2 Weeks Old

My little baby is growing way tooooo fast. He is already two weeks old today--where is the time going?! We are all adjusting to our new schedules--sleep when the baby sleeps is by far the truest advice I was ever given! He is getting on more of a schedule and mom and dad are getting more sleep at night. YAY PARKER!

I have enjoyed being able to stay home and spend lots of time with Parker, there is nothing better than your baby falling asleep on your chest as he smiles in his sleep. It is absolutley precious! While we have been home, we have been blessed to have lots and lots of guests, which makes it easier on mom to get some adult time in. At this time, my best friend is a two week old that has no idea what I am saying and mom has started to provided responses for Parker ;) I would have never believed that when people would say your life is going to change in an instant, how true that statement was. I can not imagine my life without this little guy, regardless of the sleepless nights, the messy poop and the spit up, this has been by far my best accomplishment and the most amazing experience.

Parker is doing great and is as normal as any other little kiddo--he had a tough start to life but has overcome every obstacle with flying colors. We go back to the surgeon on January 30th for a follow up and hopefully they will find everything is going great and we can be discharged (officially).

Many people ask about the orgin of Parker's name.."does it have a special meaning", "is he named after anyone?". Well-the name Parker was an idea from Cris' mom. After saying it over and over a couple thousand times, Cris and I both decided that we liked the name and it stuck. Believe me, we went through zillions of names and we took forever to agree on Parker. As far as Parker's middle name, which is Aaron, we named him after a good friend of ours that passed away from a car accident a little over a year ago. Cris and I both felt that it would be a great way to remember him. I have often struggled with finding myself called to a certain religion or been extremely faith based (this experience has defianetly changed that for me) but I often found myself asking Aaron to look out for our little guy before and after he was born--I do have to say, Aaron did an amazing job and was Parker's guardian angel :) Also, I had looked up the name Aaron on a baby name website and it had stated that the name Aaron meant "fighter". I found this very fitting as our little guy would had overcome a lot of obstacles prior to being born and had a few hurdles to conquer after being born too. All in all, Parker Aaron DeYoung's name fits him perfectly and the name also has a special place in Cris and I's hearts.

Parker's schedule is as follows:
Be Awake:

Eat:
Poop:

Sleep:

Repeat :)

Thanks for reading :)

A post finally from the Slacker :) aka mom :)

So I realize that I have been slacking at updating our blog! It appears that I am the last one to do so, as Cris has already beat me to it!

Well, as everyone already knows, Parker is finally here and turned a week old already on Wednesday and it has also been a week on Thursday since his surgery! He was able to come home on Monday and we could not be happier.

My pregnancy was a rollercoaster of emotions and events. It was a day by day, appointment by appointment process. However, the outcome of everything could not have gone more successful and been any smoother. We are absolutley blessed beyond belief.

Parker is the best little guy. He only cries when he is hungry. He then gets changed and goes back to bed. It is crazy how occupied you can become by just staring at him. I love his facial expressions, his little smiles, pouty lips or his complex thinking face. He is an absolute miracle.

After being told that he would not have a belly button for months and months. The doctors were able to perform surgery and were able to give him a normal looking belly button....SEE :)

Through this experience I have learned that I am not in control, all the control is in God's hands. That no matter how much you don't understand why something is happening, HE does and there is a reason for it. I have learned patience, faith and the ability to accept things that are out of my control. The most amazing part of this journey (besides the best gift of all-Parker) is the amount of love and support that we received through this journey. We had an abundance of prayers, thoughts and love sent our way not only by friends and family but from complete strangers that heard our story through the grapevine. I am not able to put into words how much I appreciate everyone taking the time and ability to think of us during this time. We would not have been able to do it without all of the love and support, the strength that it provided us was comforting and gave us peace of mind. So I guess, no matter how hard something is, do not give up, there is some sort of reasoning behind it, and just because we do not know the meaning, SOMEONE does and has a reason behind all of it :)

So thank you again. Being a mom is the most awesome, rewarding experience!! Even though I was sooo scared to have a C-section, the end result was well worth it---and obviously I survived and did not die. (as many of you know, this was a real concern of mine)

So to end this note--Here is my extra happy peanut:)

Welcome Home!

