Letter to Sweet Pea

Dear Sweet Pea,

365 days ago you made your entrance into this world and nothing has been the same ever since.  I've grown more and more in love with you each and every day and can now truly say that I love you with all my heart and soul.  Don't get me wrong, there are still days that your extra chromosome causes me some emotional pain and anxiety, but without it you wouldn't be who you are.  We still wish that you weren't extra special in the chromosome way because you always would have been extra special even without that extra number twenty one.  But it is all ok and you are doing wonderful!

We certainly didn't expect you to be doing all that you are when that pesky (mommy is censoring her language here) genetic counselor told us that you wouldn't read, write or drive a car.  He set the bar for you way too low and we are lucky that we have met so many other young kiddos with DS to prove him so wrong and to help us learn how to set proper expectations.  You do things at your own pace and in your own way and that just makes you extra sweet.  Your excitement when you accomplish something is contagious just like your smile and laugh are infectious.

You have such a wonderful group of friends that are cheering for your every accomplishment and milestone that you reach.  You are touching more lives than we ever could have imagined such a little girl could ever touch.  You are making your mommy a much better person and I'm so thankful to you for helping me take a fresh look at life and all the joy that it brings every day.  I'm learning to not take things for granted and to enjoy the simple things.  It may sound cliche, but it is absolutely true.  Watching you struggle to reach a milestone that most other kids achieve quite readily makes my heart break, but also makes it that much more glorious when you reach it!  You can do ANYTHING that you set your mind to and don't let anyone EVER tell you differently.  It may take you longer and you may have to work a lot harder, but you can do it and your mommy, daddy, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, cousins, friends, etc will all be there to help you in any way that we can.

"She sure has an opinion on everything" is getting to be a common statement made about you and that is a good thing.  You get it from both your mommy and your daddy so we shouldn't be surprised by it.  I promise you that I will try to listen to you better and let you take the lead in more ways.  Sometimes I have to be in the lead, I am the mom so you are going to have to deal with that, but there are other times where it isn't important that you do things my way and I promise to try to relinquish control to you as often as I can.  I'm sure you are going to teach me new and creative ways of doing all sorts of things and we both will be better because of it. 


I can't imagine my day without you there with me and I miss you while you are at daycare but know that you are having a fun time with all your little friends.  I'm glad that we have found a daycare that loves you so much because I feel safe having you there.  I don't worry about if you are being taken care of or being loved.  I know you are!

Your a beautiful little angel and we love you with all our hearts.  Don't ever stop smiling and teaching us to see the good in life!

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy