Happy Grandparent's Day!

Today Chris and I made a yummy dinner for Cooper's grandparents to say "Thank you!" for all they've done and for being such wonderful grandparents. WE had steak kabobs, corn on the cob, pasta salad, fruit, and Butterscotch Delight! It was great to eat and chat. Sadly, Great-Grandma & Grandpa Call live too far away to come, but we called them. We love and miss them, too! Cooper's first tooth also came in! It's through the skin, but not out enough for a good picture.

Weber State, Weber State, Great, Great, Great!

Three generations of sweet, handsome men. Three generations of Weber State University Fans!

Chris and his dad went to the WSU vs. BYU football game. We got a quick shot before they left. It's something I hope Cooper always remembers--- getting to go to games with grandpa and daddy (even though Cooper didn't get to go this time).

I Love to See the Temple

We are so grateful that we got to walk through the Brigham City Temple today as our cute little family of three. Cooper did so well. He looked around, was reverent, and even smiled a few times. It's a gorgeous temple. The colors on the inside are beautiful and everything is perfectly decorated. It's 1 of 2 temples to have fruit trees on the grounds. There are apples, cherries, peaches, and pears. I loved all the peach blossoms throughout the temple's design and it even had "morris code" in the molding around the windows. The Spirit is definitely there. I loved the curtains in the endowment room. The chandeliers are beautiful, as in every temple. It was a great experience.

We also had Cooper touch the temple. When Chris was young, he remembers going to the temple and touching it and making a promise that he would come back there some day. He didn't remember this experience until the day he was going through the temple to receive his endowment to prepare to go on his mission. We made sure to have Cooper touch the temple and remind him that his goal was to be back there one day as well.

Kisses!

Cooper discovered he could give himself kisses in the mirror. Adorable!

First Family Pictures

I feel like these pictures truly capture our happiness as a family. I love being a wife and a mother. It's an exhausting job, but by far the most rewarding.

First Surgery

Cooper had his first surgery today. He needed ear tubes put in. We've known he has had fluid in his ear and it has caused him not to pass his hearing test, but we didn't realize how bad it was. We found out he isn't hearing sounds until they reach 50-60 decibels when he should be able to hear at 5-10 decibels. The doctor thought it was best to do surgery right away because his ears were 100% full of fluid. It was hard to watch the doctor carry him away, but Cooper just looked around like it was nothing. They told us he would probably be crying afterwards and we told them that he isn't a baby that cries over things like that and the nurse said  only about 1% don't cry so to expect him to cry. Well, they came to get us, with him in their arms, and he was just looking around like he just woke up from a nap! Not a single tear. It only took about 10 minutes. We have the best kid in the world.

Waiting to go in for surgery.

The anesthesiologist - Dr. Simmons -  told us that we've been through a lot and how great of parents we are. It felt great to hear and was something I needed.

9 Months Old

Cooper's nine months old! We went to his check up a couple of days ago and the doctor is amazed at how well he is doing! He weighs 16.23 pounds (2%tile), is 27.12 inches long (17%tile), and his head circumference is 17.4 inches (21%). These are based on a normal 9 month scale. It's amazing he even registers! He's doing so many things!

• He laughs more.
• He is army crawling. He gets his legs under him well and pushes forward.
• No teeth yet, but teething like crazy!
• He likes to put his thumb inside his binky to hold it and chew on it.
• Sometimes when he wakes up on his own in the mornings you can hear him happily talking to himself.
• He wakes up a happy kiddo! I love walking into his room for the first time in the mornings and getting a big smile.
• He's developed the personality to get upset if you take something away from him that he wants.
• He's sitting up like he's a pro. 
• His hair is getting long and is like chicken fuzz!
• He loves playing during bath time. I always wash him up and give him some time to play. He likes to splash.

He's a great kid! We love him to pieces!

First Laser Treatment

Cooper had his first laser treatment today. It was a test treatment so they only did a few spots. Once it heals, they will do a full treatment on his port wine birthmark. He did so well. He didn't even cry. He fussed at first because they swaddled him and covered his eyes, but he did great! I was so relieved because I was worried he was going to cry. I hope one day he looks back at these stories and pictures of his journey and realizes that he is strong and brave and that because he made it through these things, he can make it through anything.

