Gabby’s Day

“Waah, waah” the sound of crying came over the baby monitor, my eyes opened to darkness seeping through the window. I checked the time 4 o’clock in the morning, I had gotten 3 hours of sleep. I pushed myself out of bed slowly and headed to Gabby’s room, I switched the light on and went to the crib. My sweet baby girl looked up at me between cries and I lifted her carefully out of the crib. She is so small but the weight in my arm brings me peace. With her in my arms I head to the kitchen for our 3^rd feeding. The bottles are already prepared in the refrigerator and I just warm it up for a minute. Testing it on my arms before I give it to her, she tries to grab for it as she begins to suck greedily on the bottle. I go to our favorite rocking chair, and gently rock her as she drinks her bottle. I close my eyes and hum “you are my sunshine.” 

The day I adopted Gabby was the happiest and scariest day of my life. I was a single parent with a daughter with Down Syndrome, the social worker had told me about the the challenges of raising Gabby but she forgot to mention the joys and the milestones she would reach. The moment when she would look at me with such love in her eyes and I was never sure if she understood me but I would tell her about our future together. I had so many hopes for her but she would reach the milestones at her own time. 

The sun peeking through the living room window stirred me from my sleep. Gabby snored in my arms and you could hear the sound of breathing as she slept. I did not want to move and wake her but I heard the coffee brewing and my phone buzzing. I gently got up from the rocking chair and made my way to my phone, the buzzing was louder as I reached the phone. Gabby’s physical therapist was calling about her appointment this afternoon. “Hello” I whispered into the phone “Yes, Miss Lee I was calling about Gabby’s appointment this afternoon, is 2 o’clock still a good time?” I whispered “Yes, sorry Gabby is asleep.” 

My coffee was done and I needed to get ready for the day. I gently laid Gabby in her bassinet and made my coffee and a small breakfast, Gabby stirred but still slept as I cleaned up the house and put the diaper bag together. By 8 o’clock everything was ready to go and Gabby was waking up, I made her bottle and changed her and went to sit in front of my computer, I had a class I had to give and then Gabby had appointments for her physical and occupational therapy, she was not old enough for speech but that would come in a few months. 

My class went over well and everyone was excited for the next ASL class, I taught sign language at the local college and because I was still getting used to be a single parent, I was able to do most everything online. I was dreading the day I had to leave her with a babysitter but I had family that would help me.

By 10:45 I was done with class and a Gabby was on bottle number two for the morning. I had given her a bath and put her in a cute onesies that read “An extra chromosome doesn’t define me.” We were dressed and ready for our lunch date with friends and then an afternoon of therapists.

 Jenny stood up and waved her hand when she saw me come around the corner, I waved back and headed to the table. I had met Jenny at a local Down Syndrome meeting and  we had become good friends, she was there when I needed advice. We hugged and I grabbed a chair across from her, the other ladies would be there shortly. I ordered a drink and while Jenny and I talked Gabby napped, I had not had a conversation with an adult in about a week and needed to rest. An elderly couple came up to Gabby and looked at her sweetly, with tears in the elderly woman’s eyes she said how beautiful Gabby was and that she was a blessing, she told me about her son with Down Syndrome he had passed away at 55 years old but had been a great joy. They were so sweet and I felt for them because times had changed and it was not seen as sad to have a special needs child, at least in my opinion. Lunch went over and I had to excuse myself to change Gabby, while heading to the ladies room, a young woman stopped me with pity in her eyes “when did you know you were going to have a baby with Down Syndrome?” I smiled at her and said “I knew the moment the adoption agency called me.” I walked past her confused face but I didn’t hold it against her most people still did not understand Down Syndrome. The same lady followed me to the ladies room “I am sorry if I offended you” I could tell she was pregnant and when the tears fell I understand the questioning. “I found out last week that my baby would be born with Down syndrome and I am so scared.” I smiled at her and told her it was going to be okay and once Gabby was changed I brought our new friend to iintroduce her to the other ladies and everyone talked with her. I had to excuse myself but before I left I gave the young lady my phone number. 

I made it to the appointments and with every movement I saw how strong my Gabby really was, early therapy was a must for children Down Syndrome, they had to work on muscle strength and movement, she might be behind but she would hit each milestone at her own pace. Her little arms were stiff by her side but I could see her little head trying to move, she would be crawling in no time, the therapist assured me. I was always worried that I would mess up but I was assured I was doing everything right. 

We stopped at the store before heading home for the day, I would make a quick dinner and then spend the evening with my family, everyone always loved seeing Gabby and when they saw her, I was pretty much forgotten but I was so happy she was accepted by my family. My parents  answered the door and immediately went for Gabby, I followed them as they went into the living room, everyone greeted Gabby first and I saw the love in their eyes. I loved spending time with my family and Gabby would make small noises at everyone who held her. She was sound a sleep by the time we were headed home. 

As the day came to an end I talked with Gabby about her successes and how proud I was of her. She slept throughout her changing, I laid her down. I went into the living room to read before bed. I was tired but I would not change my life for anything. Yes, having a child with special needs was hard but they always forget about the good times and there are so many great moments.