Saturday, November 22, 2014

Joshua

I thought you all might like to see a picture of my new little boy! This is Joshua Wesley, born October 16th at 8lbs. 7oz. and 21in. long. You might think that's big but I've had two bigger babies (and one smaller) before him! I am up about two times a night feeding him and am pretty exhausted at this point. However, all of my kids have slept through the night at 2 months so fingers crossed he follows the same pattern.


This little man gave us the scare of our lives. Born with the lungs of a preemie despite being full term, he was pronounced in respiratory distress minutes after birth and whisked off to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). My thoughtful nurse encouraged us to snap a quick picture before he was taken away.


He was suppose to be in the NICU for only a few short days until his lungs could adjust to breathing normal air. However, at 48 hours old, he went into a downward spiral. His oxygen levels dropped dramatically because his left lung collapsed. The doctors got that re-inflated and he stabilized, only to have the oxygen start dropping again. This time they inserted a tube into his chest to suck out the oxygen that had leaked into the space between his lung and his lung cavity, causing the lung to collapse again. Once more he stabilized, then again started to drop his oxygen levels. The doctors were scratching their heads about what was causing all this trauma, and were having to resuscitate him in between procedures and bedside x-rays. He finally ended up on an oscillating ventilator, hooked up to a tank of nitric oxide and given a dose of synthetic surfactant. Five hours after the initial lung collapsed he stabilized for good.


Sitting in a waiting room for that amount of time while your baby is fighting for his life is terrifying. It was the darkest night of my entire life, and the only thing that got me through was my faith in God and in his being in control of the situation.

Everyday of his stay in the hospital I got up early, got my kids ready for school, and went to spend the day with my baby. I had no time to heal, to rest at home while my body recuperated, to enjoy the solace of being surrounded by only my family. Every afternoon I had to leave him there in the care of strangers and hope that he would still be there when I returned. If you've never experienced having an infant in the NICU I cannot explain how hard it really is. I was so grateful for the care of the doctors and nurses who saved his life, but I was incredibly sad every night that I didn't have all my children under one roof.

We were warned that Joshua might have a few more setbacks after that really horrible night but he never did. Thanks to the prayers of hundreds of people all across the country, we saw our little man get steadily better and better. I brought him home on October 29, thirteen days after his birth. It was the first time my other kids got to meet their brother.


Going through something like this has a way of putting all of life's experiences into perspective. Five days after Joshua came home a spark plug exploded in our minivan, ruining the engine and causing thousands of dollars of repair work to be needed. We ended up completely replacing the vehicle. Had this happened a month before I would have been super upset. When it did occur, though, I could only be mildly annoyed. The worst thing in my life that could have happened didn't. My baby did not die in that hospital. Every other setback pales in comparison.

Life is precious.

88 comments:

  1. I can only imagine how hard that all was. The expression on your little girls face in this photo is sooooo sweet... She is looking at her new brother with such a loving joyful face.
    I have followed your blog for a while, usually just lurking and enjoying seeing all your sewing... Just wanted to say congratulations to you and your family.

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    1. Thanks Texan. All my kids love the baby, but Rachel is IN LOVE with him.

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  2. I'm one of your sewing followers. I'm so happy that your baby is doing well! Thank God for modern medicine! I can't even imagine what would have happened if this had been a home birth.

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    1. Ironically enough, there was a time I was interested in home birth before my oldest was born. It was less expensive to go to a hospital so that's what I've always done. So also thanking God for insurance that forces us to do things we would rather do our own way. ;)

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  3. I'm really happy that your baby is doing well now. He's gorgeous. Wishing you and the new family member the best!

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  4. I'm so thrilled to hear that baby Joshua is doing better. I totally understand how you feel because my daughter's youngest baby had some medical challenges that kept her in the hospital an extra 10 days and it is only prayer that keeps you sane. Enjoy your precious bundle of joy - he is adorable!

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    1. I would not relive those 13 days for a million dollars but the prayers that poured in gave me such a peace. It was the peace that surpasses all understanding that the bible talks about - that feeling I will never forget.

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  5. Dearest Joshaua,
    Welcome to our world. Your family is overjoyed that you are doing well and finally here. You have only one more time to scare your mom and that is choosing your future bride but for now, enjoy the attention and love. Congratulations Amazing Amanda he's beautiful! Can't wait to see his first custom outfit! (My son was a NICU baby as well! Whew!)

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    1. Haha, thanks Carol. I am not one for making baby clothes, so don't hold your breath for that one. ;)

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  6. Congratulations you guys! Joshua is a beauty. The power of prayer is amazing. Life is precious. It really puts the world into perspective.

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    1. Thank you Renee. I know you've experienced so much of this recently too.

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  7. I am so happy to hear that your little Joshua is doing well and wonderful! I agree with Cidell that the power of prayer is amazing!

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  8. Congratulations on your beautiful boy, with a beautiful name! I am so glad all is well now and all your kids are home together. Thanks for the powerful story, and reminder of how precious life is.

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  9. Happy to hear that is all in the past and it's only good things ahead! Welcome Joshie!!!

