Claytons first year

Clayton was born on November 19 2008 @ the university of Utah hospital in Salt lake City. He was directly passed through a window (@ 4 seconds old) into the NIC- U. Hours later they brought him to us in an transport incubator, We got to hold his hand for a couple of minutes. Then they took him to Primary Children Medical Center where he spent the next 3 months. He spent the first month in the PIC-U, Chet and I finally got to hold him for the first time when he was 4 days old, It was great even if it took 4 nurses to get him there and we couldn't really cuddle him because of all the tubes and stuff.
He had open heart surgery @ six days old and colostomy surgery @ 12 days old. He also had a surgery to put in a central line, a thoracic duck surgery, and surgery to tie down his diaphragm. He also had a day there that we almost lost him, he did actually die, but he came back to us!
He was then transferred to the NIC-U where he spent 2 months. While there he had another surgery to put in a central line, and a surgery to fix his stomach. He also had to learn to eat and suck and everything! He had a breathing tub in for the first 2 months of his life with 4 failed attempts to remove it, then one day I walk into his room and he has decided to take it out himself and then it stayed out. He was also diagnosed with Mowat-Wilson syndrome, Which explains all of his medical problems.
We had a lot of wonderful firsts for Clayton, I never thought I would get so excited to put on his first PJ's, But when you don't get to do that until your baby is 2 1/2 months old it is kinda a big thing. I also got VERY excited when I could walk into his room and pick him up ALL BY MY SELF, no nurses, and I could hold him as long as I wanted too!!!
Clayton was checked out on February 11th, after spending his first thanksgiving, Christmas, and New years, A total of 3 months in the hospital. He was sent home with Oxygen, monitors, feeding tub and 6 meds. He was meant to be on it all for up to six months, but he never needed the oxygen, we took the feeding tube out after only 2 weeks and used the monitors for 2 months. He is now only on 2 meds!
Clayton had another surgery in April of 09 to hook up his colon, he no longer has the colostomy bag. He also had a surgery last week November the 11th to pull down his testicles, circumcise, eye exam, and tubes in the ears.
The hardest days in this last year, was the day of his 9 hour heart surgery and the day we almost lost him. We feel so blessed to have him here with us. He is so special. Everyone that meets him knows that he is one of our heavenly fathers most special spirits.
Clayton will have lots to struggle with for the rest of his life, But we are going to do all we can to let him have the happiest life possible.
I what to thank all those who have helped us in the last year we have been through a lot. There is no way we could have done this with out all of are family and friends that help out. We felt all of those prayers for our family, and I am sure Clayton is here today because of those prayers. Thank you so much!!

Claytons surgery

Clayton had surgery on the 11th of November. He did good! Surgery was about 4 hours. He got a test done on the nerves in the back of his eyes to determine if the brain is getting the right info. They also put tubes in his ears. Then they worked on his little boy parts, His testicles were pulled down, and he got circumcised and they had to cut more skin on the penis to make it strait. It sounds like a lot but we were able to take him home that day and he seams to be OK as long as I keep the pain meds on broad. He is all black and blue in the little boy aria and I feel so bad for him, It can't feel good.
We are hopeful that this is his last surgery! The docs don't expect to have any in the near future the only possibility is a surgery on his heart to repair things as he out grows the last repair. But we ask are family and friends to keep him in your prayers to prevent any further medical problems.

I finally have figured out how to do this. I am not so good at the hole computer thing. Well we had a good Halloween. Justin was a pumpkin and Clayton was a elephant. Justin had fun going out Trick-or treating with his cosines and uncle Ben. Clayton did not know what to think. He looked at himself with wide eyes and looked at everyone else like they had lost there minds.
Things are going good for us. Chet has a new job working for a company out of logan called SAE. They built lots of cool stuff like roller coasters. Right now they are working on some projects in soda springs Idaho @ Monsanto. He works long hour and is gone most of the week, but it is a good job.
Clayton is doing good. He has a surgery on wensday the 11th of november. He will be getting his testicals pulled down, circimcied, tubes in his ears and a test on the nerves in the back of his eyes. I know it sounds like alot, but it is the easyest of all his surgerys. I will try to update the blog shortly after surgery to let everyone know how things went. We would apriciate all the prayes we can get on behalf of Clayton.

Work

Well yet again it has been a long time between writes. Sence I last wrote Clayton has been doing good. I however have lost my job. So now i am in the proses of finding work. Hopeing to get on somewhere i can work nights or swing shift so i can go to school during the day somewhat. I am trying to do some photography work in the mean time. So for any one that is interested you can see my work at http://eagleridgephoto.blogspot.com . My mother has been shoting Profesional photos for quite a while and she is working on this with me . The photos that you see on the phtography blog are a mix or my work and Her work. Fiel free to take a look and let me know what you think .

Clayton Home

Well Clayton is home now all went well with his surgery and he and Stacy came home on friday. I was glad to have all the family home again. Quiet is nice but a bit unusual in a home where there is usualy a three year old and a 5 month old.

Clayton

Clayton is doing well this go around. he is now able to eat, how much im not sure. he has had his first baul movement and all went well there.

Just for fun

I am trying to get beter with people in the shot