1 Woman Found Out Her Baby Had Down Syndrome While Her Husband Was in the Army, and Her Story Is Powerful

Hannah shared the news with Brian when he was home on leave for Christmas.

"I told him of everything that had happened since the day he left from her heart issues to the amnio and all the things in-between," she said. "When I told him she would have Down syndrome his response was so sweet. He said: 'OK' very nonchalantly. I told him that she wouldn't be 'normal.' At the point, he laughed and said, 'Well, of course she won't be normal. Neither one of us are normal. Normal is boring anyways.'"

Fast-forward a few months, and Hannah welcomed their new daughter Adaline into the world. "Her heart healed itself in utero, and other than some minor issues at birth, we have been blessed with a healthy little girl," said Hannah. "We were only in the NICU for a week."

But it was a difficult few days, regardless: "My advice to any mothers in a similar situation would be to allow yourself to feel all the feels," she said. "Cry when you need it. Ask for help when you need it. If you have to get angry, then get angry. Motherhood cracks open your soul and makes you feel things you didn't know you could. Don't suppress your feelings. Feel them, acknowledge what they are, and move on. Don't let fear rob you of your joy."

Today, 3-year-old Adaline is in preschool and officially loving her new role in the family. She's a big sister!

"She is the most soft, gentle, kind, loving big sister. She nurtures her sister so much," said Hannah. "She responds to her cries and always makes sure she's OK. She's also in preschool now, and while we had a rough start with her leaving me, she is doing so well."

Hannah says that she owes all her success to the supportive Down syndrome community she's quickly become a part of. "This community is unlike any other," she said. "Tons of families from all over the country, even the world, who instantly have this connection and can relate to each other because of our special kiddos. Being Adeline's mom has motivated me and challenged me to advocate for people and families of all abilities."

Now, Hannah runs a YouTube channel, The Ups and Downs, with other parents who have children with Down syndrome, where she works to create a space where people from all walks of life can relate or even learn about the diagnosis. "Meeting families going through their diagnosis and being told that Adaline's life gives them hope makes all the bad days worth it, and all the good days better," said Hannah.