ANA Discussion Forum

AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: ksiwek on September 12, 2010, 09:03:48 pm

Title: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: ksiwek on September 12, 2010, 09:03:48 pm
Hi Everyone!

It is hard to believe that Parker will be turning 4 months shortly (and that 2 weeks after that I will be 4 months post AN surgery!)  As I am such a proud mom, I wanted to share some updated pics with the AN family!  You would never know that he was a preemie!  He is such a happy and healthy boy...he is the reason I keep pushing forward with my recovery  ;D   Parker is my little miracle!

Kris

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/ksiwek/Parker%203rd%20month/ParkerinILshirt.jpg)
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/ksiwek/Parker%203rd%20month/KrisandParker.jpg)
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/ksiwek/Parker%203rd%20month/Parkerinoveralls.jpg)
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/ksiwek/Parker%203rd%20month/ParkerandDad.jpg)
(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af145/ksiwek/Parker%203rd%20month/Parkeronplaymat2.jpg)
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: saralynn143 on September 12, 2010, 09:26:18 pm
Wow. Four months already. Congratulations all the way 'round. Parker is a real handsome boy. I wish you all the best.

Sara
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: moe on September 12, 2010, 10:24:24 pm
Thanks for the pics!
All three of you are BEAUUUUTIFUL!
Enjoy these months, they are the funnest I think.
Maureen
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: NL on September 13, 2010, 01:58:33 am
Hi Kris!

Thanks for posting these pics! You look fantastic and Parker looks adorable - and he's grown so much! You BOTH look so happy and healthy!  ;D And I can see Mike is just loving being a proud dad, too!
Thank you for the update and please give Parker a big hug from his Auntie Nancy.  :)

Nancy
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: leapyrtwins on September 13, 2010, 05:45:36 am
Kris -

Parker is definitely a sweetie!  Love those blue eyes  ;D

Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures.

Jan
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: msmaggie on September 13, 2010, 08:13:15 am
So very precious!!
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: CHD63 on September 13, 2010, 09:49:39 am
Oh how precious!  ...... and mom and dad have beautiful smiles, as well.

Best wishes.

Clarice
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: yardtick on September 13, 2010, 11:30:36 am
He is a gorgeous baby boy.

Kris you look great!!!  I hope you are recovering well with no residual effects from your AN surgery.

Anne Marie
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: Jim Scott on September 13, 2010, 03:33:09 pm
Kris ~

Many thanks for the photos of your adorable little son.  He would inspire anyone.  Enjoy your parenthood and keep pushing forward with your recovery.

Jim
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: Soundy on September 14, 2010, 08:57:33 pm
what a cutie ... doesn't seem that 4 months has passed ...

my kids are not cute little babies anymore and sometimes are even a little annoying (pre-teen girls ) but
they are what make me get up and go even when I don't feel like it ...

give him a big hug from Tennessee
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: TP on September 15, 2010, 01:18:19 pm
Kris, I have not been on the website lately but checked in and saw there were baby pictures. What a beautiful baby boy. You and your your family look so happy.

Am I correct that you were pregnant and had your AN removed after your baby was born and that was just a few months ago and it was 4 CM...and you look this beautiful? If so, I am so happy for you. I had a 4 CM+ on my brainstem and I can't smile (facial paralysis) and I had double vision. I am looking at your face and you could never tell you had a tumor that size or for that matter a tumor at all. Can you please share where your tumor was located? How long was your surgery? Did you have any complications? Where was your surgery (city, hospital)? What side affects did you have prior to finding out you had a brain tumor? Am I sounding jealous...well yes I am but in a good way....I am so happy for you that you appear to have no complications and you look wonderful and then on top of that a new healthy bay boy!!   
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: Lizard on September 15, 2010, 01:20:45 pm
Kris,
He just seems to be getting cuter by the day!  Adorable pictures and you look great too! 
Congrats to you again!
Liz
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: ksiwek on September 15, 2010, 06:42:57 pm
TP,

Thanks for your kind words on the pictures!  Yes, it has been quite a year...I found out about my big ole tumor in March when I was 26 weeks pregnant.  The symptoms that lead me to get an MRI were hearing loss (which suddenly began in my second trimester) and ultimately a 'bulging' eye on the AN side.  My tumor was causing significant brainstem compression.  Over the course of 2.5 months my symptoms quickly got worse.  I couldn't feel the left side of my face or tongue, couldn't move my eye much past midline, couldn't walk without holding on to someone, drooled out of the left side of my mouth, couldn't fully shut my eye....and some I am probably forgetting right now.  Needless to say it was getting ugly.  So they took Parker via c-section at 35 wks as the docs didn't want to wait any longer.  They were worried I would develop hydrocephalus between the tumor and pregnancy related fluid retention.  So 2 weeks after my c-section, I had my translab AN surgery.

My surgeons (and personal heroes) were Dr Rick Friedman and Dr Marc Schwartz of the House Ear Institute.  Surgery took about 11 hours!  Yikes!  I feel very lucky with my outcome...it is taking me a long time to feel 'recovered' (but I have come so far from pre-op!) The first 3 days post-op I could barely open my eyes and all my eyes would do was 'flit' back and forth...I couldn't see!  Slowly they are recovering with time and vestibular exercises.  I do have nystagmus that has prolonged driving and my return to work.  As you can see from the pic my eyes are back to being the same size now!  I would say my turning point for having more good days than not so good was at about 12-13 wks.  I feel so lucky to be alive with a healthy baby! 

I am incredibly blessed to have had tons of help from my husband, mother and all of our friends and family...it took a village to help raise Parker the first couple of months  ;D!!!  Here's to hoping for a calmer back half of the year  ;)
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: TP on September 17, 2010, 08:19:01 am
Kris, what wonderful news and outcome. I am so happy for you and yes your Dr's did an outstanding job. Enjoy your baby boy they grow up way too fast!
Title: Re: New pictures of Baby Parker...
Post by: dalern on September 17, 2010, 09:05:21 pm
Parker is absolutely beautiful!  You look wonderful.  I thought he looked just like you, then I saw your husband's photo.  He looks like both of you!
Enjoy, enjoy.
~Dale