Sunday: January 12, 2014

Cooper is 16 months old today!

I don't think Randy and I have laughed as much as we did today. Cooper was in the best mood. He didn't sleep well from 1:00-4:00 a.m., but still woke in a great mood. He occupied himself in the floor while Mommy and Daddy got ready for the day. He actually played for 2 1/2 hours on his own! He wouldn't eat breakfast again today. But did drink his Carnation Instant Breakfast. We left around 11:00 heading out for the day.

Our first stop was Super Cuts. We finally broke down and got Cooper a haircut. We had been debating it for a long time due to him loosing from Chemo, but the back was getting a little out of sorts! He did great. He sat in the chair all by himself. He looks like such a big boy now.

After the hair cut we went to a sports store, but didn't find anything of interest. So, off to the mall we went. We had lunch and then started looking for shoes. Cooper was so tired at this point, he slept through the "trying on" of several different pairs. We struggled finding him some that were wide enough, but he did get two new pairs. We got a pair of tennis shoes and a dress pair for church. We walked around the mall for a while and then had dinner at Olive Garden. Cooper turned down some delicious foods for his vanilla pudding.

When we got back to the hospital we went for a car ride and did a lot of walking in our new shoes. Cooper had his bath and story time, but couldn't finish his milk before wanting in his bed. Once again, we are hoping for a good night. We all three are tired from the busy day, so let's hope Cooper can rest well.

 

Getting ready for his 1st real haircut 

 

Cooper had to help a little bit

 

 

Our handsome boy after his haircut

 

Enjoying a fry at lunch

 

All of his baby curls are gone

 

We thought about going to the zoo today, but decided against it since it was muddy out. Cooper had just as much fun at the pet store!

 

 

Cooper wants this one!!!

 

Waiting on dinner at Olive Garden

 

 

 

Showing off his new shoes

 

Car ride 

This is a "game" that Cooper just loves - watching the food spin round and round!!!

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: Cooper walking to Mommy. He is so happy! We did this several times back and forth.

I wanted to get a picture of Cooper in his new Space PJ's before going to bed. He was so tired, I only got a half-grin out of him.

 



Saturday: January 11, 2014

One week from now, I will be putting my baby in his own bed for the first time in 3 months! I can't wait!

We had fun, lazy day today. Cooper had back to back therapies: 8:00, 9:00, and 10:00! He did fine in speech and OT, but by the time PT rolled around, he was finished for the day! Mommy and Daddy went for a run while Cooper napped. He ate some pudding when he woke up then we went for car rides, walks, and spent time playing in the floor. He occupied himself for a long time. We learned that Cooper really likes Chocolate Covered Raisins. He ate several before he realized he could suck the chocolate off and spit the raisin out. It was rainy out so we ordered pizza and stayed in for the afternoon. After we ate Cooper wanted to drive his car some more. After several trips around the hospital he was ready for another nap. And, apparently so were Mommy and Daddy. All three of us napped for about an hour and a half. Cooper wouldn't eat dinner when he got up, but did eat some applesauce before going to bed. We took another car ride, then wagon ride before getting into the bath and calling it a night.

Tomorrow is our last Sunday here. Since Cooper was fitted for and received new AFO's, we are going to shoe shop tomorrow, one of Mommy's favorite things to do!

Thanks again for all the prayers. They are greatly appreciated!

Loving the Swing!

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: I can't explain how much I love this picture!

 

He loved the bubbles today

 

Today was a "let's see how many things I can get into" day:

Playing with cords...

 

Pulling clothes out of the drawer...

And putting all the towels where he wanted them...

 



 

Loving on his duck before his wagon ride

Enjoying a cup of ice

 



Friday: January 10, 2014
 
Cooper had a really good day today. We decided not to do the eye exam because we were so unsure of who ordered it, the test itself, and the fact he had one a short time ago. Come to find out, after we did some checking, he isn't suppose to get it for another 6 months anyways.
 
