Welcome To the World, Joshua Paul!

Joshua's Newborn Pics-1-8After the longest break from blogging that I’ve ever taken, I am back today writing a blog post, holding my newborn son in my arms as I type. I treasure every moment with my children and there is something so special about cuddling a newborn baby. They grow so quickly and I want to make sure to value this time and not take it for granted.

Joshua Paul was born on November 9th at 12:39 pm. Just like the birth of Nathaniel, the memory of hearing our second son’s first cry and then having him placed in our arms will always be one of the most cherished memories that my husband and I got to share and will forever cherish.Joshua's Birth-1

 

Joshua's Birth-1-2We are so excited and overjoyed to welcome another little boy into our family.

My pregnancy was high risk and since I struggled with dehydration, low electrolytes, malnutrition and weight loss, I wasn’t able to gain any weight throughout the pregnancy. Because of this, the baby was born very small and weighed only 5 pounds. For the first few days, he also had low blood sugar, because he was so skinny it was a challenge for him to retain a normal blood glucose level. He was in the NICU for 10 days before we finally brought him home. Joshua's Birth-1-6

Joshua's Birth-1-5Thankfully, he didn’t have any health issues and when he was able to keep his blood sugar at a normal level and eat enough to gain some weight, we brought him home.Joshua's Birth-1-10

It’s so wonderful to be home again and to enjoy spending time with family.

Joshua's Birth-1-13My parents were able to take the time to come and stay with us and take care of Nathaniel while we were in the hospital. They were such a huge help not only with Nathaniel, but also during my recovery and helping out with cooking, grocery shopping, and other things around the house, like laundry and cleaning. I have no idea what we would have done without them. It was also so nice to be able to share our new baby with them too.

Joshua's Birth-1-21It is so sweet to watch Nathaniel with Joshua. He is still very young, so it’s hard to tell what he’s really thinking and experiencing, but he’s not showing any signs of jealousy, for which we are very thankful. He loves his little brother and is constantly hugging him, touching his hands, feet and hair, and tries to rock him in the bouncer and is just so cute with him. I am really looking forward to watching them grow up together and become best buddies.Joshua's Birth-1-28

Joshua's Birth-1-27Recovery for me hasn’t been easy either. I am still receiving IV electrolytes through my PICC line every day and am working hard on gaining weight back and getting strong again. I am so thankful for my doctors but most of all for my parents and my husband, who are so supportive, encouraging and helpful during this time of recovery. I’ve had so many abdominal surgeries and in addition to that, this was my third c-section, so I am still experiencing a lot of pain because of the massive amounts of adhesion and scars that the surgeons had to get through to be able to deliver the baby. We were reminded once again what a miracle it is that I was able to get pregnant with both of our boys. How humbling it is to see God’s mighty hand at work. Every day brings me closer to getting stronger once again and getting back to our “normal” life.

We are so thrilled for the gift of another precious son. Every day we experience so much happiness as a family of four and are so  grateful for God’s goodness in the life of our family. November Family Pics-1-12

 

 

50 Comments

  • oksana

    God Bless your family. It’s so nice to get the update about the birth of your precious son, God is amazing. May your recovery be a quick one and that you’re going to be able to keep up with your healthy sons as they grow. The boys are so close in age that they will for sure become best of friends.

  • Tatyana

    What a testimony to God’s everlasting love! Congratulations and may God shower you and your family with abundant blessings!

  • Svetlana

    Thank you Olga for sharing your story! It is so great to know about God’s miracles in our lifes! May God abundantly bless you and your family and I wish you fast recovery! Also hope to see your new recipes soon! ☺️ Be blessed!

  • Zhenya

    BIG congratulations to you and your family, Olga! May your Joshua grow into a strong, smart and courageous man! Wishing you speedy recovery. Your are an inspiration!

  • Victoria

    Dear Olga, You’re such an inspiration and such a testimony of God’s grace! May God bless your beautiful family, give you healing and strength! Your story is so touching, and my heart is full seeing that you’re getting better! Will be keeping you and your family in my prayers! You’re a strong woman of God!

  • Alenka

    Congratulations 🎈 and thank God everything is fine and you and an adooorable baby 👶 are doing fine! You are very strong for going and risking with a second pregnancy, knowing how your first went from your blog. I’m very thankful that you’re ok and on a road of recovery and healing and enjoying your two cute baby boys 🙂 God bless your family, looking forward to some yummy recipes 😉

  • Caroline

    I am so happy for you! What a heartwarming ending. Be kind to your body, I hope you find healing and strength with your wonderful family by your side. Congratulations!

  • Lena

    I am so happy for you! I was worried- and glad everything turned out ok in the end. Now get your strength and enjoy your little ones to your fullest. God bless you and a big congratulation to your family!

  • Ruslana

    You don’t even know how excited I was to see your post today. I have been praying that you were doing good so it such a relief to see the beautiful pictures today and read your post. May God continue to bless your recovery, thank you for sharing your story it is such an inspiration to all of us and a reminder to be thankful for every good day we have. I love reading your stories 🙂

  • Nicole

    Congrats on welcoming Joshua to your family and bringing him home.
    I just found your blog. I’m in the Tampa area too.

    I hope you have a quick recovery from your C-section and enjoy your sons

  • Olga

    What a testimony. Congrats! I’m so happy for you,it’s sure a big blessing from having kids. may God heal you,& give u strength. He’s adorable,looks somewhat like Nathan. God bless you and your family!! 🙂

  • Tzivia

    Congrats olya my dear what a beautiful blessed family you have so precious Nathaniel and Joshua Nathaniel is definitely gonna be a very good sweet brother to Joshua BTW he looks very much like Nathaniel all the best g-d bless

  • Inna C

    Congratulations Olga!!! So so happy for you! May God bless you, Sergi, and your little boys and help you with a quick recovery!! Thank you for sharing! Joshua is absolutely precious and looks so much like his older brother!!

