8 days old in dad's arms
17 days old and my eyes are open,
43 days old and sleeping on my stomach.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
ASAP
Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.?
Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP= ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P.=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It's been a tough week for Sam...he's battling a terrible cold which he just can't seem to overcome and then on top of THAT, he's throat seemed to be bothering him like crazy the last couple of days so took him to the doc today..and he has severe thrush in the back of his throat. It seems like after every hurdle he makes it over, there's another two waiting in the wings and when he's managed to get through more challenging issues like breathing and feeding, it's awfully frustrating that things seemingly less "threatening" like a cold or thrush can cause him so much discomfort and misery. So, today we apply A.S.A.P. (thanks Diane) and say a prayer for Sam's health, as well as for his precious two friends...Matthew, who is also terribly ill with tonsillitis and Jodie, also battling a cold. We pray that these three little angels get well soon.
Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP= ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER
God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P.=ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It's been a tough week for Sam...he's battling a terrible cold which he just can't seem to overcome and then on top of THAT, he's throat seemed to be bothering him like crazy the last couple of days so took him to the doc today..and he has severe thrush in the back of his throat. It seems like after every hurdle he makes it over, there's another two waiting in the wings and when he's managed to get through more challenging issues like breathing and feeding, it's awfully frustrating that things seemingly less "threatening" like a cold or thrush can cause him so much discomfort and misery. So, today we apply A.S.A.P. (thanks Diane) and say a prayer for Sam's health, as well as for his precious two friends...Matthew, who is also terribly ill with tonsillitis and Jodie, also battling a cold. We pray that these three little angels get well soon.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Conquests to date....
Sam has faced many challenges in the first twelve weeks of his life...and all of them are things we take for granted. First - he could not breathe on his own and required seven weeks on first an oscillator, then a cpap machine, then nasal cannular and finally normal oxygen. While he was struggling to learn to breathe we kept thinking and praying "Oh...if only he could learn to breathe". Then, Sam conquerored breathing - Yeah! But then Sam could not drink - he was breathing on his own but could not leave the hospital because he could not feed. So after two weeks (and nine weeks in NICU) Sam left the hospital with a feeding tube and we kept thinking and praying "Oh...if only he could learn to drink". Then, Sam conquerored drinking - Yeah! But, Sam was diagnosed with sever reflux and so was put on meds and an anti-reflux formula which made him severely constipated, so much so that he could not have a bowel movement without a suppository. And it was awful - it affected his drinking, after two days without a bowel movement he would cry bitterley with discomfort and we kept thinking and praying "Oh...if only he could poo" LOL And then, Sam conquerored pooing - Double Yeah!!! And then, we were told to expect delays with Sam's milestones because of a) his being so prem and b)the RTS. So when Sam smiled, really really smiled, it was Triple Yeah!!
Oh how we have learnt to appreciate each and every conquest and to be truly thankful....every time Sam finishes a bottle, every time he has a dirty nappy (yes, even when it's at 4am), every time he smiles is just as precious and glorious as the first time!
Oh how we have learnt to appreciate each and every conquest and to be truly thankful....every time Sam finishes a bottle, every time he has a dirty nappy (yes, even when it's at 4am), every time he smiles is just as precious and glorious as the first time!
A sign?
On Friday, 1st May 2009, I picked up a book I had bought several weeks before by Dick Dobson. The very first story was about a thirteen year old boy, very healthy and athletic and excelling in tennis, who is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. His dad is devastated, but the boy becomes the comforter and the one reassuring his dad with comments like "I don't need legs to serve God". The story goes on to explain how this particular boy's mission for God transcends any physical limitations he could face in a lifetime....the boy's name was Samuel. I went ice cold - were we been prepared for something?
One week later I was admitted, Samuel was still not growing and my doctor felt that keeping him in a womb that was not supplying enough oxygen and blood could be fatal. A week after that our Samuel was born.....and he was so beautiful and so small and so beautiful and so fragile...and oh, so very very beautiful. When we were told he has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome it was almost too difficult to believe because he was so perfect, except for his little unique thumbs and toes. But both Chris and I knew instantly that, no matter what the diagnosis, to us he is perfect and a gift from God. The Lord has entrusted him to us and I can only believe that our little Samuel has a precious purpose here on Earth and it is going to be an exciting and inspiring journey finding out bit by bit exactly what the Lord has planned for us. This tiny being is meant for something wonderful, something great and just as Hannah entrusted her Samuel to the Lord, so we place our Samuel tenderley in the Lord's hands.
One week later I was admitted, Samuel was still not growing and my doctor felt that keeping him in a womb that was not supplying enough oxygen and blood could be fatal. A week after that our Samuel was born.....and he was so beautiful and so small and so beautiful and so fragile...and oh, so very very beautiful. When we were told he has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome it was almost too difficult to believe because he was so perfect, except for his little unique thumbs and toes. But both Chris and I knew instantly that, no matter what the diagnosis, to us he is perfect and a gift from God. The Lord has entrusted him to us and I can only believe that our little Samuel has a precious purpose here on Earth and it is going to be an exciting and inspiring journey finding out bit by bit exactly what the Lord has planned for us. This tiny being is meant for something wonderful, something great and just as Hannah entrusted her Samuel to the Lord, so we place our Samuel tenderley in the Lord's hands.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Some good news
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Samuel went to the doctor today........
He has picked up 120g this week even with 2 days of not drinking well and it seems like his reflux is under control. When you are worried and stressed even the tiny snippets of good news, like this, is sometimes enough to give you renewed hope and strength to keep going. The picture of Sam was taken on the 18th August 2009 and, no, it's not Barney that's so big......
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The journey started
It turned out that not a lot was conquered, so far, Samuel is growing, a bit at a time and trying very hard. We battled to get him to eat/dring properly, and it turned out the little man has severe reflux. Run out buy AR formula, and it works well for two weeks, until we change the formula to another brand, note to self.......... patience and more patience, dont make any sudden changes unless its life or death.
I will continue to do whatever I can to help Sam grow. I'm proud of him and even more proud of my wife Nicky, and Love her more than ever, and admire her for spending the bulk of her day, while I'm at work with Samuel.
From a Proud and Loving Father and Husband
Christiaan
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