I found a new anthem. Or twelve.
I’ve always been moved by music and it is in times like these, I run to find solace in compositions that deeply move me, rhythms that inspire me, grooves that rock me to the core. And we dance. Like we did way back when…and it healed then too.
I wrote a paper on music in college and how it drives us. Like that time in college I blew $150 at Forever 21 because U2 was blaring in the store and it tricked me into thinking I had the $150 to spend or that I looked hot in cheap, stretchy cotton.
So, I’ve been listening to this huge playlist of soul-healing tunes. And, I admit, The Black Eyed Peas have strangely brought peace. Because “Tonight’s Gunna Be a Good Night” makes me think it is gunna be a good night. And we dance and laugh and tell ourselves that our life is simply fabulous. Because it is.
And when we’re not dancing, we are laughing. Because humor is equally healing. I am beginning to remember all the funny things that happened at the hospital that helped bring comic relief when it was so needed. Like the fact that I used the frozen pads the nurses gave me for my stitches for my eyes instead…because they were so swollen and sore from crying. So, every time the nursing aide came to interrupt my sleep to take my temp, she was met with a forlorn mother, sleeping with her face covered in maxi pads.
So it is, with moving melodies and maxi pad memories, we are plunking along…and all the things I had looked forward to have been waiting. Until now.
I made Valentine cookies with my girls today. My two girls. And we had So. Much. Fun.
The littlest Valentine, swaddled in pink, slept soundly on the table while my bigger Valentine tediously rolled and floured and frosted.
My cousin-slash-soul-sister, Joann, is here from Michigan. It’s been wonderful having family down here and each has served their purpose. My sister providing initial scrape-her-off-the-floor duty, my mom and dad home-after-the-battle support and Joann coming later for “aftershock.” But, the aftershock has instead been this incredibly enjoyable time of holding babies and reading books and drinking coffee and making fires and watching movies…exactly what we should be doing after a baby comes home. Because it is a very happy time indeed.
I am not kidding when I say this baby has not been put down since she’s been home from the hospital. We hold her at every moment…squish her cheeks, nuzzle her neck, kiss her feet…and at night, I am sandwiched between my two girls in our big, beautiful family bed. Smothered Love…just how we like it.
Joann brought Lainey a new shirt…so completely appropriate for our puppy-lovin’ girl.
Nella never cries but for a tiny squawk here and there, but there is definitely a significant pouty lip when she gets cold.
It’s funny…even as I write this, I realize how perfectly wonderful and normal our life still is now. I am learning to stop fast-forwarding. To turn off “sad” when it comes. To shift my paradigm and direct my mind where it needs to go. To listen to music and laugh and pour myself into what makes me happy…being with my girls and taking pictures and writing about the little things of life that piece together this greater picture of beauty. I will allow myself my fears and sadness later as they reoccur. But, for now…I need beauty.
(Nella’s first sunset tonight)
I suppose it’s cliche to say “life is what you make it,” but it truly is. And here, tonight, I am inspired to continue to do what we know best…to suck the marrow out of life.
Bad days will come. Laundry will multiply. Frozen maxi pads may certainly find their way back to my sad and swollen eyes. But tonight…life is beautiful.
cuz it’s truly the little things that are the BIG things and this post…is the BIG THING! First time visitor and am mesmerized. 🙂
I found your blog just a few days ago and I am so inspired by your story that I have been checking back every few hours to see if you have updated! You are an amazing mother and your girls are beautiful. Lainey and Nella are both going to have a wonderful life. And…I am also amazed at all the things you are doing with a 2 year old and a tiny little newborn…baking cookies, sleepovers, picnics, trips to the beach. My kids are 21 months apart and I couldn’t even do bathtime without my mom coming over to help me for the first 3 months when my daughter was born! You look great and seem to be doing so well with two! Looking forward to reading more and more about your family…
Kim
I thought I would share a piece of our journey as we have just welcomed home a Down’s Syndrome boy (through adoption).
I never leave links in comments (tacky 🙂 but thought I’d make an exception.)
Hope it’s a blessing to you on your journey.
http://beautyandbedlam.com/why-adopt-a-special-needs-child/
http://beautyandbedlam.com/this-picture-says-it-all/
You have it exactly right: life IS what you make of it. The way to get through the hard stuff is the capture the good stuff, the beautiful stuff, the memories that will keep you warm when the cold wind blows. Your memories and photographs are beautiful, and your voice is clear and true. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
It’s funny…I keep reading, and starting to post, and feel like I’ve said all the things I’m wanting to type…and it just hit me…It’s because it’s always the same (or in the same family of) feelings I get: the warm and gooey feel-good lovin’ that you see here just makes you feel good inside. I drop everything when I see your post pop up on my blackberry, and smile on my way to the laptop. Looking at Little Nella-bean sleeping on the table while Lainey rolled out her cookies just made me weep with happiness for you. I didn’t even see it coming…all at once the music hit me, and just tears. I’ve officially drunk the Kelle Kool-Aid.
love seeing you all smilin’ away,
~nicole
This is beautiful, after only finding your blog a couple of days ago, I am officially hooked!!!!!!!
Thank you.
i can’t stop coming back – the beauty here is…i just can’t find the right words.
and the pouty little lip? i can’t stand it 🙂
Beautiful family! Beautiful pictures! You have been blessed! Thank you for sharing your heart!
N
This post…Oh this post. To say you have a beautiful family is a gigantic under statement. I cannot tell you how I literally felt my heart melt seeing Nella on the table while her precious big sister rolled out the cookie dough. I can’t help but feel like I know you and your girls. I feel such real feelings for you all. Every picture I see of Nella causes instant tears to roll down my face…not because I feel sorry for her…that’s not it AT ALL. I feel excited for her. She is going to grow up with the most amazing parents, sister and family around her. I can see that your heart is just overflowing with love for these two girls. And each picture is more beautiful than the last…and her “cold lip” brought my tears to instant laughter! What a sweet angel. Keep holding her tight–you are one lucky Momma!!
~Tara
Precious, precious babies! They are so blessed to have a mommy who is making beautiful memories for them.
I’m still following, and I think I always will because I find so much healing for myself, just reading how you are taking each step as it comes, joy and sadness alike. Really, relish in your children, because at the end of the day, they’re really all we have left in our memories 🙂
I’m so happy to see your update. I rejoined just to be able to follow your story! Nella and Lainey look beautiful in your pictures. Glad to hear you doing well.
I just recently found your blog through my daily love affair with Elizabeth Foss’s blog….I wept deeply reading your magnificent story of Nella’s birth….I am a mom of 5 and have always had a secret, terrifying prayer to God that if He wanted, I would be lovingly accept a Downs Syndrome child that another mom might not feel able to handle….It has been a prayer that both makes me weep in sadness and relief for the little one He might find me worthy to mother…….Your post has made this prayer more fervent and heartfelt…if not less terrifying….
I am prayign for you..Your family is truly magnificent….God is good.
Nella is the most beautiful baby I honestly have ever laid eyes on. She is so sweet and full of life! Oh how LUCKY you are!
God Bless you, Nella and Lainey.
Simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story. It is a beautiful and honest and uplifting one to read and follow.
BTW, I wanted to tell you that you have really opened my heart to be less jusgemental. When someone sees an adult w/ DS, we tend to just keep looking. But hardly ever do we think way back to day one, when that child was born. Born into a loving family, born into this world just like anyone else. As a mother your story really made me remember that all the babies are precious. Thank you for softening a spot in my heart.
Yesterday I received a link to your blog from a friend. Today I sent the link to several of my friends and co-workers. Tomorrow they will send it on…and on…and on it will go. Playing tag with the universe and leaving behind tears and joy and giggles of love.
Thank you for sharing this. Your girls are so beautiful. My 2nd is 7 months old and I still do a double take when I say “my kids”. I have kids, plural! It’s wonderful 🙂
That is awesome. Your story and your attitude is totally inspiring to me. You are a hero!
I only found your blog a few days ago, but I’ve become an avid follower. Not only are the pictures gorgeous, but you really know how to string words together in the right order. 🙂
I look forward to watching Lainey and Nella grow up. I’m sure Lainey will always be a marvelous big sister.
…and a proud grandfather of these incredible sister-girls peeks into their little bloggy-cradle from the chill of Michigan and gives them kisses. I promised you, as I did your sister, your babies will always catch a reflection of sheer beauty when they see themselves in the mirrors my eyes will offer them–when they see how I see them and how God sees them. Holding Nella Cordelia up against the sky, she rivals the exquisite perfection of God’s creation–she holds secrets to be understood and lessons to listen to. Thank you for a post of hope and happiness. I cannot wait to come back down nest week–not feeling like you need me…I need some Nella and Lainey Love. G’night, my babies, Sleep tight.
Wonderful, beautiful.
The ups and downs (no pun intended, lol) of this process are all just part of it. Good days, bad days, but always days with our sweet, sweet babies who were given to us.
Oh, Kelle. I don’t even know you and I love your sweet family!
We have a Lainey, too. And, she carries around 3 white lovies like yours carries her white doggie. Why are they white?! Well, I should say gray or brown now. But, she always chooses white.
Nella Cordelia is one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen. She looks so peaceful. And, I LOVE that pouty lip.
Keep on keepin on!
I just found your blog a couple days ago, started with Nella’s birth story. I was mesmerized. You are AMAZING. Your family is beautiful. I really like your honesty about the difficult times and your outlook on the good times. I will definitely be reading along with you on your journey.
I am inspired by your words and your lovely family. I find Nella drifting into my thoughts during the day as I spend time with my own little girls. What a precious gift children are! Keep writing and taking pictures. I am hanging on every word and every photogragh.
Hi. I found you tonight, and it’s funny because I didn’t even know I was missing you.
I haven’t (really) blogged in a few years. Since my marriage fell apart and since I moved out on my own, and since I got remarried. Which is a little sad, because I married a wonderful man with 2 wonderful boys and they all moved into my Girl House and now I have an amazing story to tell.
My 15 year old stepson has Non-Verbal Autism and PVL (which is basically dead white matter in his brain) and is developmentally a toddler. But he loves. Oh, does he love us. And he smiles and hugs and kisses and tonight he couldn’t have been sweeter. I’ve known him since he was 5 and I’ve lived with him since he was 13. But I wasn’t there when he was born. I didn’t have to readjust my paradigm of who he was going to be. I didn’t expect one baby to be laid on my chest only to get another one that only I recognized wasn’t quite right.
So tonight I come here to thank you for sharing what that moment was for you and how you’ve come to start your journey into our world of Special Children.
I just found your blog, and I must say your story and bravery is fabulous! Both of your girls are absolutely beautiful, and I was so blessed by Nella’s birth story. I work with special needs children, and to read you true and uncensored thoughts was inspiring to me. I pray that your little family is blessed.
Your story is a familiar one to me. I am an Auntie, and my nephew with DS is probably one of the best gifts we ever got. Its been six (almost seven) years since his birth, and after we got through that initial surprise, shock, and yes, hurt, we’ve enjoyed every moment he gives us. Nella is beautiful, as is Lainey.
We have learned to take things one day at a time; and when it’s REALLY tough, one hour at a time! And you are right. Life IS what you make it! I have learned to love the simplest things in life. That is one thing my son has taught me. Your girls are precious and have a wonderful mommy!
I love the pouty lip! That’s classic! Your little girls are beautiful. It sounds like you are handling things pretty well-despite the frozen maxis-pretty soon you won’t even remember why you needed those. 🙂
What a beautiful first sunset to celebrate sweet lil bunny’s precious life. Wasn’t it fun to write both your girls’ names on their valentine cookies!?! And the bathtime pouty lip 🙂 Kelle, you capture the moments of your lives beautifully and we’re laughing, crying, grinning and sighing. LIFE ~ it’s a blessed mix.
Oh, such a lovely post. Seriously, I cannot take the cuteness. I just found this blog from a RT on Twitter and I am grateful for that random moment.