My last post was Friday and at that time Parker was doing really well and our family was praising God for all the amazing works he had already done over his short life.  Well it is time for another big thank you to our Lord because at just 5 days old he was able to come home!!  In under a week, he was born via c-section, had an EKG revealing a slight heart murmur, had survery to repair his omphalecele, was circumcised, started eating, kept eating, kept pooping, and had an EKG to reveal the heart murmur had already corrected itself, lived in the NICU with 5 other babies with bells and whistles and crying 24/7...that's a lot for such a little guy!!

And now he's home...

Cuddling on the couch with his momma!!

Having just brought home my own little guy just over 6 months ago, I'm remembering my feelings.  Get the car seat just right, wait for Daddy to pull up the car, strap him in, and drive away.  Away from the only home he has known so far.  But most of all, away from the experts...the nurses who have the touch for feeding when he doesn't want to take a bottle, who can take one look at the circumcision and tell you it is healing good, who can take his temperature without hesitation, most of all - who you see as experts!!  Now you are on your own.  You are responsible for another human being that is totally dependent on you.  I wasn't even exhausted from a birth (our son is adopted) but I was anxious about how I would do everything else I had done before our son and still take care of him properly.  WOW - that seems like a lifetime ago - I think it took a good week, but I realized quickly that it is possible.  Sleep when he sleeps, clean when you can, but most of all hold them you can because they grow up quick!!

So for now, this Auntie is going to pass on the blogging responsibility to Parker's parents.  But I still might sneak in a post once in a while :)

Love you Parker - so happy you are home!!

Parker Aaron the Incredible True Story

 

When I found out Ashley was pregnant I was shocked, surprised, and most of all happy. I still remember the amazing feeling it was to see that first ultrasound. My happiness turned to fear, sadness, and anxiety when the doctor noticed a small spot on his lower abdomen wall. Our family doctor referred us to an office that specialized in birth defects. We made an appointment for that following week.

            What seemed like the longest week of my life the day had arrived figure out what this spot was. During the ultrasound they confirmed my worst fears that he had what was called an omphalocele. Which is an abdomen wall defect where part of his organs remained outside his abdomen (this visit they told us that we will be having a boy). There are three types of genetic syndromes that can cause an omphalocele. One is Down syndrome which is the best of the three. The others are called Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome. These syndromes both would result in loss of pregnancy. There was a 70% chance that he would have one of these syndromes most likely one of the two bad ones. There was also a chance that he could have something wrong with his chromosomes, which are called trisomy 13, 18 or 15. Two of the three chromosomes defects would cause death either in the womb or shortly after birth.  Ashley had to go in and get what is called an amniocentesis. This procedure takes a long needle which is inserted into the womb and gets the amniotic fluid so that you can test for these and other genetic defects. The doctors told us it would take up to five days to return the results. This week was the longest of my life so far. I was at work it was a Tuesday around 4:30 my phone rang it was Ashley. She told me the test results were back, and he was cleared of any genetic syndrome. I jumped in the air high fived all my coworkers and stepped outside and hit my knees thanked god and just cried.

 A few weeks later we went for a routine ultrasound (we never have one of those). The doctors spotted what was believed to be a heart defect. Heart defects are very common with omphaloceles, and like everything else we have faced, the defect could be fatal to the baby. We scheduled a detailed ultrasound with another specialist in the office to check on the heart. This appointment would be in five days. Chalk up five more sleepless nights for mom and dad. Finally the day had come to look at the little boy’s heart. The ultrasound started, and they checked his growth, legs, brain, arms, and finally his heart. The doctor turned to us said everything looks normal and he could find any sort of defect anywhere on his heart. I asked if he checked twice just to make sure he assured me that nothing was wrong. So once again God had answered so MANY prayers. Fast forward to 1/9/2013, the day of the C-section.  Because of his defect he would be delivered by C-section which was ok because we could plan for him. For the first time it seemed, something went to plan and he was born at 1:32 on the 1/9/2013. He did great, mom did great and dad was just along for the ride.  

