|

Welcome to the World, Elijah!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of our precious son and miracle baby. Elijah Alexander was born 1/5/19 at 36 weeks, weighing 6lb 5oz and 18” long.

Mother and father holding a baby.

(This is what he thought of us taking pics of him.)

Newborn baby sticking out tongue.

I’d like to share the story of our son’s birth and how God guided his life, even when he was unborn.

birth story-

Friday night was like any other evening. I had a few really strong contractions before going to bed but the Braxton hicks have started a few weeks back so it was nothing alarming.

I got up at about 3:00 a.m. with the feeling that my water broke. I woke my up husband and he helped me up only to discover it wasn’t water that broke at all, it was blood gushing as if from a fountain.

And the nightmare began.

We rushed to the hospital. 

Once we got to the hospital, there was a nurse walking out from her shift. She was God sent. She saw the emergency of our situation and ran me upstairs to labor and delivery. 

Collage of newborn baby pics.

They admitted us and hooked up all the monitors. I was feeling okay other than the shock of our baby arriving at 36 weeks and we were NOT ready at all. NOT AT ALL!

The nurse we had was also a God sent, I give her a ton of credit for our baby is alive. She had worked in labor and delivery for 38 years and I was her last patient. She was leaving to a different position. She had also mentioned she was not supposed to work that shift and was called in.

Thank you, Jesus, for providing for us. She was so swift in making decisions and so wise.

Baby in a mother's arm.

They were able to give me my epidural. The baby’s heart rate sounded fantastic for about 20 minutes and everything seemed so normal.

Then, I got a really intense contraction. With the contraction came a gush of more blood and the baby’s heart rate went from wonderful to no heart rate at all. Once the contraction passed, all was normal. The nurse called in a team of medical personnel.

Baby swaddled wearing a hat and sack.

Next contraction and the same repeated.

When the third contraction came I felt like I was going to pass out and the doctor informed us that we needed an emergency c-section to save the baby as he was suffocating.

They rushed me down the hall to surgery. This was so scary, I’ve never experienced anything like it. 

Close up of baby with one eye open.

They transferred me onto a new bed and once they hooked the monitor to the baby’s heart rate, the heart rate was so low it was barely a heartbeat.

The head doctor screamed that the baby needed to be delivered now. They strapped me down and our son was delivered in 2 minutes, yes, 2 minutes!

Talk about professionals.

So thankful to the room full of medical personnel who took a part in helping bring our baby into this world.

Father holding child in arm.

My husband finally made it into the room.

We hear crying.

Our precious son, crying!

Baby sleeping in mom's arm.

Once delivered, they told us I had placenta abruption and that’s why things played out the way the did.

Baby resting on mom's shoulder.

SIDE NOTE: We had a team that went to Mexico on a mission trip from our church. Those of you that have been our online friends for a while know my husband has a heart for mission work. He goes 2-3 times a year somewhere. This year was 4 trips.

He had wanted to really go on this trip, the team that went were all so near and dear to our hearts. Since our due date was only four weeks away, I wasn’t a fan of him going. However, I told him if he really wanted to go, he could. He says he wanted to go but there was something that kept him home.

Friends, if he would of went, he would have been away during all of this. PRAISING God he was home!

Baby sleeping swaddled in a blanket.

Our son is healthy.

Didn’t have to go to the NICU.

Fully developed.

Eating like a champ.

Disposing like a boss.

This was our worse pregnancy, our scariest delivery.

Baby feet holding parents wedding bands.

I know, without a doubt, God has a plan for this little guy. He is going to use him for His glory in a MIGHTY way!

Feeling so humbled He chose us to be his parents.

Though we had serious difficulty with this pic, haha, I love how it turned out. This is one of my favorite Bible verses. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Jer 1:5

Baby hand held next to a bible.

Though this was not the ideal way to deliver a baby, I know God was still so in control. He is teaching us something through this as well. We may not fully understand all of it but to Him be the Glory through this situation as well. Amen!