You have a new, amazing helper in getting that “marrow out of life”. Nella will show the way. My prediction is that as Nella’s personality emerges, the maxi pads will turn to panty liners, because the tears will diminish. (Sorry for the gratuitous female humor)
Can I say that I’m still blown away by how many people her spirit has touched? Some people can go there whole life and not touch as many people as Nella has in just a few short weeks.
Your daughters are so beautiful! And Nella I think, looks like her mommie! May God continue to bless you with peace, joy and eternal perspective…which is great love. Come say hi 😀
No words can describe how beautiful your new baby daughter is. Thanks for sharing your story….
Beautiful words. Beautiful pictures. Beautiful baby. 🙂
Everything you are feeling, I’ve felt. Everything you are experiencing, I’ve experienced. I only wish I could’ve blogged it — haha! What a wonderful way to capture your true feelings … feelings of joy, feelings of sorrow, feelings of LOVE.
Your baby girl will do great things. My two girls have already done so much in their 3 and 4 years of life — and your daughter is following right along.
Love it.
i find it to be so amazing that little miss nella is opening your eyes to even more beauty than you saw before …
that pouty lip … and her sky picture …
and that lainey making cookies …
so. adorable.
Nella makes me smile! She has already changed the world.
I’ve been following your blog for just a few days and I love it already. your posts and pictures move me and inspire me to embrace what is now.
I’m about 3 months away from giving birth to my second baby. My kids will be 21 months apart. I can’t imagine doing all the things you do!! You’re a supermama 🙂
Looking forward to reading more of your journey with your beautiful, beautiful, girls.
Lisa, Syracuse, NY
As I’ve said before . . . Nella is adorable. Osiyyah, my little brother, used to make the cutest pouty lip when he was sad as a little baby. He can still make quite the cute little pouty lip at 5 years old ;).
what simply beautiful daughters and beautiful mama. thank you for sharing your life with us.
AHHHh The pouty lip is almost too cute to bear!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your beautiful girls, your beautiful life. Thank you for being so real.
My third child is developmentally delayed (very limited speech, autistic spectrum). It isn’t always easy, but he has changed me and our family forever. He brings us closer to God. I believe that he is closer to God and heaven in a way that we cannot quite understand. The love and beauty that he brings to our lives far outweighs the difficulties!
Thanks for sharing your journey.
and i forgot to mention-nella’s pouty lip-oh how adorable! i could just eat her.
I came across your blog recently and I find it so inspiring. Your family is gorgeous. Your beautiful girls are absolute dolls! What I find most touching is the way your love and your heart shine through your words.
I’ve been following your blog for nearly a week and I am in awe of you. First, Nella and Lainey are both beautiful girls. This entry reminded me that I also need to remember to enjoy what I have today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. It’s easy to get bogged down thinking about what the future holds for our children and us, but tonight my babies are all healthy and happy and tucked safely into their beds. Life will not always be so sweet and simple, but I can enjoy this time with all of my children, now, while they are still mine, before they venture out into the world. Thank you for reminding me of that. 🙂
Your girls are absolutely beautiful, and your photography takes my breath away.
I love your blog.
Darn you.
You are giving me a tinge of baby fever with those pouty lips and wrinkly hands. This is a problem since we are D-O-N-E. I’ll be sending my husband to YOU once he starts complaining about me talking about “just one more. Because I saw this really beautiful, squishy babe on the internets today.”
Absolutely floored and humbled by your beautiful blog. You’re an amazing mother (and photographer, I might add), and you will raise two amazing and BEAUTIFUL baby girls. Your blog brings tears to my eyes daily (yes, I stalk your blog now!) and am so touched by your amazing birth story of sweet sweet Nella. She is just perfect! And that pouty lip picture of her just cracked me up! Such a girl, always dramatic! You’re one lucky momma! Oh, a mother’s heart, how it changes us forever…
Inspiring…mesmerizing…beautiful. That is your story. And that is your girls. I am the mother of 10 month old triplets, cousin to the most amazing young man, who happens to have Down Syndrome and a former kindergarten teacher who has had the privilege of having my heart stolen by two amazing little girls, who also happened to have Down Syndrome. That ‘label’ did not define any of them. Nor will it for Nella. Not with a mother like you. She is absolutely a doll. And looking into Lainey’s eyes is like looking into her soul. So glad I found you all. 🙂
Ami
http://www.bunchbabies.blogspot.com
Thank you for bringing your beautiful Nella into the world, and allowing us to be a part of your lives, and to witness her amazing story, and your journey as a family.
I was lucky enough to work with some ds kids and they were truly the bright spot in my day and I still miss them. They are angels, truly.
Nella has really captured my heart. Just gorgeous.
And you are doing so awesome. Enjoy your girlS. Fun to put an s on that word isn’t it?
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter, Nella:) Thank you for sharing your story with people like myself, whom you have never met. I was so completely swept away by your words and photos that I, too, will be checking in every day to get updates and see more adorable photos of your girls:) Oh, and I LOVE Nella’s name;) Beautiful, just like her;)
She is more beautiful in every post-the love is growing her so well! She is basking in it. What precious memories! Lainey is killing me with her big sister sweetness!
I wanted to thank you. When I read your birth story last night, I felt like you told my story 19 years after it happened. We have 2 daughter with a chromosomal disorder, but not Down’s. It’s been a beautiful life, full of everything life is full of – highs, lows, laughter, fun, life and most of all love!
Thank you for helping me remember some of the pain. I need to remember that sometimes, because I tend to forget it. To stuff it. I need to feel everything there is at the time it happens. I need to remember it and pretend it didn’t ever hurt. I don’t want to take any of it for granted, because it’s my LIFE! Our life! And I really do love it!
I thank God daily for my husband and my 3 beautiful daughters. For my life.
And I thank Him that you to be Nella’s mommy. 🙂
You amaze me. You really do. And I absolutely love your blog, and those beautiful photos you take? Wow. I wish you could be in my home taking candid shots of me and my kids:) What kind of a camera do you have, anyway?!!
Nella is simply gorgeous and so, so loved and cherished by her mommy, daddy and big sis. And Lainey is a beautiful little girl. Both girls are so blessed to have you as their mom.
Oh Kelle, I am so loving reading about your sweet life. A friend emailed me sweet Nella’s birth story, and I was instantly hooked! The first night, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading back over all of your posts. And let me tell you something, Kelle, celebrate yourself. Take a good, long look at yourself and celebrate. Because, let me tell you what I see when I read the words you write. I see a strong, confident, loving, nurturing, compassionate, BEAUTIFUL mother, woman, wife, friend. Celebrate that, because I am celebrating you, here, thousands of miles away!!
You said yourself that Nella is special, and you’re right. She will do great things. But I want you to know that she’s already doing great things! Through Nella, I read your words, and through Nella, I am inspired by you. Inspired to be a better mother. To be a better friend. Inspired to make my girls’ childhoods magical. Inspired to take pictures of it all. Inspired to love, love, love because I can’t get enough.
So thank you, Kelle, and thank you Nella for letting us in to your hearts and your home and sharing your life with us. Please know that even though we’re far away, and even though we haven’t met, us readers love you, and Brett, and Lainey, and precious Nella, and we love reading your words.
Love and peace to each of you.
Rachel
Life IS beautiful…. I adore your posts and look forward to your amazing messages!
Hi there. Your story was submitted to reddit.com, which brought me here.
Congratulations! What beautiful children you have brought into the world. The girls are adorable and Nella’s pics are giving me a touch of baby fever, a feeling I thought I’d never feel again. What a sweet little peanut she is. 🙂
I’m a mother also…not a new mother, rather an old mother LOL but your story brought tears to my eyes. One of my children is, shall we say, not “neurotypical” but he is now a well-adjusted adult and doing fine. He may be imperfect in the eyes of some, but to us, and to others who know and love him, he is perfectly himself. And when yo think about that, you realize that nothing else is ultimately required of any of us.
So therefore I can tell you with utmost confidence that everything will be all right. I know you know that, but it never hurts to hear it again.
In fact, I’ll further venture to promise you that all is well and exactly as it should be. Right now, you may not be totally convinced (quite understandably so, as you know there is a grief process involved that must be honoured and not rushed) but I think you know this in your heart and this knowledge will aid and inspire you again and again in the years to come. You’ll see.
Have faith in yourself, cry when you need to, accept help when you need it and so on. The universe will take care of the rest.
With best wishes from a random internet stranger. 🙂
we may never meet.
your blog was shared with me by a dear, dear friend in Tasmania, Australia.
reading your words has transformed my day, and my outlook on tomorrow.
thank you for sharing from your soul, and touching the souls of strangers, like me, that needed to be reminded about the important things.
Hi Kelle. New reader sent by one of my own blog readers. You and your family are beautiful. And what a sweet little gift you’ve been given in Nella. She’s perfect. The lips. Oh, the pouty lips.
My son, Sylas, was born 4 months premature, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is now 2 1/2 yrs. old. I can most assuredly say that he is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been given and my life is so much better with him in it.
I wish you all the best.
Kindly,
Bri Morrison
I had to laugh at your maxi pad story. I too have moments that I think back to and find funny now. I wonder if the nurse in the recovery room remembers me. She was the one, right after we got the news, offered me a little teeny, almost sample size, box of hospital kleenex, with 3 kleenex, for my uncontrollable sobbing. I remember stopping crying and looking at her like huh? and I said “I think I am going to need a bigger box!”
love that you found the beauty, music and humor! love that chair the girls are sitting on, love the pink boots and their sweet valentine cookies and all the photos. just beautiful! We are all so very blessed by Down syndrome, we get to see the beauty in life!
i cant stay away from your blog!
so beautiful every single post!
Oh sweet baby Nella! She is truly delicious – those open eyes taking everything in, the pouty lip – she is absolutely darling. Could it be that your two sweet daughters are even more beautiful than your last post?
Kelle, your voice sounds lighter. I’m so happy to hear that you have been surrounded by so many family members who have wrapped you in the love. Be patient with yourself and continue embrace this beautiful life! And never feel the need to explain yourself if you need to put some frozen maxi pads over your eyes…
-Libby
I don’t even know you, but as I read your words and I see how far you’ve come in such a short time with your beautiful, sweet Nella … I just wanted to say that I am incredibly PROUD of you. My heart ached with your initial words, reading over Nella’s birth story and to see (and FEEL) the change in your words and to see how you had to fight through each step of acceptance and make peace with each and every phase … you’re amazing. You’re just absolutely amazing and your little girls are SO incredibly lucky to have you as their mother. They couldn’t ask for a better one.
I was forwarded the birth story by a friend and had to come back and see how you were doing. I love your honesty about your feelings. My daughter with DS was my first born and I, like you, decided not to test and have always been glad we did not spoil the pregnancy with the news. After the birth, I grieved the loss of the child I was expecting and mostly grieved and worried about all the things my child would not be able to do as I wanted her to have it all. Amazingly enough, we’ve yet to find the things she can’t do if she wants to 🙂
Wowed again – not only a beautiful writer with a BEAUTIFUL family, but an incredibly beautiful photographer, too. Truly inspiring. Thanks.
Kelle,
I left a comment on the birth story already. I just want to say that you older daughter is going to be such an important person in Nella’s life. My daughters are about the same age apart as your two girls, the younger having DS. She has learned and continues to learn so much from her older sister. They have a very special bond. They are now almost-13 and 11, and sorry to say, they also bicker! My younger with DS holds her own. But they have a bond and an understanding that is just so special.
It will all be ok, it really will. No, it will be much better than ok. Your daughter will do so many things, they will just take a little longer to get to. But when she reaches those milestones, it will be twice as exciting.
All the best to you!
A friend shared the link to your birth story and I have since been reading every post, absorbing every beautiful photo and greedily reading up every word, while intermittently crying, laughing, smiling and crying some more.
I am currently pregnant with my second, and as someone who has spent many hours wondering “what if” with a sense of fear, your writing has been both reassuring and inspirational.
The “what if” isn’t nearly as scary as I have made it out to be in my own head; whatever life throws me, I hope I would handle it with the brutal honesty, kind grace and amazing love that you have.
