Have a holly jolly!

We are so very blessed this holiday season. There are so many things that we are so very thankful for. We have two beautiful children who make every day an adventure. It's amazing how things can change so much in just one year. I hope everyone can take some time to appreciate everything they are given this holiday season.

Thank you Mr.Ferber...I think

We have begun to "Ferberize" Donato because we simply cannot deal with our 6 month old waking up every 1-3 hours just because he misses Mommy. He slept better when he was a newborn then he does now. We started 2 days ago because a friend told me she did it with her son who also didn't sleep at 6 months. I was terrified to do what the pediatrician was telling me. But having another mom who went through the same thing made it a tiny bit easier. I know her son and he's an energetic, fun loving little boy who doesn't seem the tiniest bit traumatized by what they had done to him. So little JT and his Mommy gave me the courage to do it. Low and behold Donato slept through the night last time for the first time. From 10pm to 6:45 am...I'll take it! I'm hoping it's not a fluke but certainly a step in the right direction!

'tis the season

Well I haven't written in awhile because things have been crazy. We have been finishing all the remodeling we wanted to do on the house. That all had to be done before we had 22 people at our house for Thanksgiving. That was quite the feat. Take the stress of all that and add a ton of Donato's doctors appointments into it and it gets a little crazy.

Donato is finally all healed from his lip repair. The last stitch finally fell out last week. He went to the feeding center to address his issue of not wanting to eat baby food. They said it's all due to his reflux and once we get that under control he will want to eat it. His Doc band is coming off in a week and a half, just in time for Christmas. Although, I must say it's saved his little dome in some falls, so in that aspect I will miss it. But it will be nice to snuggle and kiss his little peach fuzz filled head.

The ever so popular blow outs are getting bigger then ever. He's now big enough to be put into this bouncy seat that is suspended by, I guess you would call them bungee cables, it is quite funny to watch, it looks like he is doing curtsee (spelling?) he goes bananas, I love it. He literally jumps to poo right out of him. Blow outs of mass proportions, up the back, down the legs, it's BAD!

This is the first Christmas that Isabella really really gets what it's all about. We have our Elf on the Shelf, Elfie for the first time this year. One day he was in the pocket of her stocking that hangs from the mantle and she went to put candy in it before she left for school, when I asked her what she was doing she said she was leaving it in there for Elfie to take back to Santa, how freaking sweet is she! She really wants things this year. I mean she wants stuff every year, but this is the first one where she wrote out her own list and keeps asking for the same things. The hot things on the list are a Leap Pad, Orbeez, American Girl stuff , I-Pod Touch & a Power Wheel. We're still up in the air about the power wheel. Probably will be a better birthday gift so she can actually ride it as soon as she gets it without freezing her little tushie off.

We finished 98% of our Christmas shopping tonight...Thank you sweet baby Jesus that's over with!! So 'Tis the Season for spending time with family and taking time to enjoy the little things life has to offer. Kids are only young once. Enjoy their innocence, it's a true gift.

holy stinky cheese head!

Everyone told me that Donato's head was going to smell with his new doc band on, but boy oh boy! I couldn't of imagined the smell! It smells like rotten cheese, so bad that you can smell him if you just walk by. People who don't know are going to think I'm a horrible, mother who doesn't bathe her kid. He is super sweaty to begin with and now with the band on, it's even worse. I didn't know little babies could sweat so badly. He even got heat rash so we are taking a break, but tomorrow if the rash is gone, the band goes back on and so continues the stinky cheese head!

I am so thankful that we are doing this in the winter months, because if this was summer time we would have a real problem. Oh and the stares are back. But this time I don't mind them. A nice mother and son came to our table last night to say hello. Her son had a helmet 6 years ago when they were less popular. It's nice to have someone who can relate to what you're going through. I should of asked her about the stinky cheese head.

Cutest crash hat ever....

We got our Doc Band today! Donato doesn't seem to mind it all that much...yet. After we left Cranial Technologies we went right over to Signs By Tomorrow and had his band wrapped for free! They did an amazing job and never could of done this by myself! So thank you Victor from Signs By Tomorrow in Hawthrone, NJ!