Last pic. Promise. Well, for the time being. 🙂

A collage of baby photos with a sibling.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU: Though each birth is a miracle in itself, do any of you have a testimony? Share about it in the comments below!.

Thank you for visiting our online home.

Fondly,

Tima & Valentina

Benjamin, Joseph, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Abigail and now baby Elijah.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

67 Comments

  1. This boy already has my heart 1000000% and I am so grateful we have such an amazing God who saw you though this experience. Wow he is good and how he loves us ❤️

  2. Brings back so many memories ?. I had complet placenta abruption so the blood didn’t even slow down. It’s such a nightmare. Your little miracle looks beautiful! May God bless you and your family. Glory to God for keeping you and your little man safe.

    1. It really is extremely scary! Ours was a complete abruption as well. Doc says that’s why he was suffocating. Feel such a special bond every time I hold him, knowing things could have gone completely different.

      1. I’m greatful God protected you and your little one! It’s already a scary situation, and then to hear your little ones heart beat is going down…well…there’s no words to explain that. God bless!

  3. Praise God! Yes He is always in control (even when He was sleeping on a boat in a raging sea). Your son is so precious))) Wishing you to get well soon and fast! You’ll need a lot of energy 😉

  4. What an amazing testimony! God is so good! He is in control of every move, everything little turn and twist in our lives! Praise the Lord! He is Almighty! Beautiful pictures! Very handsome little guy that God brought thru big memorable entrance! Congratulations! May God bless you and your beautiful family!

    1. Thank you for the beautiful reminder and comment, Natalya. He truly is in control. In a way, I’m glad he allowed me to go through this, I will definitely be able to sympathize on a personal level with women going through something similar. It becomes a special kind of bond. 🙂

  5. Valentina what a story! I’m so glad that you and your little one are ok. God bless your beautiful family. Thank you for sharing this story with us! ❤️

  6. Congratulations!!!❤ He is sooo handsome and perfect!
    Praise God for carrying you and your baby through this difficult time.
    Thank you for taking the time to update us.
    Blessing to your family and speedy recovery for you.??

    1. Thank you for being a part of our online family. For taking the time to visit and comment. Makes me feel super special. 🙂 My hubby and kiddos are pampering me BIG TIME. I may just get used to this kind of care, haha.:)

  7. How scary but God was there through it all and at the end you got a sweet bundle to call your own! Congratulations and quick recovery to mama and baby! He is definitely a little New Years miracle!

    1. I’d go through it again, all over again if I had to.
      He’s so sweet and kiddos are over the moon in love. Our oldest is 15 and he has totally stolen his heart. Think that was the biggest surprise for me.
      Thank you for being a part of our online family, Viktoriya!

  8. Valyachka
    Congratulations to you and with ur Blessing little boy that you get to hold in ur hands. wow !!! you have been through alot.. looks like baby is doing good… Thank God!!! How are you doing…??? the post mostly talks about the baby… mamas have to go thru so much… Hope u have a fast recovery. Blessings to you and ur family. will keep in our prayers. Tatyana M. (Sacramento, CA)

    1. Aaawww, thanks so much for asking, I don’t really like to talk about myself. That was so sweet of you.
      The stress of all that happened probably took a good couple years of my life and I’m surprised I don’t have a head of gray hair.
      I lost so much blood (was 1 point away from needing a transfusion) and since they injected a high dose of epidural so quickly, it was a nightmare of a recovery. I am that rare case that had MIGRAINES for 4 days from the epidural and loss of blood. I couldn’t even move the headaches were that excruciating. Nothing helped but laying flat on my back.
      I was finally up and walking yesterday and feeling so much better today. Still very weak but being cooped up in bed is not for me, haha. My hands are itching to go bake something for my family. 😉
      So grateful for my hubby. He babied me most caringly and tenderly, fed me and everything. I haven’t changed a diaper yet (not complaining about this one).
      Thanks for visiting, Tatyanochka.

