On June 18, 2010, we started our summer by welcoming our twins Jack & Avery into the world. We soon learned our beautiful daughter had Down syndrome. Our first summer as parents was filled with mixed emotions. We were beyond thrilled to be new parents, but we also had moments of fear about what Down syndrome would mean for our daughter and our family. Looking back we wish we had been given a crystal ball when we received her diagnosis...
Fast forward two years to August 14, 2012 - we are just ending an incredible summer with our two-year-old twins! We see first-hand every day that the “little something extra” really does mean “more alike than different!” Our sweet Avery spent her summer celebrating her birthday and friends’ birthdays, going to Dutch Wonderland for the first time, playing at the park, eating popsicles and ice cream, swimming, playing in the backyard, staying up later than usual, going to picnics, celebrating the 4th of July, visiting the library, playing with friends, reading books, watching movies, and spending time with family. The highlight of Avery’s summer would be our annual beach vacation to Cape Hatteras, NC. She has been going every year since she was three months old. However, this year she was actually walking on the beach! She loved playing in the surf, swimming in the ocean with Mommy and Daddy, digging in the sand with Jack, feeding the seagulls and looking for seashells. She also got to spend time with her Great Grandma and Great Aunt who happen to live there! It has been an amazing journey to watch our daughter grow into a beautiful little two year old toddler who is full of life! We cherish the time we spend as a family and appreciate the memories we are creating for our children.
We are sad to see summertime coming to an end, but look forward to fall filled with fun things like pumpkins, Halloween, our Buddy Walk. Go Team Routzahn! Of course as all parents do we still have moments of “fear” regarding both of our children, because you always want your children to be healthy and happy. However, we have learned so much information and met so many wonderful and amazing people within the Down syndrome community, and we no longer fear “Down syndrome.” We know that it means the little girl who came into our family two summers ago has a very, very bright future ahead of her! “Everything is Possible!”