Congratulations to you and your family. Nella is truly beautiful, and I have no doubt that you all will have amazing adventures…
Thank you for sharing this chapter of it – can’t wait to read the future chapters!
-Christina
I love her hat!
I was at the mall this past weekend and I saw a teenage girl with Down Syndrome with her mom. This girl was so lovely as she shopped with her mom and smiled lovingly at my son in his stroller. I immediately thought of sweet Nella and what an amazing life she has ahead of her. I only just started reading your blog because of someone sending me your birth story, but I am hooked and think you and your girls are amazing.
Oh and the pouty lip is seriously the cutest thing EVER!!!!
Both your girls are just beautiful but that Nella, so, so sweet! Oh and the not crying- get used to that. I’m telling you most babies with Down syndrome are very easy going. My Bennett can go a week without crying, now don’t think he just lays there like a lump, he’s interacting with all of us but just does.not.cry. He’s the best! I’m telling you, I was where you are a short time ago, found out in a different way but I was there and it will be okay, you’ll see. Live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow.
You are inspiring. The way you write. It is like we are with you in the kitchen, making cookies with you and your perfect girls. You need to write a book. Cause I would buy it.. along with so many other people who are inspired by you. And the photographs.. just unreal. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your real emotions.
Oh how we get the big, juicy pouty lip over here as well! SOooo sweet!! Healing is taking place within *me* thanks to your wonderful blog! Thank you for sharing you life with us all. I don’t feel so alone in this new world called Ds these days.
Debbie
Mom to 6 bundles of JOY!!
Justin, 9 months, Ds ~ and perfect!
Okay…I just found your blog, and two hours later, I really must get up and leave your little corner of the world to tackle my own.
But I promise I will be back…thank you for sharing your heart and your family-Lainey and Nella are just precious!
THANK YOU for the reminder to enjoy the small things and to treasure the moments with our children…I too often am ashamed of the way I rush my three littles. I needed your perspective tonight, and I didn’t even know it-blessings on you!
Wendy
Dear Kelle,
That was just beautiful, and funny, and sweet.
Thank you, Kelle.
Take care,
Linda in New Zealand.
I found your blog through babycenter and I just wanted to tell you that you are an inspiration to me. I am expecting my first daughter in April and one of my fears is that I won’t be a good mom. You are an amazing mother, your daugters are so lucky to have you. I hope I can be half the mother you are. I also love your photography! You and you friends have an amazing talent for capturing so much emotion in your pictures. I wish I lived in your area so you could photograph me and my family.
~Alicia
Oh my goodness that pouty lip put me over the edge! I need another baby!
Your story is a beautiful, and similar one. I just read your lil bunny’s birth story, those raw feelings resonated, as I, too, wanted my ‘perfect’ life back after finding out our daughter had Ds, also on the day she was born. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that true perfection would derive from the very being I initially thought was ruining it all. Oh, how wrong I was!!
I look forward to following your journey.
God bless you and your amazingly beautiful family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you all the way from Victoria, Australia.
Kelle Hampton… you are an amazing mum, a flawless photographer and a blogging genius. I love how you enjoy the small things, the big things, and you take the good with the bad with such poise, grace and honesty.
Thank you for opening your heart and allowing us all in.
Truly inspirational.
Oh….those froggy legs. She is just waiting to JUMP into life. Bliss. Just bliss. (Kudos on always assuring proper covering of the bing-bing–just Poppa reminding)
That picture of Nella’s pouty lip might be the cutest picture I’ve ever seen on the Internet. For real. Keep loving those wonderful girls!
Whenever “tonight’s gunna be a good night” comes on the radio, you will find me pumping it up too loud, dancing like a crazy woman behind the wheel with my son laughing like crazy in the back seat. No matter where we are going or the time of day, it gets me too! And speaking of music, I have created an entire playlist from the music you play here, thank you! Not only are you an amazing mother, woman, friend . . . not only do you take the greatest photos and always look put together, you also have great taste in music, where does it end? 🙂 I was just reminded the other day when I was in a definite funk that I could either choose to make the rest of the day miserable or shake it off and push reset. We all need that reset button once in a while! Sometimes mine is coming here to be inspired by your words and photos and music! Hope you have your happy place and that its not too far away! From the look of things your happy place has a name, well two, Lainey and Nella! xoxo
I am enjoying your blog, I came across it yesterday from a friend, as I read about Nella’s birth story. I have shared it with many friends as it just touches me in ways I can’t explain. As a mother of 5 nothing is more important then our kids. I love all the pictures you take, makes me want to get outside but the -20C weather stops that feeling fast. I love the picture of Nella with her lip pouty…..makes me think of my little one when he does that. Keep doing all the amazing things you are doing….I marvel how much you are doing after just having a baby… my blog is jknelson.blogspot.com but isn’t nearly as amazing as yours….have a wonderful day with your beautiful girls!!
I started reading your blog about a week ago. It is now my absolute favorite. About this post – two words: beautiful and inspirational. Your writing is amazing – raw, untamed, simple emotions. Thank you for coming into my life (via a computer screen) and sharing your life with all of us, now faitful, readers. I just can’t say enough. Nella – you are one lucky, gorgeous, little girl!!!
Your girls (our girls…can I claim them, too?) look gorgeous in these photos. I can’t wait to watch them grow older. I am so glad to be down here and enjoying them up close instead of from afar. I miss all of you… Calistoga date soon?
my, but that lip is familiar! LOL When I read your blog, besides the immediate YEs of understanding and sisterhood, I am always left thinking…man, I wish I had been online and journaled MY child with DSs early days in pictures and words. I find myself remembering bits of deliciousness (like the lip) whenever I read. Thank you for the memories, and the healing and the laughs. someday you will turn around and your girls will be half grown, and what a treasure this blog will be. By the way, it is never too early to suggest Communicating partners, the BESt “speech and language” therapy site on the net, even though it has zero to do with speech and everything to do with communicating in thoughts, words, sounds with your child. Patiently waiting for the next post…
Kelle, These blog posts about your daughters are not just blog posts….this is ART. I am in awe and inspired.
I seriously just threw some maxi-pads into the freezer for use later today (following a night of no sleep). Great pix, beautiful updates, and beauty tips, to boot!
You are magnificent at telling a story. Lainey’s eyes are so captivating and Nella’s pouty lip is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
your nella can be anything 🙂
I work with a young man with DS and he is our RRHH Consultor..:-)
congratulations!
The pouty lip is breaking my heart! I am going to make Valentine cookies with my kiddos today…thanks for the great idea!
oh that pouty lip just kills me!! i can’t believe how alert she is in just a couple weeks.
love lainey’s baking ensemble 🙂
xoxo to you and your girls!
Our family sends our love. As I cuddle two of my three girls reading and sharing your life with them, I am blessed by their love for life and your love for life. Thank you for helping so many with your story. We love reading this together.
The pouty lip is to die for and all of Nella’s hats…she is so cute 🙂 Keep dancing to the music that is your life…
What a beautiful family, indeed.
Happy to enjoy the pictures of your adorable girls 🙂
Love Lainey’s and Nella’s eyes!
You will fall in love over and over again with your perfect and beautiful Nella.
As they grow together your heart will break over and over and over again.
And because of the force of your unconditional love for your daughters your heart will continue to expand to the infinite.
Let’s continue to celebrate life 🙂
gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good good night (x3)
Tonight’s the night night
Let’s live it up…
Lets do it
Let’s live it up
Here we come
Here we go
We gotta rock
Easy come
Easy go
Now we on top
Feel the shot
Body rock
Rock it don’t stop
Round and round
Up and down
Around the clock
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday,
Saturday and Sunday
Get get get get get
With us you know what we say
Party everyday p-p-p-party
Party everyday
I gotta feeling that tonight gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good good night…
Lots of Love ~
My first time to comment. I’ve been reading for about a week or so now. But Oh my goodness, I couldn’t help but say that pout is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!
I just stumbled upon your blog and am so moved by your words and images. All children are a gift from God, but children with DS are a gift chosen specially. It might be a long road, but it will be filled with love and wonder. You are truly blessed with your family 🙂
You rocked it again! I’m sitting here watching the snow fall and finding such comfort and warmth in your sunset at the beach. You are absolutely keeping it real! Keep on lovin’ and rockin’ it out!
Love your blog. Beautifully written and the photographs are amazing. I read your birth story and it was so moving. Normally I stay away from birth stories because it brings back so many raw emotions. I too found out after my son was born. I love how your friends and family really celebrated Nella’s birth, knowing how unsettled you were with the possible diagnosis. You are very lucky.
I LOVE the frowny face photo, my Lucas does this too but I never got a great picture of it.
I love love love the pouty lip picture. She is so beautiful and adorable!!!
Your daughters are beautiful.
Your story has touched my soul. I found your blog when someone posted the link to sweet Nella’s birth story on my facebook page, and I can’t stop reading. Every post since Nella’s birth has brought tears to my eyes – not tears of sadness. It’s difficult to describe, since I’ve never met you, but these tears are tears of pride. I can’t help but feel so proud of you for your beautiful reaction to this change in your plans. You are an amazing, wonderful person and I feel so blessed to have found your blog. We need more of you in this world.
I love your posts, but I also love coming on here and reading your dad’s words… as a Daddy’s girl myself, it warms my heart to see his love for his girls.
Isn’t it something that while pouring your heart on here to brighten YOUR day, you brighten everyone else’s? I think that’s the definition of love.
how you present this story, your story, is remarkable. thank you for sharing. it’s a good kick in the butt! 🙂
how you present this story, your story, is remarkable. thank you for sharing. it’s a good kick in the butt! 🙂
The girls are beautiful and so is your spirit of enjoying! Just keep it up!
Your photography is amazing. I just love the pouty lip, simply precious. You are an amazing writer of your life. Thank you for sharing and letting us in.
Amy
Found your birth story yesterday and tried to comment but the combox couldn’t load. So glad I got on today to tell you how beautiful your daughters are! This pic of Nella pouting – oh my heart – that’s so CUTE! I could eat her with a spoon, she’s so sweet!
You are very blessed! (And you take amazing pictures!)
Kelle with an “E”! I smiled all the way through this…your photos alone tell a story. The Hampton gals are certainly a force of three to be reckoned with….watch out universe here they come!
xo,
Bug & Ruby’s Gram
ps….a bit envious of the green grass….I just got in from snow blowing, 3rd time in less than 24 hours, geeze!
Beautiful.
What a beautiful writer you are! And such a beautiful Mother with 2 beautiful girls! Thank you for sharing your story! May God bless you and sweet and precious family!
I’ve been reading up on your story, it’s a beautiful one for sure:) I just wanted to say how blessed you are that Nella is a HEALTHY DS baby. We have friends who had a baby last year w/ DS and they’ve been in and out of the hospital ALL YEAR with huge issues with her little body.
I’m so glad that your li’l sweetpea is ok. She is beautiful, and my goodness, so is Lainey, as are you!!!
I’m still so in love with Nella. She is going to be such a loving soul – I can tell! Just like Nella, our Grant didn’t cry much either and we have lots of pictures of that exact pouty face. Something about that extra chromosome makes for adorable pouty faces!
It might be hard to imagine now, but we are saddened to think that Grant could have gone to someone else’s family! We feel sorry for other people that don’t get to experience this depth of life experience and raw happiness! As I said before, for every bad day or day filled with tears, I promise that you’ll have 1000 more happy days. The happy days have WAY outnumbered the sad ones – not even close.
Your photos are breathtaking!
Wow…
😀 Anna
Life is truly beautiful – and thank you for letting us celebrate it with you and your beautiful family.
Many Blessings, Tara Marie
I’m moving in a week and don’t know when I’ll get to check in with you again. I know i’ll miss you more than you’ll miss me (hehe), but your lovely tunes make for a happy packing up environment! *just love that last picture!
