IT WAS THE WORST OF WEEKENDS, IT WAS THE BEST OF WEEKENDS

We almost lost Silas in a near-drowning incident on Friday.

For proper context, read Bethany’s account first (click here), then continue reading below.

I left the house to pick up a pizza. When I returned, I entered the house, preheated the oven for the pizza, chatted with Bethany who was getting ready to leave for a “Girls Night Out” with friends from Ashland, and then I headed for the door to the backyard.

As I approached the door, Debra and Ashley were rushing in with Devon and Naomi. They were visibly shaken about something. I asked, “What’s up?” Debra said, “Silas was at the bottom of the pool,” then she continued into the house to find Bethany.

I stepped into the backyard to find Tim doing chest compressions on Silas. Silas was limp and unresponsive. His mouth was foamy.

I immediately went to his head, swiped the foam from his mouth with two fingers, then tilted his head and breathed a rescue breath into his mouth. Tim continued with the chest compressions. I breathed another breath into Silas. Still no response. I whispered, “God, take over”, and continued doing CPR with Tim.

Then a gurgling sound came from Silas. Then came choking and gasping for air. Tim said, “Silas, who am I?” Silas said, “Dad”. Then Tim set him up on his lap and Silas threw up. Through all of this we could hear sirens approaching. Ashley had already called 911 from her cell phone in the backyard. By the time the EMTs arrived, Silas was breathing and crying on Tim's lap.

Bethany has already covered the rest of the story on her blog.

On Saturday morning, Silas was discharged from the hospital and he returned to our house with his parents. He immediately wanted to jump into the pool again. The rest of the day was filled with rejoicing and giving of thanks. The Vallos joined us for a barbeque and a swim and then we ended the day stuffing ourselves with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake, inscribed with the words “CELEBRATE!” And that’s what we did for the rest of the weekend. We celebrated!

Here are some photos taken before the incident, at the hospital, and back home after Silas was discharged from the hospital.

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On Friday morning, Bethany and I took the kids for a walk to a nearby park. We helped the boys to burn some energy by having them run laps around a tree. Devon went first and finished his lap by touching his mom’s hand.

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Then it was Silas’ turn.

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Naomi watched an airplane overhead while my camera was sitting in the grass.

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It was already blistering hot by 9:00 a.m., so we decided to walk back home. Silas carried Naomi to her stroller.

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And Devon pushed her home.

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Then it was time to cool off in the pool. I’m hanging out with Silas and Devon while Bethany and Naomi cool off at the other end of the pool.

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Then we took a break for lunch. After lunch, Devon and Naomi took a nap while Silas and Nana played Scrabble.

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Then it was back into the pool.

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After the incident, Silas relished in the amenities of his super-cool hospital room. Bethany will be adding some of Silas’ reactions to this whole episode within the next day or so, so check her blog .

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When Silas returned from the hospital on Saturday morning, he wasted no time picking up where he left off.

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The Vallos joined us, and Baylee and Rylie (numbers 2 & 4 on The Roster) joined Silas in the pool.

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The 5 Wet W’s face the camera.

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Four cousins enjoy some after-dinner ice cream on a washable patio.

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On Sunday morning, we all sat together on the steps, facing a tripod and a camera, and the weekend came to an end. And what a great ending it was!