I’m sure some of you may have noticed a change in Dawn’s appearance, she is not challenging David for the “Potbelly of the Year” award . . . we are happy to announce that we are expecting baby number 5! Even though we were excited to learn of this development, we were concerned to find out several weeks ago there was a possibility of a chromosomal abnormality. Because of Dawn’s A.M.A., “Advanced Maternal Age” (she loves that term, I prefer O.L.T. “Old Lady Test”) she had a first trimester screening test. When we received the results of the first test they told us there was a 1 in 7 chance we would have a baby with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) and a 1 in 21 chance our baby would have Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18). We began several weeks of anxious waiting (because Dawn had a bad experience with the CVS for her last pregnancy) and had to wait a few extra weeks for the amniocentesis. Last Monday Dawn went in for the amnio and pre-amnio ultra-sound. She went with Trudy Atherton, who is a saint and was there to hold Dawn’s hand and support her. I could not go because I had to stay with the other kiddies.
The results of the pre-amnio ultra-sound were not good. The doctor told Dawn our baby had a host of abnormalities – bilateral cleft lip and pallet, short femur, distended kidneys, and calcification on the heart, to name a few. The doctor was very kind and understanding, he told Dawn it looked like Trisomy 18, but we would not know for sure until we got the results of the Amnio. Dawn called me and told me the news. The first few days were very hard. We got the results of the Amnio two days later and found out our baby has Trisomy 13 (Patau’s Syndrome) which is very rare.
Dawn and I feel this baby has been sent to us for a reason. We feel honored to have been chosen to be the one family in ten thousand to welcome this baby. We know it will be a tough road for us all, but we are ready for the challenge. The baby will have an uphill battle just to make it full term and survive the birth process. We hope and pray that we can have the chance to hold him in our arms even if it is only for a few moments. That’s right, we broke the Terrill tradition and found out the gender . . . our little baby is a BOY!
I posted a link to a video that Dawn and I really like. If you would like to learn more about Trisomy 13 www.livingwithtrisomy13.org is a very insightful and supportive website.
I hope no one is offended that we did not call everyone individually, however, we felt this would be the best way to share the news and provide information.
Thanks for your prayers and support.
Love,
Harry, Dawn, Eve, Porter, Harry William, Isla and Baby number five.
22 comments:
thanks so much for the update. congratulations! and thank you for sharing the news with us. we are praying for you guys. and baby boy number five is lucky to have such great parents and siblings. really, so blessed. we love you guys so much.
ummm "top dog" is hannah. sorry about that.
Baby Boy Terrill has the love of many on his side - and a loving Heavenly Father too.
We will all grow from this experience - and our lives will be blessed.
We love you all. Our prayers are with Dawn and your precious baby boy. Leslie
We are grateful to have the opportunity to pray for another Terrill grandchild!
We love you guys are are eager to welcome this new baby.
We will keep you in our prayers. And I know our Heavenly Father will be mindful of you. He doesn't send such precious spirits without lots of blessings and help too.
What a blessing to have gospel knowledge to help us understand these blessings in our lives. You and Dawn will be wonderful parents to this baby.
So glad you found out the gender. I will have a blanket ready for him and we are sending our love and prayers your way.
Ahh. A grandson. Maybe guys will make parity again in the family....
And a privilege, really, to welcome this child. Thank you for being prepared in so many ways for the little fellow. I love him. And I love his family.
And Hannah: Is Top Dog some kind of alter ego?
Oooo, I hope Hannah has an alter ego.
i wish‚ it's just our friends' food truck business that robbie is somehow involved with.
Of course we could not possibly be offended by the way you choose to share your news. The internet is so good in so many ways for sharing information and thoughts and keeping each other updated. I'm so glad you posted with the news and am also glad for the link with info about Trisomy 13. I had heard of 18 and 21 but not 13.
I am also glad that you found out that he's a boy and I love him already too. He is in our prayers and thoughts and so are you. We love you all very much!!
Our prayers and thoughts and love are with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help!
Congratulations on expecting a new little boy.
I know things are not what you thought they would be.
Heavenly Father will bless you with strength and love.
Your family will be in our prayers.
Dawn and Harry--What a tender time for your little family. I pray the Lord's blessings to be with you. I am confident there will be miracles along the way. The kids and I send our love and prayers :).
Our prayers are with you all, and the baby especially. I love that you are so aware of the blessing of this little one, what a great attitude of gratitude! Hugs. ;)
The Lord is sure to send many tender mercies and blessing to you. Thank you for sharing the video, it educated, uplifted and gave hope. God Bless your family.
I couldn't think of another family more perfect for this little spirit. I think of you often and am sure that this going to strengthen your family. Thanks for the update and the link. I have to say that I needed a few boxes of kleenex while viewing it. How very tender. Love to you all, especially baby boy #5!
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. What a special blessing this little child already is in your lives and the lives of so many others.
Thanks for sharing this with us. This baby is lucky to be coming to such a loving home. We love you guys and are thinking about you. We hope your sweet little boy is strong and continues to grow so that you can hold him... We look forward to seeing you this summer.
You guys are truly inspiring.
Sending love and prayers your way!
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