We have to wear it three hours at a time, then remove it. I have to check if there is any redness and keep the band off until the redness goes away. Then starting on Saturday we will begin to wear the band 23/7 only taking it off for one hour a day to clean the band and give Doanto a bath.

We close the door on the cleft lip, for now and begin our Doc Band adventure. Never ever a dull moment!

no more stares

Tonight was the first time we went out as a family since Donato's surgery. It sounds strange, but it was weird that people weren't starring at us. We are so used to getting mad because people are looking at Donato's lip. But no more, it's over, we were just a regular family at Costco, no stares. It was nice.

This is a picture of Donato and his surgeon, Dr.Podda at his post-op visit today. Now that he took the tape of his nose we are a just a regular old family that no one cares to look at. I can get used to that!

Snowtober

Donato's first time in the snow!

Snow and trick-or-treat...so strange

Snow angels and snow scare crows!

So this is the beginning of Snowtober in New Jersey. Never in my 29 years of life has it snowed in October. It was crazy. I just kinda blew off the weather men when they said it was going to snow. They are always wrong, so why would I think they are going to be right about 5-8 inches in October? Well they were right and boy did it snow!

Isabella had a great time in the snow until branches started snapping off trees because they were so heavy from the snow and leaves on them. Then it was time to come in and watch the snow pile up.

We probably got 6 or 7 inches and a gazillion broken tree limbs. Thankfully it was warmer today so we didn't have to shovel anything. Tomorrow is Halloween and I'm hoping all the snow melts by then. It was weird enough seeing leaves and snow on the trees, never mind trick-or-treating in the snow!

This was Donato's first time in the snow. He didn't seem to mind it when I took him out. While it was snowing he looked out the window in amazement. There is nothing like seeing something through a baby's eyes. They look at things with such curiosity.

We never got trick-or-treaters where we used to live so I think Isabella is more excited to give the candy out. So here's to a snow free Halloween! Enjoy your kiddies tomorrow!

blow outs...and i'm not talking tires

Why is it that babies blow out their diapers at the most in-opportune times? When Donato does it, he does it good! Last night I just wanted him to go back to sleep but he was really fussy. That seems to be the in thing these days. Staying up all night. But that aside, I heard him poop. Ok, great, I'm thinking, that's why he was fussy. So when he's done doing his business I go to change him. Sure enough, poop up the back. So far up the back I just threw his onesis out with the diaper. Now I've got to get him butt naked and change his whole outfit. At this point he's super awake and not wanting to go back to sleep. Grrrr

Or when they do it in the mall and you have to change them on that dirty rotten poop crusted changing station. Or and even better one when you are at a restaurant and they don't even have the dirty rotten changing station and there's poop so far up the back it's touching the nape of their neck!

A little poopie side note: We were at Ikea the other day and he pooped, not a blow out but poop none the less. I walk into the changing room they have there. There is 2 stations side by side with paper to cover the part they lay on. I put his changing pad on top of the paper and begin to change him. Then I begin smelling the 1,000 other poopie diapers that fill the garbage beside me. I swear it must of been a busy pooping day at Ikea. They even had hand sanitizer and diapers, so why not provide poop bags for the diapers like you have for dogs? Seems they have almost thought of it all.

So all you Mommies out there who read my blog, please leave a comment on this post about your poopie stories. I could use a good laugh today!

The sweestest things they say

We went to a Halloween party at church tonight and Donato won best baby boy costume. He was a monkey and a damn cute one if I do say so myself. In the car on the way home Isabella says to me, "Mommy I'm happy my brother won." I reply, "Isabella that is so sweet of you to say that about him. Even though you didn't win you are still happy for him." She responds, "Mommy, I did win, because he's my brother." OMG melt my heart!! Children can really be the sweetest little people sometimes! I love her!!

itty bitty toe nails

I thought cutting Isabella's toe nails was hard when she was a baby. Thankfully Donato's don't grow at the rapid rate hers do. I found it near impossible to cut her nails when she was a baby. I'm sure being a first time mom had something to do with it.