I could not fit what I had to say in a comment, so I’ve written you a letter. If you don’t have time to read it, that’s okay, but I needed to write it. Thank you for sharing your story with us, thank you for showing the world the beauty of Nella.
http://withrootsandwings.com/2010/02/09/dea-kelle-hampton/
A friend of mine shared your blog with me after the birth of your beautiful daughter Nella. I find myself checking in to hear of the love you share with your daughters and that they share with you and each other. Thank you for sharing your emotions and experiences with others. Your honesty is both refreshing and hopeful. As person whose life has been touched, enriched, and made infinitely better by a child with down syndrome I thank you for your posts.
The pouty lip is just priceless lol! how adorable!
I just started reading your blog and what a blessing! You are such a wonderful Mom and you are surrounded by such a loving family and big group of friends. Your beautiful girls are truly blessed to be surrounded by so much love.
Julie
OMG that pout brought tears to my eyes. My Sam had a very similar pout when he was upset. He was never much of a crier but the pout said it all.
Now he’s 16. The pout is long gone and now I get the eye rolling and “Oh my god mom you embarass me.” FYI the teen years don’t skip the down syndrome crowd. It’s all still there in full force. Which I find strangely comforting. Because, after all, it is normal to ground your 16 year old for cell phone violations. So, life is normal. 🙂
Your daughters are both so beautiful.
I’ve just been introduced to your blog and I have to tell you your girls are adorable.
I have a 6 year old boy with DS. He is adopted and the ligh of my eyes. We are from Portugal.
If you feal like to “know” him, please visit hie blog (http://otesourinho.blogspot.com) it’s in Portuguese, but it has a translator.
Some things are lost in tranlation, but I beleave that it’s understandable.
I wish all the best in the world for your girls. Has I said before, their are adorable.
Joni and Bruno
Thank you Kelle for sharing another days journey with us all! It brings back so many memories. You have already come a long way in such a short time. For some, it takes much longer. I don’t think we ever forget, but it’s ok to re-visit the past on occasion, it reminds us how much we have grown. There is nothing bigger than a mother’s heart (or as I like to call it, our memory box). So keep on filling it up. Your outlook on life is so inspiring and I thank you for sharing it with us.
I found your blog a week or two ago and have enjoyed every thing you have shared. I’ve cried with you, laughed with you and am now loving with you. You have 2 beautiful daughters and an amazing story. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’ll continue to follow along… and continue to thank you for everyting you have made me feel.
Big hugs to you and your family.
Thank you,
Tracy
I found this blog when you posted Nella’s birth story, and I have never been more moved by a blog. Your truth and incredible depth are beautiful. I was thinking of you today and I MUST DEMAND that you look up a band that I think will provide you with many more anthems. They go by two names. The first is “Dividing the Plunder” Think Regina Spektor meets Indie Christian. They also released a CD under the name “Ellery” called Lying Awake. Same angelic voices, more secular tunes. I do believe each will move you to the marrow. God bless you and your family. I look forward to “watching” you all grow.
I love your blog, I found when you posted your birth story. I know some of how you feel. My first daughter was born with Apert Syndrome, and I had a lot of the same emotions you shared. She is now 6 and has two younger sisters.
You can’t look forward to all the trouble up the road or you will never make it through and you miss all the little moments. I so glad that you too learned that early on.
Baby Mine was one of my favorite songs too after she was born.
If you don’t have it already, I’d suggest you pick up a copy of Margaret Wise Brown’s Bunny’s Noisy Book for your Valentines! It’s a sweet book. I just got done picking up all the books strewn around our toy room and thought of you and your girls when I put that particular one away.
Happy Tuesday to you …
PS – I’m feeling lost amidst all these comments!
I just happened upon your blog recently, and I can’t stop checking back…every day:) You have the most beautiful girls, and your story is so inspiring! Nella has already touched so many lives, and look how little she is!! She already has the most wonderful story:) And, you are the most amazing mom! I hope that when I become a Mommy, that I am a lot like you are:)
Your daughters are so, so beautiful! And you seem like such an amazing person 🙂 I just thought I’d comment to say that I’m 16 and your blog has touched me – everything in it is so beautiful to every age group and thank you for inspiring me today 🙂
take care xxxxx
Dear Kelle,
My dad sent me the link to your birth story to read and marvel over. Wow.
We have nothing in common, my kids are grown and now I have grandnaughties. But he knows my love for a story well told (yours was VERY beautifully written, and the photos!) He also knows how empathetic I am, how tender my heart is, how it falls immediately in love with people. And of course it did, I did. We all did who had the joyous good fortune to share in your story, your entire blog really.
I’d want to say this: you and yours are in my heart and prayers. I am sending out positive, uplifting and loving energy to you all (and kisses and nuzzles to your yummy children).
I am going to share your blog and birth story on my blog tomorrow. It’s more than inspiring, it’s spiritually and emotionally edifying or something. I see God here.
You are so lovely, your blog is too – I’m blessed to have “met” you.
In amazement, and with no doubt things will be progressing brilliantly in your lives –
Jennifer
Tarpon Springs, FL
http://MaidenShade.net
such beautiful photos and even more beautiful girls!
those valentine cookie shots? amazing.
and i think the black eyed peas could get a mama through anything.
These pictures are some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen…
Your family is just beautiful…I read your words and I can honestly tell you I know how you feel. I have been there as well…but things DO change slowly over time. Colin is 9 months old and they are STILL changing and probably always will. Nella is so beautiful and you can just tell that she is so loved and always will be. She will do so many amazing things simply because you love her…
You truly leave heart prints on paper. <3
You and your family are simply AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your story, your family, your girls, and yourself with us…very inspiring!
that pouty face has just got to be the cutest thing EVER. how can you keep from smoochin’ on her all.day.long.
I’ve said it many times! YOU ARE AMAZING!! And that pouty face is equally as amazing!! Nella is such a doll!! Of course Lainey is too!!
xo
Jessica
I am one of the many it looks like who have recently come across your blog. Thank you for bringing beauty into my life through your writing, photography, and story.
hi. it’s me. your blog stalker. yes, i swear we would be friends if we met. that big bowl in your kitchen? we have that. and all the same cookie cutters and blankets and itty bitty girl clothes. we also have the same struggles, beautifully terrifying moments, happinesses, and joys.
thanks for this post.
p.s. nella’s sweet little “i’m cold face”??? i wanted to kiss her precious little face on the computer screen. 😉
sending love and hugs from GA
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! You are incredible! I too have a little girl with Down syndrome – Lily. She will be 4 in June. I can’t help but relate to your birth story (mine experience was so similar) and all the emotions and feelings you are having. We are so blessed, and I promise you, in time you will look back on your worry and sadness and giggle to yourself for feeling the way that you did. Nella has and will continue to bring you and your family true joy. Congratulations!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog! You are incredible! I too have a little girl with Down syndrome – Lily. She will be 4 in June. I can’t help but relate to your birth story (mine experience was so similar) and all the emotions and feelings you are having. We are so blessed, and I promise you, in time you will look back on your worry and sadness and giggle to yourself for feeling the way that you did. Nella has and will continue to bring you and your family true joy. Congratulations!
Thank you for inspiring me to live more simply, to love more simply.
You are a beautiful woman in the deepest, most meaningful ways. Your girls and your family are so blessed to be embraced by your love and enveloped by your hope. And I feel blessed to have discovered your story, your honesty, your wisdom that belies your years. I hope you don’t mind that I have linked to your story through my own reflections.
Thank you again, and I wish for you joy and simple beauty each step of your new journey.
You’ve touched me in ways you will never know. Stories like this, help people love deeper and live fuller. I didn’t think it was possible for me to love deeper or live fuller but oh it sure is. Nella is an absolute angel. What a beauty. She just exudes peace and joy. Wow.
I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog, your story. Those newborn moments go by SO fast! It gets me all choked up to look at your sweet daughters…
Thanks so much.
Kelle I’ve read your entire blog and enjoyed the pictures you have taken. You have a beautiful family and those 2 girls are so lucky to have a strong beautiful role model in their mommy!!!! Nella is a doll and Lainey appears to be the best helper a mom could ask for. My favorite picture is the pouty lip one oh man did that one make me laugh. I love reading your blog, thank you for having the courage to write and share it with us.
kells! love the pics and the cookies! think we are doing cupcakes, but peyton hasn’t decided yet. we’ll see. gonna try to rock out the best valentine’s cards in her class. pressure on:)
xoxoxo
I’m afraid I don’t have my own words this time. Poppa nailed it about the picture of Nella by the sky! I also adore the picture of her sleeping in your lap. Love to you and your family! Once again, your girls are precious and beautiful!
Hi Kelle,
I just received an email with a link to the birth story of Nella. I have never read anything more beautiful… than the heartfelt words you poured out onto the page. I am completely in awe. You made me want to rip through the screen and snuggle her sweet body. You have a beautiful family! And you take amazing pictures, do you mind sharing the camera you use?? 🙂
I am putting you on my blog roll, thank you for sharing your little life with us….I love it and can’t wait to read more!
Ok…are you kidding me!?!? Nella’s pouty lip!! OMG….ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!! As usual, pics are DIVINE! My 3 favorites are (in no particular order):
1) Pouty Lip
2) Shot of Nella Bella , while holding up the V-day cookie cutter
3) The beach one…the very last pic on the blog. OH MY HEAVEN!!!!!!
xoxoxo
I love, love, love your story. You don’t know how you are changing lives. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I have had a similar experience in my life like yours. I have 2 beautiful girls, ages 5 and 2. When my youngest was born, she was missing her left hand. As I read the emotions you were experiencing as they placed your beautiful gift on your chest, it was like watching a movie of my own life, nearly 3 years ago. The pain was almost too much to bare. I cried with sadness, anger and overwhelming love all at the same time. I didn’t know how I would ever be the same or how I could live a happy life ever again. Fast forward 3 years. Life is SPECTACULAR. You and I, along with many others share one thing. We have been given a miracle. God manifests his work on earth, and our children are living proof. I wonder each and every day what I did to deserve someone so special. It has changed not only my life, but the life of my family and really anyone who has seen my little angel. Someone once told me, “This is not sad!!! Are you kidding??? It’s the neatest thing that could ever be, why on earth would you be sad over something so spectacular??” That’s how I feel every day. I told myself that there would be hard days in the future, but to be honest, there just isn’t. It’s all in our attitude and perspective. Do we want our children to be like everyone else? Heck no!!!! Ours are unique and God-sent. Our first born daughters were sent first for a reason as well and you will see miracles with your little “big sister.” Life is good, but when these special ones come into our lives, life becomes surreal. You have been given the most perfect gift that was custom made just for you.
Congratulations.
I can’t imagine how much support you must have, but if you’d ever like someone else to relate to, I’d love to chat.
Love,
Holly
camhollywright@yahoo.com
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This comment has been removed by the author.
I too love your blog and I check it often…beautiful little girls, beautiful mommy.
Nella is so beautiful! She inspires me and my children think she is so cute we look at the gorgeous pictures and get so happy!
i am in love with your family, your story and your words. thank you so much for sharing, i am truly honored to have found your blog.
I just found your blog by way of justmommies.com where I go to (electronically) live out my life with my sweet 10.5 month old daughter, Alexandra Sivan. I think I’ve spent the better part of my work day taking in each & every one of your beautiful photos & peeking through the porthole you’ve allowed us to look through. Your family is breathtaking & the sense of love & gratitude that you have is all-consuming. You are truly a life lived beautifully & I thank you for sharing it with us. You are an inspiration, for sure. I think we can all take a page from your book, especially the ones who are constantly struggling to keep all of the balls in the air– family & children, homes, jobs, & a million et ceteras. Thank you, thank you.
I thank God so much for sending your blog my way. Every time I read it I get teary – mostly tears of joy. Your words, your pictures, your children, your life- so beautiful and inspiring. I wish I could find the right words to express. Thank you.
I found your blog a couple days ago. Its truly the most heartfelt and beautiful blog I have ever come across. Your pictures are beautiful and your girls are adorable and true blessings. This blog is the closest one I have come across that honestly portray a mothers love for her child. Nella is beautiful and they are both truly blessed to have a you as their mother.