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  10. I am happy that Joshua is now home and doing so well. I can only imagine how challenging that time was for you.

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    1. Thanks Linda. I hope we have put all the drama behind us!

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  11. I totally understand your experience. Our middle son was born 7-8 weeks premature. He spend 10 days in NICU in a hospital over an hour away. His lung collapsed and he had other problems. He was given only a 50% chance of making it. I am forever grateful to those doctors and nurses who took care of our baby. I always thought of them as angels taking care of our precious little boy. I would sing that song, "All night, all day angels watchin' over me, my Lord..." I can't believe that was over 35 years ago. Enjoy your baby.

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    1. So glad to hear your son is now 35 and got past all of that! There was a nurse in the hospital whose son had a similar experience to mine, and it was so comforting to hear her talk of him. He's now 8.

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  12. Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! What a frightening beginning! I believe God lovingly answered your prayers! It does put things in perspective. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  13. He is beautiful and I am so happy to know that he is doing well, congrats to you and your family.

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  14. So glad he is doing well! I worked as a neonatal nurse practitioner, so I am very familiar with all you talked about in your post, but never experienced it as a parent. Thanks for updating us!

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    1. Thank you Angela. I don't know how you nurses deal with the stress. I certainly couldn't do it.

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  15. Congratulations on a beautiful baby. Nothing like a really scary experience to get your priorities straight. Enjoy.

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  16. What a little darling - congratulations! I praise God with you for how well your little Joshua is doing. What a scare he gave you all! While I haven't had a baby in the NICU, my youngest son was diagnosed with childhood cancer at the age of 7 and it was extremely terrifying as well. Thankfully he's doing well and will be finished with nearly 3.5 years of treatment this coming July. God is bigger than all our health problems and, like your family, we put our trust in Him. Yes, those other things that can be a big deal, pale in comparison to having a very ill child. Praying for smooth and easy days for you and good health for all your babies (and you too!).

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    1. It's so scary when our kids are sick! I hope your son is doing well now. Thanks for your comment.

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  17. Blessings to your family that Joshua made it through! Look at God!

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  18. So glad your little man fought through that nightmare! You never know the power of God until you walk through a time when it's all that gets you through!

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  19. Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy and so happy he is home with his family. God is good and so happy he healed Joshua. God is good.

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  20. Congratulations. So glad your son is now healthy. Wishing you both strength and healing.

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  21. Oh, Amanda, what a rough few weeks you've had! I'm so glad you're all home as a family and I hope you're able to rest soon. What a scary time! My lung collapsed twice when I was a teenager and it's no fun at all. So glad Joshua was protected and that he's well now! You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  22. Oh you poor thing! Thank goodness all is well now. Hope that continues and he continues to thrive.

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  23. Amanda so thrilled that baby Joshua is at home now. I have been thinking about you and your family since you mentioned he wasn't well, and praying he would be ok. I can only imagine what a awful time this was - praise God he is ok. Hope he continues to thrive and grow!

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  24. All our best wishes for what will be such a thankful Christmas. All of us who have sat next to a child in intensive care know what you went through. The trick is to keep remembering that the sparkplug disasters are so unimportant placed next to the love and health of family. Thanks for reminding all of us.

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  25. Congratulations on little Joshua! He looks like a very healthy little chap despite his NCU adventure, so I hope everything continues to go really well for him. My son was born 5.5 weeks early and spent a very long 10 days separated from me in the NCU - it was just awful and frightening, but (I hope this helps if you feel worried) he is now a super healthy 10 year old. And I've since learnt several of his big 10 and 11 year old friends had similar scary starts in life, but you wouldn't know it now - they're just like the boys who had an easier first few weeks :)

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  26. Ağlayarak okudum. Dilerim minik Joshua ve tüm kardeşleri hep sağlıklı olsunlar. Sevgilerimle.

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  27. What a scare! God is awesome. He is such a cutie. Congratulations and prayers for smooth sailing

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  28. Congratulations and praise God your son is okay now. I life really is precious.
    Sarah

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  29. what a terrifying ordeal! so happy for you and your family that everything turned out okay. best wishes to you all!

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  30. Congratulations on your beautiful baby! I'm glad he is doing well now. Have a wonderful thanksgiving!

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  31. God Bless your family and baby Joshua.

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  32. Oh I am so sorry you had to go through that. How scary! Thank God that Joshua is doing well now. The is such a cutie! Congratulations on your newest beautiful baby.

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  33. Congrats Amanda!

    God is so awesome, I am so happy for you and glad that Joshua is alright.

    Best wishes!

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  34. Congratulations!! He is adorable. I love your blog, don't usually have time to comment, but just had to say I am so glad to hear your little one came through! You are so brave, juggling the other kids! My first baby spent time in the NICU at birth and again at 2 weeks. It was so hard, even though he was in okay shape all the time. Best wishes for a smooth transition to four kiddos :-)

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  35. Oh Amanda - congratulations on such a beautiful little boy. What a hard first few weeks you've had. I am very happy to know that all is well now. Congratulations to all of you!