It is a knock down, drag out to cut her toe nails now. I don't know if other moms and dads have this same problem, but holy moly! Now I am fighting to hold her foot still from all the wiggling and giggling that's going on above. She says it tickles so bad which in turn, requires me to wear full battle gear to cut these little buggers. It's such a battle to cut them I tell her she's gonna get a snaggle toe if she doesn't let me do it! I'm in real trouble when Donato gets big if he's anything like his sister!

I know I'm not alone in this war against itty bitty toe nails!

My baby's back...knock on wood

Donato had his stitches out this morning. And not a day too soon! I don't want to jinx anything but he ate 6ozs. out of his regular bottle, and fell asleep like he usually does. I put him down in my bed so I could rest with him at 4:30 and he's still sleeping at 6:45. Bless his little heart, the poor baby is exhausted from the past week. He had a full belly and is good to go. I'm hoping this is a prelude of what is to come. I just want my little prince back! He was such a happy little boy before his surgery. Then having him cry and scream for a week broke my heart.

So say your hail Mary's tonight that he sleeps for us because tonight's the first night we don't have someone here helping us.

Why little man, why?

We have been super lucky up until this point with not having to stand while we hold Donato. He has really been the perfect baby. With Isabella she knew the second your left butt cheek hit the chair. It was an instant scream! I mean how do they know? And more importantly, why oh why does it make a difference?

Since Donato's surgery he has turned into one of those babies, he must be help while standing up. Sure enough the second you try and sit down he screams. I totally feel bad for the little man, and cannot imagine what he's feeling but come on buddy the adults are going to need a chriopractor. How and why does one little man need to be held 24/7? Someone is going to make alot of money one day when they figure out why babies do what they do. I can only speculate as to why he does most of the things he does.

They are complex little creatures I tell ya! But we love them none the less! Feel better little man, Mommy loves you and doesn't want to see you in pain anymore!

Picture of Donato's new smile!

Here's the little man's new smile! Still has his stitches and taping but I couldn't resist putting a picture up. We had such amazing results I am so happy!! It brings tears to my eyes every time I look at him!

2 kids down

Well Isabella has come down with a cold, a bad one. I guess what they say, when it rains it pours its true. Donato is still real cranky, so today will be a fun one. They both were up all night, she puked because she was so congested.

I'm hoping when Doanto gets his stitches out on Monday he will be a happier boy because he won't need the no-no's on and will be able to move about freely. I can now see the light!

running on 1 hour of sleep

The first nite in the hospital was a rough one. Donato had a hard time sleeping without being held. He needed morphine every 3 hours but hasn't had any since 3am which is good. We're working on getting him to eat but with his new lips and not being tongue tied he doesn't know what to do with his new mouth. Hopefully we can get him eating better so we can go home. Every feeding he figures it out more and more so that's good.

While in the hospital we actually had a doctor ask us if Donato was born with his cleft lip or did it just happen. REALLY BUDDY!?!?! I don't care if you're a first year medical student, there is no excuse not to know that a cleft lip happens before birth! Yeesh!

Now that we are home he's not crying as much. He doesn't look at me with those puppy dog eyes anymore either. That killed me, it was as if he was saying oh mommy why do I feel so crappy and why can't you make it stop. You always want to take your childs pain away, it kills me to see him in so much pain. He's probably slept 6 hours in the past 24 hours, he's tired and hungry and just not a happy boy. But we're all hanging in there!

Donato's new smile

Donato had his lip repair this morning and did great. He was in the amazng hands of Silvio Podda, who I feel gets better and better with each surgery he performs. Dr. Podda said he was very pleased with the outcome. Donato is still swollen and in some pain but I know he is going to make it through like a real trooper. Me on the other hand is another story. I remember this with Isabella, I will be sitting here and my eyes well up with tears. It's so hard to see your baby in pain.

It really makes you wonder why God does this to little people. Why make such innocent little babies go through such things. I get people need to get sick, but if someone has to be sick, make it the adults, they can handle it. Sitting here in this hospital makes me thankful that a cleft lip and palate is all we have to deal with. I cannot even begin imagine what some of other kids and parents are going through. I pray everyday my children are healthy. I am so thankful for that.

