Last night, we decided to make one last "secret" trip to Children's Hospital for the day (as Danielle had not yet been discharged from University hospital) to kiss him goodnight and love on our sweet baby boy for a few more minutes. Little did we know it would be our last chance to do so. As we were praying over another sweet baby in the CICU with her parents, Aaron unexpectedly went into cardiac arrest due to undetected severe internal bleeding. After 45 minutes of CPR, surgery right there in his isolet, and multiple attempts by the surgeons to get him stabilized on a heart and lung bypass machine, we heard the words no parents ever want to hear...."there's nothing more we can do". Our sweet little Aaron had earned his angel wings and left us to be with our Heavenly Father.
We said tearful goodbyes as we rocked our baby boy, kissed his sweet face and sang lullabies together as a family. He is no longer suffering... no breathing tubes or monitors, IV lines or surgery; he is free to be the little boy he was meant to be and is being held in the palm of God's hand now. We know that angels are singing him lullabies and rocking him to sleep, and we look forward to the day that we get to see our son again in heaven and do so ourselves.
We were so very blessed and our lives have been changed forever for the better to have known our son for the many months that we carried him and the two days he was actually here for us to hold and love on. God has shown us his faithfulness through many miracles in the past months as well as two days in which He entrusted us with the care of His child. Even though our hearts are torn and broken, we rejoice in knowing that Aaron is back with our Father in Heaven and that he no longer suffers in this imperfect world. And while we will never understand why Aaron was called home, we do understand God's love for us and that He has the power to work through this for His glory.
Aaron Matthew Selby, 5 lb, 15 oz, 19.3 in long...our sweet baby boy
Meeting mommy for the first time before heading to Children's Hospital
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Our first family photo
Love from mommy; as close as I could get to holding my sweet boy
Quality time with Daddy before surgery
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| Early morning cuddle with Daddy...overjoyed to hold his son |
Our little champ after his surgery
Quiet Moments with Mommy...in awe of the strength of her son
Sneaking out of the hospital to visit our precious guy after surgery
Precious moments of saying goodbye to our beautiful gift from God
we love you guys and are praying for you... our hearts hurt with you, but we also rejoice with you knowing jesus is holding aaron... and you will see him again.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your devastating loss. I am glad you made the decision to make one more visit so you got to be there with your beautiful baby. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteHeart Hugs,
Jenny (mom to Aly- HLHS)
What a beautiful boy and a beautiful story of his life and your faith. My heart is broken for you and I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye to his little body so soon. But how wonderful that your hearts are truly focused on God through something so difficult. We love you and are praying for you guys. Thank you for sharing your hearts and pictures of your sweet boy on here.
ReplyDeleteI am completely shocked and devstated to read the news on your loss. I am so very sorry that your time was cut short with your precious boy. My heart weeps with you durign this time.
ReplyDeletePraying that you continue in your healing through your faith in God.
Stef
www.whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com
i dont know you, but a fellow CHD mom posted your blog today. we lost our son in a very similar way on June 3 (he was born just two days prior). i am thinking of you. and praying for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://sawyersheart.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing your amazing story and your continued faith. I am praying for the both of you and thinking of Aaron and the footprint that he has left on so many peoples heart. Love You Guys!!
ReplyDeleteDan, Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI love you both and pray for strength, peace and joy for your family. Your son is beautiful.
In complete sadness,
Mike Salza
I love you all! I continue to pray for healing... but now for your hearts.
ReplyDeleteJustin Moxley
I read your story on Stefenie's blog. My heart goes out to you. Our little girl died just over two years ago. The time we had with her was precious. I am so impressed with what you've written about your little boy and your hopes to see him again. I am convinced that a loving Heavenly Father would have it no other way. You will get to be with Aaron again and you will be able to do all the things with him then that you hoped and dreamed of doing before he was even born. There will be some really, really difficult days ahead, I know this. But I also know that we were put on this earth to find joy, and you'll be able to have joy again...sooner than you think. May God bless and comfort you.
ReplyDeleteDear Dan & Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI just became acquainted with your blog and your story through Stefenie. My heart is sinking and my eyes are filling with tears as I read about your loss. I wonder at your faith when the loss is so fresh, especially as I struggle to keep mine.
We are just a few short weeks away from meeting our precious gift, a baby boy named Ewan who was diagnosed at 22 weeks gestation as having Tetralogy of Fallot. I cannot read stories like yours anymore and not feel shaken -- not be aware that like Aaron, Ewan belongs to God first.
I will be praying for you all as you heal, mourn, and rejoice over the time he was given to you. I will hold both you close in my heart.
A fellow heart mom,
kirsten
My heart is breaking for you..I am sorry CHD had to take the life of such a beautiful baby. My thoughts are with you both during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Mommy to Maccoy TOF
I came over from Stefenie's blog. I am also a heart mom and my heart just breaks for you. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. May God bring you comfort in the difficult days you face ahead.
ReplyDeleteSending many prayers,
Jen
mommy to Andrew, TOF
As a mom and as an NICU nurse, I am so very sorry for your loss...you are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for you. I am so very sorry for your deep loss. As a fellow heart mom, your story touches me to the core. We will be praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteKathy
God's peace is so amazing and it is truly phenomenal how He has touched you. Only through Him are you handling this journey so well. I look forward to meeting your beautiful boy one day. Our family continues to pray for you and the healing of your hearts. Our journey differs now, but I would still love to call you friend. Please let me know how I can help you in any way.
ReplyDeleteMuch love, Lisa
What beautiful family photos. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your precious baby boy Aaron. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
ReplyDeleteJillian
I'm so very sorry the loss of your precious son. May God grant you the peace and comfort you need at this time. And may the memory of your brave son keep you going.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
www.withallmyhearts.blogspot.com
Precious photos of a precious family. Love to you, Friend.
ReplyDelete