03 2006, 6:54 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome!! Joel is a doll, looking forward to learning more about you both.

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Rhonda

Taylor 13, Jordan 12, Dylan 3

waith · Posted: August 03 2006, 6:58 PM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn. Joel is gorgeous, looking forwards to hearing more about him.

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

hannah · Posted: August 03 2006, 8:48 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Joel is so cute! You'll enjoy this site!

_________________
Beth
Hannah(ds)1.19.05

Carson's Mom · Posted: August 03 2006, 8:51 PM Post subject:

Welcome. Joel is beautiful! I am sorry that he has already had to go through so much. Hopefully he will be finished with all of the bad stuff soon and you can move on enjoying your baby. I am looking forward to learning more about you and your family.

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,
Kayla, Callan(5), Kenna (3), Carson 1 yr,

kellyrimmer · Posted: August 03 2006, 8:51 PM Post subject:

Joel is a cutie pie!
Oh by the way welcome and congrats on a beautiful baby boy!
I cant wait to see more pics and read more about him as well as getting to know you better. Welcome again!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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

hayden's mom · Posted: August 03 2006, 8:55 PM Post subject:

Hi Kimberly, Welcome to this great site!!! My name is Laura and I am mom to 3 beautiful children. Hayden is my angel with DS and is now 3 years old. We live in Austin, TX. Joel is an absolute doll!!! Can't wait to learn more about you and your family.

_________________
Mommy to:
Holden 6
Hayden 2 (ds)
Jacie 1
And the Angels Danced the day you were born

sunbonnetsioux · Posted: August 03 2006, 10:34 PM Post subject:

Welcome to you and your beautiful baby. This is a great place!

Susan

_________________
Mom to Valerie (1/93), Joel (4/94), Eli (10/95), Anna-Jessie (11/9 Cool

and Kepler (DS 1/2/06)

DanielsMommy · Posted: August 03 2006, 10:37 PM Post subject:

Hello and Welcome. Joel is GORGEOUS.....I could just eat him up!! Smile

You're going to love it here...so glad you joined and look forward to learning more about you!!

_________________

Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel (Ds) 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

,
,

owensmom · Posted: August 03 2006, 11:03 PM Post subject:

Welcome Kimberly! Joel is a handsome little man! I am new here also -- my Owen is just 5 weeks old.

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Tricia
mom to Jason 12/24/03 and Owen (ds) 6/29/06

jooniper · Posted: August 03 2006, 11:55 PM Post subject:

Welcome Kimberly! Joel is adorable. I'm Gillian, wife to Sergei, mom to Elaina (6), Zoya (4) and Polina (almost 4 months). We have quite a few new April babies on this forum. It will be fun to watch our kids grow up together. Looking forward to getting to know you more.

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Gillian
wife to Sergei and mom to Elaina (6), Zoya (4) and Polina (04/05/06 Ds)

pookeymom · Posted: August 04 2006, 12:09 AM Post subject:

Your little son Joel is so precious.

I went through the whole colostomy thing too. I have identical twin boys with DS and one developed N.E.C. shortly after birth and had to have a section of his small intestine removed. He wore a colostomy for 7 weeks before it was reversed. My heart goes out to you. I have to admitt I got out of learning to change and care for it because he just stayed in the NICU for 11 1/2 weeks so by the time he came home the reversal was done.

You have a precious little guy and cant wait to hear more from you. Welcome.

_________________
Stacy
Mom to Tristin (9), Camille (5), Elijah (3), Caleb and Isaac (1)

Gloria&Samantha · Posted: August 04 2006, 12:34 AM Post subject:

Im in love. He is a cutie. Welcome Kimberly and Joel. You are going to love this cool family.My name is Gloria and mommy to Sammy 9 months.

_________________
Samantha Victoria * 10-11-2005

keri · Posted: August 04 2006, 3:18 AM Post subject:

Kimberly hello and welcome. Joel is just beautiful

_________________
Keri Mom to:
Sydney 9-25-01
Jack 2-10-03
Kaitlyn DS 7-30-05 Brave Heart 2-24-06

Tigger · Posted: August 04 2006, 5:18 AM Post subject:

Welcome to downsyn. Joel is gorgeous. I love his name - my Joel is now 8. I have 3 other kids - Stefanie (9), Nikki (17) and Talitha who is 8 1/2 months and our beautiful DS baby.

I am sorry Joel has had such a hard start. Talitha didn't need surgery until she was 4 1/2 months. She had a complex AVSD repair. Hopefully she will not need any other significant surgery.

I am so glad you have joined us and look forward to watching Joel grow up.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (19 Jul 89), Stefanie (3 Sep 96), Joel [18 June 98] and Talitha (DS) (18 Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Jeri · Posted: August 04 2006, 6:27 AM Post subject:

Welcome aboard. Joel is so handsome. I'm glad that you found this wonderful site with great people to turn too. Look forward to hearing more about your family.

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LinMac · Posted: August 04 2006, 6:37 AM Post subject:

ohhhh! Your boy is sooooooo georgous!