People often take life for granted. Life is so precious, it's a gift. Take care of it, nurture it and most of all be kind. You never know what someone is going through. Just try to give someone an unexpected smile or hold the door for them. If they don't smile back or say thank you, you at least know you did your good deed for the day.

I will post a picture of Donato's new smile later on in the week. He is still swollen and looks like he got sucker punched, poor little guy! But he is fine, I'm fine, we will over come this and come out being stronger, more loving and compassionate people. I know I have to be his rock, so I'm putting on my big girl pants and staying strong for my little man.

surgery time

Tomorrow is Donato's surgery. So far I'm ok, I think it's gonna settle in when we pull into the hospital. It kills me to look at him, smiling at me, not having a clue what is to come tomorrow. I keep saying what's gonna get me through this is he has no idea. When I ask Isabella she doesn't remember a thing. So please all say a prayer tonight for my little man and his surgeon's hands.

Nap time

Isn't it always the case that you put the baby down for a nap with the intention to do a million things only to have them wake up after only sleeping for a half hour! It never fails. Then there are always those days where they bless you with a 3 hour nap. But it's so out of character for them you are checking in on them every half hour. I don't know if you all experience this but I sure as hell do. Today was one of those days that Donato took a 3 hour nap. I was able to get a million things done I've been trying to do for weeks. I sure do love these days!

Having such productive days makes me feel like a normal human being again. I feel empowered, like super mom. Then comes tomorrow when he will be catnap charlie again. Nothing will get done, the dishes will pile up & I will be back to square one. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place. You want them to stay little forever but at the same time it's a pain in the butt to have to stop every 3 or so hours to feed them. You're dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

Like, do you start a project only to be stopped in a half hour? Or do you go balls to the walls, in hopes today will be one of the days they take a 3 hour nap. Oh the trials and tribulations that is motherhood!

Boys vs. Girls

This is my beautiful Donato.

Yesterday he loved me lots!!! I got peed on, pooped on and threw up on. I don't remember Isabella doing any of that as much as he does. He blows out diapers at least twice a day. It must be a boy thing.

As he laid in my bed while i took this picture he peed again! In my bed!

I am so glad I have a boy and a girl. I feel lucky I get to experience both. They are so different. I don't know if it just because they are different little humans or because one's a boy and one's a girl. Donato is such a laid back baby, Isabella would never do half the stuff he does. You can put Donato in the exersaucer or on the play mat and he will play for at least 20 minutes. Never would of happened with Isabella. She was so much more needy.

Each child of mine is so different, as I'm sure most are. But it just amazes me how you can tell a babies personality from such a young age. Isabella was a loving but needy baby and now she's a loving and needy 4 year old. I hope Donato grows up to be a laid back little guy. I just hope he doesn't continue to poop and pee on me all the time! It's only cute for so long!

Must see Mommies!! watch without the kiddos!

This is a must share!! Check out my friend Allegra...she's the one with the curly brown hair...she's is hysterical and I know we all could use one of these!!!

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a1ebb0663f/what-every-woman-needs

Stupid stupid insurance companies!

I have never been more frustrated with something more in my life! Donato needs a helmet, which is totally fine with me. We went to the top place to go to, Cranial Technologies. That's all they do all day long is helmets. They were all super nice and we all felt confident that this was the place to be. Then later that week their insurance coordinator called me and informed me that my insurance doesn't cover it...at all. So they referred me to another place. This place does orthopedics and prosthetics. The surgeon says this is their second choice, we will get the same outcome. I think he has to sat that and cannot just come out and say this place sucks!

