Independence Day

Today is Independence Day.  Happy 4th of July to all of our friends and family!  Joe started his day today with a round of golf with friends and afterwards we will be taking to the lake with more friends for a day of boating and sunshine...and extreme heat.  That should make pregnancy interesting!

Today also marks 4 weeks since we first received the start of our baby girl's diagnosis.  I can't believe it's already been 4 weeks, but I also cannot believe how far we have come in that short time.  Although dark hours still creep in from time to time, overall Joe and I are feeling good and are feeling happy and exciting about the upcoming birth of our daughter.  We have made great strides and one of the biggest reason for this is the overwhelming and unwaivering support of our friends and family.  For this we thank you again and again!

Last night Joe and I spent a few hours with a couple from Stillwater that have a young daughter with down syndrome.  Their daughter is absolutely adorable and we had a fantastic time at their home getting to know each other but also sharing about our experiences with down syndrome and our hopes and fears for the future.  We left feeling even more energized about this pregnancy and our family's future. 

Joe and I also have some exciting news to share with you.  Monday night we submitted an offer on a new home back in the cities and it was accepted!  We will be moving back to Minnesota at the end of August to the great city of Vadnais Heights!  Although now might seem like the worst, most stressful time to move, it is actually the best time for us and allows for us to be closer to friends and family and doctors once baby girl arrives!  We understand that we will need some help in the first few months of her life and being close will make this easier for everyone involved.  The home is beautiful, in perfect move-in condition, and has the best back yard!  No one likes the moving process and no one likes being asked to help move, so I will try not to ask, but feel free to volunteer if you would be interested in helping ;).  We are also in need of moving boxes!  Our close date is August 24th, which is a Friday, so we will be spending that weekend moving. 

Since we will be moving, we will also be renting out our townhome in Hudson starting September 1st.  If you know anyone looking for a place to rent, Hudson is a great little town and only 20 minutes east of St. Paul (nudge nudge, wink wink). 

Another thing I wanted to mention is an event at the end of September.  It is called "Step Up for Down Syndrome" and it is a walk around Como Lake in St. Paul. 
http://www.dsamn.org/events/stepup/
I don't have all the information yet, but I will be participating and would love company! :)  If you are interested in doing this walk with me, let me know and I will get back to you with more information when more is available (probably later this month).

And one last link for people interested in a little extra reading.  I recently came across this resource and thought it a great one for friends and family. 

http://downsyndromepregnancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Loved-Ones-Booklet-DSP.pdf

In the next couple weeks we have another prenatal appointment scheduled, this time WITH ultrasound.  At this appointment, we should find out how big baby is getting.  I can tell you that she is definitely getting stronger!  She is moving and kicking all day long! 

So here ends a MUCH shorter blog post with all good stuff...no drama today!  Life is so good!  Hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July!

Love,
Steph and Joe