Tag: celebrate

#ThreeOutfitMonday

by Kelly Kulzer-Reyes

#ThreeOutfitMonday

This week started out with an eruptive bang! Cutie #2 caught something like a minor plague, and on it went. She’s fine now, quite frankly she was mostly fine then, but it did result in me changing my clothes three times before I left Monday morning. This would normally be no big deal, but I only have three pairs of maternity pants.

Best part: Cutie #2 is back to her spunky self.
Worst part: Laundry has piled up. Not a big deal.

After work, I headed to the booming metropolis of Bakersfield to see if I could meet one of California’s Senate candidates. Turns out, I might be in some of their footage, and I am REALLY glad I found the second outfit’s, shall we say, bodily fluids, prior to leaving that morning.

So if you see me holding a political sign for a candidate, know that it’s all for Cutie #2. She deserves every second of advocacy and so very much more.

Here’s a list of senators and representatives currently serving on the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome. If yours is here, know that this does not secure a vote, it simply keeps a line of communication, education, and understanding open between our Down syndrome community and government. If you have a minute, send a note to your Representative or Senator either a) requesting he or she join or b) thanking him or her for committing to our community.That would make my #ThreeOutfitMonday worth the effort. There are zero Minnesotans on the #DSTaskForce. What’s up with that Minnesota?

 

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Taking a six and a half year old to an early ultrasound

by Kelly Kulzer-Reyes

 

img_7840Prince Charming pulled Cutie #1 out of school a touch early, drove up to Bakersfield and met me in the parking lot at the doctor’s office. He slept in the car and was unpleasantly groggy when they parked.
“We’re going to see the baby”
Not interested.
“I know you’re tired, but I need you to get out of the car.”

Sullen silence.

This is not a child who lacks words for nearly everything. He is creepily like his mother this way. Try arguing with yourself. Horrible, right? Welcome to my world.

We had a little time beforehand, and we needed to make a four-year well child visit for Cutie #2, so we walked over to our pediatrician’s packed office and took care of that. Thank God, “Wild Kratts” was on. Thank you, Okezie Pediatrics, for showing PBS in the waiting room. Cutie #1 feigned a smile, sat down and watched his favorite show.

Then, we had to leave before the show was over. God help us. Seriously. Help us. Sullen Cutie got up, moped, dragged his feet, and walked out. Seriously, he is a Mini Me.

We got into the ultrasound room, and our tech got us started. I could see out of the corner of my eye that #1 was transfixed on the screen. Our clinic has a truly swanky ultrasound room with resplendent decor and overstuffed furniture. It would be better with movie theater seating, popcorn and cup holders, but I digress.

Our UST (Ultrasound Tech) announced that my uterus is twisted. Oh boy. Thankfully, not understood by the audience. We’d need to do a vaginal ultrasound. Oh boy. An unanticipated anatomical lesson awaits…

Sparing you the details, Cutie #1 was momentarily distressed, but relaxed after a quick, honest, and concise explanation.

Then, Cutie #3 appears on the screen. I am in love. Deeply, madly, passionately. Again. Like only a mother can be. #1 is unimpressed.

“It looks like a monster”
I smile, “Yes, it kind of does look like a monster.”
I look at our UST, and say, “I guess bringing a six-year-old in here can be interesting.”
She, too, is smiling, “They are the best. I love their imaginations.”
In the background I hear, “I’m six and a half.” Yes, you are. Sorry about that.
She’s the perfect tech for us. She’s still smiling.

Cutie #1 goes on the describe the developing younger sibling in various ways I hope never come up again during an argument, and I chuckle. He’s right. Humans are not the most esthetically pleasing at 7 weeks in utero.

You may wonder…

by Kelly Kulzer-Reyes

You may wonder what our due date is, or how far along I am. That’s a reasonable question. Short answer. I don’t know.

Then, you might wonder, why share this news so early.

Here’s the long answer.

Miscarriage and Stillbirth are still taboo subjects in our culture. That needs to change. Women miscarry every day. According to the March of Dimes website, between 10-15% of known pregnancies result in miscarriage. I guarantee you every one is remembered. Each one is grieved, and each one is a loss. Many of these losses are the result of chromosomal conditions. Cutie #2 with her chromosomal condition has made it so far. She made it through a rare congenital condition, and we are knocking on wood.  We only live one day at a time. That’s all we get.

If we are so incredibly lucky (and I specifically say lucky, as I refuse to say blessed and thus blame God for every miscarriage and stillbirth suffered by my loves around the world) to bring our baby home, it will be with the deep knowledge that it could have gone differently. It could still. And it’s all worth it. Each day is worth it.

I love many who have experienced unspeakable pain, and I may still. My fingers are crossed. Today I am pregnant. Let’s celebrate!

So, why would I want to share this excellent news at such an early date when I know all too well how fragile life is? I share because I want to celebrate each moment, and I know that moments are fleeting.

Anyone who tells you otherwise is simply confused.

 

Help exists for  Stillbirth and Miscarriage, please reach out. If you have more resources, please send them to me, and I’ll post them.

 

Compassionate Friends