From the time I found out I was pregnant with Trek there was something very special about our connection.
I enjoyed my pregnancy with him to the ultimate fullest.
I spent the entire 40 weeks in a bikini laying on the beach in Maui. I loved my full stomach and the warmth of the island sun on my skin and I knew he could feel it too. Peyton and Conner would cruise with me in our mini van with our windows down singing Jack Johnson-it was so magical and I remember every moment.
Then Trek gave me the greatest gift. A quick and fun birth right in our driveway. His daddy got to catch him and his brothers were there to meet him shortly after he came out. It was so special and I got the homebirth I thought I would never have. (his birth story here)
Now I have always tried my hardest to not let any of my babies cry. I fed them on demand and they all 3 slept cuddled by my side all night any time they wanted. But with Trek it was different. I had no idea what was hiding inside of his beautiful little body, but I think somewhere very deep I knew something.
My house since Trek has been born has been a wreck!!! and I can’t remember the last time I cooked a meal. My sweet baby needed me constantly, and I was so happy to oblige. That was a big disicion in deciding where we wanted to move, we chose Thailand so I could afford a maid!
When the big boys were babies and started to get bored or fussy I would distract them with a toy for one more minute while I finished dinner or took a quick shower. But not with Trek. I always told Jarrett that it was different-it was like I was his lifeline. My only choice was to scoop him up and feed and cuddle him. It would break his heart if I even waited 10 seconds.
He is my little roo. He is happiest when he is snuggled on my shoulder or wrapped snuggly in a baby carrier. I can always tell just what he needs and what makes him happy. This is why I am so scared right now. I don’t want that to go away.
We talked to the doctor from New York that is the expert on Neimann Pick Type A and she explained that around 15 months old the baby will begin to loose skills and be less aware of his environment. Please pray that until the very end my mommy intuition will know exactly what he needs so I can help him best.
Jarrett and I have been staying up late talking, researching, crying, planning, and sometimes laughing when we glance down and see how cute our 3 boys are-we really are so blessed.
It is horrifying planning for your child’s death. It is one of those things you sometimes imagine then dismiss quickly because it is so painful and scary. It is so much worse than I ever thought. But it is our reality and we want to get all the awful details out of the way so we can fully enjoy him in the next few months.
We are certain that we don’t want to use any interventions. Jarrett promised Trek that no one else would hurt him the last time we were at the hospital and we fully intend to honor that promise. When his little body tells us it can’t work anymore we are just going to keep him pain free and comfortable.
The doctor suggested in a few months that a nurse come regularly to teach us how to help him be happy around the clock. We know this might shorten his time with us, but we want everyday he is alive to be wonderful and at home where he is loved most.
Please, please keep continuing to pray for us. We have so many choices to make.
We have never been on a family vacation, so we are planning one now. We are so excited to make even more special memories with our sweet baby.
Thanks again for all of the love and support. When I am feeling hopeless I get on the internet and read all your sweet comments and I feel hopeful again.
lots of love-xoxo
I feel in my heart, you are making the best decision for Trek.
Jaleen Baldwin is a friend of mine. She shared this with me. I am praying for you and your whole family. God is holding Trek and you close.
Even in such difficult circumstances you continue to be such an inspiration to those around you. I can only hope that one day I’ll be as good of a mama as you are. Xoxo.
My dear Chelsea,
All our love and prayers to you, Jarrett and the boys. You are doing the best in an unbearable situation that you can. Even though it is painful, we love reading about your hopes and dreams for the time you have with Trek. God bless and keep you all.
You are THE mom we all strive to be. Even with a messy house;)
Your intuition will adjust with his needs. Knowing what he needs is a wonderful gift god has given you. We are praying. Love you all
Chelsea, I think about you often and when I do I stop to say a little prayer for you and your family. I am so sorry that you have to go through something like this and in times like these we can only cling to the promise that God always sees the bigger picture. Out of everyone I know you are one of the strongest women that could handle this with such grace and peace. You already have touched multiple people with your story and Trek is such a light, without even meeting him I can see it in his pictures that he has the joy of the Lord surrounding him- his eyes are so BRIGHT! My prayers will continue to be with you and your family- God Bless All of You!!!!
Love Jamie
I think I can speak for all of us who are staying in touch by reading your blog – you don’t have to worry about the prayers – I for one am in this with you for the complete journey. – Suzie Seals Prairie Grove Baptist Church Mexia Tx
You are inspiring me to parent without regrets. What a wonderful gift you are giving not only to Trek but to your other boys as well. Praying…
Awe Chelsea. I have to words to say but I know you are doing the best thing for Trek. I can’t believe I just saw you guys at longhis like three weeks ago. Seems forever ago. You and your family ate in my thoughts all the time and I hope you know if there was anything I can do I will. Lots of prayers are with you and our family. And of course lots of Aloha! Jennifer (Carl’s mom)
Praying, praying, praying. What an aamzing mom you are! I am praying that when Trek loses his awareness, that his heart will ALWAYS yearn for his mom. That is a special bond that nothing can come between.
can’t even imagine the pain you are feeling, but i can tell from your posts that you have deep love your babies. how blessed you are with trek and how blessed trek is by the love you have for him. i am holding you all in my prayers.
Chelsea, you are truly a beautiful inspiration. Love you! As always, praying for you and your family.
I have heard your story through both Nadia Stewart and Karen Trembly. You are both amazing people and it’s heart warming to hear you plan to make his time here the best it can be. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers!
Praying for you and your family. Just take one day at a time, even sometimes one minute at a time. We know what you are going through and it is a really hard time. Please call or email me anytime if you have any questions. Glad you got to talk to Dr. Wasserstein. She’s really great.
I just read about your family on Kaitlyn’s Korner blog. I am so sorry. You will be in my constant thoughts and prayers. Hugs to your family and precious little man.
I saw you living your dream and making your future dreams a reality as well. I never saw Trek sad or alone…he was always happily in your arms. You love unselfishly and your kids are your life. You and Jarrett. You continue to inspire, encourage and show what love is. You can say you have no regrets because you chose every moment to be loving on your kids, who can say that? Well…as I write I hear my baby fussing…guess that means I have to do the right thing here and not long to give you a hug and talk but take care of my little guy. Abby is cute though, she said, “he’s ok…its sissy time”. You inspire everyone to be a better mom. I miss you and hate the house being so quiet. I wanna hear Conner and Peyton hopping around. Sending you warm Maui sunshine and a huge hug over the internet. xoxoxoxoxoxox
what a great testimony to choosing family over the normal “american lifestyle”. how could you have known that your time with trek would be limited? how can any of us know? your career and lifestyle choices are a reflection of what you know to be the right way to live – and because of that, you have loved and appreciated every minute you are having with trek and the rest of your family. i also ponder the circumstances of his birth. most of our delivery stories are much like anyone else’s… after many years have passed, perhaps the memories of the labor and delivery sound pretty routine. what a blessing that trek’s story is a magnificent, miraculous tale of coming into this world right on your driveway – immediate bonding, successful nursing, a little comical if not “normal”. you will NEVER forget every detail of that night. what a beautiful baby trek is and how very much he is loved. i am praying for you and your heart. jan