  9. Wow that’s scary it’s great you both are doing great. With my first I had c section also I had high blood pressure and three seizures ge was in the NICU for a month was weighing 3 pounds.

    1. Oh no, Irina! I’m so sorry to hear that. That must have been twice as frightening since it was your first one. I am hoping you are all much better now. It’s amazing what we as mammas sometimes have to go through.

  10. You have truly been a part of a miracle of God . Thanking Him for his mercy and help at your time of need and trusting His faithfulness will guide and direct you in the days ahead for Elijah and his brothers and sisters…Love to all..

  11. Wow what a story , reading it with tears on my eyes. We serve an amazing God . God bless you and your family 🙂

    1. Thanks so much for the blessing, Luda. Blessing you and your loved ones as well! May this New Year be filled with many wonderful memories. 🙂

  12. What an awesome testimony. God must have totally amazing things in store for him as I know he does for all of your children. Bless you and your beautiful family. Can’t wait to meet him. Nathan says he is going to be a baller ?

    1. Aaawww, how sweet Nathan. Thank you for the blessing and blessings to your family as well. 🙂

  13. By the end of your story I was crying my eyes out! Wow! What an amazing miracle! Our God is soo good! Thank you for sharing with us❤❤❤ wishing all the blessings to your wonderful family!

    1. Thanks so much for visiting and reading our story, Vita! I’ll take the blessing and may His blessings rest upon you and your loves ones as well. <3

  14. Wow! God is good! Praise Jesus for His provision. Amazing how everything worked out from the right nurse to your husband being home. Wow! Praise God! Elijah is precious! Congratulations! Wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤️

    1. God thought through every detail and it’s so humbling. There was a battle for this little one and I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for him.
      Wishing you and your loved ones a most blessed 2019 year.

    1. Aaawwww, thanks so much, Mariana. He has all of us wrapped around his little finger. 🙂

  15. Wow Valechka, what a story! As I was reading this, I kept thinking what about you, how are you feeling? Than I read your comment, thank God your feeling better, and the baby is good and healthy as well! You take care of yourself!!! Get those blood levels up! We always tend to put ourselves last…. Hope you have a full and fast recovery! God bless!

    1. You’re so sweet for thinking of me. Thank you, I feel so loved. I will be honest, the first couple of days were a nightmare. If it wasn’t for my caring husband, I’m not sure how I would have survived those days. I learned something though. Good health is something I often forget to fervently thank God for and something I need to do on a regular basis. So, something good came out of it already 🙂

  16. Praise God! Our God is a good God! May God bless you abundantly and give you speedy recovery! We welcomed our 3rd son 1 month ago by a 3 c section. Recovery is harder but I am seeing God’s hand in everything!
    Be blessed!

    1. Congratulations on the birth of your son! Blessing you and your husband with wisdom to raise the boys for His Kingdom. May they make a difference in the world and impact the people around them. 🙂 Hoping you are feeling yourself again and have gained most of your strength back. 🙂

  17. Congratulations! He’s so cute and perfectly made. My first daughter was born 3weeks & 3 days early & weighed exactly like your baby. What a story,may God bless you and your beautiful family. Get well soon,my dear. ??

    1. Thank you, Olechka! I bet your daughter has caught up and you can’t even tell she was early. 🙂 Kids are such a blessing (and a ton of work, haha), but a blessing for sure. 🙂

  18. Praise the Lord!!! So happy everything is good with both of you. Our God sure IS almighty! With love, Venera ❤

  19. Congratulations Valentina, Your baby boy is so precious, God bless him and ur entire family abundantly!
    Praise to God that u are ok and ur little baby ?? Feel so bad for both you that u guys had to go through so much but Thankful to God for being right there with y’all the whole time.
    God does some things in our lives which at the moment we don’t know why it happens like that which we might find out later on or might have to wait to find out in heaven, but when God does something there is always a good purpose for it.
    I had a pregnancy where I lost a lot of blood which my planceta wasn’t attached, but I had to deliver the baby at 20 weeks and she went to be with Jesus. I had blood transfusion 2 of those things. All praise to God for saving my life through a hard time??
    Valentina, I hope u have a fast recovery, hang in there, rest, and take care of urself.!.