  • Pat Soltis

    Your new son is beautiful! Needless to say I’m glad that he’s basically healthy, and I hope that he will grow up to be healthy and happy.

    Please take care of yourself; Joshua needs his mom!

    Best,

    Pat

  • Z.Y

    Congratulations!!! Praise Lord that everything went well with your delivery… Enjoy your time with a newborn baby… Time does fly by so fast…
    Take care of yourself… Take it easy and wishing you speed recovery..

    Well, I had baby boy 2 days before you had yours…

  • Mary

    You did it!
    Welcome baby Joshua’s !
    Bless your family and a fast recovery!
    I admired your strength and your a strong women who’s been bless to keep moving forward because you have so much to be thankful and Live for every moment.
    Glad to see you back!

  • Inna

    Congratulation Olga & Sergey on your precious little bundle of joy!!!! 👶🏻🎉🎊 wishing you all the best!!! May God bless your recovery your little baby Joshua and your family!!! 🙏😊
    So very happy for you!!! 😊

  • Tanya

    Olechka Congratulations!!!!! I am so happy for you and your husband! You take your time to recover, we will still be here :)! We love you and are so proud of you!!!!

  • Tatyana

    Awww congratulations on ur precious newborn baby boy! He’s so adorable☺️
    May God bless u to have a fast recovery🙏🏻

  • Mariya

    Congratulations to your family!
    God is Good to us, so nice to see you and your little ones healthy. May God’s blessings be with you!

  • tanya

    Praise God for His abundant love and answered prayers!!!! What a Mighty God we Serve. This is a beautiful testimony. May God continue to bless you and your family and give you a complete healing. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Your sons are super cute and will no doubt grow up to be strong men of God. They are blessed with the best parents!

  • Nadia

    Thank you so much for sharing that Olga. Reading your posts really give me courage because I see how much you suffer, yet you are so happy to have your babies and you see Gods hand through it all. May your faith only get stronger in Him. Thank you sister! I had 3 normal pregnancies and 3 healthy babies. I do get pretty bad nausea and labor hurts of course… but I pray that those things never stop me from having more kids if God wills. Your testimonies mean a lot. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and may Gods presence, peace and joy fill your hearts and homes. May He give you strength and keep you in the Palm of His hand <3 your boys are precious 🙂

  • Olga

    Olga, you are an amazing woman! Your story is a great encouragement of hope of perseverance. May you be blessed abundantly by the Lord!

  • Gina

    Olga, you are one amazing strong woman!! May God Bless You and give u strength to heal fast! You are a inspiration to me and to many other ppl.
    I’ve been praying and worrying for you and I know u need ur time to heal and stuff but if possible in couple words to say I’m ok, it will be amazing and give me some peace in my heart that u are ok and getting better. Thank u so much for ur amazing blog!

  • Tanya

    How’s my favorite Girl hanging in there. I’m thinking of you Olga I hope you’re doing well Always have you in my prayers. God bless you honey ❤️

  • Katharina

    Hi olga! I hope you’re doing well and your family to, since it’s been awhile since you posted, I been thinking a lot about you lately hopefully you are doing well:)
    I’m looking forward to see and read updates about you now as four as a family, how you manage two little ones and you’re household.. miss your updates:)
    But most importantly take care of yourself and your family!
    May God bless you!!

  • Julie

    May God richly bless you and your family!! I so so miss your posts!! Hope everyone is doing well! Please post some photos to insta!!

  • Lena

    So happy for you, Olga! Congratulations! Your life stories are enlightening and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful, God’s family!

  • pat Soltis

    Hello, Olga,

    How are you? You haven’t posted anything on your web site for a long time (by your standards, at least). I know that you gave birth to a son — Joshua Paul — back in November. I also know that pregnancies and birthing and post-partem are especially difficult for you.

    Best wishes to you, your sons, and your wonderful husband.

    I hope you’ll be able to resume posting recipes one of these days.

    Warmest wishes,

    Pat

  • Yelena

    Hi! I have been checking your blog for posts and updates! We miss you, and you inspiring posts! Hope you and your family are doing good!
    God Bless!

  • Terry

    Please let us know how you and the family are doing. I have been sending prayers and God’s blessings your way. I miss your blog so much, since it takes me back to my family roots and is always to joyful. Please be well and happy dear Olga. Terry

  • Cathy Roddan

    Hi Olga, Hope you are getting back to full health and your little boys are growing. I (and all your other fans) would love to see an update just to know you are ok. Completely understand your lack of time to do any recipes but we miss you. God Bless

    Cathy

  • Anna

    I hope your family is doing well, Olga! Have checked to see if there are any new updates many times! 😉 God bless you and bring complete healing to your body. Looking forward to hearing about how you’ve been doing these last several months and seeing how your precious boys have grown! 🙂

  • Kelly

    Olga– Thinking of you and hope you are healthy and recovered. I hope your sons and family are all well too. Blessings to you!

  • Ana

    I wish you all the best! Hope you are feeling much better now:) I think you and your family are wonderful
    Thank you so much for recreating and sharing Slavic cuisine recipes with everyone!

  • Marina

    Hi Olga, we haven’t seen anything from you lately (since December to be exact). Please update your followers on how you and your family are doing. We care and love you and worry that you have been silent for a significantly long time . God Bless!!!

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