Feel the awesome.
26
Dec 2010
He's Our Christmas Miracle!
That may sound a little far-fetched, but not in our eyes. Paxon Ray Olimb is here, and he’s our miracle baby. He’s a miracle because all of the experts and smart medical people didn’t believe he would be here and they surely didn’t believe he would be doing so well.
Just to give a quick fly by of the turn of events…Friday morning I wasn’t feeling well and having a lot of contractions and weird pregnancy pains. Friday afternoon we were all able to go to Christmas services together which was so very special (until Asher freaked and Jeremy brought him to Sunday School class) and Jeremy and I enjoyed the rest of service together…resume specialness. We left church to pick up my parents from the airport, went back home and gave them a crash course on all of Asher’s treatments and medications, and my water broke as soon as we finished going through his routine with them…yep, God’s timing is pretty perfect!
It was really hard leaving Asher knowing we wouldn’t see him for awhile, and wouldn’t get to be there to spend Christmas with him, but Grandma and Grandpa did a great job of making the day very special for him. Jeremy told Asher that we needed to go to the hospital to get baby Paxon and Asher said, “I’m going to be a big brother!”
So off to the hospital we went around 8:30p Friday night. Things progressed fairly well, and Paxon was doing ok. They were having some troubles keeping his heart rate up, so that meant for more equipment and monitors (I had about 10 different lines coming from me) but besides that he handled everything quite well until we started pushing about 9:00a the next morning.
About 8:30a the new rotational doctor came in to introduce herself (right after we decided it was time to start pushing) and sat down and felt it necessary to start the conversation by saying, “time to get our trouble baby” in a joking manner (I don’t know how she did it, doesn’t seem possible, but she was chuckling about it) and then told us that she wasn’t sure they would be able to find a doctor who would perform heart surgery on a baby with chromosomal issues as well as cystic fibrosis…and here is where I lost control of my emotions, and where Jeremy went to all out war with the doctor. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Jeremy like that before. It was a scene of a daddy fighting for his boy, and I look forward to one day telling Pax all about it. So basically what he relayed to our new delivery doctor is that we were pretty sure after meeting with the cardiologists (who, by the way, are from her same practice!) for 4 months that whole conversation would have come up if they were concerned, and I’m also pretty sure this isn’t something you say to parents who are well aware of what they’re dealing with, and trying to mentally prepare for delivery and seeing their baby for the first time.
The whole delivery experience was so emotional and trying. We were just coming off the high of trying to convince our doctor that our son has value and worth, there was a whole team of people in there ready to care for every worst case scenario, and we didn’t know what we were going to be faced with in just a few minutes. But, after 30 mins of pushing we finally got to see our boy! And, do you want to know what that big team of people did when he came…they just stood there in awe of him and what a strong, little fighter he was! He didn’t need ANY help with anything! It was such an incredible praise!! We had been prepared for the worst, and we got the best! Our boy was here, and he was breathing just fine!
Another absolutely HUGE praise is that they are about 90% sure he’s not even going to need heart surgery right away! Jeremy and I just cried. Our cardiologist hugged us and looked like he had won a million dollars when we saw him for the first time. It was such a joyous moment. He just kept talking about how great Paxon looks and how hopeful he is for him.
So, here’s what we know right now about our boy. He is missing the middle joints on his pinkie fingers, so they do not bend. His pinkies stick straight out, but that doesn’t seem to bother his grip, he really holds on tight to our fingers…and I’m pretty sure my heart melts every time he does this. He has an extra vertebrae, which the doctor said will just make his torso taller and be something cool for him to tell his buddies. His cleft…well, it’s pretty bad looking. We’re getting more used to it now, but honestly it’s pretty startling. He has a unilateral cleft lip, and a partial bilateral palette, which means almost the whole roof of his mouth is missing. And, although he may not need surgery on his heart, he has about 5 other things going on (for example, one of his holes is larger than they initially thought) that they are watching. He will have another echo tomorrow to get a final determination on the surgery and next course of action with his heart. If we can avoid this heart surgery (which we’re pretty hopeful for!) this is going to be so huge for him and his growth and reducing his changes of infection and complications. It. Would. Be. Huge.
Paxon is in the NICU, and we may be here for awhile with trying to figure out his oxygen levels, and feeding. He’s only receiving nutrients through an IV right now because we’re waiting until tomorrow about the heart surgery. We’ve had a few scares with him struggling with either mucus or saliva in his mouth. He has completely stopped breathing. Which makes Jeremy and I unable to breathe. It’s pretty awful to witness. It could just be because he’s so little, or because of his cleft l/p.