    1. Tanechka, I cried reading your story, that is so heartbreaking. I cannot even fathom what a mother’s heart goes through in a situation like this. My heart goes out to you. I am hoping you have/are healing from that. Praising the Lord for your health and for walking you through it all.
      Thank you for the beautiful words of blessing, they are special and dear to me, especially after reading your story. Wishing God’s protective hand over your life and your family’s.

  20. Congratulations Valentina and family. Your son is beautiful! Yes, I know God has special plans for this little one! Thankful God kept you and Elijah in the palm of His Hand❤️❤️

    1. Thank you so much, Joanne. That is beautifully said, “He kept us in the palm of His hand.” Amen. <3

  21. What a sweet precious boy he is! God bless you mama and your bundle of joy!! wishing you a speedy recovery!

    1. Thank you bunches, Tanya. I am not very good at taking care of myself. I like to take care of others. My hubby and kids are spoiling me rotten.

  22. Congratulations ???
    Amazing photos???
    The baby is so sweet???
    Valichka what a BLESSED family you have, PRAISE JESUS!!! Your family is very dear to GOD!! May God continue blessing, protecting and giving you strength to continue serving Jesus with compassion and love ????
    You are a grate example for many ❤️
    What a privilege it was meeting your little one tonight?

    1. You’re so kind, my dearest friend. We are blessed to call you friends. Though it was too short, we loved having your family visit. Thank you for not forgetting about us.

  23. Congratulations Valentina!!!! our God is know and He has a plan for everyone!

    I got abrupted with my 3rd baby, September 26, 2016. Thank GOD I was at the hospital then. I still worked that day for 3 hrs before I went to the Hospital. I got my epidural and the RN told me to take a nap and relax. Thank GOD I did not fall asleep! I felt that my water broke, and when I called RN team, they ran to check and I was bleeding. They called all the “on call” MD who came in in seconds and they started monitoring me and the baby. Baby’s heart rate started dropping and my Blood Pressure started dropping as well. They’ve decided on Emergency C-section. Everything was happening so fast, that my poor husband, was sitting in the room seeing all that hassle that was happening at the time without knowing anything. The staff ran me into the operation room (it was happening so fast that I honestly thought I would fall off that bed somewhere on the hall way :)) they had to knock me out with general Anastasia since epidural did not kick in yet, and 2 minutes later, they called my husband to say “Congratulations, you have a healthy, 11 lbs boy!” Doctors were shocked, so as we about how big our little guy was. I DID NOT have gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, it truly was a MIRACLE baby for us! He was born 3 days early, but about 3-4 weeks before I had him, I was listening to this song ” то чо я еще живу что я Господу служу Это МИЛОСТЬ БОЖИЯ!!!” I only then understood why I had this song stuck in my head for so long! We have a healthy, VERY active toddler now (2 years & 3 months) little guy! I thank GOD everyday for giving us life and saving me and the baby during my labor. Almost half way with my 4th pregnancy now, and praying to GOD that it goes smooth and HIS name will be praised in our life and our family! He is GOOD!

    1. What a story!!! WOW! Sounds so similar and what a miracle. I love that song and am sure the Holy Spirit placed it on your heart to get you ready for what was to come.
      We kept praying out loud with our husband that we stood on God’s promises that no matter what He is still in control. I bet those nurses thought we were nuts, haha. Then, as you said, everything happened so fast, wouldn’t wish anyone to go through that.
      Lyudochka, wishing you a blessed remaining pregnancy. Though sometimes so hard to carry and raise, children are a precious gift, nonetheless. I bless you in the name of Jesus for a safe and easy delivery. Thank you for visiting our online home and being our online family.

