It has been a very busy and stressful week for us! My sweet niece, Danielle, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Nolan Michael, on Wednesday, April 13th! She was induced early (37 weeks) as her blood pressure went to a critically high point. Nolan was safely born and everything seemed good for the first few hours. Then they started to suspect something was wrong, so after some testing they determined that he had holes in his lungs and pneumonia.
Baby Nolan was in critical condition and had to be transferred to a different hospital that was equipped to treat his condition, but Danielle, who was still on complete bed rest had to stay behind. It was a heart wrenching time as this young mom cried out in agony as she watched her little one being taken away.
We were able to make the trip home to see Danielle and Nolan this past weekend and it was a joyful but very emotional time. Danielle was finally discharged and was reunited with her little one, but she is still in a lot of pain and she wears her emotions on the outside. It was hard for us to witness the highs and lows of a young mom with a critically ill newborn. It was also a privilege to be close to her to comfort and support her in this difficult time.
The good news is that as of last night, Nolan has been showing some improvement! We are all praying that he will continue to gain strength and health.
I was able to take a few photos while I was there and I am so happy to share them as they are at the top of my list of gifts this week! Nolan is in an oxygen tent, so the photos are not too clear.
#80. Welcoming little Nolan into our lives and into our hearts
#81. newborn feet and a mother's loving touch
#82. four generations (Tears were being shed just moments before I took this picture, but I made them all smile for me.)
#83. the miracle of medicine
#84. hospital staff that do their job with compassion
#85. a sweet Jewish cardiologist, a slightly bent older man, with a long grey beard and sparkling blue eyes, that tested Nolan's heart while we were there. He assured Danielle that his little heart was 'a million times stronger than 1,000 hearts'!
#86. the same Jewish doctor, with his beautiful Jewish accent, taking the time to explain to Danielle that the name Nolan Michael means 'close to God'
#87. all of us who watched this sweet doctor being convinced that he was actually an angel in disguise
#88. baby gifts to welcome Nolan home
#89. celebrating my Mom's 83rd birthday!
#90. a home-made waffle breakfast
May your week be filled with gifts too numerous to count! May your heart give thanks to God for His wondrous ways ~
How sweet is little Nolan. We have been keeping him in our prayers. Danielle looks great and I have strong feelings that everything will be just fine.
ReplyDeleteoh congrats to you all..and hope that Nolan get to go home soon
ReplyDeleteJoanne, you brought me to tears today. Prayers for continued improvement for Nolan ... he is so sweet. And he certainly does not look like an unhealthy baby! And your mom! - I hope I look that good in my 80s!!
ReplyDeleteContinuing to follow the little miracle... Blessings to all and thanks for sharing. He is Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo glad Nolan is getting better.Will continue to keep him in our prayers.Four generations, wow!
ReplyDeleteOh my heart goes out to Danielle and your family. I will keep baby Nolan in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures Joanne. I am keeping your family in my prayers and hope the little fellow continues to improve.
ReplyDeletegreat list! the gift of life is the greatest!
ReplyDeleteOh my Joanne, my heart is breaking for all of you during this stressful time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteMy Katie was born with pneumonia- she was in the same oxygen tent. It was a very hard time for us but now she is a wonderful, perfectly healthy, 17 year old. It is such a hard thing to go through and I feel for your niece. I hope and pray that Nolan will be a fantastic success story like Katie.
ReplyDeleteSuch a little sweetie! I am so glad to hear that things are going better for the little guy! PS. Your Counting Gifts with gratitude made me cry...and touched me dearly...
ReplyDeleteOur prayers and best wishes are with Nolan and Danielle.
ReplyDeleteand Joanne we are glad you could be with them.
Happy birthday wishes to your Mom.
What a great God we serve! He knows every hair on Nolan's beautiful head. Praying for Nolan and his mommy to be strong and well soon. Blessing to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThinking of little Nolan and the rest of your family too, I hope he continues to improve.
ReplyDeletesweet photos and if a loving family can heal then Nolan will be healthy in no time at all!!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful baby boy, sending healthy thoughts his way
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful baby boy, wishing him great health
ReplyDeleteJoanne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog you posted. I cried. Know that Danielle and Nolan are in my thoughts and prayers. They are truly both a blessing.
You know that I believe that every baby is a gift from God and I have faith that God will help Nolan and Danielle find the strength that they both need to recover from this bumpy beginning. My heart and prayers go out to you all. Happy Birthday to your Mom and a virtual hug for Great Aunt Joanne!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie Nolan is!! Such a sweetheart!! I will keep him and his mom and the whole family in my prayers. I hope he will be able to come home soon. Your mom looks fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you and your family!!
What a little miracle Nolan is! I hope he doing much better this week and I will hold him in my prayers. Blessings to all.
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