I knew it would be ok....

My cousin Danielle is 9 days older than me. Growing up we had shared family birthday parties, "Jeni/Dani nights" and we always got the same birthday and Christmas gifts. We would try to open our gifts at the same time so that we could both be surprised by more than just what color it was. When we were teenagers we went down two very different paths and while we probably wouldn't have hung out in the same crowds if we went to school together, it didn't much matter. If I had to pick any person that I would like to be more like... it would be her. I will never forget when we were all getting ready for her wedding. All of us bridesmaids were stressing about our hair and makeup and getting jitters before the ceremony started. She was the one to calm us all down and to be the soothing presence in the room. I love her dearly.



After Zach was born and we were told he might have Down syndrome, I thought about my cousin Dani and I knew it would be ok.

15 months earlier Dani gave birth to her beautiful baby boy Gabriel Tomas. Gabe came into the world 16 weeks early. He spent as many weeks in the NICU fighting for his life. Nurses and doctors urged Dani to "let him go". As if that was possible. I cant speak for her but I am sure Dani knew that he was meant to live and that this was her child and that was all that mattered to her.

Family and friends surrounded them with love and prayer and eventually they were able to take their sweet baby boy home. Sure he has health problems and has endured hospital stays and surgeries but the number of lives this little boy has touched is immeasurable. I am so thankful that she did not "let him go" because when I was faced with the challenge of accepting Zachary into my life I feel like I channeled her strength and I just knew that it would be ok. I knew that Zach would be accepted and that there would never be a shortage of love for my boy.

I feel like her and I have an even deeper bond than we ever did before. That we get it. We know that we can bounce questions off each other about IEPs or how to possibly make coffee wake us up faster and everything in between. I know I can call her at 6am to ask about seizures and she knows she can send me text messages with pictures of her kids butt to ask if a spot looks like a staph infection. I wish there wasn't 300 miles between us and that we could spend more time together and our kids could create the memories that we have of family dinners and gathering at the grandparents house.

Dani and I have had the unofficial conversation (we really need to get that in writing) that if anything were to happen to Chris and I that her and her amazing husband Omar would raise our kids. I cannot imagine anyone else, with such genuine hearts, that would love and raise our kids the way we would want.

Dani & Omar with Zachary


The boys.... this was possibly their first meeting...


The boys were not happy to be laid down together... this was the best we could do...






I love you Nani Bit Bit!!