Cooper Update Day 16

Cooper had a good day today. His body temperature remains at a good level and his weight is up to 5 lbs 5 oz. He also has not had a de-saturation in over 24 hours!!! Go Coop!

A sweet milk coma smile

With Jannie

With Daddy

Cooper Update Day 15

Well, as the nurses told us might happen, Cooper had several de-sats in his oxygen level today. It is very disappointing to see him taking a step back, but I know it is normal for preemies to do this and I am trying to be patient. :-) Everything else continues to look good. He now weighs 5lbs 4 oz and his temp got as high as 99 degrees today. They had to remove some of his blankets! Please continue to pray for him to grow and his "floppy airway" to mature so he will stop having these de-saturations. 

Here is Cooper saying "no more pictures Mom"!

Two weeks old

Last weekend for Mother's day the Footprints Ministry had a photographer come to the NICU and take pictures of all the babies and gave us each a disc with the pictures. So sweet! Here are the shots they took of Cooper. He was still under the heating lamp at this point...

It is hard to believe Cooper is already two weeks old today. I never thought he would still be in the NICU at this point when he was born. They originally told us he would probably be there one week, maybe two. When he came out breathing on his own I was very optimistic and thought he would be there just 3 or 4 days... 1 week tops... Now I am hoping he is out of there in two more weeks! Nothing is quick or simple. Thankfully, he is doing great. It has been 3 days since his last oxygen de-saturation. They increased the airflow on his nasal cannula from 1 to 2 liters four days ago when he was having the clusters of de-sats and that seems to be working to keep his floppy airway open. If he keeps it up, I am hopeful they will start to wean him off the nasal cannula next week. He has to be off of it for 5 days before he can come home. His body temperature was up to 98.3 today which is the highest it has been. Also, he now weighs 5 lbs 2 oz. It is such a relief to see him headed in the right direction! I am reminded as I see very sick babies around us in the NICU how fortunate we are that the only thing wrong with Cooper is that he is premature. It makes waiting on him to grow before he comes home much easier!

Here he is in his bassinet all bundled up. This is my view from the rocking chair where I sit...

Wide-eyed and ready to eat!

Sleepy smiles

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Bob is such a mess these days. He discovered the basket of apples we had on the breakfast table and has been helping himself to them. I found him having an afternoon snack today. Sometimes he only takes a bite before putting it back in the basket, but today he ate almost half of it :-)

Cooper Update Day 13

Cooper had a great day. He is maintaining his body temperature (just barely, but he is doing it!) which has allowed him to stay in the bassinet. He has not had a de-saturation in his oxygen level in over 24 hours. YAY!!!! Now if he can keep that up for a few days they will start weaning him off the nasal cannula. I'm so excited to see him headed in the right direction. Please pray that he can keep it up! If he does, I am hoping he will be home within two weeks.

He has passed the 5 pound mark!

 Waiting patiently for me to feed him.

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And not to leave Anne and Bob out...

Bob and his silly grin!

Anne at her school's street party. Her face is painted like a butterfly. Note the flowers painted down her arm too. They are also on her legs. I was told she was the most decked out :-) She was very proud!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I headed to the hospital in the morning and fed Cooper. Then after a mid-morning nap back at home and a yummy brunch fixed by Will I headed back to the hospital and found this...

Cooper in a crib! He will have to maintain his body temperature on his own to be able to remain in it. Please pray that he can do so! He is in a fleece footed outfit and wrapped in about 5 blankets here. He's just so tiny!

C.C. holding Cooper for the first time. 

My best Mother's day gift this year!

Getting some loving from my other babies!

Anne wearing one of my old dresses today. She was so proud!

A big THANK YOU to my Mom and Mother-in-law. I don't know what we would do without y'all! We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Cooper Update Day 9

There is not much new to report. Cooper is still having some episodes of oxygen de-saturation, but he is taking full feedings and is back to his birth weight of 4 lbs, 15 oz. I am trying to be at the hospital as much as possible to nurse him. He eats every 3 1/2 - 4 hours. It is a juggling act as I never know exactly what time he will feed each day. So far I have been able to be up there for most of the day time feedings (going home or running errands during the 1 1/2 - 2 hour break in between) and then the nurses give him bottles at night... 

Holding his paci in place 

Sleeping

Stretching out his legs

Cooper in his bed

I was able to see Cooper get a bath for the first time this evening (not his first bath - just my first time to see it). He was not a fan...

Here he is getting his hair brushed.

And snuggled up afterwards ready to eat.

We have told Anne that only grown-ups are allowed to see Cooper at the hospital. When I was leaving to go up there today she told me tomorrow she was going with me to see Cooper because tomorrow she would be a big kid! I wish that were true :-) I'm ready to have my family all together!

Cooper Update Day 8

Cooper continues to eat great. I was able to be at the hospital and nurse him for three of his feedings today. Unfortunately, he had numerous de-saturations in his oxygen levels. They tend to cluster together. The doctor thinks it is being caused by a "floppy airway" - because he is only 35 weeks he is not strong enough yet to protect his airway. While he may have reflux, the Dr said that is not what is causing the de-sats and she is not concerned with it. The "floppy airway" causes him to have a decrease in is oxygen saturation sometimes depending on his position. They have told us this is something that will fix itself as he grows - they expect within the next two weeks. So we still watch and wait. Thank you for your continued prayers!