31 for 21 Day 6

When we first told people that we were going to adopt a baby with Down syndrome it was really interesting the responses we got. We got the typical "why would you do that?" question, the "wow, when?" question, and the one that really got me was "what about YOUR kids?" Well let me tell you a little about our story. When I was in Chicago, July 2005, I went to the National Down Syndrome Convention and was in HOG HEAVEN! Scott and I had talked a little bit about international adoption (we were going to adopt a baby from China and name her Maya) and I guess I didn't pursue it too much because there was no way we could manage it financially. Anyway, at the convention I came upon a booth in the exhibit hall and there it was. An answer. It said Down Syndrome Adoption!! I was standing with my friend Jamie and I was like "Oh my gosh, this is it!" Yes, she looked at me like I was crazy, but I picked up an application, briefly talked to Robin Steele, the NDSS Adoption Coordinator and could not wait to tell Scott! I told the other ladies I was with and one said to me, "That is the last thing you need Cammie, you already have Cooper, that's enough." We didn't really argue, but we did have a debate. It bothered me very much but I got over it. When I came home I showed Scott the application and this is what my amazing husband said to me, "Why haven't you filled it out yet?"!! I was ecstatic! We can do it?? He said "sure, why not?"! I filled out the application and mailed it the next day. I thought about it some but we didn't hear anything until August 2006 so I just assumed that we didn't make it through the initial screening process. I was wrong, we were just that far down on the list! So we got that first call but they needed a home study ready family and we hadn't even started one. So I called the next day and got that ball rolling which was one of the slowest rolling balls ever, but it was in process. My dad passed away in October 2006 and I had not shared with my parents our plans because I knew initially we would have to answer the "why would you do that?" and I didn't want my parents under any more stress than what they were. I was crushed when he passed away, I miss him so much and I am kicking myself now that he never knew that we were going to add another angel to our family. About five weeks after he died my mom and I went to lunch. Our home study was nearing the final stages so I knew that it was the right time to tell her. (she had a secret for me but that's a whole other story!) I told her I needed to tell her something and she was all "Oh Cammie, is it bad I don't think I can handle anything bad." I just blurted out rather quickly, "No mom, it's not bad, it's wonderful, Scott and I are adopting a baby girl with Down syndrome." She just looked at me and was like "What?" and then she processed and I got the "Why?" and then I got the "When?" We talked for a bit and she told me that my Dad knew because he had told her one time that he could see us adopting sometime! That made me smile! So mom got a handle on the news and we ended up at Toys R Us and we came home with a new stroller/car seat combo for out little angel. I had no idea at the time but my girl was fighting for her life in a NICU up in Minnesota. I prayed for my unknown daughter for two years before she joined our family. I prayed about how she would affect our family and how amazing it was going to be. We had our fears, Jarika was not too thrilled, Cooper has Aspgerger's and it's hard to prepare for something that may or may not happen and Avery couldn't wait! I'm not saying it was the easiest transition ever, but it really wasn't a huge change for us, except when Addy got sick and was hospitalized, that was hard on all of us. So here are a couple of pix of the kids when they first met their baby sister:

Jarika said, "Okay she is cute."

Avery just kept asking "When can I hold her?"

Showing her off to Jarika's BFF, Sarah. Sarah is in her Junior Year of college, she's going to be an Occupational Therapist! She got to work with both Cooper and Addy over the summer, it was awesome!

Cooper actually got in a shot too!

So now you can see what we did to OUR kids. We are horrible parents aren't we!?!!?! Avery has so much fun playing with her, it cracks me up! Here they are tonight, he is playing his DS and she LOVES to watch, she laughs and laughs. What a horrible thing to do to my son!