Congratulations on Joel arrival!
Welcome to downsyn.....Looking forward to hearing all about Joel.

_________________
Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age Cool

, Robert (04/16/2004, DS)

Joy · Posted: August 04 2006, 9:59 AM Post subject:

Welcome! We live in Houston as well. Your little one is adorable!

Joy

_________________

Mom to Sara (11/01/01) and Ibby - DS (2/8/05)

Mary Beth · Posted: August 04 2006, 10:51 AM Post subject:

Welcome to the family. Your son is adorable.

_________________

Mom to Rick (27), Stephanie (24), Elizabeth (22), Robby(19), Samuel (9 DS, TOF), Shane ( 8 ), Katarina (4 DS, AV Canal Defect)

EliasMom · Posted: August 04 2006, 11:02 AM Post subject:

ohhh welcome!! joel is so cute !!

ps. love when people talk about God, and what God wants etc.... i just went to the NDSC bc wanted me to go Smile

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Ali, wife to Felipe, mom to Elias (Feb 21 2005)

Cameron · Posted: August 04 2006, 10:04 PM Post subject:

Welcome! Joel is such a cutie! Can't wait to hear more about Joel!

_________________
Rae

Brooke 4/1/03 and Cameron (ds) 4/8/05

Teresa E · Posted: August 05 2006, 12:14 AM Post subject:

Welcome Kimberly! Joel is so beautiful! My Lucas is almost five months, so we are at about the same stage as you. Looking forward to hearing more about you guys. Very Happy

_________________

Teresa, mom to
Molly 4-17-01
Max 3-17-03
Lucas 3-8-06 DS

kathleen · Posted: August 05 2006, 1:06 AM Post subject:

Welcome, I am happy to have you here. Joel is just a little doll baby. I am looking forward to hearing that all those surgeries are done and over with with ultimate success!

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__________________
Kathleen - Avery's Mommy
Chico, CA

emma'smom · Posted: August 05 2006, 10:11 AM Post subject:

Kimberly, welcome to your new extended family!!
That picture of Joel is precious. He is a very handsome little man and congratulations to you and Steve.

I had a similar experience as you, in that the only indication that Emma would have ds was a high risk quad screen test. I also chose not to do the amnio because of the risks and left the outcome in God's hands. There was a lot of prayer for her and our family and when she was born and we discovered she had ds I just knew that this was God's answer.

I never doubted that Emma was here for a very definite purpose and I'm sure God was very intentional about giving her to our family. However, even knowing and trusting God, I must say that I struggled at first with the diagnosis. I had to work through a process of adjustment, and yet now every day I am coming to see more and more what a GIFT Emma is to our family.

This got rather long for a "welcome". I tend to be rather wordy. Very Happy

Anyway, I love this site and I know you will too!

_________________
Cheryl

Wife to DH Kent Smile

Mom to
Justin 2/13/02
Emma 6/23/05

JenBrock'sMom · Posted: August 08 2006, 4:52 PM Post subject:

Kimberly, Steve and Joel - welcome to Down syn. Joel is such a cutie pie! I'm Jen mom to Brock who turned one year on July 28th. My hubby and I were married on October 29 - and had conceived Brock within a month of marriage (we had dated for 7 years prior to getting married).

The Ds diagnosis was overwhelming at first, but this site, Brock, friends and my hubby have helped me make the transition to motherhood and living positively in our new world.

I know we have Texas members - not sure where they all live. I hope you find some local support, but we are always here for you.

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

Maysonsmama · Posted: August 08 2006, 11:33 PM Post subject:

welcome!! your lil guy looks so sweet! congrats!!!

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

mesmom · Posted: August 08 2006, 11:45 PM Post subject:

welcome to down syn. He is absolutely handsome!!! Hope we have helped these weeks while you were watching on here. That is what this is all about. We can't wait to hear more about you. Blessings to you

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"All the darkness of the world, can not put out the light of one small candle." Author unknown

Joel's Mom · Posted: August 09 2006, 2:28 AM Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for the warm welcome. I too can't wait to learn more about each and every one of you and your families.

_________________
Kimberly
Wife to Steve
Mom to Joel 5/11/06

mommartin · Posted: August 09 2006, 4:42 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome.

Your son is a little cutie pie! Very Happy

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

http://katies.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

bonniepd · Posted: August 11 2006, 8:09 AM Post subject:

Welcome to the site! I am just catching up so sorry I am so late. Looks like you have a wonderful little guy. Glad to hear that he has no hart issues and that surgery went well. I hope the next two go well too.

_________________
Alexander (8/7/99), Andrew (9/26/02), Anthony (12/29/05 DS)

"You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be not result." -Mahatma Gandhi

bonniepd · Posted: August 11 2006, 8:09 AM Post subject:

Welcome to the site! I am just catching up so sorry I am so late. Looks like you have a wonderful little guy. Glad to hear that he has no hart issues and that surgery went well. I hope the next two go well too.

_________________
Alexander (8/7/99), Andrew (9/26/02), Anthony (12/29/05 DS)

"You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be not result." -Mahatma Gandhi