Samuel Bronston

Jessica & I welcomed our son Samuel James Bronston into the world in a very unexpected way on July 22, 2017 at 2:09am.  He was born weighing 1lb 9oz.   We checked into the hospital on Friday, July 14th because of complications with amniotic fluid loss.  Samuel was able to receive steroids for growth & antibiotics to prevent infections before he was born.   We of course wished for him to be born at full term this November, but are grateful for an atraumatic delivery & for his life!   

His birth story was a true miracle as labor progressed quickly.  He was born born vaginally breech with assistance of an emergency classical c-section in order to get him out quickly without trauma.   We are grateful to report that there are currently no brain bleeds & despite the ups & downs that are so common for parenting in the NICU, he remains pretty stable in the first week of his life.  He is a resilient little boy & we love him so much already. 

Originally I thought that we would share a same birthday month, but Samuel had different plans!  He's quite the pioneer & I guess he wanted a fun sunny pool party birthday, versus a cold dark boring November birthday like me.  :) 

We both believe there is power in a child's name & this could never be more true than in this circumstance.   Who is Samuel?   He is a feisty little guy (one who is relatively small, but lively, determined & courageous).  He is a trailblazer and makes his own ways & carves his own paths.  

His first name, Samuel, is after the Prophet Samuel.  The name means"God has heard" & "Gift from God."  Like Hannah in the Hebrew Scriptures, it took us a while to get pregnant with Samuel.   We prayed & prayed & prayed.   Once Jessica got pregnant, it felt like Samuel was the only name that fit him.    Samuel is a gift & we are trusting in the promises that God hears all of our prayers.    "For this child I have prayed, and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart" 1 Samuel 1:27

His middle name, James, is after the epistle of St. James.  This epistle has been a comfort to us over the last few weeks.  The epistle speaks of "considering it joy when going through trails because the testing of faith produces perseverance, and let this perseverance  finish it's work so that you may grow mature and complete, not lacking anything."  This is a good reminder that Jessica, Samuel & myself are all going through various trails, but we will come out stronger & better equipped as a family.     It further speaks about how we can make our plans, but anything can happen to throw off these plans.  When God has a new will, we should lean into it & walk towards it.  Our focus is to never blame God, and become the best parents we can be.  

His last name, Bronston, modified from an old Ashkenazi Jewish name.   As my father-in-law Bruce said on Samuel's birthday  "Never forget, he's a Bronston, and they don't quit, they are determined, resilient & tenacious people.  He also has that Dutch Christians side in him too, and they are some of the most headstrong people around."   

We deeply appreciate prayer for:
- Samuel's growth & development in each week. 
- Connectedness & healing post labor & delivery.
- Peaceful transitions for Jessica & I as we acclimate to being a family of three together.
- Against infections & any chronic illness.
- Strong organ development.

We sincerely appreciate everyone's generous support!  We couldn't do it without you. :)

Love,

Jordan, Jessica & Samuel