So, you may be wondering why I decided to call this blog “Star-Eyed Girl.” If you know me (and Jade) personally, you probably already know. Jade has beautiful dark blue eyes. She also has what are called “Brushfield spots” in her eyes. Brushfield spots can occur in anyone, but occur frequently in people with Trisomy 21, which is commonly referred to as Down syndrome. They are named after a physician named Thomas Brushfield, who first described them in his 1924 M.D. thesis. According to Medecinenet.com (who knows if that is a legit site!), Brushfield spots are “little white spots that are slightly elevated on the surface of the iris arranged in a ring concentric with the pupil.” Basically they are beautiful white spots that stand out among the color of the iris. Jade has blue eyes with white spots– it literally looks like stars in her eyes. When she was born, her eyes were dark blue with Brushfield spots. They looked like a starry midnight sky. Right around the time she turned 1, her eyes started to lighten, but stayed blue. Now it is more like the sky just before dawn when the sun has not yet risen, but the sky is starting to lighten and the stars are still out. Needless to say, her eyes are absolutely gorgeous.

I also thought that “Star-Eyed Girl” was fitting because if you look up the definition of “starry-eyed” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, this is what you will find: “regarding an object or a prospect in an overly favorable light.”

Without playing into the stereotype that people with Down syndrome are always happy (they are not… more on that later), I do believe that Jade tends to come at life with an air of positivity. Some may say it is overly favorable, but I think it is just right. She literally exudes happiness. Her smile lights up a room and her laugh could warm even the hardest heart. So, calling her my star-eyed girl seems to be quite fitting. Maybe the stars help her see everything a little more favorably. And you know what? I think that’s great.

Most days I think we all could use a little extra light in our lives.

So, I’ve decided that it is time to take the next step of this beautiful journey I have found myself on. My name is Heather and I am so excited to share this blog with you. I am married to a fantastic man who has been my best friend for nine years. I am a mother of three beautiful young girls who keep me busy, entertained, and invigorated by life.

Elyse, my oldest, was born in 2015. She is a spitfire. She is full of energy AND attitude. She’s only been on this earth for four years, but shocks me daily with thoughts and statements well beyond her years, as well as a fashion sense to give the NYC runways a run for their money.

Jade is my middle babe. She was born in 2017. She is a beautiful ball of light. She illuminates any room she enters with her smile and her booming personality. Jade rocks an extra 21st chromosome (which means that she was born with Down syndrome) and we wouldn’t have it any other way. She is perfect.

Zoe is my baby. She was born in 2019 and her personality is just starting to shine. She has a contagious smile which she shares willingly and loves to suck on her fingers and snuggle.

I decided to launch this blog because since having Jade, I have discovered a passion for Down syndrome advocacy– but saying it that way sounds too formal. What I am passionate about is showing the world that people with Down syndrome are just PEOPLE and families with kids with special needs should be treated just like anyone else. I am the mom of a kid with special needs, but that doesn’t make me special. I am still just a girl who is trying to be the best version of myself, the best wife, and the best mother I can be.