Like so many others, I have stumbled upon your wonderfully uplifting words. I first read Nella’s birth story and have been like an addict to your blog – shamelessly going back and reading prior posts and falling in love with your family.
Your girls are so, so lucky to have you as their mom….you see them for the blessings they are and from your words and pictures you are totally committed to the most important thing with having children – living and cherishing every moment.
I have 2 children myself….my youngest is 3 months old. And today and every day I will squeeze them to my chest and try so very hard to etch *this* moment into my memory. Thank you for the reminder to do that.
God bless.
Continuing to love reading all you have to say about life as you continue to live it. Nella’s pouty lip is absolutely the best!!
I am one of those “random” readers who stumbled upon your blog…and I feel SO blessed to have found it. I check everyday for new updates (but know you are so busy with those beautiful girls)…but just wanted to say thank you for each of your beautifully written words. You really are showing us the true meaning in life.
And I am SO jealous of wherever you live. Looks like beautiful weather! 🙂
i’m sure you’ve had people say this but i feel like you are a mirror of me. you state you feel and live your emotions to their deepest level. you allow yourself to be taken over by them. i am the same way and music, indeed, plays a huge roll in my life. music played on my drive to the hospital, music that will forever bring tears to my eyes when i hear it. music that played on my stereo in car trips back and forth visiting our rachel in the NICU. music that changed from sad to hopefull to happy. one of those songs that played on our trip home, finally home, with rachel was by OneRepublic “Good Life”. if you have a chance, listen to this song. it fills my heart with hope and joy and i cry out of thankfulness for my life. because it is indeed a good life.
I love the ‘pouty lip’! You are an inspiration!
I love the ‘pouty lip’! You are an inspiration!
I really needed your blog tonight. You are such a bright spirit, and I love little Nella’s pouty “cold” face. Thank you.
Oh my word, that pouty lip…. I can’t handle it!
Good for you for finding the good, the lovely, the precious in your daily life. It really all comes down to the hundreds of little amazing things that make our lives so great.
When the dinner is cooking, the music and the girls are playing and my husband is on his way home from work, I sit with my glass of red, and read your blog. It is a peaceful time that I look forward to everyday. Thank you for sharing your world. I am so happy that you are so happy. Sending a virtual hug your way.
Sarah Wayne
Another comment for you! (If you need a PA to help you keep on top of them, can I apply for the job?! Happy to relocate to Florida!)
Love the Valentine’s cookies – and Nella all snuggled up on the kitchen counter! And Lainey’s new top.
And I love that song too. It just demands that you jump up and dance around the living room, doesn’t it?
p.s. Keep an eye out for the postman!
Gosh.. your girls are beyond beautiful. I hope you plan to have gobs and gobs more of ’em. You are a wonderful mother.
You guys make my heart swell. Thankyou, Jodie.
you make me want to be a better person and mother. You inspire me…nella makes me want to be a better person…. to love bigger, love without boundaries. I have cried so many tears as I have read your blog this week… thank you for being so gut wretching honest. You are an amzing woman and I can not wait to see how the Lord uses you in the days and months ahead. Nellas life has already made an impact…. thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now you have two muses! Such beautiful photos of the girls- my favourite one so far of Nella is with the bunny shirt on- so perfect for her!
And exactly how many hats do you your girls own!?! lol
Keep on writing, loving sharing this amazing journey with you and your family
Allison in Australia 🙂
Thank you for sharing your life and heart with all of us!
Another beautiful post. I love the pouty lip face! You are an amazing photographer. You leave me wanting more words…and more pictures. Michelle
Kelle, has it become obvious yet that Nella happened for a reason? All these responses – unbelievable! You are here for a reason. Nella is here for a reason. Your parents must be incredibly proud of the amazing woman and mother you have become. Keep writing and inspiring us all. You have been given a gift. I’m so happy you are using it.
Megan
http://meinhardts.blogspot.com
I just finished reading your blog for the first time, with tears streaming down my face. We were told 28 years ago that our sweet, precious baby girl had Down’s. Sure, there have been many tears and a lot of prayers and hopes and fears, but our lives have been blessed over and over by her. Thank you for your honesty…you have captured everything I felt. You are truly a blessing to me, and I’m sure, many others. Thank you.
That sweet little pouty lip! :] I absolutely love this blog, Nella’s birth story made me cry so hard, but I enjoy seeing your newest blog posts and some of the most amazing photography I’ve ever seen.
Best wishes!
Kelle,
I followed you all weekend, I swear hourly! I first read about your blog on saturday and I’ve been coming back constantly to see if you’ve posted…I am totally in awe of you and your attitute and your life…your daughters are so so so lucky to have someone like you as their mom. I love your blog and even though I don’t know you personally, I feel like I know you so much better than many of my friends from (from going back and reading every single one of your writing…from day one…)..
You are my inspiration. Thank you for writing…I’ll be looking forward to reading your next post and seeing lovely pictures of your cute daughters.
Kelle, Nelle is most beautiful in these new pics, you have captured her in some great shots, wow, she is showing expressions already, she seems much older then her days, tis just great to follow your journey Kelle, the girls are so lucky to have such a wonderful, Mama….hang in there Mom of 2 …*winks*
Your words, your pictures….Your life is so inspiring. I have a 14 month old daughter Lauren and a husband who has been traveling a ton and I have forgotten about enjoying the small things.
She is only little once and you have reminded me to treasure and soak it up all! Thank you!
And you truly are blessed….you are going to see life through Nella’s eyes and it will be something so exceptionally beautiful than how we see life. God only gives us what we can handle and he knew you could.
Thanks and Go State (thought you might be a Spartan?!?)
Aubrey
Oh sweet Nella. The pouty face picture? I laughed and cried at the same time. She is perfect. Beautiful, amazing, perfect.
Thanks for sharing your story. The ups and downs come – but may laughter outweigh the tears in your days. We have our own journey… four girls, the younger two being medically fragile. Strength to you and your family in your journey.
spot
thepotfamily.blogspot.com
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your journey…I happened upon your blog a few days ago…and I’ve been in awe…of your courage, spirit and humility. Your daughters are beautiful…you capture them so amazingly with your camera…they must be even more beautiful in real life. I look forward to watching Nella grow & change the world. And the pout is too much!
You are amazing. Your girls are breath-taking. I love your entires and the way you write is incredible. I feel like I am part of your experience and this journey. I am 28 and have 2 boys, 2.5 and 9 moths old. I know the love you are talking about. Only a mother can understand this and I am so in awe of your strength and beauty. Your pictures are beautiful and both girls blow me away. Nella is so special. She really really is. You are not wasting even one second of her life. And you can really see Lainey’s love for her. You are so incredibly blessed. Thank you Kelle for sharing your life with us.
Oh kelle, my new friend….like kindred spirits ive found you…we’ve never met, but how you and your stories have moved me. i came upon your blog thru a friend as seems everyone else on here…but unlike everyone else i feel like ive known you forever. My husband says ive become obsessed bc im always checking for new posts, but its more of an enlightment with every post i learn something new, and try to better myself and my family with it. And for this i thank you. your beautiful daughters are blessed to have a mama like you.
thnaks for the insperation….keep blogging
your new friend, marcela
Glorious! I am hooked on this blog & your beautiful daughters! You are special & blessed, as are they to have you as a mother.
Your love of life and family make me smile with tears of joy.
You are truly an amazingly gifted writer. Thanks for sharing your life!
Life is as beautiful as you make it, so make yours glorious. 🙂
I love the pouty lip… that is incredibly cute, especially on such a young baby!
I’m still sending you warm wishes and long-distance hugs, dear. All four of you.
– E
I just read this wonderful article of a father with a little boy with DS and thought I would pass it on:
http://www.examiner.com/sitemaps/x-11535-Christian-Living-Examiner~y2009m8d1-Down-Syndrome-and-evidence-of-the-Divine
Kelle, Wow! You have certainly turned the pages on our connection. I went to the hospital just a short time ago to inspire you…to give you some sense of hope…to tell you everything was going to be o.k. I wanted to let you know you were not alone and that you were going to love your baby because you were chosen for this journey. Instead, I find myself pouring over your photos and words tonight as a first time viewer of your blog and I am the one who is inspired.
The sunset you posted on the Naples Beach is the very place where I asked God to give me another child to love. Your photo reminded me of that day and of the many days after I learned of Jackson’s diagnosis with Down Syndrome when I was 22 weeks pregnant. I still visit that place to this day (4 1/2 yrs later) and I feel comforted to know that I was chosen for this blessing. You have been blessed, as well, my new friend. I saw the sadness and fear in your eyes while we were talking when Nella was only 2 days old. I wasn’t sad for you….I was excited for you because I knew the dark cloud you were under would clear. It was only a matter of time. I am so happy that you are experiencing the beautiful sun that is shining on your life and your family.
I will be following your blog and look forward to watching the joys of your family unfold. Thank you for sharing your heart and your family. I know you are touching the lives of thousands in ways you may never know! Down Syndrome continues to take me places I never thought I’d go. I’m happy that this time it has led me to you.
LOVE THAT POUTY LIP! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!
Oh Kelle..I feel like I know you. Your story and the way you tell it is amazing and I cry reading all your wonderful posts since I have discovered your blog a couple of days ago. I think about you and your babies all day and pray for you every night. I have a 5 month old daughter and my other baby girls are turning 6 & 9 in March and I can tell you that sisters are the best! You really inspire me…to be the best Mommy to my gorgeous girls. My OCD tends to flare up here and there and..God- your words hit me like a ton of bricks…they help me slow the hell down and remember that their messy bedroom can stay messy and to let go of other petty bs that comes with having kids. I shared your story with my brother and his wife, they have a 4 year daughter who has special needs and it has been a long road for them. She’s having a big surgery tomorrow and today…my sister in law and I relived the day Mya arrived and we cried and counted our blessings that she’s here. God bless…I’m a fan and will be “here” with you for the ride of your life! God bless honey! – Aggie
I was sent the link to your blog. I hate when people come by and don’t leave a note. I am a mom of a 25 week preemie. He was under 2 pounds and is now 4. He has cerebral palsy and is legally blind. He is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do in my entire life. I love that you share you have bad days and good days. I LOVE that you honestly share that those feelings of grieving are more than you can bear. There are some days that the baby I grieve for is long gone and what I have is broken. But a loved broken. I love him. No matter what he is our life.
Nella is beautiful and she has a wonderful mother and sister and daddy. What a great story. I can’t wait for more.
prematuritywithlove.blogspot.com
You are a great new member of the club. When you feel like it, please visit http://www.unomas21.com Alot of great people there who are already in love w/ your little love. You take great photo’s BTW.
{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Luv, Jennifer
Their beautiful faces makes me smile! Both of your girls are precious gifts from heaven. Nella’s pouty lip makes me tear up! Your ability to look at how many blessing God gives you each day will help you continue through your journey in a higher road! God will bless you for that! I enjoy your stories. It helps remind me of the beauty in mine!!!!! Thank you!
I have been trying to find the words for days. I got linked to your blog on one of my darkest days. My daughter turns three in just a few short hours. She has a rare genetic disorder that… well no one knew what the future would hold. No one even knew if she would make it through her first weeks. As my husband and I tucked her into bed this last night of her two year old self, your words echoed in my head. I knew I had to find it in me to write. I have spoken about your raw honesty to people at our last home visits for early intervention. Spoke of the kind and gentle (yet completely honest) ways that you find to word things. The ways that reading what you write puts words to emotions that I have been battling for nearly three years. Thank you for that.
After nearly three years I had sat down and written a letter to her disorder a couple weeks ago. It was healing. To see the words on the screen. To have them outside of my mind. To know they were OK to feel. Then, to have them echoed by someone who had only just begun her journey… well you and your girls brightened this last few days for me. Thank you for that.
