September 16, 2008 to present

After many phone calls and emails requesting updates on little JW, we thought a blog might better serve the purpose of keeping all of our family and friends in the loop on his progress since his arrival.  It is possible that several of us (me, Allie, mom, and who knows who else) will be taking turns updating with news and photos about once a week or more often if we have urgent or super exciting news, so check back often!  Let's start from the beginning...

James Wilson Taylor (JW) made the executive decision to enter this world on September 16, 2008 in Uvalde, Texas.  He weighed 3.6 lbs at birth in spite of being only 4 weeks premature.  Allie underwent an emergency c-section when the baby monitor showed JW to be in distress.  He had to be resuscitated upon delivery and was soon after air lifted to Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio.  His complications began as a result of Allie's near miscarriage early in her pregnancy.  Even though things looked to be in the clear after a couple of weeks of bed rest, she continued to have internal bleeding, unbeknownst to anyone.  The bleeding caused clotting which took up a good deal of the baby's room for growing as well as much needed oxygen and nutrition.  Allie was also very anemic as a result.  JW's umbilical cord was said to be the size of a drinking straw so you can imagine the results of something like that.

Since then, JW has been in the NICU in San Antonio.  He was breathing on his own after only a couple of days.  The bruising and swelling from being in distress and having to be resuscitated lasted for about 2 weeks.  He quickly gained weight from being nourished via IV.  Within the first couple of weeks he would open his eyes and just look at us in wonder with those big blue eyes (he has his big sister's and big brother's gorgeous baby blues!).  

I was so blessed and overjoyed to be at the hospital when Allie was able to hold JW for the very first time.  It was one of the most amazing moments of my life and I'm sure hers as well.  To be there to watch as my baby sister held her baby for the first time after not even being able to see him right away after birth, was indescribable.  It was as if you could actually see her heart leap out of her chest.  If you know my sister she has a huge heart, made of gold...she LOVES her babies more than life itself and it has broken my heart to watch her go through all of this with JW.  But on the other hand, she has been such an inspiration as well, because she has handled everything with more grace, love, and hope than I could ever dream of.  She is 100% positive that God is working a miracle in JW's life...in all of our lives through JW...and I believe it too!  I will never forget that day at the hospital, seeing the incomparable love and joy she felt as she held JW...words simply cannot describe it.  I am so proud to have been a part of that special day and I tear up at the mere thought of it.  The photos below are from that day.  What an angel he is.

Allie holding JW for the first time!  He was so tiny!

Still very bruised and swollen, poor baby.

 

As of now JW is at a little over 4 lbs. and last week he was taken off IV fluids and is strictly on milk.  He does still have a nasal tube as he has just recently begun to show interest in sucking and swallowing, which is great news!  He is still sporting an IV just in case the nurses/doctors need to access it quickly should he spike a fever or need medication of any kind, which he did sometime last week.  We are still waiting to see what the long-term results and implications will be as far as his neurological capabilites, but only time will tell.  So, keep those prayers coming and know that they are working!!  Just the fact that JW is here today is a miracle in itself, but with God ANYTHING is possible and we are hoping to be graciously blessed with a full-fledged, total healing of little JW, every square inch of his mental, emotional, and physical beings will be perfect!  Things are sure looking up!  All praise be to God for our little angel!

JW on the second day of my visit to the NICU with Allie.  He was still very bruised and swollen (as you can see around his eyes, especially).

I think he looked like Tristin to start with...Allie said he definitely has her chin!

My best to everyone and thank you for your prayers, gifts, and loving emails/calls/etc!  May each of you be blessed beyond your worth, as our family has.

~JW's Aunt Lindy