So, we have some things to figure out, but he’s here, he’s taking this life thing by the horns, we love him, and he’s Paxon Ray, our little Christmas miracle! We just wanted to share our miracle with you, and show you how God is answering all of your prayers! Keep praying for him please, he needs it, and it’s absolutely obvious that God is listening and moving! We love you all! Jeremy and Rachel
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Tears of joy! Praise God! I’m so relieved to read your update. I’ve been so worried about you all. I had to shout out with a “Go Jeremy!” for the way he fought for his boy. That was awesome! Love you guys!
Speechless. . . he truly is your Christmas miracle! Welcome, Paxon Ray Olimb. You are so beautiful & so loved! We will continue to pray for more miracles!
I’m crying reading this…like Lori said…tears of joy!! Just so thankful for this precious little Christmas miracle and that he is doing so well. So thankful you were able to deliver him without any complications and so thankful for his precious fighting spirit! We will continue to pray! All 4 of you are so loved!!
Oh my goodness! Im so overwhelmed with joy for all of you. You can betcha we will keep praying and loving you guys! Praise be to God!
I am so happy for you all! Welcome to the world Paxon and welcome to the family! I’m so happy to hear he’s doing well and I will have u all in my thoughts and prayers and hoping for good news! When I heard about Rachels water breaking I thought “what a perfect Christmas gift…he’s gonna be a Christmas Miracle.” Stay strong Paxon and keep fighting buddy and to Rachel and Jeremy as well…. It must be soo hard not getting to take him him! I’m glad to hear Asher was a good sport and so excited…must be hard for u all to be seperated like this! Glad he had a good Christmas! Your parents had good timing Rachel! Ill def be checking back….this site is awesome…
I’m sure God will continue to use Paxon many times through out his blessed life to teach us all how to love and hope more deeply. His power in you is beautiful to behold.
Thank you guys SO much for updating the blog so quickly, I have been checking it every other minute since you said he was here and I couldn’t be happier for you guys! Lots of Love!!
Oh my…what a glorious testimony to God! Your amazingly loved baby Paxon is born! Rejoicing in the miracle of life, the miracle of a Father’s love for His children, the miracle of Paxon’s fighting, and the miracle of the power of prayer. Oh the joy to hold you and your entire family; Grandparents, Jeremy and Rachel, big brother Asher & Paxon up in prayer. Sending you love, hugs and many, many prayers to our Lord God on your behalf!
Hooray! This is such great news! Welcome little Paxon. I feel so grateful to God and so proud of you all. Will continue to pray…
Congratulations, Jeremy and Rachel! So glad to hear he is doing so well. That is awesome! Your story took me back 10 years when I delivered my Christmas day baby. I felt guilty for leaving my 2 year old home, too, but he came through it fine, and doesn’t even remember it now. 🙂 I’m sure Asher had a BLAST with his grandparents! Thanks for keeping us posted. We will keep praying for you all.
Three kleenexes later, all I can say is glory to God and tons of love to the Olimb family of four!
Welcome to the family Paxon! Praying, praying, praying for big things. We love ya’ll dearly.
Take that doctors. They didn’t know who they were dealing with, obviously! So glad he is already proving to be the little fighter we knew he would be. He is absolutely beautiful. So glad you get to squeeze him tight. Praying for more miracles, for Asher and grandparents, for Jeremy and of course for you Rachel. Paxon Ray, welcome! We love you Olimbs.
I stand I stand in awe of YOU, I stand I stand in awe of You” those are the words that are being sent up to our Lord. Rachel, it is taking great restraint to not speed as fast as possible to give you a huge hug in that hospital! Our family is in love with Paxon and tears are falling from Kirk and I…
Love you.
Paxon Ray, our gift from God on the most special day of the year! The pictures are precious, and I too am crying tears of joy for your spcial little fighting man! Go Paxon! Will keep praying, God is so good! Love you!
Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers. God’s timing is perfect. Welcome, little Paxon! We are so anxious to get to hold you and give you lots of love. We continue to pray for you and mommy, daddy and big brother, Asher.
PRAISE GOD! Been praying for you all and am SO proud of both of you for the fighters that YOU are and even more proud that Paxon “showed up” the doctors from the get-go! Still praying for big things and love you! 🙂
Truly a Christmas miracle! We are praising God for all the gracious ways He has moved you through these last couple of days and how He will sustain you as you go forward. Your two boys are so blessed to have you for parents to love them and guide them and protect them. Look at all the ways Paxon has already been an instrument in glorifying the Lord!! Glory to God!!
