Positive Post Tuesday

After highlighting my daughter a couple of weeks ago, I felt it only fair to do the same for my darling little boy.

Malachi has been such a huge blessing to our family.

When Ryvre started Kindergarten, we decided we were ready to try for another child. Two years and 3 months later, God gave us Mal. Nine months after that, he was born.

I call him Bug. When I was pregnant with him, it felt like there was a little bug, fluttering inside me.

We were thrilled to find out that we were having a boy. We just couldn’t imagine what it would be like. We have since learned that, indeed, boys are boys from the get-go. They kick harder in the womb and play rougher on the living room floor! At least, I can speak in comparison of my kids…

During this second pregnancy, I got a call one day at work from my nurse, who bluntly told me that my AFP screening has come up positive for Downs Syndrome and that I needed to come in to talk to the doctor about my options. (Gasp!) I went numb for the rest of the day. It felt like a dream. Ryan and I consulted with a genetic counselor, had a 3D ultrasound, and opted for an amniocentesis (so we’d know 100%). During the two-week wait for our results, I dove into the internet, educating myself about Downs and identifying resources available in my area. This calmed my fears, and I told the Lord I would be honored if he chose me to mother a child with Downs. It would be hard, but I was working on getting prepared.

We didn’t say anything to our family until we got the news: our son is genetically normal. We were relieved, of course. I think any family would be. But this experience has really put Downs children on my heart in a big way.

Yesterday, Malachi and I were in the Dollar Tree, and we crossed paths with a couple of Downs folks with their caregiver. This one young lady was so interested in my son; she kept saying hi, but he was being shy, hiding behind my leg. I opened my mouth to apologize, but she just said, “It’s ok, it’s ok!” She had an enormous smile on her face. She was cordial, friendly, and sweet. She stole my heart in that instant.

But I’m getting off topic. Another post, perhaps…

Malachi will be a big 3-year-old this year, and I’m not exaggerating – he is extremely smart, coordinated, affectionate, and funny. I can’t think of good enough words to describe this kid. I don’t know what life would be like without him, and I never want to know. Although I could do without his occasional “terrible two” tantrums, and I am wishing the potty training would speed up a bit, Malachi was God’s perfect match for us. In His perfect timing. Irreplacable.

Unfortunately, intelligent as my son is, he won’t be reading this post. Right now, he is at his great-grandparents’ house in Chico, CA. So, Meme and Poppa, after you read this, please let my boy know how much I love and miss him. Give him a kiss between the eyes, and tell him, “Mommy loves her bug!”

What they warned me is true: a mommy-son relationship is something special. Thank you, Lord, for Mal.

See other Positive Posts HERE.