Letter to Payton

Dear Mom and Dad,

Payton here. Wow, I just found out that I weigh 13 ounces, I am growing into such a big boy already, and there's so much more of me to come. I hope you are as excited as I am about this journey we are on together, Get ready! By the way, I had a talk with my Grandma last night and she told me you were very worried about me. I told her there may be a lot to think about, but there is nothing to worry about, because I am part of God's great plan! I am holding Jesus in a special spot in my heart, and it is just as bright as His light is to remind us that I am His gift to you. I don't really want to worry you already, being that I am not even old enough to get into trouble yet. Just give me time to get there so I can act like my Daddy when he was a small boy (my other Grandma told me that part), then I promise that I will earn all the worries that you could possibly imagine. Grandma said you guys should

"Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety, and Let God's peace guard your heart against the pain, and when the clouds roll in, and you need a friend, you can trust in Him!"

Ok I am kind of tired now, since Grandma and I were up all night talking and all, so I am going to take a nap. When I wake up I am going to KICK you to remind you that I am keeping an eye on you and I don't want you to be worried anymore!

Sincerely,

Your Loving, Sweet, Precious, Adorable, Irresistible, Rambunctious, Trouble Making, Keep You Up all Night, Favorite, & Extremely Handsome Son! :>)

My grand nephew is a beautiful red-headed cutie. He is here today because of his family's love and commitment to life. When my niece went in for a routine ultrasound, the technician found a spot on his heart. The news sent shock waves and prayer chains through the family. I was able to share with my niece the experiences I have had over the years with pediatric neonatologists and genetic counselors, in an effort to reassure her that no matter the result, God was in control. Since most of my children were born when I was over the age of (ahemm) 30, and since there is a strong history of genetic neurological issues in my husband's immediate family, every pregnancy was "high risk." I have had more ultrasounds than I care to count. We participated in genetic counseling with last pregnancy because of a kidney malfunction that required monthly monitoring. It was our opinion that we should know as much information as possible to be certain that the right staff was present during the birth to handle any complications.

The neonatologist, on the other hand, had a different agenda. Every ultra sound appointment turned into his soapbox for encouraging further tests (amniocentesis among others) in order to determine whether or not to proceed with the pregnancy. Despite my insistence that termination was not an option, the "specialist" continued spouting all of the reasons I should reconsider. He was constantly quoting statistics of women my age with certain "markers" being at risk for delivering a baby with Down Syndrome. Ok, I accept that. Well he did not accept my answer. His response was that I only think I could deal with it, but the reality would be like being "hit in the head with a brick." (His exact words) So I told the doctor that my brother-in-law, who has his own special needs, lived with us. He argued that it would be different for my own child. I told him of my beautiful support group of homeschooling moms and about the wonderfully generous families in our circles who have opened their homes and hearts to children with a variety of medical and neuroloigical concerns. But he was relentless in quoting those statistics. How can I soften this man's heart? My number one question was,

"What are the chances of giving birth to a highly intelligent child that could breeze through medical school, then choose to specialize in persuading women to abort their precious babies? That would REALLY scare me!"

Needless to say, I agreed to continue the regimen of ultrasounds ONLY if I did not have to meet with the neonatologist again. His nurse practitioner, who was very sensitive to my concerns, agreed to see me for future appointments. Being a witness to life can be tiresome, but so necessary. I am grateful for the beautiful witness of Sarah Palin which is much more far reaching than my own little story. But even if we are not in the limelight, we can stand for life and touch lives one at a time.

Below is a letter from my niece following her scare at the OB office:

Aunt Suzanne,
Thank you so much for your prayers! We have been sending up many as well. I am feeling much better about the entire situation. I just wish that they hadn't told me, it would have saved me a lot of unnecessary stress. An echogenic focus of the heart ventricle is not a birth defect, but simply a "red flag" for Down syndrome. According to the doctor, 70% of all Down babies will show abnormal growth patterns in addition to the focus. Based on my age, the chances of my baby having Down Syndrome is 1 in 278. My blood results came back negative so we really have nothing to worry about. If despite all odds our baby does have Down's, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. At first, I thought the baby had a heart defect when they told me about the "echogenic focus on the left ventricle." I was relieved to find out that his heart was ok! In my mind, a heart defect would be much worse.

Mom's letter was the sweetest and most comforting thing ever! I am so proud to have such a wonderful and supportive family! Payton is one lucky boy to get us as we are to get him as well. I think that Payton and Slade will have lots of fun together, just like Taylor and I did when we were little!

Cant wait to see you guys at the baby shower! Tell everyone HI for me!!