feeling so blessed...

Little two week old Asher was hospitalized this past weekend. He was diagnosed with an ear infection in each ear, caused by - get this - acid reflux. Because he is so young (too young to have any type of infection at all), the doctors were concerned about the possibility of the bacteria spreading into his bloodstream, spinal column, or brain. To rule out Meningitis (which was a huge concern), they took samples of his blood, urine, and lumbar fluid. Each was cultured over the course of a few days, and then tested for bacteria. They kept us in the hospital while they waited for the test results to come back - which, thankfully, were all negative. During the four days that we were there, they also had him on two antibiotics administered through an IV. It made me so sad to see him be poked and prodded so many times, but he handled everything so well. He slept almost the entire time we were there, which I was so grateful for, as it indicated to me that he probably wasn't in a great deal of pain.
Just after we were discharged, we went to the records department to obtain copies of Asher's medical charts. While we were waiting, a man entered the lobby area and began making small talk with Ruby and me. I watched the man as he admiringly watched our new family of four. As we finally acquired what we needed, and began gathering our things to leave, the man said to us with a smile "you really are blessed, aren't you?". His words resonated in my heart and soul the remainder of that day; and, in fact, have still remained with me.
When bad things happen to us, it seems to be in our nature to focus on the negative, the scary, the unknown...
Amist all the "bad", we often times fail to think of all the "good" that surrounds us. We forget how blessed we truly are. No, it wasn't fun seeing Asher in that hospital bed with an IV poking out of his tiny little arm. But at least, overall he's a happy, healthy baby. And at least he was well cared for by the doctors and nurses. And at least he didn't end up having meningitis. And at least he's feeling better...and he'll be okay...and we got to take him home...and he's our little pride and joy. I really have a lot to thank my Heavenly Father for. That man at the hospital was right...we really are blessed.

A few photos from the hospital...