I am a very lucky man – I’ve got an amazing wife and am the father to three wonderful kids. Lylli was born on Halloween in 2008, Gracie was born November 2010 and although she only lived for 17 months, she will remain as much a part of this family as the rest of us, and Mickey Gray, our first son, was born in June of 2012. I’m not going to say that life has gone exactly as I would have wanted, but it is a good life and I am determined to make the best of it.



This blog is an attempt to document my quest to become a dad that my family can be proud of.






Saturday, August 28, 2010

She leaves alone for 20 minutes and...

I got home from work the other night and Carrie had dinner ready for us -- It was such a beautiful night that we decided to eat on the picnic table out on the back patio.  Dinner went pretty much as usual -- I spent my time trying to figure out how I could get the last piece of chicken from the pregnant wife without seeming like the fatty, Lylli insisted on drinking her milk from a cup without a top (which works well for a few minutes until she dumps it into her sectioned plate and then starts drinking from the ketchup and milk combo sludge that makes daddy gag), and Carrie pleasantly reflected on their mother/daughter day.  Carrie offered to run up to Dairy Queen for a treat and told me to stay with Lylli and play since I hadn't seen her all day.  I'm on call for work and about 5 minutes after Carrie left, my phone rang -- luckily, it was just a coworker explaining to me that she succesfully fixed the issue that had woke me up just before four that morning and assured me that I wouldn't be getting called the next morning (for that issue at least).  As she was explaining what she did, Lylli decided to drag a small plastic end table from the deck into the kitchen (goes with her two matching adirondack chairs made for little kids).  I turned just in time to see her standing on it while reaching way up on the fridge for her favorite puppy dog magnet as it started sliding out from under her.  I managed to lunge for her and sort of break her fall but she did still fall on her face.  We both sat in silence for a sec - me waiting for the wail and her waiting to see if it was worth it -- As I expected, she started screaming -- I quickly told my coworker, thank you, but I had to go!!  She lifted her head and stumbled to her feet with her hands covering her head, franticly screaming for mommy -- there was nothing I could do to console her -- she kept holding her face.  I started wondering if she was really hurt -- in a last ditch effort, I asked if she needed a bandaid -- in a full fledge cry, struggling to speak, she managed to tell me "YES!"   I carried her into the bathroom and got out a bandaid, unwrapped it and pulled her hands away from her mouth  - I asked, OK baby, where should I put the bandaid -- She completely stopped crying, pointed and said "My Leg" - I laughed, put the bandaid on her leg - she turned to me said "all better" and walked out of the bathroom as if nothing ever happend.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

We Can Do This

I'll admit that, for me, it does get a little scarier each day, but as we get closer to the arrival of Gracie, it becomes more and more obvious that we are perfect for the job.  Its almost spooky how everything has pointed us in this direction.  As a special education teacher, Carrie has spent a lot of time with children who have Down Syndrome.  The first few years that I knew her (until Lylli was born), she would spend the week after school got out as part of the professional team at a camp, in northern MN, specifically for teens and young adults with Down Syndrome.  Five years ago, her good friend and co-teacher, Tracy, had a son with Down Syndrome -- They found out that Will had it the day he was born and we watched as the short period of time following his diagnosis went from fear and shock to happiness and joy - Tracy is now the head of a group for parents of children with Down Syndrome and has paved our way.  She is always there when needed -- and guess what?  The parent group meets right at Carrie's school.  We have had kids with down syndrome in our home for extended periods of time and even considered adoption/fostering.  I cannot tell you how many times prior to Gracie's diagnosis that I had seen Carrie looking at Reece's rainbow website (A site dedicated to adopting children with Down Syndrome from other countries).  And to top it all off, last fall Carrie graduated with her Masters in Early Childhood special education -- which means from birth on.    I'll admit, this whole thing scares the heck out of me, but if I have to go on this journey, I can't think of a better partner to have.  I see how wonderful of a mommy that she is to Lylli and am certain that when Gracie arrives, as long as Carrie is there to help me out, she is going to be in great hands.        
 
I am humbled by all of our family and friends that have been here to support us as we prepare for Gracie's arrival.  We have so much to be thankful for!    
 
