The Peanut Gallery

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Drum Roll Please....

Sunday, December 12, 2010

(Bonomo Family - Christmas 2010)
Before I get to the good part - A little sneak peek at our 2010 Christmas Pictures. As most of you know we have the most amazing friend and photographer - Jennifer Bagwell. She has such instinct for photography and she is absolutely amazing with Kennedy and all of her special needs. She is always going out of her way to accommodate our family. Jen remains one of Kennedy's biggest advocates. She is always lending me an ear when I need to vent or just talk out my struggles and for that I am forever grateful. She is never judgmental and is always telling me how amazing and inspirational I am, which I won't lie is so nice to hear at times. She even named her daughter after Kennedy - Isabella Kennedy Bagwell. Anyways check out more of her work by clicking here!!!! Our pictures turned out amazing - I will post the rest of them in another post.

For the longest time Brian and I have battled with the decision of growing our family. Due to the fact that Kennedy's disease has a 25% reoccurrence rate we felt torn. We knew we wanted to expand upon our family, but also knew the inherent risks that would lie ahead. We did not want to bring another baby into this world that would be afflicted with same heinous disease as Kennedy! With a clear heart we could not consciously go ahead knowing the potientially negative outcome that may result.

We pondered and pondered for what felt like forever. Not only would the decision to have another baby affect both of us individually, but it would also affect Kennedy and our entire family dynamic. Could we handle it? Would it be feasible? Would I be asking to much of my husband? The questions continually flowed through my brain. It is times like these that I wish there was some sort of crystal ball I could ask. So I did the next best thing - I looked within and to God for guidance.

We finally decided to go for it! We knew that adding to our family was very important to us. The fact of the matter is - we had Kennedy because we wanted a family and just because Kennedy has some special needs it does not take away from our initial desires of wanting to grow our family.

We are so incredibly elated to announce that Kennedy will be a Big Sister!!! We are anticipating the arrival of Kennedy's Baby Brother around May 8, 2011. Words can not describe the emotions that I have been overcome with in the last 5 months since I found out I was pregnant. I am ecstatic that Kennedy will be able to take on the roll as big sister. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little bundle of joy and are accepting of the impending challenges with open arms. Because we do not know with 100% certainty that Kennedy has Leigh's Syndrome (doctors have been unable to confirm diagnosis via blood) we will not know if this baby will be afflicted. At this time I put all my faith into the Lords hands and hope and pray for the best. I do not have any inclinations or instinctual feelings that anything is wrong at this point but I approach this as I try to approach everything else in my life, full of positivity and optimism.

(Our newest addition - Baby Boy Bonomo due May 8, 2011)

4 comments:

Sarah Bug said...

The way you Love is amazing. Most people would have given up a long time ago, BUT everyday you and Brian move forward. You are an amazing couple, and an inspiration to the rest of us. I am so proud to say that I have been a part of your lives.

I can't wait for the newest addition, as I know he will be a blessing to both you guys and Kennedy!

braden-kaleigh.blogspot.com said...

Congratulations!!! I hope, pray and wish the best for your family. Thanks for sharing your exciting news.

ahappygirl said...

What a brave soul you are! I just found your blog and I am so glad. Congrats on your newest member of your family. I cannot imagine the emotions you are going through, but I can tell you that miracles do happen. I have a rare disease called Cystinosis that only about 500 other people in the U.S. have and we welcomed our miracle girl into the world almost a year ago. There are only 5 other women in the world with Cystinosis who have been able to bring children into this world. Keep the faith and keep positive!

Unknown said...

hello, my name is dana cabana... my husband and his sister went to school with your husband. i just wanted to tell you that im so sorry to hear about your loss. your story seams a little to familiar to me. steven and i had our baby boy on nov 30 2010 and he passed away on dec 31 2010 with some kind of metobolic disorder and we still dont have any answers. it was so hard with him being just a month old so i cant even imagine how you feel! no matter how much you prepare yourself you just arnt quite that prepared when it actually happens. please email me and we can chat further Housemate0u812@gmail.com i would love to talk to you.