March of Dimes 2011

We had the opportunity to walk in two March of Dimes March for Babies walks this year! If you look at the pictures, it looks like there are months separating the walks, but would you believe it was a little more than 24 hours apart??? It was freezing cold and raining on Saturday and sunny and warm on Sunday....go figure! We walked with Team Emmanuel Lutheran on Saturday. I was raised in that church and my parents still attend. They have been a constant support throughout my life and definitely prayed us through the NICU!!

On Sunday, we walked with two of the families from the NICU at Baptist. Our team was named Team JAC for Johannah, Addie, and Cooper. These families are such a blessing to me! Their constant support, both in the NICU and since we have been home, is such a blessing to me! I will always cherish these families and they will be our extended family!! Johannah and Addie were Cooper's first Valentines!! :) God is good!!

It's been a while!

I went back to teaching in January. It has been a CRAZY few months and I am still learning to balance life at school and home. Just when I think I have it figured out, something changes...like Kevin's schedule! :)

The first few weeks of teaching were ROUGH! I cried all the way to school most days. I felt so guilty leaving my precious boy with someone else. I have been with him every day since he came home last March. I was very grateful for snow days and believe me, I was doing the snow dance with all the kids! I have the BEST babysitter for Cooper, so I don't feel as guilty leaving him anymore. Mrs. Amy is WONDERFUL!! She works hard every day with Cooper! She always writes these great notes that tells me all about his day! I know he is having so much fun with her and her son, Kaden! I don't worry so much about him when he is there!!

Let's see....What is new???? Cooper is growing like a weed! He came off oxygen TOTALLY in February. He had his eye surgery in February as well, and it went very well! He is in size 3 diapers, he wears mostly 9 month clothes, but can wear some 12 month clothes as well. He weighs 17 pounds 8 ounces. We are struggling with the weight, but we will get there! He is 29" tall!! He wears size 3 shoes.....He just got fitted for some orthotics that will help with his turn out when he stands. He is NOT walking and only army crawls on his belly. He gets physical and occupational therapy each week in a therapy center as well as TEIS services at Mrs. Amy's house. He is talking up a storm, but mainly just babbling. He is super happy and such a joy!! I am beyond blessed to be his mommy!!

Goodbye 2010....Hello 2011!!

What an amazing year!! It has not been all sunshine and roses, but I wouldn't change one minute of it!! We spend the first 3 months of 2010 in the NICU at Baptist Hospital (3 weeks at Vandy). The majority of the time we were just waiting on Cooper to gain weight and grow and use his lungs.

This is me holding Cooper! I had to wait just over a month to hold him for the first time. After he got more stable, I got to hold him almost every day! He was on Vapotherm here but not yet taking bottles. We had to wait until he came down on his flow to start bottles. He was eating through an NG tube. What a sweet blessing!!

I've learned more than I have ever wanted to know about the medical profession! I feel like I can hold my own in conversations with doctors and nurses when it comes to Cooper's health.

 I cannot thank the doctors and nurses at Baptist hospital for teaching me all I know! Especially Cooper's primary nurses Lisa and Karen.

FINALLY HOME!!!! It took 4 LONG months, but we finally got to bring Cooper home! I looked forward to this moment the whole time we were in the NICU, but I was so nervous the first week home!! He came home on oxygen, so we qualified for a home health nurse that came by twice a week to check on us. She was an absolute blessing and made me trust my motherly instincts!

 

I can't believe I don't have a picture of our favorite pediatrician Dr. Bill!! He is absolutely wonderful with Cooper (and me too)!  

Some great friends!! I am so grateful to these ladies!! They kept me sane in the NICU. We got to share stories of our miracles and celebrate the victories, no matter how small!! They will forever hold a special place in my heart!! There are MANY other families we are grateful for, I just don't have their pictures! :)

I have MANY other friends outside of the NICU that kept me sane! They prayed for us, cooked for us, cried with us, and were just there for us. I can never thank you enough for your constant prayers and support!

I have the most amazing husband! He is so wonderful with Cooper and allows me to have little get aways with the girls!I love my boys!!

Cooper got glasses this year! His eyes began crossing when he was concentrating, so we took him in to see a pediatric eye doctor. Cooper is far-sighted and crosses his eyes to see up close. We got him glasses to see if they would correct the problem. Unfortunately not....His eyes still cross with the glasses so our next option is surgery. Stay tuned!!

Cooper turned 1 on November 23rd!! My sweet baby!!

He got to eat some cake at his birthday party!

And we got to spend Christmas at home this year!!

It has been an amazing year with lots of ups and downs! I have learned that God is in complete control and I am just along for the ride! This experience with Cooper has taught me that God is indeed trustworthy and good. I have learned that a change in perspective can change everything! I have cried more tears than anyone cares to count, both out of fear and pure joy! I have questioned everything I thought I wanted in life and found complete contentment in all I have at this very moment!  I am truly blessed beyond what I deserve. I am looking forward to all God has in store for us in 2011! Happy New Year and God bless!!