Wednesday, July 15th Update

Cooper had a good day! He is learning to breathe more on his own, and will hopefully be ready to remove his intubation tube within the next few days. The big milestone from today was giving him breast milk for the first time since last week! (Prior to surgery) I was able to give him a small amount through his feeding tube this afternoon, and he tolerated it very well and was given more milk a few hours later. This is very encouraging, and if he continues to tolerate the feedings they will slowly increase the amount he is given. Beyond that, there weren't many other changes, but we are always grateful for a day full of small steps moving forward! His hair looked super blonde today, just like Taylor's when he was a baby:) Also, in these pictures he looks pretty big... but rest assured, he is our tiny little 2 pound peanut.

As I was driving home from the NICU this evening, the line from the Primary song "The Family is of God" was playing over and over in my head. God gave us families, to help us become what He wants us to be. These words have taken on a new meaning to me this week. God has given me an incredible husband and the sweetest son, and right now he is giving us the opportunity to become what He wants us to be. Heavenly Father wants us to become refined, stalwart, and Christ-like people. Cooper's birth is refining us, and we will never be the same because of the lessons we are learning.