I am so happy that you are in a place of peace. You are right… there will be hard days. However, I will tell you as a mother of a little girl for which no doctor had a lot of ‘ideas’… she had a ton of her own. I heard oh so often “she probably won’t…” and then I watched her find the strength within to DO. It has gotten to the point now that a neurologist said “I cannot even guess what she will do. That little girl surpasses every expectation I ever have.” I say this not to say “oh my daughter is so fabulous!” (even though she is 😉 ) but to tell you your sweet daughters will be exactly who they need to be at the end of each day. It is a walk of life that is both a blessing and a struggle. You are walking it with amazing grace. I am so grateful you are sharing your story. You may never realize how many people you help to heal every.single.day.
Your family is beautiful and perfect. Seriously. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your family… it helped me on the road to rediscovering so many things. Thank you
Oh that pouty lip just melts my heart.
There are different tears–I swear even the chemistry of them differentiates them. There are the tears of anguish. We had them first–you had them, Kelle, in the room holding your new and precious baby. We had them in your corridor–keeping our game faces on when with you but meeting our sadness in the hallway. Those tears taste different and burn more in our throats. They needed to be cried. We needed to get them out of our souls. They seemed to cleanse us for the new tears…tears that are sweeter…tears that just seem to flow when my spirit is so perfectly aligned with words I read and tones I hear and images I see and it is like all creation falls into place and it is as it is supposed to be. Those are the tears I enjoy when I read these comments and in the background, see a precious little face who has no idea the light she and so many others bring to a broken world. I remember first hearing you were going to “blog.” I didn’t think it was a verb–an active thing. I thought it was a misspelled swamp–a place to be mired in. Oh, how wrong I was. It has brought such healing for you, my daughter dear, and now for so many others–including your dad. Thank you. I woke early and checked on my babies like I do when there…tiptoing into their room to see if they are stirring yet. I love you.
I thought the maxi pad story was going to be the highlight of this post for me but then I saw that pouty lip and just couldn’t smile any wider!
This is such a beautiful blog. You are amazing. Your girls are incredible. You have not and will not waste even one second of Nella’s life. She is so so so special and so so perfect. You can see the love Lainey has for her also. What an incredible heart you have. I am so touched by this and feel like I am now part of your experience and journey. Only a mother can understand your words Kelle. Please keep writing. It brings such healing.
This is such a beautiful blog. You are amazing. Your girls are incredible. You have not and will not waste even one second of Nella’s life. She is so so so special and so so perfect. You can see the love Lainey has for her also. What an incredible heart you have. I am so touched by this and feel like I am now part of your experience and journey. Only a mother can understand your words Kelle. Please keep writing. It brings such healing.
I want to eat up those yummy cookies and your two gorgeous girls! I want to keep reading your beautiful, honest words and those of your readers because it helps keep things in perspective and makes us truly appreciate how blessed we are. Still adjusting to life with two kids, and even though our challenges may be different, it’s always nice to find someone else who can put your thoughts and feelings into words. Enjoy the journey, and we’ll be right here with you. PS – what camera do you use?
Bellisima Nella is so full of light. She is leading the way moment by moment, step by step. Enjoy this amazing journey, it only gets better and better. I feel so much love for you guys.
Love and Peace ~
K~
I adore your blog. Your children are beautiful, and you are an amazing writer. Keep it coming! It truly helps me to continue looking for those small things in life. 🙂
Everyone needs a Nella in their life. You have a beautiful family. Truly.
you are many times blessed!
Wow…Kelle…she’s looking so much older now. What a beauty, both of them!!!
Love you and praying for you.
A friend sent me a link to your blog today – wow. We have a little girl with Down syndrome as well. She’ll be 2 in April. Your daughter’s birth story so resonated with me …. I knew too when I saw my girl. Amazing how the mother knows.
You may need to talk and think about this for a while… maybe even forever. The change is profound although, as you say, life seems quite normal really.
This precious little person will teach you so much and it always amazes me how serene our children are with all the worry and thinking and discussion that surrounds them. They just do their thing and are happy.
Your children are so beautiful… I’m enjoying your amazing photography.
And I admire you for your honesty.
You and your daughters will have an amazing life.
And by the way, you look pretty awesome considering you just had a baby 🙂
Take care of yourself …
Heather
Nella’s birth story was passed to me by a friend and I was so moved by it and shed so many tears for you- not just sadness but of hope and excitement of what the future holds for your family.
What a beautiful family you have been blessed with!
I’ve been reading more of your posts (you are a very captivating writer!) and came across this when I was reading your birthday post.
Your words, preparing for what was to come without even realizing it:
“i have been reminded so much these past couple weeks of just how wonderfully blessed we are and the older i get, the more i embrace change as opportunity to learn just what i am capable of.”
You ARE capable of being a amazing mommy to your 2 darling daughters and you will do a brilliant job of it!
Sending love and prayers your way.
Jan
http://www.lucagraham.blogspot.com
I love love love the little pouty lip! I babysat a little girl with Down syndrome and she would stick that bottom lip out whenever I asked her to do something she didn’t think was very fun.
Your blog was passed on to me by a friend and I think I have looked at Nella’s beautiful pictures 1000 times. And her birth story, well it took me back almost 11 years. I could have written your emotions word for word. The similarities are unbelieveable. My Noah turns 11 in May and if you think you love Nella now, just wait, it only gets better. I love her, and each time I see her face I drool. I want to just reach through the computer screen and hold her, hug her and kiss her. The picture of her pouting up there almost made me cry. And the toes, my favorite part, more toe pictures please!!! You are truly blessed and I’m so glad I found your blog.
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Love reading your blog and contemplating how incredibly huge the small things in life really are. We are on your journey with you and will applaud along with the others who are reading. Give your girls a squeeze from Canada.
“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
I was just sent a link to your blog. I am in total awe. Your girls are so beautiful. Your little Nella is going to change people. She is truly a gift from the heavens…and your last picture captures that.
You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but I have fallen in love with your blog.
Nella’s birth story is inspiring, amazing, sobering, perfect and in every way wonderful. My sister sent me a link to your blog from Nella’s birth and told me “you have to read this.” I have been enthralled and mesmorized reading your stories and looking at the pictures of your beautiful girls.
My daughter was born within a week of your Lainey so watching her grow up on your blog just resonates with me, strangely enough. But what really catches my eye is your beautiful, beautiful Nella. Especially the pouty picture which just brings smiles and tears to my eyes. She is amazing and perfect in every way.
I can feel the love you have for your family and am so inspired by your photography and writing (okay, maybe I am a little jealous of your fashion sense too!). I hope you don’t mind someone you don’t know watching your family grow up, but I appreciate you sharing your artistic gift with us.
Your daughters are just so lucky to have such a cool and talented mamma who adores them so much.
Many blessings to you and your family.
~kasi~
The pouty lip touched me so. Your pictures are beautiful – it captures so beautifully what is in your heart.
The music on your playlist is very healing. As you heal, we heal.
Thank you,
Jasmine
Windmills and Tulips
Oh Nella – you are the sweetest babe and I wish I could hold you and smell your sweet milk breath and newborn baby hair. I came upon your birth story through a link from another blog and you stole my heart. Immediately I thought – what an awesome pro-life witness this little baby and this birth story are! For the rest of the day, I thought of you often, little Nella, and how I was soooo happy you were born because you can teach all of us how important one life is. Later in the middle of the night, when I was nursing my own little one, I thought of you again little Nella. And it dawned on me ~ you were born on January 22. That same day thousands traveled to Washington D.C. to say “every child is worthy of life”. Yes, it was the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and no, it was no coincidence that God thought this was the perfect day for you to be born. Your life may already be saving others ~ and I pray it always does.
God Bless You All!
Nicole
oh, your babies are so beautiful! And sweet little Nella is growing already! Precious, precious babies. Thank you for sharing. Your girls bring me joy!
wow.i know too well the whole hit by a bus feeling. I tell you girl-you’re going to do just fine! keep on keepin on! Those girls are so lucky to have you-
Once again looking at your blog. Your words are so powerful and beautiful just like your children! Send my love, your in my prayers!
PS- Love the picture of Nella and the sky! And you should write a book with your amazing experiences! Love to all…
I just recently found your blog and oh the memories and feelings that flooded my soul. You have a way with words and are so honest with the readers. I want you to know that you are inspiring many new parents that find your blog. I would like you to know that life will change into a new “normal” for you. We have a 7 yr. old daughter with Down syndrome and she has been such a blessing to us and others she comes in contact with. They are a little bit of heaven sent to earth. Keep enjoying your bundle. I would love to share some wonderful stories with you via email to let you know just what great things are awaiting your family.
I love seeing all the clothes on Nella that Lainey and Lily wore when they were newborns. Holy time machine batman! (dabbing wet eyes)
That pouty lip is just too much and my favorite one is of Nella with heaven in the background; right where she came from with Grandma’s help. 🙂
What a beautiful sunset! What a great mom you are. Cookies for Lainey and hugs and kisses for Nella. Your girls are blessed.
Love the words and the pictures. Life is so beautiful in the Hampton family. My favorites are the “I love my puppy” shirt and definitely the pout! What sweet girls you have! Miss you!
Samantha
i adore that pouty lip photo! she has a lot of spunk for such a little thing!
Your life is an inspiration to me. I love your creativity. Your photographs, your writing, the way that you pay attention to the spectacular details of life. Nella was given to you because you will make her life wonderful. Thank you for sharing your life and your stories.
i heart nella. you and your family are so beautiful. thank you for bringing her into this world. it’s a better place now.
I have to tell you, i am in love with your story and your beautiful girls. (isn’t it amazing to hear that ‘girls’?)
I have just discovered your blog through an inspired friend, and have spent the last several hours hovered over my computer learning about your family, hearing your thoughts and heart and without even knowing them, falling in love with your beautiful children.
Lainey is unbelievably gorgeous, and is falling into sisterhood perfectly. Sisters are so special. Nella is so adorable, and every picture you share melts my heart and makes me smile. She will do big things. Big Things. And, Lainey will show her the way.
I’m so hopeful for your family-you are adjusting well to this blessing, and God has you wrapped in His arms.
I am a huge Donald Miller fan, and I noticed that you have read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. One of my favorite passages in this awesome book is about motherhood. I’d like to remind you of it, because it is my heart and hope and I believe it describes you…
“It was as though having a baby made all the fairy tales come true for her, as though she were a painter who discovered a color all new to the world.”
Thank you for inspiring, being transparent, and loving.
I am so happy I came across your blog. I am 13 weeks pregnant and 4 days away from the cut off of doing the chromosome testing, which we are not doing. I am so glad we are not doing it, especially after reading your story. Thank you so much for your honesty and the gorgeous photos that share the emotion, emotions that we readers may only feel a fraction of. I’ve put you on my feedreader and love it when you update! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for teaching us all to find the beauty in life. xoxo Mindy in Colorado
Dear Kelle, I am so hooked on your blog! I started reading days ago and have revisited often, taking it all in. Your account of your life is so beautifully honest and profound. Being an emotional and reflective person myself I connect strongly with your emotions, and I admire your ability to experience life so intensely. This is what it is and it looks so beautiful!
Your girls are gorgeous and Nella is the most scrumptious little thing! Continue to enjoy each other. Don’t be afraid of the pain because at the same time, these girls are going to take you places! I will be reading often, very curious to see what you will share 🙂
Thank you also for sharing your amazing birth story. I am a mother and a doula and have gained an enormous amount of learning from being allowed to see your unique perspective.
Love and warm hugs (all the way from the other side of the World!)
The pouty lip ROCKS!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful Nella with us. She is is a princess indeed.
Be in the moment…grieve when you need to… then look at that face and love her with all you have.
“I can not do big things, just small things with great love.”
