Blood tests are nothing new for Hope—but that doesn’t make them any easier. With tiny veins that like to hide and wriggle, getting a simple blood sample can turn into a big ordeal. After a failed attempt one day and a waiting room marathon the next, we weren’t sure if it was going to happen. But sometimes, persistence (and a little Mickey Mouse magic) makes all the difference. This is the story of one small vein, two steady hands, and one very brave little girl.
16 hours… that felt like much longer. What goes on the night before and the day of getting grommets placed.
No one likes being sick, and when all three kids go down one after the other, it feels like there’s no break. For Hope, a simple cough can turn into something more serious, so when her temperature spiked and her oxygen dropped, we knew it was time for the hospital. A night in emergency, a pneumonia scare, and some unexpected positives—this is our latest hospital journey with Hope.
Hope’s cardiologist raised concerns about her lungs, which led to a series of sleep studies. What began as a routine check uncovered severe obstructive sleep apnea, showing just how common and hidden this condition is in children with Down syndrome. From home monitors to a full hospital study, the diagnosis meant adjustments, including a CPAP machine, to ensure Hope’s breathing and development weren’t affected. This story highlights the importance of awareness, follow-ups, and advocacy for children’s health.
December 2019 brought more than the Black Summer fires—it brought the biggest challenge yet for our little Hope. After months of uncertainty, hospital visits, and worry, Hope underwent heart surgery. Between fear and hope, exhaustion and relief, this was a chapter that tested us all—but it marked the start of a new, brighter journey for our family.
Eight long weeks in hospital, endless prayers, and the question we couldn’t stop asking—“Will she be home for Christmas?” Hope’s fight with a heart defect tested every ounce of strength we had, but her determination (and name) once again lived up to its meaning. This is the story of fear, faith, and the moment our little girl finally came home.
When our twins arrived early, we entered a whole new world—the NICU. Between sleepless nights, expressing milk, and juggling life at home, those first few weeks were a blur of emotions. But even in her tiniest moments, Hope brought light and joy to everyone around her. This is our story of those early days and the incredible care that carried us through.
After being admitted to hospital at 26 weeks, everything changed. We were told our twins could arrive any day, and uncertainty filled every moment. But our little girl had other plans. Over six emotional weeks, we faced tough conversations, daily monitoring, and heartbreaking goodbyes with our toddler each night. Through it all, our girl kept fighting—and when it came time to choose her name, there was only one that truly fit: Hope.
Just when we thought we’d faced the hardest news, another scan brought even more uncertainty. At 22 weeks, we were told our baby girl wasn’t growing as she should. Then came a choice no parent should ever face. This post shares the heartbreaking moment we were asked to consider “sacrificing” one twin to give the other a better chance—how we responded, and why we never hesitated to fight for both our babies.
In this first blog post, I share the emotional start to our journey with Hope—from the surprise of twins to the unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome. It’s a story filled with fear, love, questions, and strength. We’re not sugar-coating it, but we are choosing to share it all—openly and honestly—so others might feel less afraid and more informed.