 

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Walking with Grace 2010

On September 26th we'll be participating in the annual walk for Down Syndrome.  For several years we have walked with Carrie's co-teacher's (and close friend) team in support for her son, Will.  We often run into some of Carrie's current and former students and their families (for those that don't know Carrie is an elementary special education teacher -- she has had many students with Ds).  It used to be called the Buddy Walk, but now in MN its called Stepping Up for Down Syndrome (some legal thing I guess).  Anyway -- it’s a real cool day for people in the community that have been touched by Down Syndrome.  It takes place at Como Park in St Paul.  They have food and a dj (you'd be missing out if you made the walk and didn't take a moment to appreciate the dancers on the dance floor at this event).  The Walk is a short jaunt around the lake, but is just a small part of why we are all there.  This year it has a whole new meaning to us.  We are excited that some of our family and friends will be joining us to celebrate the pending arrival of Gracie and help raise money for the Down Syndrome Association of MN .  It is our intent to continue to make this an annual event, but this year, for the first time, we will be walking as team "Walking With Grace".  We are very much looking forward to the day. 
 
 
 

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Incoherent ramblings

Clueless and Innocent Toddler, Young kid witnessing the divorce and all of the mudslinging that entails, travelling back and forth every weekend,
Latch key kid, never really getting close to either side of my family, Insecure, trying to fit into new school after school.  I've had my heart broken a couple times by both girls and athletics.  I've been fit and fat, fashionable and obviously not.  I've been a runner and a weight lifter and a couch potato, a drunk and dry.  I've had extra money and been flat broke.  I've lived in a townhome, an apartment, brand new house, and now in a small old house.  I've lived alone and with others.  I think about all of the things that have felt so terrible that in the end turned out to be not as bad as I thought they were at the time.  I think about how I've hurt others unintentionally due to my insecurities and the fact that all of the places that I've been in my life have resulted in kind of a screwed up man in some aspects.  I'm cranky, short tempered, selfish, irritable and obnoxious at times - I need to take better care of myself and for the last several years have talked way more about it than done anything.  When I reread this I realize that I've kind of been focusing on the negative, but I do know that I have a lot of positive aspects and have had many great experiences in my life.    I think about all of the lives that I've lived and my life now - I think about how lucky of a man I am -- The most obvious things to point out here is that I have Carrie and Lylli.  Carrie is a saint to put up with me and I truly do know that.  She is beautiful, intelligent, and very calm - In many ways my opposite, but it sounds better when I say she's my perfect compliment instead of opposite.  And Lyl - what a blessing she has been - smart, funny, beautiful -- I look at her everyday and thank God for allowing Carrie and I to bring such an amazing person into this world.  I think about all of the events that were important to others that I didn't participate in because of where I was at personally at different points in my life -  I failed to see the importance of my support.  I see it now.  I'm not pouting or doing a whoa is me, I know that I've done many good things in my life, and I know that it does me no good now to dwell on when I've made bad choices in the past.  But I can learn from them and once again, I see it now.  Its not about instant gratification or living a selfish life, its about being a good friend, husband, dad, brother, son, cousin, uncle.  Its about leaving things better than I found them.  Its about doing things that fill others' buckets instead of emptying them.  Its about making the best of what I've been dealt -- A lot has happened this last year that has forced me to do a lot of thinking, the largest being the pending arrival of Gracie - and as I've said before, she's not even here yet and she's making me want to become a better man.  So, I want to thank everybody that has ever been in my life in any way.  I pray that I have been a positive part of yours and for those of you that I have hurt in any way by my actions conscious or unconscious, I am truly sorry and promise to work on it in the future
 
 
 
 
 

big girl bed

Saturday was a big day/night in the Delaney household (oh how times have changed).  Since Carrie doesn't start teaching again for a few weeks and life will most likely be chaotic when Gracie arrives, not to mention, probably the biggest reason, that we only have one crib -- we decided that it was time for Lylli to start sleeping in a bed.   We went to Target and let her pick out sheets, a blanket, and pillow case.  When we put her down for an afternoon nap, I went and bought her a twin mattress.  Later that day, we took the crib out of the room, rearranged a bit and setup her new bed - Actually at this point, we just put the mattress on the floor, which based on the thud we heard when she eventually slept in it, it was a good decision to start this way.   We have a retractable gate on her door that we use to keep the dogs away when she is playing in there, etc.  This gate is a livesaver these days, because its nothing for her to open the door.  Anyway - Bedtime was a challenge.  It took many attempts of setting her in her bed, closing the door and walking away -- only to have her two minutes later open the door and cry at the top of her lungs -- I think she was less scared and sad, then she was exploring the fact that she was not locked into a crib for the first time in her 22 months (although I know for a fact that she could anytime she wanted, climb out of the crib, we fortunately never had it happen).  After about an hour of trying to get her to sleep she finally quieted down.  Escited to see how things ended up, I tiptoed down the hall to take a look -- I had just left the bright living room and her room was dark, so I was having a tough time seeing her.  As I leaned in over the gate to get a better look, I heard a little sigh at my feet.  I called Carrie over -- she took a picture.  See the attached BEFORE and AFTER pics.  We were able to eventually move her to her bed where she lasted several hours until she wanted to come into bed with us.  Quick update to the story -- I came home from work on Monday and she was so excited to show me her new bed and night number three saw a little less crying and screaming out the door, but I will admit we were still second guessing our decision a bit.  But I am very happy to report that last night, night #4, she barely whined, never opened the door and then slept until after 6 this morning!! 
 