After delivery the doctors detected a small heart murmur which could require heart surgery if it didn’t go away. Less than 24 hours later the doctors could no longer hear the murmur and all was well again. Now doctors and surgeons all said that recovery would be slow and it could take up to a week before they could operate on him to replace the organs that were sticking out of his abdomen wall. He would be staying in the NICU were nurses will monitor him 24 hours a day.  Well at 5:32 the next day he was on his way to the OR to get his omphalocele placed back into body. At 6:45 the surgeon returned to tell us all is well and he did better than expected and was recovering back in the NICU. Parker was hooked up to IV to get his required fluids, and doctors told us that it may take a few days before he would be able to eat from a bottle and get circumcised (ouch). Less than 24 hours later he was feeding from bottles and recovering from being circumcised. The doctors say that he would have to wait until he could be dressed in clothes. He is currently enjoying all the cute clothes that all his loved ones bought for him.  The doctor told us that Parker could stay in the NICU for two months. If he continues to feed from a bottle as well as he is he could go home as soon as the beginning of next week. Parker Aaron has been stronger in his first week of life than I have been for the 24 years on this earth and I am so proud of my little trooper.

Ashley Parker and I would like to thank everyone who has prayed for him. God has a answered those prayers and more in our life. God is good and has watched over us and answered so many of our prayers. We would also want to thank all the doctors and nurses for their being so professional and just watching out for Parker. We would like to thank Candice for everything she does for us. The nursery would be so disorganized if it wasn’t for her. She never stopped just loving us, and I don’t know how I would have gotten through all this without her. We want to thank all of our family and friends for their support and prayer for the little fighter. Please keep us in your thought and prayers as we continue the long journey of parenthood.

           

My second visit

Yesterday I got to spend my afternoon with Parker and his momma - it was fabulous.

On my way to the hospital I got a call from Chris that they were going to let Parker try to feed from a bottle at 2:00 pm.  Mind you this was about 1:10 pm and I was just passing Coopersville on my way to Grand Rapids.  Well I just said to myself...I'm not going to miss this :).  I arrived just in time to go into the NICU with Ashley.  You know the drill...sign in with security guard, get you badge, healthy visitor sticker, up the elevator, mom signs in at nurses station, to pod 5, jewelery off, washing station where you wash up to your arm pits (just kidding it's only up to your elbows), and then finally in to see Parker.

He was looking so good...no more bump on the belly, no more nasal cannula, and they had moved his IV to his foot so his hands were free.  He is a little rosy cheeked because his skin reacted to the tape.  But in the words of his mom "if the least we have to worry about at this point is a little skin reaction, I'm good with that!"

Then the nurse prepped his bottle.  Ashley has been working hard these past couple days to keep up on pumping and there was enough breast milk to make him a 10 ml bottle.  Let me tell you people...that kid eats like his dad...there was no tasting and that 10 mls was gone in less than 77 seconds!!

 

Then his mom got a nice little burp...

We were able to stay with him for over an hour and then they came and took him to be circumsized.  This was good because they originally told Chris and Ashley this wouldn't happen until Monday.  Every new step is one step closer to going home.

While he was gone Ashley and I went back to her room and hung out until it was time for his 5:00 pm feeding.  We traveled back over...this time it was just elevator through washing station :).  We got back around 4:30 and Ashley was able to watch the nurse change him (not a pleasant experience for little guys who have just been circumsized.



make sure you fill the guaze with petroleum jelly...



As you can see Ashley wasn't too excited...

Almost done...and yay there's poop - another step to getting home!!

After he was changed the nurse measured his stomach.  I was having fond memories of when Cooper used to cry this softly so I took a short video (turn up the volume or you will miss it)

Then it was time for feeding #2 of the day.  He wasn't quite as interested at first but after the nurse helped get him started he finished up that 20 mls!!

GREAT job Mommy

And more burps...





