Money well spent

So on Tuesday I put Cooper in Andrew's swing to see how he would like it. It is one of those cool kind that swing side to side and front to back. Well, he really seemed to like it. He even slept in it for about an hour, which is amazing for him. I decided that since we had some extra money right now, it might be a good time to invest in a swing. Boy was it! He loves it. I was able to take a shower yesterday (which never happens anymore) and today I got ready with TWO hands! This piece of equipment has saved my life; I am not exaggerating, this is the only thing keeping me sane. He is doing so good lately. He's like a new child, the one I had always new he could be. Just threaten him with surgery and formula and he'll straighten right up it seems. He is so happy these days. I am really getting to enjoy him now instead of having to worry all the time. Don't get me wrong, he still has his moments, but they are much fewer than before. Praise Jesus, our prayers are being answered! We have a weight check next Wednesday, and I am pretty sure he will still be off the charts, he would have had to gain over a pound in two weeks to be in the 5th percentile, but that is ok, as long as he's gaining. Thanks for all the prayers. They are working so keep 'em coming.

A little update...

Cooper is finally starting to feel better I think. He still has a yucky nose, but it is not so green anymore, thank goodness! We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and he weighed 9lbs5oz. We are so happy about that. It doesn't put him back on the charts yet, but it is an improvement and we will take all we can get. The pediatrician does not agree with the pulmonologist about surgery. He feels we need to give it another month and try a few more things before doing a fundo. I completely agree at this point. After the research I have done, a fundo is a last resort. He said the next thing he would want to try would be a milk free, soy free formula such as Nutramigen. He thinks it is possible he may have a milk soy protein intolerance aka MSPI. He said we could do it for a few days and see how he does and if there is no change, then return to breastfeeding, but if he does better, he would remain on it until he's off formula at around a year. He said we didn't have to try it unless I wanted to, or before moving to surgery. It is such a difficult thing. Part of me thinks, maybe we should try it, but then the other part of me thinks, then I would be done breast feeding, and I am not ready for that. If I new it was the cure, I'd do it. I just wish I had the answers. Don't we all?! On a happier note, Cooper rolled over Tuesday night! He was very frustrated with Curtis for changing his clothes and he got mad enough to flip himself over. And the he did it again. It is so great to know even though his weight is low, he is still thriving.

Green goo!

Yuck! I woke up this morning to a face covered in green goo. Poor Cooper has a cold. I feel so bad for him. He didn't sleep well last night even though he had medicine for the congestion. He can't suck his pacifier because he can't breathe through his nose, so he was restless all night long. I think he is running a low grade fever now too. We have a weight check tomorrow, so I will have the doctor take a look at him then. Hopefully it is nothing. Looks like we will be staying home again today.

Loungin' around

Cooper and Daddy got a hold of the camera last night and decided to take some silly pictures. Hope you get as much of a kick out of them as they did.

Raspberries make me laugh.

Here is a little video of Cooper playing on the floor under the Baby Einstein. His newest thing is that he loves the raspberry sound. It cracks him up every time. Forgive me for the poor quality. I clearly need to work on my filming skills.

Happy Boy!

Here are some pictures I took this morning. He was so happy after a restful nights sleep. I think he knew we were about to go home to see Daddy.

Cooks appointment

Cooper had his appointment with the pulmonologist at Cooks yesterday. It went alright I suppose. He is gaining weight steadily now, but he still has quite a bit of catching up to do. The doctor is still concerned about the reflux and feels it is quite severe and we need to get it under control. He was also concerned about the high dose of Prevacid Cooper has been taking. He said that it is the same dose he, a grown man, takes for his own reflux! So, we have decided to cut it in half. We have tried pretty much every reflux drug on the market and have seen little if any improvement. We also had the swallow function study done. Cooper was not aspirating the barium when he took from a slow flow nipple, but when he takes from the breast, the speech pathologist could here him aspirating. She felt that he should probably take from the bottle all the time. I was, of course, upset to here this. When we went back to Dr. Hadeed's office, he agreed with her. I asked if we could put Cooper on monitors while he nursed and see if his O2 sats dropped. He had an excellent feeding and they remained in 97-100% which is perfectly normal. He said I can continue to nurse for now. While this is a great relief, I am also concerned because I know he aspirates when he is having a difficult feeding. Also, the doctor feels he aspirates on the way up, when he is refluxing. Dr. Hadeed thinks that it is time we start really considering fundoplication, the surgery to reduce the reflux. I'm starting to agree. We will go back on April 4 and meet with the pediatric surgeon to discuss the operation in detain before making the decision. At the time of surgery, they will also place a "button" or feeding tube in his stomach. This way we can run a formula drip all night long so he can catch up, but continue to breast feed throughout the day. It seems like this is really becoming our best option. I feel that over all our visit was successful and productive. We just have to hang in there over the next month.