This “then and now” really opened my heart. I was flooded with emotions of our journey with Eddie. Today, I want to share those thoughts with you because Eddie helps me to be brave.💛 💙😬 Making this video, I was reminded just how far we have come and just how much we have learned. And yet, we still have SO much to learn, but, I am just so grateful. For the lessons I have gained, for the fresh perspective I have for this world, and for a new lens to view this life. What an honor to be his mother. Eddie has given my life real meaning and purpose- something I once prayed so hard for. 🙏🏼 Shout out to the big man upstairs! He had a plan all along for me, just as He does for each of you! 💫 When I see this first video of baby Eddie in the ball pit, I remember wondering what his future would look like. I worried that he may not be as independent or feel as happy as he was in that exact moment. Well…as you can see, he is beyond happy. He is beyond loved by thousands AND he is walking all by himself!! 💪🏼 He goes to school with typical peers. 😭 He rides the bus on his own and is learning to use the potty. 🤯 🚽 He is working on communicating in HIS own way. He has friends! Lots and lots of friends! 🙌🏼 I feel like I want to write a book about all the things my 4 year old has taught me, but for now, thank you for reading my online journal of my inner most feelings. 📕 Eddie inspires me to be vunerable in the sake of helping others view Down syndrome in a positive way! He has exceeded every single doubt I ever had when they told me my baby boy would have Down syndrome. He has proved the medical team wrong as well. The genetic counselor told me to “consider” how negatively he “could” affect my life. 😢 My relationship with my husband, my future kids, etc. They told me that there was no way “to precict how healthy he would be.” 💔 How can you predict ANY childs health and future? You cannot. My baby had a label on him before he ever entered this world. He was already judged. 😔 That needs to change! It is simply unfair. I want to walk right into that office today and show them how wonderful this child is and how much light he brings into our world. And, you know what, maybe I will! 😛 The reason for this novel caption 😂 (thank you for making it this long IF you indeed did) is because I want desperately for people to see that this life is SO BEAUTIFUL and SO WORTH living! Yes, it is different, but, not horrible in the slightest. Sometimes the things we can’t change, change us instead. ♥️ Someone gave me the best advice after I had Eddie. They said “try not to live in the future-just live in the moment & enjoy the days.” I now carry those words with me and deliver them to new mamas. I think we can all relate to this advice because we really cannot hold a crystal ball on our future so let’s give it all we got TODAY! If you read this, I appreciate you. So much. With all my heart. ❤️ #onthisday #homiewithanextrachromie #trisomy21 #prenataldiagnosis #myboy #nipt #chooselove #downsyndrome #fyp #toddlersoftiktok #babiesoftiktok #chooselife #Godisgood #yougotthis #pray #havefaith #gettingthroughthestorm #iloveyou #mywholeheart #momsoftiktok #familiesoftiktok #motivational #thenandnow #vlog #sharingourstory #enjoythejourney #keeponkeepingon #dontgiveup #getthroughthestorm #rainbow #smilesoftiktok #clapping