Nathan Taylor Stapleton - Trisomy 13 Memory Album

Nathan Taylor Stapleton

June 24, 2008
died moments after birth

Arlington, Texas (TX) - Full Trisomy 13

Our story

After 2 1/2 years of desiring to grow our family and numerous infertility treatments, we found out we were expecting in December of 2007!!! We could not be more excited as we longed for this baby for quite some time.

We went in for the prenatal screening offered to parents and discovered that our risk was a little higher than normal... 1 out of 121 for Trisomy 18, so our perinatologist wanted to do a level 2 ultrasound to see if there were any "soft markers" that indicated a problem. They found several. He wanted to do an amnio right then, but my placenta had not fully attached yet, so I told him I would rather wait until it is more safe. I told him that I was NOT terminating no matter what, so waiting a week wouldn't really matter.

We went a week later for the amnio, waited another week for the results, and then learned that our precious baby had Full Trisomy 13. We also learned that our little one was a BOY! I was so excited!!! I really wanted a son, but Trisomy 13... I had never even heard of it. Needless to say, I spent hours searching for anything and everything that would tell me more about this diagnosis... most of what I read offered no hope.

There was no way that I would terminate... we had tried for so long to have this baby and believe that God is the giver of life and it is He who takes it away. It was not an option, however, I have to admit that right after finding out he was so sick, I prayed that God would take him sooner rather than later. I wanted God to make the decision... but I wanted Him to make it quickly. It "seemed" that it would be easier.

After coming to this website and spending time looking through photos of these precious children, my feelings of "I just want it to be over" changed to "I really want to kiss his sweet face." I longed to see him, kiss him, and love him, if even for a few moments. It became my prayer that I might get to do that and God did answer it.

On June 23, 2008 my water broke. I was 31 weeks... 2 months too early. I was not dilated, not contracting, but my water broke. God was saying it was time. We went to the hospital and Nathan Taylor Stapleton was born on June 24,2008. He was born with a faint heartbeat, but he was alive. Moments later, he was with the Lord.

I was worried about how he would look... what his "defects" would be like. I have to say that it didn't matter. He was so beautiful and perfect to us. He was so warm and his skin was so soft. I was able to kiss his face like I desired and I am so thankful that God didn't answer my prayers that asked it to end much sooner. He knew how special those moments would be and He knew that I would treasure the time I did spend with my son, if only for a short time.

I believe that God doesn't make mistakes. He did not "forget" when he created my son that there was already two chromosomes #13 and unknowingly add a third. Nathan was created EXACTLY the way that he was meant to be and while I would give anything to have just a few more moments with him, I know that there is an eternal purpose far better than I understand.

A Little Slice of Heaven
Our Journey
http://www.tstapes.blogspot.com
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Josh and Taylor Stapleton
t_stapes@yahoo.com

Submitted 5-13-08

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In Loving Memory of This Treasured Trisomy 13 Child

In Loving Memory of This Treasured
Trisomy 13 Child