He is soooooo precious. We will be praying for all of you!!!
Love you Olimbs. You go guys…so glad you are fighting and setting the doctor’s bad bedside manners straight. They need to hear that every life is worth fighting for! Every single one.
So glad you were able to teach your parents everything before your water broke!
You are deeply loved and prayed for. Do your parents need a break so they can go to the hosptial to visit Paxton? We’d love to help watch and play with Asher! And if you want/need company at the hospital…we’d love to celebrate with you!
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU VERY DESERVING PROUD PARENTS! and to Big Brother Asher and Gramma and Grampa. WOW…Prayers do work and we will continue praying and thanking our Heavenly Father. Love, Reggie and Odell
Christmas miracle indeed! He’s beautiful and we love him! Praising God with you and continuing to pray for each step.
Christmas, 2010 – what a perfect day to celebrate another special, miracle birth! May Paxon continue to WOW you and defy the “experts.” May the MANY prayers that continue to go before the Lord on your behalf bring your great strength and peace as you go forward. Thank you for taking the time to share you hearts with us!
Loved reading your story. “Miracle” doesn’t begin to explain what has happened in your lives! Praise be to GOD from whom ALL blessings flow. We will continue to pray for you guys and for strength and healing for little Pax. What a Savior!
Praise the Lord!! Paxon truly IS a Christmas miracle!! How special that he gets to be “birthday buddies” with Jesus 🙂 What a magnificent update. Praying that the whole delivery room saw a glimpse of our Savior through the answered prayers for Paxon and that you guys continue to bring the light of Jesus to many through your little guy and his story!! Thanks be to God!!
We’re singing God’s praises yesterday and today over the beautiful news of Paxton’s arrival. After reading your blog and wiping away those same tears of joy everyone else is shedding, I can’t stop feeling in awe of our amazing and powerful God. You and jeremy are an incredible witness to our Savior, and God can and will perform miracles and move mountains to glorify His name. Paxon is a miracle and we are continuing to pray for him and all of you!
Go Paxon! Christmas babies are the BEST.. just ask my grand-daughter! YOU are one of the precious reasons why our Lord came to earth and lived among us! Congrat mom and dad and Big Brother Asher!
SO HAPPY he is here!! We love him already and can’t wait to meet him. Piper & Paxon – BFF for life. (Oh and Trav would like a few choice words with your doctor)
He is absolutely precious, Rachel & Jeremy!! Congratulations! God’s timing is truly amazing – Christmas Day, wow! God has some seriously special plans for this sweet little boy. Love the pic of his adorable little head & ear, sucking on his paci – so sweet! You all are in our hearts, Love you!!
Thank you Jesus! Paxon is so blessed. A Christmas Miracle indeed. His color is great! Keep up the great work you two. 🙂 And congrats to big brother Asher.
Dear Jeremy and Rachel, thank you for allowing me to enter into your Christmas story – inviting me through my minds eye to come into that delivery room with you – seeing you both trusting God with your child – hearing you Jeremy battling those who lack God’s value on life – seeing your cardiologist hug you with that lottery winning smile – and to see on your faces the tears that comes from your thankfulness to God for giving you this precious gift and the day that we use to celebrate His gift to us. I could go on but I will stop here. I hope this feeble attempt of mine will be sufficient in helping you to see how God has and will use your Christmas story as a gift to us all. I love you both so much. Your friend and pastor, Jim
I am in awe. I knew as soon as I read that Paxon was on his way on Christmas Eve, that there was a miracle waiting! So glad Paxon is defying the odds. I will continue to pray for you all. Congratulations!
Congrats to two increadable parents! Congrats big brother! Welcome Paxon we can’t wait to love on you. Thank you Lord for this beautiful miracle of Paxon. Continue to pray for all!!!!
My heart is overwhelmed with love and emotion for you, your family, our Heavenly Father and Paxon, this miracle child who God has entrusted you with! Thank you so much for sharing and being so real and transparent! Love you guys and continue to pray for you all during this journey.
Welcome baby Paxon! We are so glad you are here. We are praying for you to keep being so strong. Praise God for the miracles He has already worked and on His son’s birthday too!
Jeremy and Rachel we are praying for you both. You are an amazing couple and it is wonderful to see you reflecting God’s love in your lives. Praying for strength, wisdom and peace for you both.
We too are shedding tears of Joy! Good for you Jeremy! Great job Mommy. We continue to pray God’s blessings on you. To God be the Glory! Paxon Ray has a beautiful story to unfold for the world to see.
Cannot stop crying…tears of joy and PRAISE for your MIRACLE BABY! Just seeing his perfect little tiny toes makes my heart giddy with joy! How completely AWEsome to see God working like this. We continue to pray. PS…who are these insanely inconsiderate doctors??!?!?! GO PAXON!!!!!!
Praise to the Lord for your amazing Christmas Blessing!!!! We are praying for you and love your precious little Paxon.
Congratulations on your son Paxton Christmas arrival. You are truly blessed with your little miracle. We will continue to say our prayers for your family.
Love Natalie
Colleen Fulmer is our sister. She forwarded your website to us.
We have been reading your updates. Paxon has definitely been placed in the perfect family. Your compassion and warm heart comes through so loudly in your writing. You make us want to read every word.
We are cheering and celebrating in San Clemente, California. We are so happy for you. But even happier for Paxon…that he has such an amazing gift of loving parents like you.
Warmly,
Brad & Yo Hansen
Dear Rachel and Jeremy,
This post is so beautiful and your walk of faith through this has been so encouraging to us. You have done something the world doesn’t understand. Reading about that doctor just reminded me of this verse and I am so glad your strong confidence in what God has given you to do in bearing Paxon is making such a powerful statement of God’s mighty hand in life and his awesome powerfulness and sovereignty beyond what our eyes can see and our minds can comprehend.
I Corinthians 1:27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
Your feet to your faith encourages us all and lifts up the mighty awesomeness of God for all of us to see in such a tangible way. Thank you for sharing your heartaches and hearts of joy with us. Your authenticity is refreshing and it fills us up with love for all of you.
Sweet Paxon, you have brought such delight to us all showing us God’s heart of love and His perfect way for you. We are praying that all your days would be full of kindness and tenderhearted love toward you, and God’s purpose for your life will be fulfilled in extravagant, unexpected wonderful ways.
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
who formed you from the womb:
“I am the LORD, who made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself,
who turns wise men back
and makes their knowledge foolish.
Is. 44:23-25
Love and Hugs
XXOO
Congrats to the Olimb family on your little Christmas miracle! That is great that your parents are able to be there with Asher. I’m sure they are loving every minute of it. I will continue to send prayers your way! Thanks for the pics too, just precious.
Praise God!!! Every good and perfect gift is from above.
Welcome Paxon! You are so loved by so many. Our prayers are with you Rachel and Jeremy. Paxon will be taken to the cross daily…hourly…and sooner. Give his big brother a big hug from the Little’s. We love you all and rejoice in your miracle named Paxon.
Congratulations and welcome to Paxon!! To God be the glory!! We are SO excited to hear about your Christmas day miracle boy and his safe delivery. He is incredibly blessed to have his mommy and daddy fighting for him and loving him every step of the way! We will continue to pray for you all! Rejoice in the power of our King!
How wonderful!!! What a mighty, wonderful God we serve! We’ll continue to pray for his little heart, and that God continues to move in big ways.
So thankful that God is in control of all things and that both of you have your eyes and hearts fixed firmly upon Him. Praying daily for you and your Christmas Blessing.
Oh! Praise God! Paxon is here! Praying so much for you all still. I honestly cannot believe the words that come out of the doctors you meet. It is so unbelievable that you had to deal with that kind of stuff. I pray that God will bring kind doctors, with loving hearts and attitudes into your room from now on. Praying and can’t wait to meet your miracle!!
Hi! i saw this on a friend’s facebook account and wanted to let you know that I am touched by the story. I have two very young kids, and with our first kid, we experienced the breathing issue. She stopped breathing and we weren’t sure if it was the birth stuff in her lungs or if she just forgot how to breathe, but it’s extremely common to happen once in a while. I just wanted to throw that out there because I understand how terrifying it can be. Many blessings to your family!
Thinking about the four of you and praying. Saw this verse and thought I’d share it. Psalm 118.8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Love you. Thank you for the updates.
Praise God, what a testimony to your love and faith in our Lord…and blessings to little Paxon.
Isn’t it amazing the miracles that God places in front of us…in ways we could never imagine…
We will be keeping you in our prayers.
Love, Rick and Carol Davis