Characteristic's of Down Syndrome

Today I thought that I would describe some of the signs, and symptoms of Down Syndrome. I remember looking over at Brunton just seconds after he was born and thinking he looked a little different. The word Down Syndrome crossed my mind first, but I brushed it away thinking that I was just over thinking the situation. I wasn't sure what a baby looked like right at birth so I thought that the eyes were normal (Coleman was rushed from the delivery room and I did not see him for a few hours). So when the nurse called the doctor over and they started whispering I new that there was something wrong. So what exactly do they look for when diagnosing someone with DS. Well there are an estimated 100 characteristic's associated with DS. A few of these characteristic's are...

A flat facial profile.

An upward slant to the eyes.

Abnormally shaped ears.

A short neck, and smaller than normal size.

A single, deep transverse crease on the palm of the hand

A small mouth sometimes with a large, protruding tongue.

( I just love when he gets excited and sticks his cute tongue out.)

In those first couple of days after Brunton was born I had a hard time not focusing on all of these "abnormal" features. I would wonder what people thought when they saw him. Was he as beautiful to them as he was to me? I now feel bad for being so vain. Why should I care if people think that he looks different? He is an amazing little boy, and I think that he is perfect in every way!!!