Cooper's 1 month old already!

Today we had Cooper's one month check up with his pediatrician. I really can't believe a whole month has already gone by. He has gotten so big. He weighs 9 pounds, 7 ounces.

I know I shouldn't do this - but I just can't help myself - I keep "comparing" him to Harlie. It took four long months of a lot of incredible hard work to get Harlie to 9 pounds. FOUR MONTHS!!! And Cooper can down four to five ounces in no time. Just a couple of months ago, Harlie was getting four ounces in an hour. At almost two YEARS old, she was getting the same amount of food in one feeding as my one MONTH old!!

And it is so funny how some of the things I do for Harlie I "want" to do for Cooper. For example, when I'm changing his diaper or his clothes, I always gently lift his shirt up so I don't snag his feeding tube (you know, the one he doesn't have)! And every single time I shake my head and think I don't need to do that! And when I'm getting him dressed I always pull his shirt down well past his neck so I don't block his trach (again, the one he doesn't have)!

And a few weeks ago when Cooper had his ear infections, he was all congested. Having the tools handy, we used Harlie's suction machine to suction his nose (works SO much better than the bulb syringe they give you at the hospital). Well, one night Tom and I were up and Tom was holding him and Cooper sounded junky and Tom looked at me and said, "Do you want to suction him?" And in one second a million thoughts went through my head - so many memories of us learning when to suction Harlie and how it was when Harlie was that size. We would look at each other and ask that very question so many times. And it made me feel like Cooper had a trach, too, but I had forgotten or blocked it out or something. It was a terrible feeling. Then I came back to reality - thankfully. Amazing how much can go through your head in one second.

Anyway, Harlie is getting so much more involved in her care lately. She's learned to turn on the air compressor before her nap and bedtime and she does it herself - most of the time without even being asked! She's so funny when she does it, too, because it is at the end of the hall and she keeps her finger pointed out (ready to push the button) the whole time she's walking down the hallway. And when we give her water or her feeding, she lifts her shirt so we can get to her g-tube. And today, Brandy said, "Okay Harlie, it's time for your feeding." And Harlie went and got her feed pump back pack and brought it to her. It was so funny because Brandy was just talking aloud - not expecting Harlie to care one way or another. And she turned around and there Harlie was holding her backpack out for Brandy to take.

And tonight I went to put her in her crib and she started to cry (which she NEVER does). I put her in it anyway (I'm such a mean mom) and she signed "brush teeth." Yep. She wanted to brush her teeth first. Now I had asked Tom earlier if he had already brushed her teeth and he said yes, which is why I didn't. But, considering how upset she got that I didn't brush her teeth has me wondering if he was telling the truth. He's sleeping now (something I should be doing, too) so I can't ask him. Hmm... anyway, she's a funny little girl, that's for sure.

Well, I really need to get some sleep while Cooper is sleeping. And we have an early appointment at St. Mary's for a swallow study for Harlie. Who knows how it's going to go. I'm hoping for good things (who doesn't, right?).

Take care,
Christy