Our New Bundle and His Dramatic Story

“Mrs. Flake, this is Dr. …, I hate doing this over the phone, but I need to tell you that your baby is very sick and there is a chance he is not going to make it.” Those are the words I had to hear from a Dr. the day after Paxton was born. I was in complete shock then went into a massive breakdown as you could imagine.

Let me take you back 4 weeks ago. On Sunday September 2nd, Cullen and I put the boys to bed then watched a movie together. I joked saying, wouldn’t it be fun to have the baby on Labor Day?! Well, that is exactly what happened. We went to the hospital at 5am, early Monday morning. I had contractions all night long and sure enough I was indeed in labor. The nurse took my blood pressure a couple times and it was much higher than it usually was so they decided I could have Pre-eclampsia which meant I needed to be on a horrible medication called magnesium sulfate to prevent going into seizures. Yikes. Great start, huh?

I thought, how bad could this medication really be…..well, it sucked….big time. Has anyone else had to be on it? Let’s just say, you feel like you have the flu and you have double vision, which was a total nightmare. I’ll never forget trying to see what time it was throughout the day and I kept seeing 2 clocks on the wall. You can’t focus on anything. So…I had to be on that before delivery and 24 hours after. Fun stuff 🙂

I immediately requested the epidural. I don’t know what has changed in the last 7 years, but I could still feel my legs and thought, this can’t be good. I am going to feel everything. Sure enough, the epidural did not work that great. I still felt the contractions most of the time. Nightmare. Ok, fast forward a few hours and Paxton was finally born at 4:22pm. He was beautiful. The pain I felt was gone as soon as he came.

They laid sweet Paxton on my chest for about 20 minutes. He had the pulse ox on his hand so they could watch his oxygen level. At first all was well, but the nurse was a little concerned that his oxygen level was a little low so she took him to the Dr. to get checked out further. That was the last I saw Paxton at the hospital I delivered him at. I had no idea what was ahead.

Within a couple hours I was told that Paxton needed to be transferred to another hospital that was more equipped to help his lungs. I thought, ok this is just like what my 7 year old had when he was born. Since they were both 3 weeks early, they needed help developing their lungs for a few days. Boy was I wrong.

A few hours after they transferred Paxton, I got the dreaded phone call from the Dr. telling me how sick Paxton was and that there was a chance he wasn’t going to make it. He needed to be transferred to Children’s LA Hospital immediately. I could not even believe what I was hearing. Could I really lose this sweet baby boy that was just laying perfectly on my chest the day before? Needless to say I was a train wreck in my hospital room. I was all by myself left with those horrible words going over and over in my head from the Dr. and I couldn’t stop crying. It was uncontrollable. I have honestly never felt so much heartache in my life.

Fast forward to the next morning. My mom, dad and sister came in from AZ when they heard the news. Thank goodness they came. I desperately needed them. My mom stayed at the hospital with me and I got released Wednesday morning. At this point Paxton was at Children’s LA Hospital, one of the best hospitals in the country that specializes in helping the sickest babies.

There is no one who could have prepared me for how I was about to see my sweet baby boy.

I will never forget walking through the cold NICCU doors for the first time seeing my sweet Paxton laying lifeless in his plastic little bed with tubes and wires over his entire body. He was on a high frequency ventillator which shook his whole chest with air. I had never seen anything like it. It was horrible. Paxton had what was called Persistent Pulminary Hypertension that they believe he got from an infection while he was being delivered. Possibly from swallowing his meconium. I was so confused and scared.

To make a long story short, Paxton was at Children’s LA for 2 weeks. It seemed like an eternity. I drove every single day for an hour and a half each way to sit with my little boy. The nurses and Dr.’s were wonderful. They taught me so much about the condition Paxton had and told me once he is better there will be no long term effects. I was so grateful to hear this.

Cullen and I spent long days and nights in that NICCU room watching, waiting and sometimes sleeping. I won’t miss this one bit. After 2 weeks, the Dr.’s at Children’s LA decided Paxton was well enough to be transferred back to our hospital. He had more healing to do, but was no longer in danger.

Once Paxton was transferred back to our hospital, his progress was better and better. He quickly got off of his medication and we even got to hold him for the first time in 2 weeks.

 Can you imagine not holding your new baby for 2 weeks?! It was so hard, but talk about a sweet moment when I got to hold him again.

On September 25th we got to take him home! I have never been so grateful. We could finally start our life with our new baby boy. Mason and Brady were so anxious to have their baby brother in our home. It was without a doubt the longest 3 weeks of our lives.

We’ve had Paxton home for 5 days and he is the sweetest little boy we could have ever asked for. I am grateful everyday for him. Through this whole experience, I received so many emails, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram comments from all of you praying for Paxton. I am so thankful and grateful he had prayers coming from all over the country. What a lucky little boy 🙂

Every time he falls asleep he smiles. I can’t help but think he’s still in touch with the angels. It melts my heart. Thanks again for all of your support, we love you all!

Love,

The Flake Family

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181 Responses
  1. Esi

    I can only imagine the fear you must have felt. So happy for you and your family that Paxton is better and home.

  2. Ashley

    I just started crying in the middle of the nail salon reading this! What a brave, beautiful baby and family you have. I’m so glad that all is well, and pray God continues to bless your family and little boys!

  3. Barbara Osborn

    That is the sweetest story. You are so blessed. Enjoy your little bundle , because they grow up so fast.

  4. Jane

    I’m so glad little Paxton is in your arms now! When my 2nd child was born, he had to have surgery and was in a hospital an hour away for 5 1/2 weeks. Thank God he was fine after that, but we never forgot how hard it was to go through it.

    All my best to your family! Enjoy that sweet boy! 🙂

  5. Donna Hurst

    So thankful that prayers were answered and your beautiful handsome boy is home with you and doing well. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

  6. Heather

    My eyes teared up. Oh, the things we go thru to have our babies… What a scary, stressful time for you and your family. I’m sure you’ll be extra tired for awhile. SO glad you have a happy ending! Prayers for rejuvenation for you all and continued healing for your littlest.

  7. Carole Resnick

    Dearest Flakes. Glad Paxton is home. The smile on his little face tells he is a happy little boy. I can relate to what he went through as I was in a coma for the last 3 weeks of July and then a month in rehab. I am getting in-home therapy.

    Try not to dwell on the past. It was a horrible experience but there is nothing you can do to change it. May you and Paxton as well as all the Flakes have bright tomorrows.

  8. Brenda Cslhoun

    Thanking God for the outcome! The power of prayer is amazing! Take care & enjoy your precious family. Love ya! Brenda

  9. Kristy Fife

    Oh Jenny! Such a great and moving story. I’m glad you shared it with all of us. I’m sorry you had to go through that, but boy, isn’t he just adorable!!! 🙂 I’m glad your family of 5 is back home and all together. Congratulations again!

  10. Courtney @ Bake. Eat. Repeat.

    So glad all of you are healthy and together! Thanks for sharing this testimony to the grace of God and the power of prayer!

  11. Cassie

    Thank goodness for a healthy baby, and for strong parents like you guys. I can’t imagine this. Your strength is inspirational. Paxton is beautiful!

  12. annabelle

    I have tears in my eyes, I know what is to have a very sick little baby and then know everything is going to be ok, God works in a wonderful way and never abandons his children. Thank God, pax is doing great and I love seeing his pic in instagram.

  13. Debbie P

    Congrats on a beautiful baby boy! I also had preeclampsia and had magnesium. It was terrible – the doctor would try to tell me something, and I would cover one eye and make him repeat it two more times. Miserable! My daughter was born 3 1/2 weeks early – she was very sick when she was born so I did not get to see her for 24 hours. I can’t even imagine the heartache you endured though! My story is not as overwhelming! My blood pressure never went back down though, and I have been on blood pressure medication for almost 16 years now. Hopefully you’ve recovered fully!!

  14. Sheila lamare

    Thank you for reliving your story, it must have been really hard for you. Now you’re back home you can at last relax and enjoy your beautiful baby boy. Very Best wishes. Sheila xxx

  15. Tricia

    What a sweet little boy and I am so glad he is home and healthy and you can be with ALL your boys! Enjoy him Jen!

  16. Peggy W.

    Wow…what a story! I am glad he is healthy and home. He is so beautiful and yes, he is talking to the angels with those smiles!

  17. Kate@Diethood

    Oh my goodness… I can’t stop crying. 🙁 I followed your story on Instagram the entire time. I am so sorry you had to go through this! But I am so so so glad that your beautiful, amazing little boy is with you at home. God Bless Him!!
    I had my baby in June and she was also low on oxygen when she was born…scariest few hours of my freakin’ life. I refused to get an epi, but they gave me a pain killer just to ease the pain a bit…yeah right! They also didn’t tell me that this drug was going to affect my daughter and her breathing. I couldn’t see her until about 7 hours after she was born. 🙁

  18. Amy Reeder

    What a blessing! He is SO SWEET!! Thank you for sharing your story, so glad everyone is healthy again!!!

  19. Jennifer

    So happy for all of you that little Paxton is doing well and at home! Totally love his smile and he is just adorable!

  20. Lynne Laino

    You were so brave not letting on how scary it was. He is such a beautiful baby and I can’t believe all those smiles . . . until I saw your words about still being watched by the angels. It melted my heart. You know that’s it! Blessings and continued prayers for you and your beautiful family

  21. Kelly Miller

    You have such a beautiful and wonderful story. I’m sooo glad that Paxton will be ok. He is beautiful. Thanks for all the recipes and stories.

    Kelly

  22. Heather (Heather's Dish)

    Jenny, I am officially sobbing right now. I can’t imagine what you guys had to go through, but I am SO incredibly thankful that sweet Paxton is safe and sound in your home. Y’all will continue to be in my prayers and I may or may not be obsessively watching your Instagram feed for more pictures of him all the time 🙂

  23. anah

    i had no idea!!! i am literally fighting back the tears!! you are such a strong and wonderful mommy – i am so glad that your baby Paxton is home with you and your family 😉

  24. MegT

    I read through Paxton’s beginning and I felt like I needed to email you about my Malayna. I had an almost perfect pregnancy carrying her for 40 weeks and 1 day. I was enduced on Tuesday evening (Feb. 23rd). For the most part, even that started pretty normal. I received the epidural which definitely allowed for good rest. However fast forward a bit, and every time a contraction happened, both of our blood pressures would lessen. So I was constantly on oxygen. They ended up doing an emergency c-section, because at one point, my husband was fearful we were in a very urgent crisis that affected both her and I. Malayna was born on Wed, Feb. 24th around 4:30pm. She didn’t cry and the NICU team was there to take over. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck and she too was a muconium baby. I was able to kiss her before they took her away. After my recovery, the next time I saw her she was hooked up to an oscillator. It was absolutely terrible! This was my baby that I had prayed for and wanted so badly, and yet she was in a terrible state. Thankfully our NICU was in the same hospital as where I was, but the doctors made it known she may have to go to Akron Children’s Hospital. I didn’t get to hold Malayna until Sunday, the same day that we were going to have to go home without her. Malayna was a fighter and she quickly advanced from oscillator all the way down to nasual oxygen cannula until she came home March 9th.
    My dad stated to me that someday that this will become a memory. And to be honest, it has become a memory. Malayna is still my fighter at 2 1/2 years old! I praise the Lord for his constant protection over her. Praise God for Paxton and his continued recovery!

  25. Villy @ For the love of Feeding

    This sounds terrifying. Clearly he is a very strong boy. And a very adorable one! Best wishes to your family! I love the name Paxton by the way 🙂

  26. Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel

    Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine how you dealt with everything! You seriously are one strong woman and Paxton is in for a real treat having you as his sweetie pie mama. I’m glad he’s safe and sound despite all the trauma endured the last couple weeks. Sending positive thoughts your way–enjoy your baby boy now! <3

  27. Sharon

    I am so happy that your family was there during this time and for the wonderful miracle of Paxton 🙂

  28. Kim Barricklow

    I am crying sad tears that you all had to go through this and HAPPY tears that your little guy is healthy and at home. Congratulations to you all! He is such a handsome little man!

  29. Jan G.

    What a gorgeous baby Paxton is…..and such a blessing to you and your family and the entire world! May the angels continue to spread their protective wings around him. He’s truly adorable!! Peace.

  30. Kristen M.

    Thank you for sharing this personal story Jenny. Paxton is a fighter and your recount brought me to tears. I could not imagine the emotions you were feeling when you got that call or the couple of weeks to follow. I kept him in my prayers and could not be happier for you, Paxton and your entire family that he is healthy and happy at home where he belongs.

  31. Becca from It's Yummilicious

    What a horrible ordeal… but what a GLORIOUS end result! God’s richest blessings overflow in the tiniest of packages. Welcome home, sweet angel boy!

  32. Noelle Reese

    Thank you GOD for answering prayers! He is so beautiful! I’ll bet you kiss that smile all day long!!
    CONGRATS!!!

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