He ate much better today. He had some apple sauce, ice cream, and grilled cheese. We are making progress!
 
Therapies were amazing today! He got his new AFO's during PT and used his left hand to play with a toy in OT! He enjoyed speech, as always. He said "ball" several times. Today I was patting his bottom and saying "butt." Cooper looked up at us and as clear as could be repeated it. Then he would point to his. I guess he's met another speech goal: identifying new body parts.
 
Cooper stood alone, not holding on to anything, for 5 seconds. This may not sound like long, but it is huge progress for him. He later tried to take a step on his own, but fell down on the first try. At least he's showing more interest.
 
Chemo was real quick today: a three-minute push. It took longer to check his weight and height, access him, draw blood, and de-access him than it took to do the treatment today.

His therapies start early in the morning so I'm hoping for a good night!

Chemo Cuddle time with Mommy

 

Cooper loves computers

He always makes silly faces in the tub

 



Mommy's Fav of the Day: Sweet Face!

 



Thursday: January 9, 2014

Cooper did great last night. He went to sleep around 8:30 and slept until 6:00! He did wake twice, but was able to put himself back to sleep. I changed his diaper at 6 which made him very mad. So, after about 20 minutes of trying to get him to go back to sleep, we cuddled in the chair and rocked until 8.

For breakfast he was able to eat a few bites of yogurt and banana. He ate a few bites of apple sauce for lunch, and almost an entire vanilla pudding for dinner. Cooper's doing better, but we still have a long ways to go with his eating.

They checked his sodium again today and it was 140. Right where it should be!

He did pretty good with all of his therapies today. He said "ball" while pointing to one several times. He has also has been pointing to items he wants now. He did a lot of standing during PT, but still wouldn't walk. She is going to fit him for a new left AFO tomorrow and also for one on his right foot. The chemo he is on can cause neuropathy and it looks like that is affecting his right leg/foot. We hope to get out on Sunday and get him a good pair of shoes that will fit over them.

Cooper is scheduled for an eye-exam at 7 in the morning to check his vision. We are unclear at this point if it is on his good eye, weak eye, or both eyes. Please pray for good news, another restful night, and a successful Chemo day tomorrow!

 

Cooper and his sword

 

Cuddle time

 

Love how he sleeps

Making more friends

 



 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: Cooper pulled himself up on his own and stood for a long time, we were so proud!

 

Bath time is always fun!

Wednesday: January 8, 2014

 

Cooper had a better night last night. He was up from 12:30-3:00, but finally went back to sleep. When he wakes during the night there is nothing you can do to comfort him.

 

We had his speech therapist feed him breakfast since he tends to eat better for her. He ate only a little, but that's better than nothing at all. He said "cup" several times while pointing to it. He had a great OT session. He worked very hard, doing a lot of standing. He also pulled up to a bench on his own. We have really seen a lot of progress in the last few days with his interest in wanting to do more. His PT session wasn't that successful. He was very fussy. We had just gotten him up for a nap, but he never got over the fussiness. She was able to get him to walk a lot, screaming and crying the entire time, but this is what he needs. As soon as PT was over, he was napping.

 

Cooper wouldn't eat dinner, but did eat some of a banana later in the evening. He is still drinking and wetting a lot. His sodium was 144 this morning, which is the highest it should be based on their scale.

 

Cooper, Randy, and I would like to thank everyone for continuing to pray for our precious baby. We are still receiving cards and gifts in the mail. The number of people amaze me. We can't thank you enough. Every time we receive a card we read it aloud as a family. We read all the posts on the blog and on Facebook. It warms our hearts knowing how many people care about our baby, even those who have never met.

 

Going down the slide



 

 

His favorite

 

All these therapies can really wear a person out!

 

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: Precious!

 

He was so tired, but was still trying to walk to Daddy!

 

Cooper and Mommy just hanging out, relaxing!

 

Cooper and Misti: he wasn't sure if he was aloud to pet her.