Saran wrapped to hold on numbing cream.

Dad pushing Cooper into the hospital.

Didn't like getting bundled up. He even got his hand out once.

Wearing our gorgeous goggles to protect us from the laser. 

We also went to the ear doctor and they said Cooper's ears were still 100% full of fluid. They did a hearing test and he is hearing at about 50-60 decibels when he should be able to hear at 5-15. So, tomorrow he is having surgery. He has to be put under general anesthesia, but it should be done in 5-10 minutes. He should be able to hear a ton better as soon as surgery is done and the ears will continue to drain so that his hearing is fixed. I'm excited and scared for him at the same time. I hate seeing him have to go through all this, but the Lord has a plan. Sometimes I just wish he let us moms in on it!

Bath time!

Cooper is big enough to sit up on his own now so bath time has become more fun for him. He loves to splash. We used to sit his tub on the counter because it's easier on my back and knees, but he makes such a big mess with splashing that this is our new set up. I love it because I can wash him and then give him time to play and don't have a soaked floor and counter to clean up after.

NICU Reunion

Today was the annual NICU reunion for all the kiddos that have been in the NICU. It was nice to see some of the people that took care of Cooper (and us)!

Emmie is a little girl that was born two days after Cooper, but she was 34 weeks. She was next to Cooper for two weeks before heading home. I remember watching them leave and being so happy for them, but so sad for us. She's a cutie!

We also got a picture of Cooper with our favorite doctor. He is such a sweet man. He was a huge help and support to us during our NICU experience.

The County Fair

We went to the Weber County Fair today since Chris has a booth there for work. They didn't really have much, but Cooper and I enjoyed the animals.

9 Month PJs

Cooper is getting so big that he is having to wear 9 month pjs!

The developmentalist is very happy with how he is doing. She said when they really have to try to think of things for us to work on with him, we know he's doing well. She's amazed at how strong he is. She said he should be army crawling any time now. We are to work on saying consonant vowel combinations with him. Since he still isn't passing his hearing test, she wants Cooper to be able to watch our mouths so he can mimic and build the oral muscles so the sounds come easily once he can hear without it being muffled. She described him hearing like hearing people talking when you're swimming underwater. We go next month to discuss having tubes put in his ears. He blows raspberries ALL the time. He loves to squeal. Today he was playing on his tummy and would just spin all the way around playing with everything on the way. He did this three times! He's an incredibly happy baby, which makes us even more happy. He's a wonderful baby.

We Thought This Day Wouldn't Come

There were days when we thought this day would never come: Cooper is off oxygen AND no longer has to sleep with his monitor at night! He hasn't slept with his monitor the past two nights and is doing just fine (and so are we)! We don't feel the need to check on him constantly, which surprised us. I couldn't resist a few pictures with his stuff:

A few nights ago he had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. They are checking to make sure his heart rate isn't dropping too low at night.

He's Sitting Up!!!

Two days ago, on the 19th, Cooper started sitting up on his own! He's now gotten to where he will sway and will tighten his muscles or put his arm out to try to prevent it. Sometimes he succeeds and other times he doesn't. (Don't mind my squeal in this video. I couldn't believe it and was so excited!) I enjoy every little milestone this little guy makes because I know he's been through so much!

Mama!!!

Cooper has said "mama" twice and I haven't heard it! I finally heard it yesterday while bouncing him to sleep. He was just looking at me and clear as day said "mama!" I couldn't smack the smile off my face! He sure knows how to make my day!!!

