Meet Penelope, a one year old who is rocking that extra chromosome like a boss.

Some words from Penelope’s Mom:

As a mother we have a special connection with our children even before he or she is born. When I was pregnant with Penelope, I knew something was going to be different. We had our 8 week ultrasound and from that day on I just had this feeling. She was so small compared to my son at that age. I said something to my husband when we were at the office and even said a comment to our doctor about her looking so small but he said everything looked on track, so I didn’t really think anything of it. Penelope was going to be our second child so I knew what to expect. My husband and I decided to opt out of any extra testing that’s offered in the early stage of pregnancies, the test didn’t matter to us.

I remember being so excited for our 20 week ultrasound appointment, I couldn’t wait to find out if we were going to have a boy or girl. This time around I had a strong feeling it was going to be a girl. Everything was going great, I guessed right… IT’S A GRIL! Little did I know all of the excitement was going to turn into worry. The sonographer said she would be back after the doctor looks at the pictures. A couple of minutes turned into 10 minutes which turned into 15 minutes which turned into the doctor coming back to our room not the sonographer. With Penelope being my second I knew this was not a good sign, I once again told my husband there was something wrong. They found that her nose bridge was in the 2nd percentile and she was measure very small. The doctor said it still could be nothing but it also could mean soft markers for Down Syndrome. We got scheduled for another ultrasound in two weeks. Two weeks later we went for another ultrasound, once again she was very small. We decided to go forward with a simple blood test.

We were shocked, but at the same time I wasn’t. A week later we got our blood test back and it was positive and with the other soft markers on our ultrasound it gave us 90% chance of Down Syndrome. It was hard dealing with the unknown of the future; would she need surgery, will we make it full term, what’s going to happen after she was born, am I going to be able to give her everything she needs. My pregnancy was a rollercoaster of emotions and it was hard. I cried every time I left an ultrasound because of being so worried. I was induced at 37 weeks because Penelope continued to decline in the growth chart.

Then she was here and it was a total relief. All the worries we had went away the minute we had her in our arms. Our 4lbs 13oz little peanut was perfect! Penelope does have a ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) as of right now we just need to monitor in hopes it will close on its own. Penelope also has had many doctor appointments with many different doctors. We have been so blessed with her doctors, they have been supportive, loving and they have showed us how much they want her to succeed as much as we want her too. The support we have received from Flower City Down Syndrome Network and DSDN (Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network) has been amazing.

Penelope is an amazing little girl who loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves music and likes to dance. Her smile lights up a room and she will wave “HI” to everyone that passes by. She was our little quiet baby that liked to watch everything around her, now she is a flourishing little girl that likes to play with her big brother. Her laugh is contagious. We are so in love with her and I couldn’t imagine life without her!!!

Having a child with Down Syndrome brings many worrisome moments and unknowns but it also brings so much joy, excitement and unconditional love! She has taught me so much and because of her I have grown as a person and never knew the strength that was within me. Being a mom is amazing…Being a mom to a child with an extra chromosome is life changing in the best kind of way.

Oh, the places you will go, Penelope!

It was a pleasure to do a special photo session with some kiddos from Western New York who have Down syndrome for the third year in a. row. I am hoping to spread awareness locally on messages of acceptance and beauty to individuals with Down Syndrome.

Our local news station aired the story last year to shine a beautiful light on our photo shoot experience. You can watch the story here.

BETHANY CHASE PHOTOGRAPHY IS A TRUSTED AND EXPERIENCED PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER IN ROCHESTER NY THAT CREATES CUSTOM NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY, MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY, BABY PHOTOGRAPHY, CHILD PHOTOGRAPHY AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES FOR CLIENTS ALL ACROSS THE AREA. BETHANY CHASE PHOTOGRAPHY CURRENTLY SERVES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING NEW YORK AREAS: ROCHESTER, WEBSTER, PENFIELD, PITTSFORD, BRIGHTON, PERINTON, FAIRPORT, HENRIETTA, SPENCERPORT, GATES, CHILI, IRONDEQUOIT, GREECE, CHURCHVILLE, MENDON.

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