Love Heals

Here I sit at my computer in the wee hours of the night...unable to sleep because of all the thoughts racing through my mind. Sometimes the best medicine for a busy mind is to just write it out. We have had a heck of a week. A week that should have been ordinary turned into one of the most difficult weeks of our lives. I want to go back and write specifically about the days leading up to Baylor's miracle delivery and ongoing recovery to coming home... I hope to do that soon, but for tonight, I just wanted to write out my thoughts on surviving this last week.

So many times people walk through tough times...it's a fact of life. Each and everyone of us will be touched by some sort of difficulty or trial, for some it maybe the heart-wrenching journey of cancer, illnesses, loss of jobs, divorce, loss of a loved one, the list goes on. I've come to realize in this past week that as humans, we can't do this life alone. We need the support of others.  I cannot even begin to express my thanks and gratitude for the new people we have come in contact with this week and as well as our dear friends and family who have clung to us through this journey. Every single nurse, doctor, and staff member has reached out to us with nothing but extreme love and kindness. We have witnessed God's love through so many people and it truly makes a difference in us just getting through each day. We would never be able to make it through without the kindness that has been so greatly lavished upon us. The prayers that have gone up on our behalf mean the world to us and each and every comment on social media, text, email or visit has boosted our morale and given us bits and pieces of strength to keep on moving. I know in 6 months we will look back on this time in our lives and breathe a sigh of relief...it will be a time that we grow, learn and become better from.  But in this current time..while we are walking through it...I just can't express enough thanks. My heart overflows with gratitude for my parents, my in-laws, my siblings, my extended family and my dearest friends. Without ya'll we would grow weary and weak, but because of ya'll we are able to walk this road with Baylor and we will come out at the end with our fists held high.  Baylor will be living proof that love can heal. We don't know the exact outcome of Baylor's medical needs yet, but no matter what...we know he is a fighter and because of the love and support he has...he will succeed in all he does.

Our God is so good. He has sustained us through each day and even when the tears are flowing and we are weak and tired...He has given us supernatural strength. Above all, we are looking for ways to show the greatness of God and all He has done on this journey. We are praying that through this journey we will become better equipped to love others through their own difficult journeys. Never before have I realized the value and importance of just simple acts of support...but I know from here on out, Christian and I will look for ways to support others while they walk through their own trials.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of our little guy.  I am journaling each day about his progress and I hope to start documenting that here on my blog soon.  Also I can't wait to share about his birth. Baylor is a complete miracle and the fact that he is here safe is only by the grace of God. When doctors tell you he is a medical mystery... but one that survived...you know it is only because of our God.

Introducing our precious Baylor Jace, a true miracle from heaven. He is a fighter and our inspiration for pushing onward.

Swim, Swim, Swim!

I have been an avid, competitive swimmer since I turned 4 years old. Competing on a swim team and participating in competitive meets is one of my greatest memories as a child. To this day, I have a deep love for swimming. I have swam through all three of my pregnancy's...even up to the last month and each time I have said that swimming was my saving grace throughout pregnancy.  Not only do I love swimming myself, I absolutely just feel at home next to a pool. So it is no wonder that my kiddos have a deep love for swimming as well.  Aubrey is a fish and there is nothing that she loves more than to spend hours in the pool. She is actually quite good and I hope to get her on a team next year. Weston also loves the water and is not at all timid or afraid.  In fact, both of my children are a little too comfortable in the water and at such a young age that can be scary.

On Mother's Day, we had quite a scare at my brother's house. We had been swimming for a few hours and I got the kids out to eat lunch. I took Weston's puddle jumper off while he ate on the patio, not thinking he would need it at the table. Boy was I mistaken. Only by the grace of God did I look over into the pool...there was absolutely no splash, no sound, no panic...but I see Weston underneath the water. He apparently left the table, and in his mind, he thought he still had his floatie on and somehow slipped back into the water. I didn't notice anything, again, no noise or splash...he just went right under. Once I noticed him,  I started screaming and I flew as fast as I could into the pool. My brother saw what was happening and reached Weston about the same time. He was able to grab him and pull him up to safety. I am not for sure how long he was submerged but it was so fast and yet while running to him, it seemed like slow motion.  Thankfully, by God's goodness, Weston was not unconscious or harmed. He was a little shaken up but honestly he didn't really understand what had happened. I was shaken to the core. I have had Aubrey fall into the pool before, but nothing like this...it could have been terrible and really we were just mere seconds away from disaster. I cried for the next two days because I was just so upset about the whole incident. You realize how quickly and easy a drowning can happen and it totally rocks your world.

Christian and I have decided that no matter what, if we are outside, swimming or not, eating or not...Weston will wear his puddle jumper. It is just too dangerous to assume he knows when we are done swimming or when we are taking a break to eat.

We also immediately enrolled both kiddos in private lessons at Crawfish Aquatics. I honestly hadn't planned on putting Weston in til next year, but I felt that it was a must. It is very pricey and a good little drive, but it is money and time well spent. We are also looking into getting my CPR certified just so I would be more prepared.

Weston did great with his lessons and he learned that if he falls in, to get to the side and yell "Help, Help". We have been really working with him on that as well as stressing to him that he should never go near a pool without mommy or daddy.  Aubrey has absolutely loved her lessons as well and she can pretty much swim an entire length of the pool unassisted! She is learning great techniques like how to breathe to the side, kick and stroke appropriately...she really  does so well.

 

I'm so proud of my little cuties and how far they have come with swimming. I am so thankful for great programs that teach my little guys techniques and safety measures that they can use to stay safe. I do firmly believe no one, not even the best of swimmers, is exempt from needing to be extra, extra careful in the pool. Things just happen so quickly. Keep those eyes on those babies, make them wear safety devises, teach them proper skills, help them develop a healthy fear of the water, learn what to do in case of an emergency and most importantly pray for protection each time they get near a pool!