Subject: Natalia-our little miracle's progress

Dear Friends,

I would like to start off by Thanking all of you for your continued prayers.  Natalia was 6 months old Sunday.  She has lived longer
than most of these Trisomy babies and we are greatful for the little
life we have enjoyed these past 6 months.  She is a tremendous amount of work, but we are adjusting to the special needs of her
diagnosis.

Natalia was beginning to roll to her side a month ago before her
intestinal flu.  After the flu she hadn't rolled until this weekend.
I haven't checked the dates, but it feels like around a month. If
this is any indication on her development you can see it will be
slow.  The great news is, she is becoming more active.  She loves to
lay on her back and move freely.  She not really batting at the
dangling toys on purpose, I think its more of an accident when she
finally connects with the toys.  But she enjoys her time with the
variety of toys I have to help stimulate her.  I have even begun to
keep music playing (loud) near her head.  She seems to really enjoy
it at this stage in her development. She is holding her head up a
bit more and to encourage her I prop her up in a saucer type
bouncer. She is able to be upright for a short period of time on her
own. She even uses her feet a bit to turn herself around.

I was thrilled last week when a male checker at the grocery store
approached her to say hello, she actually reacted like a normal 6
month old and cried in fear of a stranger.  She is also trying to
sing along with me if I sing into her cheek and ear. She great fun
at church!!

Yesterday, it looked like she connected with my face, smiled and
tried to lift her hands up.  I was so thrilled I picked her up right away. Later I tried the "do you want mommy to pick you up",  one time she appeared to know what I was doing and the other, well, she had no clue.  I couldn't even get her to focus on me.  Natalia seems to have a very small window of vision.  I do believe she can see something, I am just not sure how much.  She loves light and bright areas.  I can only hope eventually she can communicate with us tolet us know.  We are still using the contacts and one has worked out great.  I have lost the other one several times as it's popped out a few times.  The replacement lens was so large that I tore it on the second day.  So we are waiting again for a replacement.  Ekk! These lenses are $200.00 each. She has a wonderful smile and loves to be loved.  I am so glad we see so much of her emotion. For the most part, she is doing wonderful.

She is beginning to have a bit of trouble this last week with feedings again and not keeping her formula down but I can't quiet figure out what's happening yet so I'll just ask you to keep her in your prayers.
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I had a chance to meet with a Trisomy 13 child and his family.  What
a nice experience it was.  This child was delightful.  He was crawling, walking with help.  He just cruised through the house,
checking everything out like a one year old crawler would do.  He
had a delightful smile and boy, he gave the best hugs.  He just kept
hugging and hugging. Left side to right side.  His arms reached out
and he definately knew what he was doing.  It was very cute. I would
say he was definately at the one year stage, and not talking but
able to understand some things. Seeing him gives me hope for Natalia's future.   Josaih's mother is remarkable.  Mother of four also. At home she has a one, three and four year old.  She has a strong faith and has a beautiful story to share. I am so glad we   have had the opportunity to meet. I will check with her and hopefully I can share her story with you. Our surgery is schedules for March 7th Stephen's birthday..  Again, she'll have the lip and nose fixed, tubes put in her ears and her little pinkies taken off. (I have plans to have a mold of her hands just to remember how she came to us.)


Thank you for being such wonderful prayer warriors for us.  I am so
grateful for Natalia's growth. I was told to be specific, here is where we are...
***She is beginning to have a bit of trouble this last week with feedings again and not keeping her formula down but I can't quiet
figure out what's happening yet so I'll just ask you to keep her in
your prayers.
*** I have one more prayer request.  Could you keep Stephen in yours prayers. I send these letters out and don't really talk too much
about Stephen or the other kids.  Having a child like this changes
lives.  Stephen works so hard and there isn't much time for outside
support. I try hard to give the other children attention, but being honest, Natalia takes much of my attention. I know the kids will
survive, but if you can pray with me for them and Stephen I would be
so grateful.

In closing, as I was finishing this Natalia actually rolled from her side to her stomach.  Of course, her muscle tone is low so she had trouble getting her arms up by her head, but she rolled to her tummy!!!  One more step...Hooray!! (Natalia is always up for about
an hour each morning so I usually let her lay while I check email.)

God Bless You All, I will say a special prayer for you also.  I hope
you all feel Gods Grace and love today.

Peace to you all.
ThereseAnn and family (Stephen,Jacqueline,Nicolas,Jacob and Natalia.)