I don't feel that this is the best place for my son. But it's $1,800 cheaper then Cranial Technologies so of course the insurance company thinks this is the place to go! This place offers a larger, heavier helmet. I am in tears over this. I know it is just a helmet and I'm being silly but, we all want the best for our kids. It's so frustrating that this mother fu*^%$g (excuse the language) insurance company can tell me who to go to! How do they know! I pay over a thousand dollars a month for insurance, I think I should be able to make my own decision when it comes to my sons well being! So it's either cough up $3,800 for the "good" helmet or settle for the helmet that the insurance will pay for. They say money doesn't buy happiness, but let me tell you it sure would make life a hell of a lot easier!

I couldn't tell you the last time I cried but today it's all I want to do. I don't know if it's the anticipation of his surgery on monday or what but I'm a hot mess!

t minus 7 days

This time next week Donato will be in surgery to repair his cleft lip. I've done this once before with Isabella but, it never gets easier. I almost think it's harder. The saying, "ignorance is bliss" is so true! I know what to expect and I know how hard it's going to be sitting in that waiting room waiting for the doctor to come out and update us. I know how miserable he's going to be for a little while. My poor little guy! However, I also know it won't be long before he is back to his normal smiley self. But it still sucks!

This morning he sat with me on the couch after his bottle and just snuggled with me for a good half hour. It's just what I needed. I know he's a strong resilient little boy that's gonna be just fine. I know a little snuggle from me will make him feel better. Yes he is a momma's boy and I'm totally ok with that! So today I am filled with such mixed emotions. It's hard but we will get through it! I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel, Donato's new smile!

As if all that isn't enough I treat people with colds like they have the plague. If he gets sick he can't have surgery and I cannot deal with the anticipation of surgery all over again! So if you have the slightest sniffle stay away! I am keeping him on lock down in the house all week. I'm hoping this doesn't backfire on me, so say your prayers that we stay germ free until next week!

i love you...just the way you smell...

I'm sure we can all agree that there is nothing better than the smell of a new baby. We all know that there are many smells to them. Poop smells, spit up smells, freshly bathed baby smells, I love them all. And more often then not, you end up smelling like said baby. That being said, excuse the smelly new mothers and don't mind the spit up on their shoulder.

Call me crazy, but the first thing I do when I pick up a new baby is smell their head. It's such a short time they smell like that. You all know what I'm talking about. There are many things we take for granted in life. We are always in a rush to be somewhere or do something. Before you know it, they will be stinky teenagers. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, stop and smell the baby heads.

it's go time

We went to see Dr.Podda yesterday for Donato's pre-op visit. Just like with Isabella I will be sad to see his wide smile go. One thing I won't miss is his NAM. Dr.Podda thinks that his results are going to be great. Of course he does because my kids awesome! I hate that he is going to be such an uphappy boy for a few days, but I know he will thank me when he's older. I know he won't remember, but I will!

We have all our family lined up to help out once Donato comes home. We are frantically putting boxes away from the move. (yes we still haven't unpacked some things) What else did you expect with a newborn and a 4 year old???

The value of some zzzz's

You never fully understand the value of sleep until you have had a child. In college I thought it was necessary to sleep until 2 in the afternoon after going to bed at 3am. Boy was I mistaken! These days I'm happy if I get 4 hours!

The past three nights Donato had a little belly virus. This caused him to be up and screaming all night long. When I say screaming I mean the blood curdling silent death cry. I know all my moms know what I'm talking about. He would only sleep in you were holding him standing up straight. This made for a very tired mommy and daddy. Danny and I walked around like zombies yesterday.

Obviously my little man is feeling better. Last night he blessed us with 5 hours of consecutive sleep followed by a 3am snack and back in bed by 4:15 and is still sleeping at 8:01 am!!! Oh the joys of motherhood!

So to all you teenagers and college kids out there who sleep the day away...GET UP!! I never listened to my mom when she told me I was sleeping the day away. Now I fully understand what she meant. I get the majority of things done before 2pm. New moms who are up every 1 to 2 hours, it gets better everyday. When you think you will never sleep again your little angel will too bless you with 5 hours of consecutive sleep. Enjoy those little angels, they grow so fast and one day you will miss waking up in the middle of the night seeing that little face that needs you so much.

and the winner is.....a crash hat!

