Photographer, Educator, Student, Mother & Wife Obsessed with sharing moments through pictures & words
Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. ~ Abraham Lincoln Yesterday was Chance’s first full day home. I suppose we can add an asterisk to that sentence and include that we took a 4+ hour trip to the ER in the middle of the day. […]
Amanda,
The pictures are beautiful, and the one with the scar is my favorite! He is still perfect in my eyes as he has inherited your strong fortitude. I also love the smiling ones he is smiling cause you are his momma! I love you!
Miss Shanna
The pictures are wonderful, Amanda, and his scar really looks good compared to some I’ve seen. It will get so much better as he grows. You have a beautiful family, I hope you can just enjoy them all for a while. It’s hard with the stresses of the unknowns and worrying about shunts, etc. But as you have a few normal days under your belt, you’ll relax and not worry so much. Hang in there!
I love seeing that smile! The picutres are great and I agree, Chance is perfect just the way he is. I just know that you, Jason and the kids are all blessed to have one another. I hope you all have time to relax and enjoy being home. Love you all.
I know what you are going through and how tough it is. My son, Patrick, was born with spina bifida 17 years ago. I am not going to tell you it is easy because that would be a lie. His level is much higher than your son’s. His defect is in the thorasic area. He was given three hours to live at birth. He had club feet and hydrocephlus also. After four shut revisions, three sets of rods that was rejected by his body, multiple bladder surgeries,he is looking forward to graduating in May 2012 from high school, only one year behind his age group. He intends on being a 911 dispatcher or a missionary.
Amanda, you’re pictures bring tears. Baby whisperer, indeed. I have to admit, the very first thought I had when I saw the picture showing the incision was, “Beautiful scar.” Our little one has a few beautiful scars and it’s just part of who she is. Just last week she gained a new one through a long-awaited kyphectomy (rods to correct a serious curve right where her original myelomenigocele repair was, T10). It’s amazing how quickly the scars go away, and sometimes I’ll go months without really looking at them. When I do, I’m amazed at the body’s God-given ability to heal.
Glad you’re both home. Praying for smooth days with lots of cuddling!
“Above the storm, the smallest prayer will still be heard.” -Dolly We’ve waited what has seemed like an eternity to finally bring him home. This afternoon Chance escaped the NICU and is now home. He enjoyed a bit of the Florida sunshine on the way home. Jason and I spent time trying to see who […]
by Amanda Kern
7 comments
All I could see in those first pictures of Chance is God’s light shining down on him, what an amazing baby boy!
You look HOT, lady. No one would know what you’ve been enduring. I do and you’re the more beautiful for it. Te vez BELLA! So glad Chance is home and The Kerns are together. <3
Hurray!!!! So, so glad to see you holding Chance at home! He is such a handsome little fellow. The pictures are just perfect. And you look positively radiant holding him. Congratulations! Much rest and many blessings!
Congratulations. So glad he’s home where he belongs. Enjoy your new family!
Congratulations – your little man looks full of character and spirit…love to you all
Jo x
He’s beautiful!
So glad you guys are home! Love the shirt!
”We always want what we can’t reach” ~ Taylor Swift Chance has been in the NICU for 2 1/2 weeks. It seems as though every time he makes progress we either have another setback or something prevents us from escaping. I feel as though I’ve heard “tomorrow” is the day or “lets see how he […]
by Amanda Kern
6 comments
He’s absolutely amazing!
You nad Chance will be in our prayers.
Sending many blessings your way
I hope he gets to come home too!!!
Sweet, sweet pictures. You all are in our prayers.
Your little dude is so precious! I definitely know how you feel with the ups & downs, hang in there. God can carry us through amazing situations. Praying your family is home all together soon.
What a beautiful baby! Praying for uplifting results.
He’s adorable!
Hope tomorrow comes soon!
“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” – Ansel Adams I’ve been content with silence the last few days. Perhaps because it’s been a necessary part of coping through the challenges of the last few weeks. We’re oh so close to having Chance […]
by Amanda Kern
2 comments
You can tell he is growing and looking happy to be with his mama! You look happy to finally be holding you bebe! 
Sending you lots of good wishes for a smooth and happy transition to being home together as a family.
So, is he home? I am guessing yes! Chance looks really good and so do you in this pic. I was getting a little worried because of our last phone call. Being home has probably cheered you up and having Chance home should send you soaring. I talked to my mom today and she got home alright. I don’t know if she is aware of all that went on. I didn’t say anything because I was not sure if Jason had mentioned anything. I am sure she will be eagar to see you guess soon. She may be too tired tonight.
My work said that I couldnt have the time off if I wanted to have time off when Noah graduates. I guess I dont have enough time to do both and I had already requested that time off. Of course, they haven’t approved that either. Funny how that works. I guess I had to use 64 hours of earned time first before the FMLA would kick in so it has left me with limited vacation. Aparently we are not able to take a day off without pay or we are written up. I am so done with this bull and yet I can’t do anything but keep looking for another job.
Just so you know, there is no where else I’d rather be than there with you and your family. It was so nice seeing you holding Chance with a smile on your face. Love you guys, Terri
“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” ~ Unknown Today Chance is 2 weeks old. It was also his due date. He wasn’t suppose to be here until today, but it was inevitable that he had to arrive earlier and now I can’t help […]
by Amanda Kern
5 comments
Amanda, can’t find words. Sending love, strength, healing, light. Please know you HAVE beautifully captured Chance’s newborn moments, just a bit differently than with some of the other babies you’ve photographed. Be well.
Julia
You amaze me Amanda, your so much stronger then you give yourself credit for. Sending Prayers your way!
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your heart. I am so glad to hear that the doctor’s visit last night was helpful. PPD is very hard and very real, I know from experience. One of the many things that helped me was taking a good Vitamin B Complex. My midwife had recommended this. It helps the nervous system. Also Omega 3 from fish oil is very, very helpful. You are in my prayers. If you ever need to bounce ideas off someone who has walked in the PPD valley, please, please email me.
Chance is so, so beautiful. Your pictures melt my heart! I agree with Julia that you have captured those precious newborn moments, amidst such a challenging environment. Now that is the sign of one awesome photographer (and mom!). My daughter, Amanda, is hoping to study photography in college. She is very inspired by your photos.
Blessings,
Melissa
Hi Amanda,
You don’t know me, but I’m a fan of yours on Facebook ( learned of your through a friend). My son was born at 29 weeks, and spent two months in the NICU. I know you are feeling sapped emotionally, and physically. I know that this is torture, and the saddest, most desperate moment of your life. I want you to know that there is indeed beauty in this moment. I look back at those days that I spend nine hours in winnie palmer, sitting with my baby boy…watching his tiny chest move, obsessing over his monitor, pumping milk… This is the hardest moment of both of your lives, and you are going through it together. It is a shared bond that will tie you both together and make you stronger. Everything happens for a reason. God puts us (even innocent babies) through trials to teach us, and to give us sight of what is really important. Chance is beautiful, and it may seem odd to hear, but enjoy this moment for what it is, and see the gift of every milestone. Take care.
As always your writing is from the heart, mesmerizing and open. While it may seem so little to you now, so very many are holding you and Chance, and your entire family tight in prayer. There are answers in prayer, and sometimes the answer is no; you have been blessed with Chance, and I know that is an answer to prayer in itself. Remember we are all here for you, let us know how we can help. Allowing others to help, helps them feel needed!
by Amanda Kern
5 comments