Port Wine Stain

I've been putting off this post because it's a difficult one. As a parent you want your child to be perfect and in your eyes they are, but you want them to be perfect in the eyes of the world as well. Being a teacher, I think my biggest worry is getting bullied. We had Cooper's birthmark on his face checked by a pediatric dermatologist last Friday. Unfortunately, the news wasn't great. It's a port wine stain (3 in 1000 kids have them). This means the mark will grow as he grows. It will likely get darker and thicker. Sometimes bumps can form on it that bleed and have to be removed. The biggest thing is it is often associated with a bad vessel(s) in the brain. This can often cause seizures. Good news is that it's not causing him any issues right now and may never cause him any. We can have laser treatment done (which the doctor highly recommended, but he has to be put to sleep) which can lessen the color as he grows and shrinks the swollen vessels that cause it. Sometimes the treatment gets it all and sometimes it doesn't so years from now he could need treatment again. It's extremely important that we get the part right by his eye done or it can cause issues with his eye sight. The bad news... insurance likely won't cover it. There are so many things that could be much worse than this and because of that, I am doing ok. A friend reminded me that Cooper knew what his life was going to be like and still chose to be here. What a wonderful, comforting thought. My brother had the idea that we could teach him to say "You should see the other guy" when people ask about it. How cute would that be coming from a little kid!? Chris is handling it well. He thinks we should do what we can to get the treatment and I'm a worry wort thinking of everything possible that could go wrong. Chris called me "Debby Downer." I'm trying to be positive and reminding myself that I, as his mother, can teach him to embrace it and embrace being different and others being different. I love my boy and I'm grateful for all he is teaching me.

Life With A Boy

Life with a projectile vomiter is interesting enough as it is, but when you also have a boy, this is what you get:

He's been cranky all day because he is teething so we gave him some medicine and for some reason he chose to throw it and all his food up. Covered daddy. We thought we would go ahead and give him a bath and Chris made the mistake of taking his diaper off before his clothes so as I was taking his clothes off, he peed on me. We thought we might as well take a picture. He got us both today and thought it was so funny. Was just laughing in the mirror! Love this kid, never a dull moment!

Growing Too Fast

You're doing so many more things! You've learned so much over the past two weeks that it amazes me. You're shaking your rattle. You're playing with your feet like crazy. You love looking at people's toes. It always makes you giggle. You're rolling from your back to your belly constantly. It only takes you a second. You're moving to your toys, but not crawling yet. You're sitting up on your own for only a few seconds, but so close to being on your own. You're eating solid foods very well. You LOVE peas and think green beans are ok. You really like squash and we're in the process of trying pears.

First Trip with a Friend

Kristy and I took the boys with us to the wood store. They were pretty well behaved. They made us laugh because they took turns crying in the back seat. I couldn't resist getting a picture!

Sam & Cooper

Sam and Cooper are going to be such great friends, if us moms and dads have any say in it! Cooper has been grouchy the past two times we've had a play date, but was good long enough for a picture. Sam's loving life! We looked away and next thing you know, he had Cooper's binky in his mouth. Made us laugh. Sam didn't want Cooper to leave again so he decided he was going to hold onto Cooper. Seriously, so cute!

Gibson Family Reunion

Each year Grandpa Thompson would plan the "Gibson Reunion" with such extended family members that we don't even know most of them! This was the last one Grandpa planned. It was planned for last year, but it rained so we carried it over to this year. Cooper loved the water. It amazes me how much he enjoys it. It was so much fun to get out and enjoy being outside and not be hot. The slides were fun and it was fun being with Cooper and Grandma Smith even came along. Cooper also realized he could flirt with the ladies. Such a boy!

Flirting with the ladies.

My Mother's Day Gift

My Mother's Day gift came in the mail today... finally! I love it! It's perfect. It's petite so I can buy more just like it and wear them together. The picture doesn't do it justice.

4th of July

We went up to Snowbird to spend the day with the Smiths. It was a beautiful day. The mountains looked gorgeous and the temperature wasn't too bad. There was some smoke coming across the mountains because of the Alpine fire going on. We ate a lot, talked a lot, and swam. Cooper loved the water. The pictures say everything.

After Cooper went to bed, we sat on our porch and watched all the neighbors setting off the big fireworks. Great 4th of July. Chris and I were talking about all the things we are grateful for in this country, some being: Cooper's medical bills being paid for, having our own home to live in, being on parents' insurance until 26, the Olympics, and many more things. We're proud to be Americans.

Hip Xray

Cooper had his hip xray yesterday. He was so cute! Sat completely still while I held his legs and chest so he wouldn't move. He loved looking at the red line they use to line up where they want to take the xray. He literally sat completely still. Doctor called today and no issues! We will go to a follow up clinic in September, but nothing to be concerned about. As normal as can be! I'm so proud! He's doing so great!