Mother Theresa of Calcutta
A friend posted a link to your birth story on her blog & I read it. BEAUTIFUL. So I had to come back to your whole blog & read other posts, too. And then I saved it to my fav blogs list. I will be back over & over. What a beautiful family you have. And I’ve gotta say…that sweet pouty lip pic is awesome! Love it!!
heyo friend. Just had to say something about little Lainey in the sweater!!!! Love it. And that pouty lip of course. And Lainey in the sand and sunsets. Haven’t seen the sun in a good bit round here. I’ll send you snow, you send me sun. x
ps um, don’t you want a chance at a potholder? c’mon now.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My daughter is having her second child( a little boy) in June and she found out 3 weeks ago he has Down Syndrome. Needless to say it was devastating. It took about a week for all of us to get through the initial shock. We still have alot of worries and fears for the unknown, but we have a huge, wonderful support group, that has helped us through the past few weeks and know that they will be here throughout this baby’s lifetime.
Your story is so touching and inspiring. What beautiful babies and family you have. Your story lets us know that life will be normal and that our love for this sweet little baby will come as easy as it did for our 3 other grandchildren.
I read in one of the comments posted on your blog that the sunset picture you took was taken at a beach in Naples Florida…how ironic, We have never been to Florida and my husband and I and another couple are coming to Naples next week on vacation ! What a small world.
God Bless you and your little angels…I will be anxiously awaiting your next post.
I also am new to your blog. I think it must be spreading like wildfire on the internet. I just wanted to say something you already know, that is, Nella is absolutely precious beyond words.
I am not good at putting words together like you are, but just have to say Proud Mama Tara nailed it. I feel much like she does and so many others here. Nella is going to be just fine. I also got so choked up at your Dad’s comments. He sounds like such a good Poppa. And how blessed your girls are to have him. You too!
You all are very very blessed to have each other. I see so much love in your family. I know Nella will bring many blessings to you all and her to your family.
Hi Kelle,
Somebody on facebook linked Nella’s birth story and I clicked on it and read it.. and I have read it just about every night since then. You really do have a gift for writing. Its amazing, and you have 2 amazing little girls.
It just so happened that the night I clicked on the link, I found out that I was miscarrying and since you mentioned a miscarriage in your birth story, I read on and read quite a bit of your blog and it has been my favorite book for the last few days. I just wanted to say hi and thank you for writing so beautifully and taking such beautiful pictures and sharing them with strangers such as me. I have 4 children of my own and it can be so easy to forget to stop and smell the roses, but your entries have reminded me to do that this last week. Thank you again.
I see that you are from Michigan. That is where I am from. I live in Warren now, but was raised in Clinton Township.
Anyhow, hi.
Oh, and I just love the name Nella. It is so pretty.
Found your blog through a friend a few days ago.
Nella is beautiful. Your Lainey is beautiful.
You’re a lucky mom =)
When my son was stillborn just this past September, I kept listening to The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize” because it is the truest song I know. Music stirs our souls and lets us feel what we need to feel.
One of the things that terrified my fiancée the most when we were talking about conceiving was the possibility of a Downs baby. But I know, without even one single doubt, that I’d rather have him back with Downs Syndrome rather than have lost him. Babies are the ultimate embodiment of life’s continually renewing hope, and just the fact that there is so much of it for people with Downs is as magnificent and wondrous as your simple and natural love for your daughter.
Congratulations on your new addition. I hope that you allow yourself your less than stellar days without maternal guilt rearing its ugly head; the ones that sucker punch you and make you feel like you can not do this. Even under the best circumstances babies are overwhelming and we are only human for recognizing that they are just that… overwhelming. In every way imaginable.
Thank you for posting about your journey. I wish I knew you in real life so that I could offer you support and food.
Much love.
wow…I don’t know where to begin…from a fellow young mamam of a wee princess, this story tugged on my heart string like you wouldn’t believe. When I look at pictures of your girl, I love her..I don’t know her but that sweet face, how can you not fall in love with this new life?? I love what your sister said to you, and I truely believe God hand picked you to raise and love this special angel of his, God has great plans for this girl! Can’t wait to read more:)
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I am not quite sure how I stumbled across your blog but I am hooked!!
EVERYTHING. IS. SO. BEAUTIFUL!!
You, your family, your children, your writing, your pictures, your everything!
I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through but I think you are handling it in a beautiful way.
Your spirit is amazingly strong! Love on those precious girls and look forward to your amazing life ahead of you.
Nella will make you slow down, keep you young, constantly remind you to stop and smell the roses and cherish the little gifts in life. She is a real gift!
You are loved and your family is loved. Nothing else matters. 🙂
Katie
Hi there! I just found your blog tonight, and have been caught up in it for the past 2 hours. Oh, how precious your sweet little girls are! Nella is way beyond beautiful. She’s absolutely perfect! What an amazing gift you’ve been given! And that gorgeous little Lainey looks like she’s such a wonderful big sister! You are most certainly blessed! Thank you so much for sharing your story, and for sharing it so passionately!
Can I just say how cute those little pouty lips are? OH.my.goodness. Too adorable! 🙂
p.s. I have an 8 year old daughter named Laney…I don’t hear that name too much!
I cannot seem to comment on your photography page. But I wanted to say having found your blog yesterday I have been looking at all your beautiful photos! What an amazing talent you have for photography. Just brilliant! God bless you and your family!!!!
MH
Back up – frozen maxi pads? Does that work?? Sounds odd, yet might be entirely functional. Care to expand on how you thought of doing that? 🙂
Sorry to pester – I know I’m just a stranger, but your blog is adorable (as are your two gorgeous girls)!
when i become a mommy i wish i can be as graceful and beautiful and loving as you.
Found your blog through a friend. I cried through this whole story. You have made this story beautiful by the way you have embraced Life and little Nellie.
I am sharing you with friends and linking your blog on mine. Its to incredible of a story not to share.
I wish you many blessings and graces for the upcoming year!
Anna
Kelle,
You are truly amazing. I am inspired by your strength, your talent, and your perseverance of spirit. I thoroughly enjoy the beauty you create, with your words and with your images. (I actually was disappointed to see you live in Florida, and not closer to me here in N.C. so I could hire you to photograph our 4-month-old son). You are a warm, loving, fun, and creative mom, too. Your story has touched so many. Please keep writing, as often as you can while mothering those two precious girls.
Stacie
Your blog is beautiful beyond words……My internet friend Bethany blogged about you so I came for a visit. And I thought Bethany was an amazing photographer……..Your daughters are such beauties. Congratulations of the birth of Nella……you are truly blessed by the birth of this amazing child. She is simply precious….
Susan
EI therapist in Boston who is lucky enough to get to work with angels with DS=)
The pouty lip just sends me! Beautiful girls.
Your family is beautiful and perfect in everyway!! I teach special education in Georgia….so individuals with Down Syndrome hold a special place in my heart….or I like to call it “Up Syndrome”
I’ve recently adopted a baby girl from Taiwan—we are so blessed!!
Take care,
Tonya (and Janie)
Well, here it goes again, I had an incredibly long comment to post and lost it somehow. I will make this more short and sweet, but I need to tell you how wonderfully moved I am by your story. You are an amazing woman and your girls are so blessed to have you. Their lives with be filled with memories of creating, cooking, playing and dancing with their mother but also with an understanding that our lives are defined by both the good and the not so good times. I think that some people are so wrapped up in the idea of a picture perfect image that they miss out on the fact that perfect can only come when you accept that nothing is. You can only appreciate how good things are when you have felt agony. You can only truly appreciate the love in life, when you have felt the loss. You can only truly be blessed, when you accept that what you think you should have and what God knows you should have are sometimes two very different things. You have forever changed my life as your posts have healed me in a way that I did not even realize that I needed to be healed. I continue to be enthralled by your posts and will watch your children grow and blossom and flourish for as long as you are willing to share the experience. And I will renew my efforts to post on my blog which I had slacked off on recently.
Wishing you all the love and beauty that you can “suck out of life!” ~Cassie
Your daughters are absolutely beautiful. Little Nella’s pout when she is cold just melts me 🙂 I read your blog yesterday and it made me cry – and made me realize that I am not the only person on earth working through grief over what I expected vs what I received. Your writing makes me think – and hope – and made a wrenching day like yesterday better. Thank you; I am humbled by your thoughts and your willingness to share them.
Your Nella is just beautiful!! I check in everyday since I found your blog just to see new pics of your precious little girl!! The pic with the lip curl is outstanding!! My little guy still does this whenever he is sad, or even when he gets told no!! I love it! Thank you for sharing your story and your amazing photos!!
I stumbled across your blog a few days ago…what hit the most was that while our children will face very different challenges, our reactions as moms were very much the same. Grief, Denial (until those blood tests come back), sometimes anger…and eventually acceptance. When my son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I was given this poem…sometimes I am motivated by it, sometimes I am saddened by it, but it always reminds me that I am not alone.
“Welcome to Holland”
By Emily Perl Kingsley, 1987. All rights reserved.
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability – to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this……
When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip – to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.”
“Holland?!?” you say. “What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”
But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around…. and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills….and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy… and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.”
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away…because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But…if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things … about Holland.
thanks for your comment on my blog! Once again your blog post is so true to my core and so soothing to read your eloquent words. I want to live where you live…it looks so beautiful! I cried with tears running down my face when I read your Poppa’s poem! I hope you don’t mind if I share it on my blog one day…
I just read your Poppa”s comment and on this post and once again, I shed tears…the new ones he is talking about…where everything seems right and you are just moved to tears…You will see it will happen often with your new little angel in your life…I have found how close God is and how close heaven is with Bree in my life and I just cry more because of it…the good tears though!
Oh my, I am in love with your blog. I wish I had hours to read every post from beginning to end! As a mom of 2 busy boys, that’s just not possible today:) Your family is beautiful and I have been moved to tears. Congrats on your newest precious arrival!!
Kelle – you are amazing! I am inspired by your love, ability to express yourself and your photography. I have been blogging for a couple years in much the same style. I consider it my photo album with captions and stories and you have inspired me further.
Your family is beautiful and I love your choices in music, I could leave your blog up all day just to listen to your selections.
Amy – Seattle, WA
You and your girls are so beautiful – I’m really glad I stumbled upon your blog. What an amazing mum you are 🙂 Thank you for being an inspiration to me, as a mummy to my beautiful little boy & a human being working hard on remembering what’s important in life ! xx
A friend sent me the link to your blog; it’s absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your life with your beautiful family
Take care,
Maire
This is one of the most beautifully written and illustrated blog/stories I’ve seen.
Thank you for showing the beauty of our children with Down syndrome.
My son, Gabriel, will be five years old in April. I learned that he has Down syndrome when I was in my 21st week of pregnancy. I was so scared, so scared.
Today, he is one of the most beautiful boys I’ve ever seen. He is starting to read and he sings “O Canada” (learned in mainstream school) in the shower every morning like it is nobody’s business.
When I wake up each morning with him, (he always comes to get me in the middle of the night) he says, “Lee, honey, what is your favorite color?”. (Right now, he is into calling me and my husband by our first names, but he uses the short version.) I can’t even express to you how this makes my heart soar.
I just never saw it coming in those dark dark months after he was born. So, I know how lucky I am. And I know how lucky you and your beautiful family will be, too.♥
Your blog is beautiful and so are your girls! I found my way here, somehow, this evening and I am so moved by your honesty. I read back through entries a bit and wow. I was moved to tears reading Nella’s birth story.
Your girls are blessed to have you as a mother!
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Hi,
I’m also a mom to a 9-month old beautiful girl and I live in the Philippines… Somebody on my Facebook friends list shared your blog and I took my time out to read every single one of your posts…
And I tell you… I cried…and cried…and cried… not because I was sad, but because, I feel a mother’s love radiating to where I am….oceans, continents, miles and miles away from where you are. And your words and stories, touched not just my heart…but my soul.
I hope you don’t mind if I read your blog every morning when I wake up, or when I feel weak… it just gives soooo much inspiration. 😀
Congratulations, and much love to your princesses! 😀
Dear Kelle,
I came upon your blog yesterday, by chance. I feel the need to let you know how deeply you (and your little lovelies) have touched my heart. I am inspired by your unbridled love, and your amazingly unique outlook on life. You all are so beautiful…you’ve inpired me to see the world in a softer light. I thought of you today while doing the dishes & smiled (that NEVER happens!)…
Thank you.
