Defying Odds

"I believe Taleigha forgot to read the 
book on what Cri Du Chat was supposed to be like!!!"

Someone said that to me a while back, and I can't even begin to describe how much that that statement still means to me to this day.  It still holds true as Taleigha is defying all the odds that were stacked up against her.  I am so proud of her.

Taleigha has made phenomenal progress!  Thinking back to one year ago this month, she had JUST learned how to "crawl" (or her version of it at least).  She was barely mobile.  She still had a hard time controlling her body, and because of her incredibly low muscle tone, she would fall over frequently.  Seeing my daughter now, makes me stop and stare, leaving me breathless.  She is taking several independent steps now.  She is really learning to walk.  In just a few short months, she has gone from being unable to stand on her own, to cruising around the house.  

I have to give an extra special thank you, once again, to the wonderful people at Habitat for Humanity.  I truly believe that if it hadn't been for them, Taleigha would not have made such incredible progress over the past two and a half months or so.  What I mean by that is this... We were living in a two story townhouse that was not accommodating to Taleigha at all.  She wasn't able to maneuver her medical walker throughout the house, and was very restricted in what she could do.  They went out of their way to help us by "changing" our living situation and got us into something that is more accommodating for Taleigha and our family.  The home that we are currently renting is a ranch style, [more] open concept layout that has allowed Taleigha to use her walker on a regular basis.  By her learning to use that device, she has gained the strength and knowledge needed to start taking steps on her own.


When we received Taleigha's diagnosis, with the flood of emotions, there came fear.  A huge part of that was the fear that we would never see her walk.  There were so many negative "facts" surrounding the syndrome, and only outdated and scarce medical information, that it was hard to avoid the "what if" thoughts that seemed to constantly enter our minds.  With each passing day, however, Taleigha is proving that she has a determined spirit, and that nothing will stop her from reaching her highest potential.  She is our miracle, and I can't thank God enough, for letting me be her mother! 
There is true inspiration in that little girl.
I am so proud and happy to say that I have seen my daughter WALK!

I can't even begin to say enough about my second little miracle either.  Taelyn is such an incredible blessing in all of our lives.  She doesn't even know how much she has done for her Mommy and Daddy, and especially, for her big sister!  Taelyn has a way of lighting up an entire room with her smile.  She has a contagious giggle and a sweet personality.  Tae has grown up so fast.  She is walking all over the house now, and at times, she thinks she can take off in a run, which usually results in a tumble to the ground!  It won't be long and she will be running everywhere though.  I am so proud of her.  She is signing now, along with Taleigha.  The girls are already best friends.  Seeing them interact with each other is such a beautiful sight.  Tae has taught me so much about life.  She is my love bug, and I thank God for giving her to me.  
I honestly cannot even remember what my life was like without her. 

Having the girls so close in age, was a decision I would never take back.  Most people didn't know the reasons behind us having a second so close to the first and a lot of people really didn't understand it, (especially because Taleigha was special needs, and our life seemed a bit on the crazy side already), but there was a lot of thought behind it.  There was more than just one deciding factor in the decision, but one being that I knew, after having Taleigha, that I was facing a hysterectomy, and with that, I knew that we needed to try to have another child.  Things aren't always easy, but when I look at my beautiful daughters... and see what they have given, not only to each other, but to me as well, I can't help feel like the luckiest Mommy in the whole world.  
They are the two best decisions that I have ever made!

 hope . faith . inspiration



{At times} "I get caught up in where I think we need to go, how far away it seems, and how long it will take to get there. I need to just stop for a minute and take a good long look behind me to see how far we have come and appreciate the hard work it took to get here. If we made it this far, surely we can make it." ~HOPELights (on facebook).