Aaron in Real Life

So, a while back I decided I wanted to get a tattoo. I was a little hesitant because I was taught by "the church" that tattoos were not something that Christians got. I think it was mostly based on what tattoos usually represent (gangs, violence, rebellion). I wrestled with that and finally came to the conclusion that I was going to get one.

I didn't want to just get anything. I wanted the tattoo to mean something to me. It needed to be a reminder of something significant. So, after my son was born I knew exactly what I wanted and it shows in the picture above. It's on my left arm, just below the shoulder.

The letters "ADS" are my initials (Aaron David Sexton) and they are also the initials of my son (Andrew David Sexton). Psalm 127:3-5 states: "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man who's quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

This tattoo is and will be a constant reminder of my deep, unconditional love for my son Andrew. And it also represents just how incredibly blessed I am to have Andrew for a son. What's interesting is that I got the tattoo just a few days before my son had to have surgery on his stomach. It definitely served it's purpose right away.

And I've already been asked the question, "what happens when you have another kid"? Well, that's what the other arm is for.

Any comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

So, where to begin.

Tuesday evening, Andrew began throwing up after every feeding. Wednesday alone, Julie had to change his clothes 5 times because he threw up all over them. And this wasn't just a little spit-up. This was projectile vomit. So we thought he maybe just had a little cold and his sinuses were running down his throat and that was causing him to cough or gag and thus vomit. Thursday, he would throw up most of the time after eating, but not all the time. But, we noticed that he wasn't wetting or pooping his diapers (as of right now he hasn't had a poopy diaper since probably Wednesday). So, I had Friday off of work. He threw up his morning bottle (he could have put out a fire).

So, we took Andrew to the doctor and had him checked. When Julie was a baby she had a condition called Pyloric Stenosis. Basically, the valve that empties your stomach doesn't relax and open to allow food to get into the intestines. The checked Andrew and then sent us to get an ultrasound on him. The ultrasound confirmed that Andrew had it too. It runs in the family. Julie had it, Julie's dad and uncle had it. So, the pediatrician sent us to Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak for surgery.

Andrew went into surgery at 10:45am and was out by 11:30am. They made a small incision on his abdomen, pulled his stomach out and made a small incision in the pyloric muscle to release it. Right now he's doing good and sleeping in Julie's arms. He'll have no lasting memory of this and the only physical sign will be a small scar on his abdomen.

Please continue to pray for his recovery as he begins to eat again (when they begin feeding him again he'll have not eaten in 24 hours - amazingly he's been great the whole time and even slept completely through last night). Julie and I are doing well. We have maintained our faith and hope in Christ throughout this ordeal. I will update later.

The News Herald in Southgate, MI published a story about my son Andrew and my dad sharing a Christmas birthday. The reporter heard about us from a friend of my parents and thought it would be a good story. She came to our house last Saturday to interview all of us. Pretty cool experience. Check out the story here.

I LOVE BEING A DAD! I have wanted to be a lot of different things in my life. I've wanted to be a policeman, Air Force pilot, lawyer, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, and a pastor. But above all, I've wanted to be a dad for as long as I can remember.

I never knew I could love my son like I do. He's always the first thing I think of when I wake up (usually because it's 4:30am and he's hungry) and he's the last thought before I fall asleep. I look at his pictures all the time at work because I miss him. I hate being away from him for so long during the day. I feel like I miss so much (even though Julie says he just sleeps most of the day).

Andrew is a miracle. He's half me and half Julie. He's our flesh and blood. He's so adorable and cute. I love the faces he makes and the noises he makes. I love his round little head and his tiny fingers and toes.

Andrew is everything I've prayed and hoped for. I love my son!

Christmas morning 2008 at 3:48am, we received our incredible gift - Andrew David Sexton. He is 8lbs 2oz and 20 1/2 inches long. His little round face is so adorable and he's got a powerful pout. He's got 10 fingers and 10 toes. He's perfect!!! Andrew and momma are doing great after a long, exhausting Christmas Eve day and night. He doesn't cry much, just gives little wimpers. He is so darn cute. I just can't say it enough!!!