We went today for the crash hat (helmet) consult. Donato's head is mis-shapen in more then one spot. One ear is lower then the other and his jaw is not symmetrical. He doesn't medically need the helmet but down the road it could cause a cross bite and TMJ. We are basically getting it so he looks better and has a rounded more symmetrical head. The poor kid has enough problems we don't need to add a funny shaped head and TMJ to the list! It didn't happen because he lays on his back too much like most kids. His funny shaped head happened in-utero. I'm tiny and he was a little moose (9lbs. 8ozs) so he didn't have much room to move around. We are waiting on insurance and Dr.Podda (Donato's plastic surgeon) to begin the crash hat making process.

I want to get the helmet before surgery. He will have enough to deal with after. If we wait until after we will most likely have to wait another month. The earlier we start the faster we will finish because he's growing the fastest now. So cross your fingers Dr.Podda agrees with getting it before.

My little man is such a trooper, he's gone through so much! And I cannot forget his big sister Isabella. She is always coming to all his appointments or getting shipped off to Grandma's. She is so supportive, well as supportive as a 4 year old can be. More often then not mornings are crazy here. I'm trying to get everyone ready for the day and packing up to go to some appointment and Donato is crying or needs to be fed. Who is there to sing to him or hold his bottle? Isabella! I love that little girl!

I never thought...

We went to Dr.Sallustio's office this morning for the last time. It was a bitter sweet good bye. He is the doctor that does Donato's NAM. As much as I hate going to Bayonne or Ocean every week I'm gonna miss it. It is good news that we don't know to go see him anymore because that means Donato is ready for his surgery. Which is scheduled for October 17, 2011. Say your hail mary's that Donato doesn't catch a cold.

With this end starts a new beginning. His crash hat! We go tomorrow to get his little dome measured. Instead of going to Bayonne every week, I now get to go to Paramus! At least I don't' know to go both places! That would probably put me over the edge!

The vanishing NAM

This is the dreaded NAM (Nasoalveolar Molding Device). I know this is the best possible thing for Donato right now. It is going to lessen the amount of surgeries he will have and we will get a better outcome from these surgeries. So having said that, I hate this thing!!!! You have no idea. (unless you're a NAM mommy too)

The NAM wasn't so bad in the beginning when it didn't have those silver wires or pink nasal stints coming out of it. It was just that clear piece on the bottom. Then came the wires and nasal stints. With this, the difficulty of putting this thing in increases drastically. The NAM also involves making a these securing strips out of steri strips and small rubber bands, (like the ones you use when you have braces) That alone will take you 30 minutes to make 10, like I have nothing else to be doing with my time. But if it will help my son I will do it. We're nearing the end of this process, THANK the good lord!!!

This brings me to the vanishing NAM. Yesterday Doanto fell asleep while I was feeding him so I put him down for a nap in the middle of my bed. Usually he only takes catnaps for 30 minutes. This day he slept for 2 hours and I got so much done that I have been trying to accomplish for weeks. I was all over the house throwing things out and cleaning. I hear Donato waking up so I go in my room and pick him up. I look at his face and realize that the NAM is missing. Okay no big deal, I'll just look in the bed for it. Not there, I look on the floor, not there. Now I'm starting to panic. I looked everywhere, no where to be found! Donato can't eat without this and I'm petrified that he's going to get hungry. So Danny comes home and we proceed to look some more. In garbage bags, in all the rooms, everywhere! I take my bed apart, pull everything out from under the bed, no NAM!!! At this point I've already texted Dr.Sallustio asking him what we do if we lost the NAM. His response what do you mean? This thing is that serious and that much of a big deal, of course he would ask me what do I mean because what idiot mother looses such an important thing??? An hour later Danny finds it across the room from where Donato was sleeping! Daddy to the rescue!

And that is the story of the vanishing NAM!

Thank you Grey's

Who saw Grey's Anatomy last night? They had a baby with a cleft lip on!! It warms my heart to see the media making light of such a common thing. You wouldn't believe the stares (my cleft mommies do) that we get. It's not like we live in a third world country with under educated people! It's the 21st century America! I'm baffled at how ignorant some people can be.

