More adventures!

Beautiful Apls

Some amazing pictures that Danny took on some adventures with the boys!  

Thankful for Gpa and Ama

We were so thankful for Gpa and Ama as they stayed in France for 6 weeks while Samuel and I were in the NICU to help us care for Zeke, Theo, and Jonah.  

They played games each night with the boys, they took them to school, went grocery shopping for us, read books to them, put them to bed, and so much else.  We are so thankful for their help and their love shown to us and the boys while they were here.  

Home sweet Home in France

I had plenty of help from Samuel's big brothers when he finally got home.  

They were so excited to have him home!  I was so excited to finally be home! 

 Jonah 2 years old

 Theo 3 years old

 Zeke 5 years old

Samuel almost 3 months old!  

Surgery Day

It was discovered that Samuel would need to have a pull through procedure in order to remove the segment of Samuel's large intestine that was not innervated and was not working.  

 Some cuddling and loving before he was taken for surgery.  The surgeon would be doing a biopsy throughout the large intestine to find what needed to be taken out and then pull the healthy innervated area down and attach it to the end of Samuel's intestine.  

 My poor baby following his surgery.  He remained on the ventilator through the night.  

 We were able to go home 5 days after surgery after some training of care things for Samuel.  I was thrilled to return home with all of my boys!  

 My view I spent many hours looking and praying over.  And Charlette, one of our favorite nurses.  

A few days before his surgery

How cute is he.  :)  

 A few things that we used daily for about 4 weeks!  I had to take a picture to remember.  

I think he is smiling. :)  

A parade at the Boy's school

Big Brothers getting to spend some time with Samuel

Although Samuel was still in the NICU, he was allowed to leave the NICU daily for a few hours between his three times a day bowel washouts.  I am very thankful that his big brother got to spend some time with him and thankful for my Mama's heart as well.  

 My superheroes!  

Beautiful flowers from my husband!  

Something not quite right with Samuel

Danny enjoying some special time with Samuel

 The amazing view from the hospital.  

 From his birth, Samuel was not eating well, throwing up during the night, and not pooping.  I spoke with some nurses in my very poor French as well as speaking to one doctor.  On our third day, a pediatrician checked on Samuel prior to discharge and noticed that his stomach was distended.  He was moved into the NICU as they began to observe Samuel as well as do some testing.  I had to stop nursing as Samuel was only receiving liquids through an IV.  As you can imagine, it was a very emotional time knowing something was wrong with my baby, but not knowing what it is.

 On the 4th day, they determined that Samuel needed to be moved to a specialist Children's hospital for further testing.  I went by ambulance to Grenoble with Samuel while Danny packed up a few things and met me there.  We were very thankful Danny's Dad and Stepmom were here in order to start caring for the boys.  

 After further testing, they determined Samuel had Hirschsprung's disease.  They scheduled a biopsy of his large intestine to ensure that was the correct diagnosis while we awaiting the next plan.  I cried a lot, attempted to understand what the nurses and doctors were saying in French, learning lots of new French vocabulary, and sat next to Samuel's bed

 The Children's Hospital in Grenoble

 I had the chance to stay at the Ronald McDonald House (Maison des Parents).  This was my interesting walk each time I went there.  

 My beautiful room but was quite lonely without Samuel and the rest of the family.