DownSyn Forum

Gabby's Dad · Posted: August 16 2006, 10:10 AM Post subject: Hello All

Hi,

My name is Paul and I live in Ottawa (Canada). I am the father of a Little DS girl named Gabrielle. Gabby is 17 months now and doing great. Her life started out pretty rough with a heart surgery to repair AVSD at 5 months old and all went well. Three other surgeries followed for stomach hernias and g-tube insertion. The only thing that remains to overcome now is for her start eating on her own witch we are working very hard at. When I think back upon getting the news that we are having a DS child and feeling devastated, crushed, mad and jealous of other parents having healthy kids I get embarrassed at myself for being weak. The wife and I quickly came to our senses and dismissed any chance of aborting, terminating (or as I would say killing) this pregnancy. Gabrielle has brought us so much joy and happiness. My wife works every Saturday now and I get the little one to myself all day long. This is what gets me through my week nowadays. We take walks to the park and do the gross and fine motor skills under a tree. I have been visiting this site from time to time and cannot thank you all enough for all the help given to me without you guys even knowing about it. Thank you, thank you thank you. You are all great people with huge hearts and God will remember each and everyone who toke it upon themselves to raise his special kids.

I will send pictures soon.[/img]

erikasmom · Posted: August 16 2006, 10:35 AM Post subject:

Welcome! My little girls middle name is Grabrielle which means messenger of God. So true as she is truly a blessing. This is a great site and I have gained a great deal from being here.

_________________
My two girls
Cassey Danielle 4/30/01

Erika Gabrielle 2/18/04 DS

marlene · Posted: August 16 2006, 11:10 AM Post subject:

Welcome Paul and Gabrielle! So glad you joined us! It sounds like your family is doing VERY well!! Your reaction to the diagnosis is very normal, so I wouldn't be too hard on yourselves - it's all part of the journey. Good for you, having a special daddy/daughter time - that sounds great!

We are coming up your way on Saturday. We are from Pennsylvania and we vacation in Ontario every year. We stay on a lake near Westport. We've never been to Ottawa, but we have friends who have vacationed in Ottawa and say it's the nicest city!

Again, welcome! Looking forward to hearing more about Gabrielle and seeing pictures!

_________________
Marlene, mommy to my precious Aleena (1/30/04)

lauren · Posted: August 16 2006, 3:24 PM Post subject:

Welcome, can't wait to see her picture!

_________________
Lauren Huy
Mom to
Sellars 2/4/98
Maddox 5/18/04
Cooper(DS) 7/1/06

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rhonda · Posted: August 16 2006, 3:57 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome!! Looking forward to seeing pictures of Gabrielle and learning more about you and your family!

_________________

Rhonda

Taylor 13, Jordan 12, Dylan 3

kellyrimmer · Posted: August 16 2006, 5:42 PM Post subject:

Hello and welcome! I cant wait to get to know Gabrielle and the rest of your family. Cant wait to see pics!

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

twyceborn · Posted: August 16 2006, 7:53 PM Post subject:

Paul, I am so glad that you have joined our family here. I can hardly wait to see pictures of Gabby.

_________________
Kim and Justin (08/15/95)

keri · Posted: August 17 2006, 1:43 AM Post subject:

Hello and welcome. Can't wait to hear more about Gabby. Post some pictures

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

dugarry · Posted: August 17 2006, 5:35 AM Post subject:

Welcome, hope you find it as helpful and friendly here as we have, looking forward to seeing pics
Darren

_________________

Daz and Nic, mummy and daddy to Owen (19mths) and Kacie (DS) 3 months

Tigger · Posted: August 17 2006, 6:33 PM Post subject:

Hi and welcome to downsyn!!! I am so glad I found downsyn. Everyone here is so supportive and I love getting to know everyone's kids and watching them grow. I am looking forward to pics of Gabby and hearing more about her.

My little Talitha is 9 months old today and she is so beautiful and such a blessing. She had AVSD repair at 4 1/2 mnoths and we are now considering a g-tube because she has been NG tube fed since birth and we are still struggling to get her to drink and eat.

_________________
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

waith · Posted: August 17 2006, 6:34 PM Post subject:

Welcome to Downsyn. So pleased you found us, Gabrielle it seems has already woven her magic over you both, isn't unconditional love grand. Looking forwards to seeing pictures soon.

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

Teresa E · Posted: August 17 2006, 8:39 PM Post subject:

Welcome Paul and Gabby! Glad you are here. I am looking forward to seeing pics and hearing more about you guys! Smile

_________________

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

KStrickland10 · Posted: August 18 2006, 12:45 PM Post subject:

Welcome- this is a great site! We are all truly blessed.

_________________
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

[/url]
www.caringbridge.com/visit/cameronstrickland

Laurieannie · Posted: August 19 2006, 8:51 AM Post subject:

Welcome, Paul! It sounds like you have already discovered how wonderful this "family" (the forum) is. I look forward to hearing more about Gabby and seeing some pics too.

_________________
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

JenBrock'sMom · Posted: August 19 2006, 4:54 PM Post subject:

Paul, Gabrielle and family welcome to Down syn. I'm Jen mom to Brock 1 year. I also find so much support from this site.

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

adamsmommy · Posted: August 19 2006, 6:58 PM Post subject:

Hi Gabby's Dad! Nice to have another Canadian in this group. My family lives in Niagara Falls. Quite a drive from Ottawa, but at least we're in the same province.

I look forward to learning all about Gabby. I'm sure she's as cute as can be.

_________________
Anjie
Proud mom to Laurel(15), Erin (9), & Adam ( 4, ds)
"I would rather have high expectations & fail than have low expectations & succeed"

elizasmom · Posted: August 20 2006, 11:06 AM Post subject:

Hello and welcome! Looking forward to seeing pictures of Gabby and hearing more about all your adventures!

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Liz - Mom to Walker (3/24/02) and Eliza (Ds) (5/6/05)

Maysonsmama · Posted: August 20 2006, 5:20 PM Post subject:

hello and welcome to downsyn!! hope you post pix soon! cant wait to see your sweetie!

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

owensmom · Posted: August 20 2006, 11:50 PM Post subject:

Welcome to the site! I look forward to learning more about your family, and seeing pictures of your little girl, Gabby! (love the name! - it was on the top of my list for a girl)

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