Donato and I were at Marshall's the other day. We were waiting on line to check out. A woman peeked in on Donato who was in his stroller, like most people who do when they see a small baby. I would of been okay with it had she not stuck her head in and stared at him for a good 30 seconds. I just stood there in disbelief with my mouth open staring at her. Yes lady I know my son looks different but really??? You're gonna stare at him like that and not say anything to me?

If I can get any message out through this blog it's ask when you see a baby with a cleft. More often then not the mother or father will be more then happy to tell you what is going on. I have no problem telling people what that weird looking thing in his mouth is. It's a NAM, it's molding his mouth so we will get better surgical results. I embrace any and all questions when it comes to their clefts. I want to educate the general public about this so maybe one day kids with clefts won't be gawked at.

So thank you Grey's Anatomy for shining some light on this oh so common issue. And ask us people!! We love bragging about how strong and amazing our wide smiled kids are!!

two bum lips and a crash hat, the story of my beautiful babies

I've decided to write this blog to inspire and help other Moms like me. I hope to provide support and some insight into our crazy world and stories of how I deal with the chiaos that is our life. While adding a touch of humor here and there. We've all got a story...here's how mine goes...

In my short four years of motherhood I've learned more then most. I have two beautiful children, Isabella, 4 years old (June 12,2007) and Donato, 4 months old (June 6, 2011) Both kids were born with a cleft lip and palate. Isabella's is unilateral (one side of her lip) and Donato's is bilateral (both sides of his lip) .

For those who do not know what a cleft lip or palate is, it is a birth defects that affects 1 in 700 babies. It is one of the most common birth defects where the upper lip fails to join and the roof of the mouth is missing, which requires numerous surgical repairs. Often times this is genetic, however in our case it is not. They considered Isabella's clefting a "freak occurrence." We were told that there was a 2% chance we would have another cleft affected child, and along came Donato, my beautiful boy.

After finding out about Donato's cleft at my 20 week ultrasound I had an amnio, as I did with Isabella and we met with a genetic counselor. We were advised that they can do a fish test which is a preliminary test to show that there are 2 of each chromosome. An early way to eliminate trisomy 13, 18 and 21. In order to fully understand this story I must tell you, scientifically, what a fish test is to fully understand. So excuse all the scientific mumbo jumbo:

A fish test is A technique used to identify the presence of specific chromosomes or chromosomal regions through hybridization (attachment) of fluorescently-labeled DNA probes to denatured chromosomal DNA. Examination under fluorescent lighting detects the presence of the hybridized fluorescent signal (and hence presence of the chromosome material) or absence of the hybridized fluorescent signal (and hence absence of the chromosome material). With metaphase FISH, cells progress through the division process until metaphase, when chromosomes are condensed and can be individually distinguished. In contrast to interphase FISH, metaphase FISH permits visualization of the actual chromosomes as well as the general location of the abnormality on the chromosome.

Okay so all that basically means is they send in colored probes that meet up with their matching probes. This test only tells you that the chromosomes are there and that there aren't any extra or missing ones. You should only see two of each. It showed Donato had 3 chromosome 21's which means down syndrome! Of course I freaked out!! My first trimester screening for downs was normal. How could this be???

What we finally learned (2 weeks after the initial news of downs) was the lab technician doubled dipped their probe. Try to stay with me as I explain, it gets tricky. Chromosome 21 is green, chromosome 13 is orange, those are on top and on the bottom is chromosome 18 which is also green and x and ym which tells the babys sex. The technician dipped the probe in 21 then 18, giving Donato 3 green's!! You don't mix the top and bottom! Not cool! You all still with me? So after a long two weeks of back and forth with the genetic counselor we found out Donato did not have down syndrome and a lab error had put us through 2 weeks of hell.

And as if all that's not enough to deal with...We found out this week that Donato has Plagiocephaly aka a flat head. He will be getting a helmet in the coming weeks to restore the shape of his head. At this point you really gotta laugh at all that is being thrown at us.

So that's the crazy that we have been handed. I'm sure you will all be able to relate in some way so enjoy!