December 11th Update

Cooper is doing so well! Last week he had his first dose of the synagis (RSV prevention) shot. He will continue to receive an additional shot every 28 days until March. As of last Thursday, he weighed 10 pounds 2.5 ounces! He's continuing to put on weight normally and is getting bigger and bigger.

On Wednesday Cooper had another eye exam with the ophthalmologist at Primary Children's. At his last eye appointment, a few days after coming home from the NICU, we received good news and it looked like the ROP was regressing and his eyes were developing normally. On Wednesday, a long time prayer was answered. In the words of Dr. Hoffman, his eyes are "wonderfully perfect!" The ROP is gone, and his eyes are completely normal for a newborn. He is still high risk for eyesight problems in his future because of his  IVH (brain bleeds) but we don't have to come back for a followup appointment until April. For now, everything looks great and I feel peace that his eyes will continue to develop normally. We're grateful for the many prayers that have been offered in behalf of Cooper's eyesight.

While we were at Primary Children's on Wednesday, I wanted to drop off a thank you gift for each of our six primary nurses that took care of Cooper while he was in the NICU. It was my first time walking back into the NICU since Cooper had transferred to the Infant Unit before we were discharged from the hospital. Outside the NICU is a phone that you pick up to tell the receptionist who you are (and they can also see you on a camera). I picked up the phone to enter, and instead of asking who I was, they just opened the door because they recognized me. I had to laugh... I guess being there all day, every day for 14 weeks means you're not easily forgotten! I only stayed long enough to drop off the gifts, but we're planning to go visit our NICU nurses with Cooper very soon.

Cooper turned 5 months old (2 adjusted) on Monday! (the 7th) I can hardly believe it has been 5 months since his big arrival into the world. They have been the most refining months of my life, but I would never change the valuable lessons that Taylor and I have learned. We're so grateful for the continued love and support for our little family!