  24. Wow! Our God is great! I was thinking and praying about you Valechka! I had this thing on my heart to pray for you but didn’t know why. The time I sent you an instagram message I told my self I have to contact her and see how she’s doing. And you told me you had him a day ago. Wow! I thought to my self when God lays a thought on your heart to pray for someone, then I should pray! I’m so happy to hear that everything is ok and you and your little adorable Elijah (love that name) is ok too! God’s blessings to you and your family my dear friend!

  25. Congratulations on your beautiful miracle baby! All glory to God that Elijah is alive and healthy as well. As I was reading your post, all I could see was the image of God and his angels guiding the nurses, surgeon and anesthesiologist; as if their hands were over the medical team hands doing the work. It was His plan from the beginning to provide you a miracle baby. May your testimony touch many others! Stay strong in faith! May God continue to bless and shine through your amazing family!

    1. Very accurately and beautifully said, Olya! It would be Humbling if He were to use us for His glory as we don’t deserve such honor. Have a most blessed upcoming 2019 year!

  26. Oh my goodness, Valya! Just reading this sent my heart racing! What a miracle and how amazing are the skills of those doctors! So thankful for that. He is absolutely precious! Enjoy and hope the recovery is not too bad. Much love, Julia

  27. Valya Congratulations on your little bundle,
    He is so precious!
    Balling my eyes out reading this post, because so many things could of went wrong but God is never late! He is so gracious!
    Praise God That he blessed the doctors minds and hands and brought this little miracle out alive.
    I have a close family member who had same situation and unfortunately she lost her baby, it was such a hard thing to go through.
    We don’t know why some things happen in our lives but they all happen for His Glory!
    Wish you for a speedy recovery, God Bless your family and all you do ??

    1. I know, Alenka! Every time I try to relive our delivery, the emotions are real as I think what could have happened. Though no matter the outcome, we would have taken it as God’s will.
      I cannot fathom the heartache a mother goes through in a situation like that, so much pain and loads of healing needed. Blessings to your family as well, Alena. Thank you for visiting our online home!

  28. Oh, Valentina, I am so happy for you and your family! Your story really touched my heart! You and Elijah were blessed on so many levels. You have been given another precious gift. Elijah has a great purpose ahead of him – evident by his determination. Congratulations!

    1. Thank you kindly, Chris! He sure does has an amazing plan for his life! I am so humbled I will be able to witness it. Thank you for being a part of our online family.

  29. Yes,time flies shoes 5 yrs old. She is a hands full,why, she has a disease called cystic fibrosis it’s very hard,but God is w/us & helping us go through uh tuff days. But I enjoy my 2 kids. My 2nd girl abby is a healthy strong child,& next thing we find out that my husband has multiple sclerosis, which was so hard to go thru I was sick w/ both kids till birth & now we hear this,but God was still with us,helping u as go thru a tuff time as well! God is good.

    1. I’m so sorry to hear about her having cystic fibrosis. I bet it’s so hard for you to see her in pain. Makes my heart hurt for you.
      Wishing God’s blessings upon your family and may the Holy Spirit be your comforter during the hard times.

  30. Your story brought tears to my eyes, having babies is scary because you never know what will happen and things happen so quickly. Your son is so beautiful! I have a beautiful 3 month old daughter, our third girl. Our other children are 3 1/2 and 2. None of our children were “planned,” but we also believe in being open to life. Each time I found out I was pregnant I felt overwhelmed and upset, wondering how I could manage. (My husband is in his first year of medical residency and until last year I was working full-time as an RN). But God has brought us through and our children are so beautiful and incredible blessings to us and our family and friends. (Even if they do threaten my mental sanity most days 😉 ) Very excited to have just found your blog, I’m really enjoying it!

    1. Welcome to our online home, Stephanie. We are rather excited that you found us and invite you to come back and visit us.
      Congrats on your husband’s medical residency – how wonderful (I’ll know who to email when we need medical consultation, haha). Enjoy your kiddos, they grow up soo quickly. Our oldest is 15 and it feels like we just had him.