Zachary is 7 years old and, in many ways, just like any seven-year-old boy: He loves to play sports, especially football; he can play a little rough with his little sister; he can be so ornery and stubborn. 

He goes to school every weekday. He plays outside in our backyard. He tries to sneak candy or a cupcake when we’re not looking. 

In a lot of ways, our life is very, very ordinary. 
But in what I’ve discovered are some of the best ways imaginable, our life is very, very extra-ordinary. 

Zack was diagnosed after birth with Down syndrome, a genetic chromosomal condition that causes a third copy of the 21st chromosome (rather than just two) to be present. That extra chromosome can cause a wide range of health concerns, developmental delays, and a variety of sensory issues. Every person born with DS (about 1 in every 700 births in the US) is completely unique from anyone else with DS. The severity and onset of delays, issues and concerns is as varied as imaginable. There is no cure. There is hope, education, therapy, perseverance and a lot of battles. 

Some days, the unknown battles that lie ahead of our journey keep me from sleeping and bring on the most unpredictable of tears. I hate the shorter life expectancy of children and adults with Down Syndrome. I dread teasing or bullying that may come from his peers. I can’t breathe when I start thinking about the increased likelihood of certain diseases and medical concerns. 

We’ve had to, in the past, fight for some of the most basic rights due to Zack — lengthy battles with school districts to get him the education he needs and deserves; changing of doctors because they didn’t keep us comforted or take us seriously and lots more. 

But now, right now, in this moment, we are in a beautiful place. 

I want to share our story with you and share the incredible joy, love, laughter and beauty Zack — and his extra chromosome — brings to our world. This blog will share peeks into our daily lives — some “typical”, some funny, maybe a few battles and maybe some happy tears, too. 

Before I was a photographer, I was a mother. And when I became a mother, I became Zack’s advocate and voice. 

Our life is a little extra amazing because of Zack, his sister Addie and the friends and family that surround us with a little extra love and support. 

To see our previous family blog with stories from 2010 through 2016, visit here. 
To follow the blog of a new Maryland friend and fellow family with one extra chromosome (who also inspired me to restart our family blog), enjoy #lilimcawesome here. 
For more information on Down syndrome, please check out the National Down Syndrome Society.