My husband and I were meant to be a team when we welcomed our first child, but he turned on me. Recently, I experienced one of the most embarrassing and eye-opening moments of my life. Let me backtrack a bit. My husband, Jake, 29, and I welcomed our beautiful daughter, Tilly, three weeks ago.
Whenever I ask Tilly’s father for help, he says, “Let me relax; my paternity leave is so short.” I’ve struggled alone with sleepless nights, and things went too far last Saturday during a family gathering. As the party progressed, Jake was busy telling everyone, “I needed this paternity leave because I couldn’t imagine how much more exhausted I would have been working AND taking care of the baby.”
Exhausted, I fainted right there in the middle of the party. I awoke to concerned family members and Jake’s frown. He later exploded at home, annoyed that I embarrassed him, accusing me of making him “look bad!”
Just as I was about to leave for my mom’s place, my in-laws arrived with a professional nanny they had hired. “She’s here to help with the baby and to teach Jake about caring for her,” my MIL explained. They also insisted I go on a spa retreat for a week.
Overwhelmed by their kindness, I immediately agreed. The week was blissful and helped me recover. Back home, the changes were remarkable! The nanny had put Jake through a rigorous “baby boot camp.” He learned to change diapers, cook baby meals, soothe a crying baby, and manage a sleep schedule. Jake greeted me with a heartfelt apology, having sold his vintage guitars to pay for the nanny and my retreat, showing his commitment to our family.
20 families had previously rejected an ‘unusual’ girl before a single man adopted her
The story of this cute family of two started when little Alba, who was just 13 days old back then, was rejected by 20 adoptive families.
The decision made by all these people not to embrace the special little girl turned lucky for the 41-year-old Italian Luca Trapanese.
When he filled in the adoption papers, Luca didn’t really believe the social services would allow him to become the legal father of Alba as in the country where he is from it is not common for single, homosexual man to be granted custody.
But, as all those families didn’t want to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, and Luca was more than happy to have such child in his life, he took Alba in and became her legal daddy.
The moment he welcomed sweet Alba into his life, he became the happiest person on Earth. Speaking of his daughter and his case, he said it was very special because it “destroys stereotypes about fatherhood, religion and family.”
The journey of these father and daughter started back in 2017 and they are stealing the hearts of many ever since.
Luka has a heart of gold. He has been part of many social service programs throughout the years and volunteered at various organizations who help people with special needs find their place in the society. Among the rest, he was part of the foundation “A Ruota Libera” which provided assistance for children with Down Syndrome.
This was one of the reasons why Luca wanted to adopt a child with Down Syndrom despite not having a partner.
20 families had previously rejected an ‘unusual’ girl before a single man adopted her
The story of this cute family of two started when little Alba, who was just 13 days old back then, was rejected by 20 adoptive families.
The decision made by all these people not to embrace the special little girl turned lucky for the 41-year-old Italian Luca Trapanese.
When he filled in the adoption papers, Luca didn’t really believe the social services would allow him to become the legal father of Alba as in the country where he is from it is not common for single, homosexual man to be granted custody.
But, as all those families didn’t want to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, and Luca was more than happy to have such child in his life, he took Alba in and became her legal daddy.
The moment he welcomed sweet Alba into his life, he became the happiest person on Earth. Speaking of his daughter and his case, he said it was very special because it “destroys stereotypes about fatherhood, religion and family.”
The journey of these father and daughter started back in 2017 and they are stealing the hearts of many ever since.
Luka has a heart of gold. He has been part of many social service programs throughout the years and volunteered at various organizations who help people with special needs find their place in the society. Among the rest, he was part of the foundation “A Ruota Libera” which provided assistance for children with Down Syndrome.
This was one of the reasons why Luca wanted to adopt a child with Down Syndrom despite not having a partner.
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Finalizing the adoption was a difficult process as adoption agencies prefer “traditional” families over the non-conventional ones.
“For me, a disabled child is not a second choice solution, but a conscious choice with respect to my vocation and my abilities,” Luca said.
Alba is a happy child with a vibrant personality. She loves being around people and enjoys playing and dancing.
We are so glad that the perception of people with Down Syndrome is changing and they are considered valuable part of the society.
As for Luca and Alba, we wish them all the best that life can bring!
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