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  36. Thank you for sharing your amazing creation! Your sewing makes are great, but Joshua takes the cake. It is inspiring when you share what God has done in your life with others. He definitely deserves the recognition. Congratulations on your beautiful family!

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  37. I am so pleased that your family is now all together and that Joshua is well. Many congratulations.

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  38. You made my day when I saw your post! I have been watching and waiting to see a post about the arrival of your new baby. I am so very sorry baby Joshua had a scary start in life, and thankful things are better for him now. The look on Rachel's face is priceless, one with love and awe for her new brother. May God continue to bless you and your lovely family, you are a special lady. Prayers and hugs. Barb, Arlington

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  39. Your comments about the exploding spark plug illustrated what's truly important.
    congratulations on your beautiful baby boy.

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  40. Congratulations on the birth of your son. I know how you felt leaving him in the NICU. My daughter who is 16yrs old now, was a preemie. God is faithful, knowing that he is in control gives you the strength to go on.

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  41. I've been checking every day to see if there was baby news. So sorry to hear that you had such a scare, but thrilled that things turned out okay. Congratulations to you and your beautiful family!

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  42. What joy...Joshua has just the right family for the rest of his life. Best wishes to all of you.

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  43. Oh God Bless you Amanda and beautiful little Joshua! Thank you for sharing your story with your followers. I have been wondering about you and how your family are getting along with your precious new addition. Your Thanksgiving will be especially meaningful this year. Please give him a little hug from Diana in Canada.

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  44. Oh goodness, I could not fathom what it must have been like to go through that. Thank God you all made it through, and it looks like he's fighting fit now! How fitting that the name Joshua means 'Salvation'. Thanks for sharing your story with us and God bless your family xx

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  45. So happy Joshua is home and doing well. That certainly does put things in perspective, doesn't it? What a happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas you will all have. Congratulations!

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  46. What they all said and my prayers too.

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  47. Something like this really does put every day problems into perspective. Thanksgiving will really be special this year.

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  48. Oh wow ... how scary that must've been. I'm so glad he's home with his family and doing so well now. Congratulations, and welcome to the world Joshua!

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  49. Oh my, what a way to enter into the world! Beautiful name and beautiful baby. So glad he is doing fine now.

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  50. That is wonderful news that he is home now! How brave you are and how distressing this rough ride has been! Congratulations now on having all your family under one roof!

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  51. Congratulations on Joshua's arrival. He is adorable and I appreciated you sharing his study. Must have been so difficult for you. Thankful that prayers have been answered and he has been healthy since the first few weeks. I just read Hebrews 11:1 the other day and I've been carrying that around with me - so true.

    The expression of Rachel's (right?) face when she's looking at Joshua is the best. Sums it all up for her right there - too cute!

    Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Enjoy the good times!

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  52. Thank you for sharing. I've tears in my eyes, and am so graterul for you and your family that your beautiful boy is home, that you are able to take care of him yourself. Congratulations and enjoy this precious gift!

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  53. What a nightmare! Hugging my kiddo extra tight now despite her protests.

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  54. Congratulations on Joshua's birth, he is gorgeous. Sorry he had such a rough start but pleased he is home and well. I love the look on Rachel's face, such a precious moment.

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  55. A Special Thanksgiving........
    Though I am thankful every day for the many provisions and abundant blessings from our Lord, this year I am especially grateful for the many prayers on behalf of my grandson, Joshua Wesley. He is truly God's miracle child!!
    Love,
    Mom (and Grandma)

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  56. I too have lurked on your blog for years to see all your sewing and knitting creations. I am so happy that your baby is here and our Heavenly Father answers prayers. Congratulations to you and your family. I pray many more blessing to you and yours!

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  57. Congratulations all of you! WE can see again that there is a God who hears prayers.
    LOve, Wilma

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  58. Hello Joshua! That must have been a very frightening time for you all, your post was so well written and thank goodness Joshua is perfectly healthy now - have a wonderful family thanksgiving together.

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  59. I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but it seems like it's given you a wonderful perspective which is so needed in the early years of demanding family life. What a wonderful addition to your family

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  60. Faith in God makes all the difference Amanda, and of course much prayer. I am thrilled your baby was restored to you & I hope you enjoy many many years with him & your other children.

    Rosalind Clayton

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  61. Wonderful news. I'd missed you and hoped everything was going well.

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  62. Yes God truly has a way of reminding us what is important, and I know he is watching over you and your family. A lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

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  63. God is good all the time! Congratulations to you and your family!

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  64. What a blessing to read! I am in tears reading your post. I am so happy that you have taken your new bundle home and that you and your family are doing well. Prayers are still coming your way.

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  65. Oh Amanda I am so sorry you've been through such a trauma, and I cannot even begin to imagine how awful it must have been for you. I'm so glad you are both home safe and happy now. *hugs*

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  66. Congrats on the birth of your son Amanda. And thank God for grace and strength through those tough days. And victory at the end of it all. I have been away from your blog for over a year and I saw a picture I had saved years ago...I immediately rushed to your blog (lol). You are (and have always been) a source of inspiration. Warm hugs to you and your lovely family.

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