As I was getting ready to leave Chris was up preparing for the 8 pm feeding.  Parker was so tired that this feeding didn't go so well.  He only ate a little and the nurse was thinking she might have to put in a feeding tube.  In the words of his dad..."Wednesday he got evicted from his home, Thursday he had surgery to put his guts back in, and today they sliced up his manhood...I don't think I'd be too hungry either!".  In the end they decided not to put the tube in until the 11 pm feeding when he ate well again.  So no tube and that means he may be able to go home in the next few days - YAY!!

Ashley is being discharged today and I'm sure after she goes home for a shower and a little rest, they will spend the rest of the day with Parker.  One really nice thing about the NICU is there are nurses in Parker's room caring for him 24 hours a day.  And there is a direct phone line into his room that Chris and Ashley can call 24 hours a day to find out how he is doing.

That's what I know for now.  But I also want to tell you all what an encouragement the events of Parker's little life have been for me.  Ever since we found out that Parker had a birth defect, our family has been praying, we have selectively shared with our friends who were praying.  Richard and I also added Parker to our prayer requests weekly several time at our church.  We have received good news so many times during Parker's stay in his mom's tummy...the omphalocele was minor in comparison to many others...it's not as rare as you think...we operate on these everyday...Parker is growing like he should...the omphalocele is growing like it should with him so he can keep growing through full term.  It has been amazing.  Then he was born and did so well right from the beginning (and his mom lived through the C-section...you'll have to ask her because she wasn't too sure...).  The doctors were able to do his surgery the very next day - the day after that he was already off oxygen and eating on his own.  I mean how many times could our family continue to receive good news...it's like being on top of the world and God is to be PRAISED!!  He has been working and I've been amazed to see His work.  What a GREAT God we serve!!

All Done!

For those of you who haven't heard yet, Parker's surgery was a huge success!!  The doctor was able to tuck his guts back in and close up his belly without having to use a graft.  And the very best part...he has a BELLY BUTTON :).  Because the Omphalocele was relatively minor and closing it up wasn't as hard as expected, the doctor was able to stitch in the belly button in the process without too much extra effort.  Now he and his cousin, Cooper, can compare bellies without asking too many questions :).

Parker came out of recovery before 9 pm tonight and Chris posted this picture on Facebook at about 9:30 - already bright eyed...

He shouldn't have to have the tube down his nose too long before he can go back to the canulla.  Now he will just have to start the healing process and eat on his own before he can go home.  He has a stock pile of bottles already waiting for him to start sucking them down!!

I can hardly wait to go up for my second visit tomorrow!!

Update and a little surgery info

Baby Parker is doing well today.  Both Mom and Dad were able to hold him last night ( EPIC) and this morning.  Then a couple grandmas held him this morning :) and he got a little head rub from Great Grandpa...

Grandma Donahue



Great Grandma Dottie



Great Grandpa

 Based on what I'm hearing from the hospital they are planning Parker's surgery for sometime after 4:00 pm today.  Ashley completed all the necessary paper work this morning.  But they have yet to officially talk to the surgeon.  It sounds like they will be able to manuever what is protruding back into his abdominal cavity but it is unclear whether they will be able to close up his own skin or if there will be a need for a graft.  Pray that a graft is not necessary because that makes for increased risk of infection and rejection by his little body.

From the looks of it, he's still not to keen on the nasul cannula...

And he must have Chris's perspiration gene because when he gets too hot, his little monitor stickies slider right off!!

Just a couple more pictures

These were too GREAT not to share with all of you...

The proud dad sharing pictures...



getting a hug...



and showing Coop his new cousin :)

The AWESOME mom!

Baby Parker with some of his new friends

I'm sure the proud parents will have more to share soon...

The NICU

I got to have my first meeting with Parker tonight...I waited for my dad, Grandma Mary, and Grandpa & Grandma Ruiter had their turns and then Uncle Richard and I were up.

