Our Precious Abby

Last year, we had the amazingly wonderful experience of meeting Abby and her beautiful mom, Jenn.  The Down syndrome community goes beyond being local. We’ve formed close friendships from all over the country thanks to the Down syndrome group on Baby Center. Jenn and Abby live in Michigan, but visit McKinney about once a year to see family. Last year, we met up at my our very favorite mall in Frisco. 

                                                Abby and Austin (MARCH 2011)

 This year, Abby did not accompany Jenn.  While we missed seeing Abby, it was SO good to visit and catch up with Jenn. For those who don’t know, Abby has an incredibly rare blood disorder. It doesn’t even have a specific name because it’s literally unique and one of a kind to Abby. The only thing I can compare it to is Leukemia?  The only exception is that the Doctors don’t really have any answers or solutions. Every stuffy nose or spiked fever can be life threatening for Abby. Jenn explained that Abby doesn’t even cry anymore when having her blood drawn because she’s used it. It’s heartbreaking! Abby is such a little fighter. You’d never know by looking at her that she has this rare disorder. Jenn also said, “It’s not Down syndrome that poses challenges- it’s this rare blood disorder.” Of course, Jenn is SUPER MOM…and I’m pretty sure she knows MORE than the doctors do at this point concerning Abby’s blood disorder. She’s constantly researching, but it’s still frustrating when the doctors still don’t have any answers.

We spent a few hours at The Cheesecake Factory catching up with each other, laughing and venting about stuff only WE can understand. As our visit came to an end, we decided to make Austin and Abby matching bears from Build-A-Bear.

Please keep Abby in your prayers. She’s such a smart, beautiful and miraculous little girl.

WE LOVE YOU, ABIGAIL!!

Shrine Circus 2012

We went to the Shrine Circus last weekend with our good friends, Rachel and Mr. T (Miss T's awesome big brother.)

I have a confession to make: I had NEVER been to a circus before. I grew up in small town in the Texas Hill Country. The only “attractions” that came to town were those creepy carnivals in the mall parking lot.

I wasn’t sure WHAT to expect from the circus?  However, I was excited for Austin to experience it. It also helped that Mr. T was a circus veteran- so he showed us the ropes!  We had SO MUCH FUN!  I wasn’t sure how Austin would handle it, but he LOVED it! Needless to say, I will keep my eyes out for tickets next time the circus is in town.

Playing with his circus toy!

He was SO EXCITED!!

Eating a snack and waiting for the show to start!

The animals are SO BIG!