Taylon comes home...Again!

What a week. We thought we were bringing home Taylon for good
but as it turned out we went back to the hospital for a few days. There
are many of you who are waiting for the verdict...so here it is.

Taylon has stopped breathing several times during his sleep. Primary
Children's explained this as premature apnea. As I understand it, this
happens when a premature baby is still developing and learning how to breath.
For some reason Talylon forgets and we have to help remind him what to do.
We have a breathing monitor at home that lets us know when this is happening
so that we can stimulate Taylon and get him breathing again.

Taylon's echocardiogram showed one of two things is also happening. Becuase they are near the same area, the doctor's could not tell which one is taking place. I will cut and past clips from the internet that expain the two conditions.

1) PHO- Patent Foramen ovale. "The foramen ovale is a small hole located in the atrial septum that is used during fetal circulation to speed up the travel of blood through the heart. When in the womb,a baby does not use it's own lungs for oxygen-rich blood, it relies on the mother to provide oxygen rich blood from the placenta through the umbilical cord to the fetus. Therefore, blood can travel from the veins to the right side of the baby's heart and cross to the left side of the heart through the foramen ovale and skip the trip to the baby's lungs.

Normally the foramen ovale closes at birth when increased blood pressure on the left side of the heart forces the opening to close. If the atrial septum does not close properly, it is called a patent foramen ovale. This type of defect generally works like a flap valve, only opening during certain conditions when there is more pressure inside the chest. This increased pressure occurs when people strain while having a bowel movement, cough, or sneeze.

2) ASD- Atrial Septal Defect. "What It Is -->The septum is a wall that separates the heart's left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a "hole" in the heart. A defect between the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) is called an atrial septal defect (ASD).
When there is a large defect between the atria, a large amount of oxygen-rich (red) blood leaks from the heart's left side back to the right side. Then this blood is pumped back to the lungs, despite already having been refreshed with oxygen. This is inefficient, because already-oxygenated blood displaces blood that needs oxygen. Many people with this defect have few, if any, symptoms."

In 3-6 months we will need to repeat the echo cardiogram. At this time they should be able to tell us which one is taking place. If it's the PHO is should repair on it's own. If it's the ASD, Taylon will need to have surgery to repair the hole.

As for right now we wait. Taylon is still on his oxygen at home and will be for several weeks. He is starting to suck his thumb and fingers. He is starting to cry a little more letting us know when it's time to be held and eat.

The kids love Taylon. Dayton loves to give him kisses. I can't wait to see Dayton and Taylon play in just a few short months. When I look at pictures of Brigham and Calvin and Asher and Hazen...I am so excited that Dayton has a brother.

Here are a few pictures of our Hospital stay.


Taylon in his crib. This crib made him look extra small.



Grandpa Bradbury with Taylon. Grandpa came and sat with me
while the Hospital ran all the tests.




Grandpa insisted that we take a picture of the EKG.
It was amazing to see all of these electrodes on Taylon's little
body. It took longer to put on the electrodes then it did to
run the test.

I hope all is well with everyone. Let me know if you have any
questions or if you would like to stop by to see our little guy!

Becky

Taylon

I have had many phone calls and it's hard to get back to everyone. I thought I would just put up a quick post. Taylon was having a hard time waking up, breathing, and being stimulated Wednesday morning. We took him to Mountain West in Tooele and they sent Taylon by ambulance to Primary Children's Hospital. At this point we are still running tests and trying to figure out what is happening and why Taylon is having a hard time breathing. I will let you all know when we have any news. Thank you for your calls and prayers.
Love,
Aaron and Becky

At First Sight

Taylon Comes Home

Here is a look at our last two weeks.

I can honestly say that these last two weeks have been the
longest two weeks of my life. They have been full of stress,
happiness, excitement, frustration, worry, fear, and so many
other emotions. Aaron and I were so relieved when we
received the call from the doctor Saturday morning saying
that our little guy could finally come home!

Wednesday morning (January 21st) the nurses took Taylon off of his
oxygen hoping that he could do without it. He did pretty good
for a few days but Friday at 11 pm the nurses could not get
Taylon's oxygen levels up forcing the nurses to put him back
on the oxygen. Saturday night Aaron and I stayed up at the
hospital and learned how to use the machines so that Taylon
could come home.


Our first time dressing Taylon. He was not happy with us.



A closer look at Taylon.



Finally... Going home.


It took Aaron and I a little longer to figure out how to dress
Taylon with all his cords and wires going everywhere. It took

even longer to figure out how we were going to get him in his
snow suit and then into his carseat. With a little trial and error,
we figured it out and we were finally ready to go.

The kids were so excited to see their brother for the first time.

I am on baby schedule now...so after I take care of Taylon I will
post those pictures.

Jr. Jazz

Ellie and Savannah started Jr. Jazz a few weeks ago.

Savannah loves basketball. She is the only girl out of
nineteen boys. She keeps up with the boys very well and
loves learning new skills. The last two weeks her coach has
taught the kids b-ball skills and next week they will start playing
games against each other.


Savannah makes several baskets during practice. She is
so funny because as she makes these baskets she walks
away as if it's no big deal.





At first... Ellie was not sure that she wanted to play basketball.
In fact, I was not sure why Aaron decided to put her in Jr. Jazz.
But after a few weeks of playing basketball, Ellie has really
enjoyed playing.