Still in Limbo

Well our latest trip to the perinatologist and cardiologist has us a little frightened.  Besides the obvious and certain surgery needed around 4 months old to repair Gracie's AV valve defect in her heart, there is additional concern about the left side of her heart not developing as it should.  The cardiologist said that there were a few signs that we could be optimistic, but when Carrie asked if she was going to make it, he said that he was almost certain that she would be born, but its what happens after that which will determine the rest. Not exactly what we were hoping for as a response.  Its been determined that she will delivered at Abbott Hospital downtown.  This will allow them to immediately rush her to the NICU at the attached Children's hospital.  This is tough on Carrie -- When Lyl was born, they immediately set her on her chest and, with the exception of a 15 minute stint later in the day so they could do a couple standard tests, she was with us in our room until we left the hospital (and come to think about it about half way into it, she sent me to go check on her).  Carrie has given me strict instructions that I have to follow Gracie to the NICU and stay with her there.  I guess if we have to go through this, at least we will be in the best place for it - If we were to deliver at the same hospital that we had Lyl, they would need to rush her to Children's in an ambulance, etc.  I often think about how I wish that we didn't know anything in advance and found out when she is born, but when you consider all of the details that we are able to work out to give her the best chance of making it, I am thankful that we know in advance that she has Ds.  We go back on Sept 16th to see if she has made any improvements. 
 
 
 

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Speaking of Holland

not sure where Carrie found this, but I like it a lot:
 
When my baby was born with Down syndrome, I received a writing, called "Welcome to Holland," by Emily Perl Kingsley, from my local support group. I am grateful for the inspiration which has been felt by many who read it and love that was put into creating it. I would like to relate my experience with a different analogy of the feelings involved when having a child with a disability.

For years, you save for your dream home and the time has come to buy! You walk through several houses, many of which are interesting, but not quite perfect.

Finally you find THE house. The location is great. It has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, hardwood floors, and one entire wall is a giant window showing the most breath-taking view that you have ever seen.

Everyone you know is happy for you and your new house. You can't wait to move in.

On the day you are scheduled to close, you receive a call from your lawyer explaining that the homeowners changed their minds and have decided not to sell.

You are shocked and sad. You have planned, waited, and prepared for this house, but now it is gone. You picked out new paint colors and decorated it in your mind at least a million times. You wonder, "How could this happen to me?" You think you will never find your perfect house again.

You remember a cute little house in the city that you walked through a few months earlier. There was something about that house which was comforting when you were there and the need for a home of your own is still strong. You decide to put an offer in for this house. Your bid is accepted. You move in within weeks.

When you tell everyone about the loss of your "perfect" house and plans for moving into the second one, you receive many condolences. Everyone is sad for you and all of your friends and family wish they could "fix it." Nobody thinks it is fair.

You go to the new-older house immediately after you close. You wonder why you didn't realize that it was so close to your favorite store. As you walk in the front door, you see a beautiful window, full of stained-glass artwork, which was hidden by a curtain before. As you continue to walk through, you notice the stained and dirty carpet, decide to look at what is underneath, and are amazed by hardwood floors which are even more elegant than those in the other house. There are only 3 bedrooms but two of them have adjoining bathrooms with awesome claw-foot, porcelain tubs which are very deep, and you can't wait to soak in them.

You begin to realize what made you like this house initially. There is sweet character here. It is unique. There are rooms attached to rooms and many hidden spaces that you never expected to see. This house will need work and there are things about it that aren't quite "perfect," but you kind of like the imperfections; they add to the personality of the house. You immediately develop pride and love for this house because it is yours, imperfections, beauty, character, and all.

You can't wait to tell those you care for how much you love your new home. You want to show it off to everyone and let them know how very excited you are. You don't want to feel sadness anymore; you love this house and wouldn't have it any other way. The other house would have been nice too but the one you were given will bring you just as much joy so there is no need for condolences. This home is where you belong, you know it, accept it, and love it. You will be happy here and look forward to the experiences you will have within its walls.