Carsen is 2 Months Old!!

Carsen went in for her two month check up today, she weighs a whopping 9 lbs 7 oz and she's 20 1/4 inches long! She's growing like a weed!! I guess I should have realized when we had to move up a size in diapers! Carsen is doing wonderful, we've started early intervention, she has a physical and an occupational therapist that come to the house and give us exercises to do with her to help build up her muscle tone. Right now we are working on head control, we do a lot of tummy time, baby sit ups, and we are now practicing rolling over, and I am working on some neck stretches with her. She is right on track!

We've recently joined a group called BUDS (Bringing Up Down Syndrome) it's a group of ordinary people just like us that all have a child with Down Syndrome. It's nice to know there are other parents out there that have been exactly where we are, be able to get advice, and have a common thread among us. It's been a very positive thing for us to get involved in. BUDS sponsors a walk every year called the Buddy Walk, it's to promote education and inclusion for Down Syndrome, mark your calendars, it's October 16th this year!

G&G Wood Visit Carsen for the First Time

Grandma and Grandpa Wood made it down to see Carsen for the first time.

Fun Times

We have had so many things happen lately, that I've been a slacker at blogging! Starting with Valentines day, Emerson FINALLY started walking, so cute!

We've had my sister and her two kids here for their spring break, we were able to do some fun things, I hope they had a good time!

At the Birmingham zoo, it was a cold day!

Paityn and Emerson, it was so nice to have the kids be able to walk around with Emerson! They are such great helpers!

Keihlin and the Lorikeets, look at that cute face.

Emerson having a much better time, the first time she ever saw the Lorikeets she was 10 months old, and hated them!

Paityn getting the nerve up to feed the flamingo's, she finally did it!

All bundled up, did I mention that it was COLD?

Warming up in the van, watching a movie

Grandpa Hatch and the kiddos

At the Tennessee Aquarium

taking a break, having some lunch

The Latest

As some or all of you that read this blog may or may not know, our little Carsen has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21 chromosome, she has three, rather than two, 21 chromosomes. Carsen has, what's called a Robertsonian Translocation 21 on 14, translocation accounts for about 4% of all cases of Down syndrome. In translocation, part of chromosome 21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome, typically chromosome 14. While the total number of chromosomes in the cells remain 46, the presence of an extra part of chromosome 21 causes the characteristics of Down Syndrome.

We have been reassured with wonderful news that Carsen's heart is in perfect condition. The reason this is good news, is because in about 40-50% of people that have Down Syndrome have serious heart problems, and other health problems, so far we are in the clear.

This Down Syndrome diagnosis was definitely tough news to take just hours after our little angel was born. We have come to terms that we will just have a new "normal" if there is such a thing. We are so in love with this little angel and will do everything in our power to make her life as wonderful and fulfilling as possible. She is a complete joy and we can't wait for everyone to meet her. We cannot tell you how blessed we are that God entrusted one of his most precious angels with us.

Welcome Carsen Evelyn

Little Carsen Evelyn made her debut at 1:30 on Friday, February 5th. Weighing in at a whopping 5 lbs 2 oz, and 17 1/2 inches long. She had to get checked out in the NICU for a few hours and then was free to come to our room with us! She's absolutely perfect and we are so blessed to have her!

Minutes after she was born, look at all that hair!

Look at that proud daddy!

We couldn't be happier!

Little Emers didn't know what to think, she was just starting to get interested, then my BP cuff started and scared her, she wouldn't look at me after that!

Finally having something to do with her little sister

Isn't she so sweet

Home at last, Emerson finally was fully interested in this little person

First bath at home!

She does love her little sister.

Dancing to the Superbowl Kickoff show! Isn't she so funny, she has some mad dance skills!!

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas everyone!! We've had a wonderful day so far! Santa was very good to Emerson! We've so enjoyed hanging out at home and just taking it easy, bliss! I made some rockin' monkey bread, I have to say it turned out perfect, usually it's hit and miss, but this year, big hit! I can't think of a better way to spend Christmas than hanging out with my family and taking it easy, so that is exactly what we did!

Emerson's stuff from Santa

Worn out after her long day of playing (it was like 10:30 in the morning) she took her pants off and put them around her neck to snuggle, don't ask me why!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went over to Bryan and Lora's to open gifts and have some snacks, it was a lot of fun, Emerson loves to spend time with her cousins!

John posing for the camera

Murphy and Maddy

Emerson being oh so helpful to Murphy

Emerson with her cousins, Aunt and Uncle

I guess it's been a while since I've updated! No huge news, or anything exciting going on, just trying to get ready for Christmas, we still have to put the tree up! I finally ordered Christmas cards, that's one thing off my list! Now to just tackle the rest! Here's a cute photo of Emerson with Santa! Doesn't everyone have a screaming photo with Santa?

Emerson was not thrilled as you can tell, we actually thought she would like Santa, because she's really into facial hair right now!