Getting Stronger

Things have been pretty crazy this last week and that is why I have not put up an update. I have been driving from Tooele to Layton every day this week. Although it is a long drive, I would not miss this time with Taylon for a minute!!! I can see him growing and changing each day as he comes off things that have been helping him grow. Last Wednesday (January 14th) Taylon was able to come off of his i.v. and also the photo therapy. On Thursday (January 15th) he was able to come off of his feeding tube. I was so happy when this happened, all of these things seemed uncomfortable. On Saturday (January 17th) Taylon's doctor put in an order for the nurses to feed him as much as he wants when he wants. This is the last thing he needed to achieve in order to come home. I asked that Taylon stay a few more days in the hospital to see if he would be able to come off the oxygen, if he can't he'll come home with oxygen and also a CPAP machine that will monitor his oxygen. Here are some pictures of our growing boy.


January 15th
Taylon stretching, just waking up from a nap to eat.



January 16th
Sleepy Taylon.



January 17th
Enjoying some time with Taylon.



January 18th
It was so sweet, Taylon moved his head to look up at his Daddy.

Update on Taylon

The situation with Taylon changes everyday. I explained to Aaron that it seems like we take one step forward and two steps back. Once one thing gets better something gets worse. The encouraging news (I've heard from many) is that this is the "normal" for premature infants. Taylon is still on is feeding tube but starting to tolerate food better. He now digests most of his food with only a little left over. His feedings were increased to about one ounce. The i.v. was lowered but increased once again when Taylon's feedings increased. (I don't quite understand the reasoning for that.) He is still on oxygen and looks like will be for awhile longer. Taylon started photo therapy for his jaundice on Tuesday.

The good news...yesterday Taylon watched me for an hour while he was being feed. I was amazed that he was able to stay awake that long. You can tell that he recognizes familiar voices. He has a nurse named Nancy that he loves. When he hears her he turns his head to find her. This was hard for me at first, you want your baby to be familiar with you but I have to be glad that he is well taken care of. The nice thing about this situation is- is that this nurse, is friends with Lon and Diane (Grandma and Grandpa Elwood.) Lon and Diane didn't even know she worked there.

I am so excited that today Aaron will be going up to see Taylon. I know that it has been really hard for him not to see him everyday. This will be his first time up there since Sunday. We'll update you with any new information.



Tuesday, January 13th.
You can tell that Taylon's color has changed
from the pictures below. He starts photo
therapy treatment today.

Monday, January 12th.
Taylon starts to open his eyes more and more.

Taylon on Monday, January 12th.

Taylon has started playing and pulling on

all his cords.

Sunday, January 11th.

Daddy with Taylon

A gift to Dayton

I have to tell you that with all that has been going on lately, Aaron and I really needed a good laugh. On Monday we received a package in the mail from Uncle Rob. Enclosed was a letter that said:

DROP THOSE DOLLS RIGHT NOW!
It's not to late Dayton. Enclosed you'll find all you need to maintain you're manhood
till your chest hair comes in. Turn this over for a daily regimen.
1/2 Hour of Rocky
1 Hour Pro Wrestling
15 Minutes with spider. (Remote controlled.)
2 Times Daily. Once to wake up your sisters and once when someone is on the can.
Good Luck and God Bless.
Captain Rob

Every time I need a good laugh I think about that letter and the things enclosed.

Here are some pictures. Already Dayton loves to wear his Champion belt.

Introducing...

Taylon Stephens Elwood


(Picture of Taylon taken on the 10Th. My first time being able to hold
Taylon except for the few seconds after birth.)

Taylon Stephens Elwood was born on Friday the 9Th of January. At six
weeks early, we are all amazed that Taylon weighed in at 6 pounds 2 ounces
and is 19 1/2 inches long. He is a miracle.



(Taylon in the NICU.)

Most of you know that I was having problems with my blood pressure. On Tuesday
my doctor was debating on induction but decided he would give the situation
one more try. He increased my medication for the third time and sent me home.
On Thursday I went to check in with the my doctor and my blood pressure was at an
all time high. At that time he decided he could no longer risk the baby or I.



(First time holding Taylon.)

I was induced at 7:30 a.m. and had Taylon at about 4:15 p.m. The NICU
worked with Taylon for a few minutes in the room and then took him to the
NICU. I was able to see him at about 9:30 p.m. last night and was able to
hold him for the first time today.




Taylon is a fighter. The NICU took him for X-rays shortly after he was born.
At that time they knew his lungs were not quite developed. He struggled all last
night for breath. (I wish I knew all the terms.) He had a breathing tube, IV, oxygen,
and feeding tube last night. They gave him medication that helped with his breathing
and were able to take him off most these things by morning. However, at lunch
his respiration was rapid, again, and he had to go back on the feeding tube.
I'll be able to see him again at 3:00 p.m.

I have to admit that one of the hardest things I have experienced is not being able
to see my son when I want. I can see him every three hours for a half hour. I miss
him so much while sitting in my hospital room! The next hardest thing was trying to
explain to my others kids why they can't see their brother. They will not be able to
see him until he leaves the NICU which could be a few weeks. Abagail doesn't
understand that her brother has been born. We've shown them all pictures hoping
this will help.

I will keep you all posted throughout the next few weeks while Taylon is in the
NICU. Please keep him in your prayers.

Becky