The Clayton Clan: New little Baby Maxwell Robert Clayton

Russ and Dulcie's sweet baby Maxwell (Max) Robert Clayton was born 5 weeks early. He spent his first 10 days in the nicu of the hospital... He was born just a bit too early for him to keep his body temperature up and to breathe and even eat on his own. He also had a bit of jaundice, but after being under the bilirubin lights for just 24 hours his levels improved.
They put him on CPAP for 24 hours to force air into his little lungs to keep them open, and gave him surfactant to help lubricate his lungs to make it easier to breathe.
His tummy was so immature that he wasn't able to digest food. They had to start him being fed with an IV with just the tiniest amount of milk and slowly work up to 2 ounces.
Once he mastered that he had to prove to them that he could wake himself up, and show signs that he was hungry by chewing his little fists and fussing to show that he was anxious to eat again. At first it was so tender to see him wakeful and just lying there, not having the energy to do even the simplest tasks. It is a blessing that he made such progress in just 10 days. Before we knew it, he was able to come home and has done very well, although his weight gain is still a bit slow... Russ and Dulcie are calling him their little miracle baby.... he sure is!

I can not even imagine what Russ and Dulcie are probably feeing at that moment.

these pictures are so precious

This one is just so tender

this is one of my favorites... our son Russ, with his son Max

We headed to the hospital that first night... and Camrie and Carson were so very disappointed to not be able to hold little Max... he was just too tiny and there were too many uncertainties about how he was doing... Camrie was heartbroken.. Carson was sad and tired.... Maggie was just adorable

honestly... I just love this picture she is such a doll...

day two was much better and the kids were so thrilled to be able to finally hold him carefully with all of the wires attached.

I love this picture of them yearning and reaching out to hold him for the first time.

so adorable

Dulcie finally enjoying her new baby.. check out his hair :)

I love that instead of a bunny rabbit, or a teddy bear, Russ and Dulcie got little Max a soft snuggly alligator that was as long as he was. I'm sure Dulcie is singing the little alligator song.... one little monkey swinging in a tree....teasing Mr Alligator can't catch me, no you can't catch me....