Here's how it works in the NICU.  First, you have to sign in at the front desk with a security guard.  They check your driver's license and then print you a photo visitor's badge.  They also ask you if you are feeling healthy - over course no one in their right mind who is sick should be going into the NICU - but they ask anyway.  When you tell them you are healthy, they give you a sticker that says - "I'm a Healthy Visitor".  Then it's up the elevator - from there you must be escorted by a parent.  And because Ashley is recovering from a C-section, Chris is doing all the visits.  You enter the center of the pod area where the parent signs in...mind you, Chris has done this three times by the time we were with him :).  Then you go to the washing station - all jewelry comes off (Grandpa Ruiter hasn't had his wedding ring off in probably 10-years, but you can bet he worked it off to go see Parker) and you wash all the way up to your elbows, long nails get a good cleaning then you pull out your hand towels, dry hands, and then turn off water.  Again...Chris is on his 4th washing :).  Now you are sanitized and can proceed to the room to see the baby.

Parker is in a room that is staffed by a couple nurses for several babies (6, I think).  He is all hooked up to various monitors along with a feeding IV.  His bed is pretty high tech - even measuring his temperature and there is a heater up high that kicks on when he gets a chill.

The deal is you can touch, but not hold.  So I rubbed his foot and his leg and his head and his cheek, and held his hand and talked to him.  Such a sweet boy!!

From what I'm told he doesn't really like the nasal cannula which is why it's taped down so securely.  He has the longest little fingers and toes and the cutest ears EVER.  And he got Ashley's nose and Chris's receeding hairline :)

Based on what the doctor's told Chris and Ashley earlier today, it looks like they will be doing surgery tomorrow.  They are expecting to be able to fold what is on the outside in and close up his belly.  Once this is complete they will be able to evaluate when he can start eating, etc.  Right now he is being "fed" through an IV in the wrist...that big long white brace on his right hand is helping to keep that arm straight and the IV in place. 

I'm hoping to find out more tomorrow morning after Chris and Ashley have had a night's rest and are able to talk to the nurses without feeling exhausted.  If all goes well, he should be home in under the 2-week mark that was originally discussed.

So excited to have been there to meet him so soon!!

He's Here!!

Parker Aaron was born today at 1:32 pm weighing 8 pounds and 5 ounces and at 20 inches long.  His mom did GREAT and is resting in recovery...his dad cried :) (but not as much as his great grandma)...and he is being checked out and monitored...

Here's a picture while he was still in the belly...

Just 2 days ago Ashley told me that she just wanted to "actually see him. Not in black and white"...well here he is - SO CUTE!! (ps...I'm already in LOVE)

Got my mom's good looks!!

Even though Ashley was ready for him to be out, the proud daddy said Parker wasn't too happy about it.  Apparently he cried and cried - but it looks like he's already getting used to spreading out a little.

The doctors will be evaluating Parker while Ashley is in recovery and they will be meeting some time soon to discuss how treatments will be moving forward. 

More updates to come as we get information...

Baby Parker

Hello Friends and Family-

This is Aunt Candice...I'm starting this blog for my brother and sister-in-law, Cris and Ashley, as they prepare for the arrival of their son, Parker Aaron.

Parker will be born tomorrow, January 9, 2013.  He is a special baby, the first for Cris and Ash.  And he has an Omphalocele...that is Om-fail-o-seal.  Without getting into too much medical jargon, this is a hole in his abdominal wall where a small portion of his intestines are protruding out his "belly button".  Parker has been closely monitored over Ashley's pregnancy and last I heard, the Omphalocele was around the size of a golf ball.  Cris and Ash have been meeting with a pediatric specialist and will be having a C-section at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.  There will be several experts attending to Parker from the time he is born and they will quickly evaluate when they will be able to operate to close up his belly and this surgery will result in him not having a belly button!!  We have already decided that we are going to tease Coop and tell him that Parker is an alien..."I mean see - he doesn't have a belly button" :)

But all kidding aside, this is a condition that needs to be bathed in prayer...for Cris and Ashley...for baby Parker...for all of our family...and for the doctors and nurses who will be caring for Parker.

So the bags are packed (and Ashley will be checking them twice when she can't sleep tonight), the nursery is stocked, there's more love already than he will ever even realize, and now we just need him to arrive!!

Stay tuned, because I will be posting updates often over the next couple of days to keep everyone up to date on Parker's birth, any surgery plans, and his progress...