My heart stopped looking at the pics of your girls. I have a 15-year-old son with a rare genetic disorder, and I produce a magazine on parenting kids with disabilities called BLOOM. Have you read Road Map to Holland — it’s a wonderful memoir by Jennifer Graf Groneberg that you may enjoy. Thank you for sharing the beauty and fullness of your life — look forward to hearing more. In our June issue we’re running some pics of our kids “in bloom” and I’d love to include one of Nella and Lainey. You can follow the BLOOM blog at:
http://bloom-parentingkidswithdisabilities.blogspot.com/
I have a cousin who was born with Downs. She’s the sweetest girl I know and she has the biggest heart. Nella will make your heart expand to lengths you didn’t know possible. Thank you for sharing her with us!
I stopped by again. I came to look at my littles again. I came to align my life. Sometimes I wonder if it is us who are actually missing that extra chromosome. Maybe if I had it, I would still skip down a corridor when I got new shoes. Maybe I would jump up and down when I found a letter from a friend in my mailbox. Maybe I would smile just because my heart was happy. Who’s to say who is “perfect” and who almost. If my missing that chromosome makes me more critical of others, more intolerant of differences, more impatient when asked to slow down, more “pinched” to just be playful–then I wonder if I am the broken one. I just wonder. And I know, simpler, purer spirits will reach heaven before me…and I hope they will tell God I loved them so and helped them on their way. I hope.
Congratulations on your new little one
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beautiful photos of a baby with Down syndrome. I’m sure one day your photographic skills will bless the whole Down syndrome community.
Welcome to your “whole new world” I have three children with Down syndrome and can promise you they never stop leading you into new uncharted territory. You can be dragged kicking and screaming or embrace and enjoy it and it’s good to see you are choosing the latter.
Oh my! The tiny flour-dusted fingers and the tiny chill-induced pout — a poutlette, I dare say — how wonderful that you can archive each moment with such precision and beauty.
— J
I just had to take a moment to comment on your blog. I came across it a few days ago, when someone posted a link to Nella’s birth story explaining how moving it was for them. As I read your account of Nella’s birth, and the moments that have followed, I am so inspired by you. Your honesty, sincerity, and courage as a woman, mother and wife is amazing. God bless you and your beautiful family!
Another newly-hooked reader here. The cookie-baking time looks so lovely. What precious gifts your girls are, and what a precious gift you’re giving them in this blog – such breathtaking words and photos. Thanks for sharing the love here.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweethearts.
Your family is so beautiful! Your photography is awesome and your writing is fantastic!
I’ve recently come across your blog– and I am so happy for you. Thank you for sharing your life and your thoughts with us all. Your daughters are beautiful.
Nella is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t get over her precious expressions! And you look amazing, mama! I am in awe of how put-together you looked in the hours and days following Nella’s arrival.
It took me months after the birth of my son to figure out how to put on makeup again. Hee!
And you’re making cookies? How do you have so much energy?!
One last thing. I was reading Nella’s birth story and I was just in tears (and I’m not a crier). Then, my neighbor knocked on my door and caught me. I quickly explained that I was fine, and I was just reading a birth story …
And she had read Nella’s story, too! And it had the same effect on her.
Your sweet little girl is already pulling at people’s heartstrings 🙂
Give her an extra kiss for all of us ladies out here in blogland who would like a newborn to hold tonight.
I bet days ago you never thought someone could be envious of your journey. Im not envious in a negative, jealous way. It’s in the inspiring kind of way. Im so touched. and Love your story. and your babies. your home is so FULL.
and you are making my eyes water and making me crack up at the same time!
people who have grieved can relate in some way… not understand completely, but can appreciate and feel closer to your story.. bc they too have grieved.
The weirdest feeling I tried explaining once is that Grief is so gut wrenching. and yet.. you realize, little by little. It is so beautiful. It amplifies life.
My sister sent your blog to me. and anyone else with a computer :). every 3 seconds shes calling me over ” look at this picture… no wait one more you have to see this one… ” we adore it.
we especially appreciate the champagne toast picture. and totally get it. brilliant.
and we got emotional over lainey sharing her puppy with nella.
Thanks for sharing. fantastic and beautiful.
day by day. rock on.
Abby
web.me.com/abernathybland
hugs mama & we are the lucky nes- thank you! xoxo keep shining
kelle
blessings to you and your sweet girls, nella is such a force, already touching so many lives in such a wonderful way.
may your family always be filled with much love.
michelle
ps some of the most beautiful photos EVER!!!!
I was linked to your blog from a community on livejournal. You are an AMAZING photographer and your girls are just beautiful.
I just had to tell you that the pouty face picture of Nella has to be THE CUTEST BABY PICTURE EVER! Seriously. So very adorable.
I was linked to your blog from a community on livejournal. You are an AMAZING photographer and your girls are just beautiful.
I just had to tell you that the pouty face picture of Nella has to be THE CUTEST BABY PICTURE EVER! Seriously. So very adorable.
Kelle, forgive me if I have repeated this information but I thought you might be interested in Conny Wenk. She is a photographer in Germany, who has a daughter with Down syndrome as well. I find her work to break many of the traditional imagery associated with Down syndrome. Her work is simply beautiful. Anyway, here is her link if you haven’t already discovered her.
http://www.connywenk.com/
Cheers,
Lianna
A friend emailed me a link to your blog recently. I just had the time to open it yesterday, intending to only spend a few moments. I’m a working mom of a 2.5 yo w/another LO on the way in June a few minutes of leisure reading is a lot. Well an hour (at least!) later…and several tissues…I was hooked. Your pictures are stunning, your children are BEAUTIFUL, and something about your words got me out from under the bus that has been running me over for the past few weeks. I passed your blog on to a few other mommy friends and we shared many emails back and forth discussing how it had moved all of us. I don’t often post comments…but just wanted to tell you THANK YOU for being such a brave beautiful inspiring mother! I will continue to read and enjoy from now on!
I am just amazed by the beauty of your photography! You have a beautiful family and home (from what I can see). I so enjoyed Nella’s birth story. Very poignant and extremely lovely and touching. Congrats on your little girl!
‘Poppa said…Sometimes I wonder if it is us who are actually missing that extra chromosome. Maybe if I had it, I would still skip down a corridor when I got new shoes. Maybe I would jump up and down when I found a letter from a friend in my mailbox. Maybe I would smile just because my heart was happy. Who’s to say who is “perfect” and who almost. If my missing that chromosome makes me more critical of others, more intolerant of differences, more impatient when asked to slow down, more “pinched” to just be playful’
Poppa, I’m with you 100%. Thank you so much for expressing exactly how I feel about the extra chromosome. Nella Cordelia is just perfect.
Love and Peace ~
Kelle, I’m so inspired by your beautiful words. I stumbled across your blog tonight and have not been able to stop reading and enjoying your beautiful photography. My husband and I have a baby boy who has Down syndrome. He’s 35 months old tomorrow. He steals my heart over and over. I also have 21-month-old son, who was born a preemie, and a beautiful, sweet 10-month-old daughter. I still have those days when I struggle with the sadness of a lost dream, of expectations not met in my journery of motherhood, so it’s touching to read about another mom who can be real about it and inspire me to enjoy the small things again. Thank you for sharing your amazing story, Kelle! You are in my heart!
Kelle, I’m so inspired by your beautiful words. I stumbled across your blog tonight and have not been able to stop reading and enjoying your beautiful photography. My husband and I have a baby boy who has Down syndrome. He’s 35 months old tomorrow. He steals my heart over and over. I also have 21-month-old son, who was born a preemie, and a beautiful, sweet 10-month-old daughter. I still have those days when I struggle with the sadness of a lost dream, of expectations not met in my journery of motherhood, so it’s touching to read about another mom who can be real about it and inspire me to enjoy the small things again. Thank you for sharing your amazing story, Kelle! You are in my heart!
Kelle, I’m so inspired by your beautiful words. I stumbled across your blog tonight and have not been able to stop reading and enjoying your beautiful photography. My husband and I have a baby boy who has Down syndrome. He’s 35 months old tomorrow. He steals my heart over and over. I also have 21-month-old son, who was born a preemie, and a beautiful, sweet 10-month-old daughter. I still have those days when I struggle with the sadness of a lost dream, of expectations not met in my journery of motherhood, so it’s touching to read about another mom who can be real about it and inspire me to enjoy the small things again. Thank you for sharing your amazing story, Kelle! You are in my heart!
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Your honest, eloquently written posts and amazingly beautiful photos are an inspiration to all. Thank you for showing the world that beauty lies within.
My uncle has Downs Syndrome and I simply can’t imagine life without him. He brings more joy and laughter to this world than anyone else I know.
I can see that sweet little Nella will do just the same, as she is already warming hearts and bringing smiles to so many faces around the globe.
For real, your blog, your family, your baby, your home . . . it could not be more beautiful. I am praying for you.
Oh my goodness, the pouty lip just made my day! My son does that, too, and it just breaks your heart! My dad is from Germany and he said they call that “Shipsa” (don’t know the spelling exactly) which means “little shovel”! 🙂
Your pictures are heart-stopping. The colors, the angles, the “poses,” and most especially, the story they tell. You have a beautiful family.
I know I don’t know you but your youngest’s pouty face is my new desktop! I think that will definitely lift my spirits and keep me smiling more than any island or fish pic!! Love to you and your fam!!!
Thank you for writing this. Thank you for sharing your struggles. And your joys. Thank you for being real and honest and wonderful! I am praying for you.
Oh my word! That last picture kills me with cutness; I just want to kiss her little face!
My friend forwarded Nella’s story to me. I cried with you. But some were happy tears, for I truly believe God has great things in store for little Nella.
She has a lot of friends; most of us will probably never meet her, but we keep her – and you – close in our hearts and prayers.
For now, enjoy this precious time. Kiss that sweet face. As Barretto said, “Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.” I’m pretty sure that last picture proves it’s true. Pretty sure…
Someone’s blog led me to someone else’s, led me to yours. Your story is so beautiful. I keep resisting the urge to leave a “stranger” comment on each of the posts I have read. There are so many things that come to mind to say, but they all pale in comparison to the words you have already so beautifully written. I just have to tell you how much I enjoy your photography though. That photograph of your two girls in the chair is so incredibly gorgeous. All of your photos are so gorgeous. YOU are gorgeous. You have an incredibly uplifting spirit that makes so many small obstacles in my own life seem all the smaller–and not because you have a baby with down syndrome, but because you have a two year old and a brand new baby at home and you still make time to go to the lake and make valentines and find beauty and to create through the lens of your camera. That is purposeful, that is universal, that is inspirational. Thank you.
Hi. I read your Nella birth story and I cried and cried. so beautifully written and such a wonderful, wonderful little girl. i love your photos and I loved your story…
you are amazing your girls are amazing i absolutly love your blot a friend posted a link to this couple of weeks ago and i have been addicted ever since!! I read it every night I have alot to catch up on! you inspire me in motherhood and in daily life i just absolutly love love your blog!!! Your girls are gorgeous enjoy!!! My son started gr 1 this year and i miss having him all to myself and doing whatever i wanted!! I am enjoying the small things alot your blot being the hightlight!!!
oh that precious pouty face so sweet thanks for sharing x
I’ve never seen a more beautiful pouty face!
Okay, as a mom with no girls…
Lainey has the most darling outfits! She is so. darn. adoraable.
And then there is the pouty lip photo.
divine.
Bravo mama!
I have come back to read more! I love your blog and LOVE your GIRLS! I had to write you to say that is THEE CUTEST POUT i have EVER seen! 🙂
Claire isn’t much of a crier either, and she has that wonderful pouty lip too! I just love it. 🙂
You can tell how much Lainey loves Nella. It is so precious to see the unconditional love in her eyes for her little sister.
Is this the night you photographed her feet that have ended up on your book cover?
Is this the night you photographed her feet that have ended up on your book cover?
Nella with the hat and cute little bunny shirt. Oh my uterus!