2 Months ago today...

Cooper joined us in this world weighing 1 pound and 5.9 ounces. He was 12.5 inches long, and you could fit in in the palm of your hand. He was on a ventilator, and only eating about 5 ML's at a time.....

NOW.... 2 crazy and the longest, yet quickest months later, Cooper weighs 4 pounds 9.5 ounces, he is over 15 inches long, breathing on his own (almost 100% by himself) and eating {last I heard} 38 ML's at a time! He is also in a new big boy room!! GO COOP!

WOW, how things change, and WOW WOW WOW to the power of prayer. This little guy is such a miracle and is just amazing!!! I can not believe he is 2 months old. He has come so far and we are inching closer to being able to bring him home.

Remembering....

COOPER just a few hours old!

 Cooper at 1 month old!

 Cooper, today at 2 months old... and gettin' some chubby cheeks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COOP, I LOVE YOU BUDDY!

PRAYER REQUEST...

Of course never STOP praying for this little guy. His breathing, growing, eating... and everything in between. There are certain things he needs to do before coming home, so pray he can do everything quickly!

Also continued prayers for J&K... Rest, comfort and love.

Coopers friend, M had her surgery and I've heard she is doing fine. Pray that she continues to recover and that she will begin to eat and digest well.

Good Day!

I am just about in tears of excitement and joy as I type this!! Cooper is such a trooper and he is a champ at breathing. He is doing so good!! They actually put him on a nasal cannula {A nasal cannula is a thin, plastic tube that delivers oxygen directly into the nose through two small prongs. It’s used in adult and pediatric patients alike as a type of respiratory support}. He is currently at 27% oxygen, but they just put it on so it will slowly be lowered to 21%. HOW GREAT does he look??!!

I have to say, I have been in Colorado and have not seen him in about 11 days.... I'm going through Cooper withdrawals...

He is currently 3 pounds 15.5 ounces and 15.25 inches long. {that 3 inches gained since birth!}

He is also managing his own body temperature. They have the lid to his isolete up, and he is in clothes and swaddled. He seems to be hot natured, so he is not having any troubles staying warm!

Praise God for all of this good news.

Keep praying for continued improvement in breathing and growth and that he is a champ at the nasal cannula! Pray for continued steps towards a homecoming. - Feeding out of bottle, no apnea's or bradycardias, good breathing and growth, digestion.... so many hurdles to go over before going home!

Keep J&K in prayers too. Good news is great, but it is also very easy to get tired and feel like you are on a never ending roller coaster. Pray for their spirits, and they still need plenty of rest.

Rockin' the CPAP!

So much to update on….

Cooper is doing amazing! Ever since he got the CPAP on, on Wednesday he has been rockin’ it!! It is so great! He just needed to grow a little bit, and let his little lungs get ready – and look at him now!! He is breathing at 21% {which is what we breathe} and doing AWESOME!!!

It looks like he may have a UTI. Poor little guy, but he is already on antibiotics for it. Should clear up pretty soon!

He had an eye exam and looks like he has ROP. { Retinopathy of Prematurity} – this is very normal in preemies. It occurs in premature babies when abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue grow over the retina. It can cause sight problems and sometimes blindness. On a scale of 5, Coopers case is a 1-2 and it should correct itself at this stage. They say it is nothing to worry about and they will check it again in a few weeks.

He is weighing in at 3 pounds 12.7 ounces!!! WOW MOM WOW!!! He is almost 4 pounds. When you think 4 pounds, it sounds so little…. But in this case, it is HUGE!

Everything else is well; he is still eating and digesting like a champ!!!

 I know you have seen this next picture, but it looks pretty cute in the frame!!

Everything for Cooper is going so great right now! We only have our Great and Amazing God for that.

Keep the prayers coming, everyday!!!

CPAP Day!

Today is the day. They have put Coop on the CPAP and so far he is doing good!!! He is currently at 25%. {We breathe 21%}... So, say a big, BIG prayer that he keeps it up, and only improves. He is strong, and getting bigger every day, so I know that he will get this down.

He weighed in today at 3 pounds 9.5 ounces.. Big 'ol boy. Even in this picture you can tell that his face is starting to chunk up a bit!!!
He is wearing the CPAP in this picture, and although it may look a little worse and more invasive than the vent, it isn't. It is better, and a great sign that he is closer to going home!!

PRAYER REQUEST:

SAY A HUGE-ON-YOUR-KNEES prayer that Coop does amazing on the CPAP!!! He has grown so much, so hopefully this sticks!

Pray that Coop continues to grow, eat well and digest his food.

Pray for K&J for continued strength and rest.

Continue to pray for M {Coop's friend and neighbor} - she still has not had her surgery but will soon. Pray that she will start eating and digesting well.

Prayer Request

Karen asked me to post a prayer request for Cooper's friend and neighbor, M. She was born the day before Cooper was and weighed just a little more then him. Her mommy was about 25 or 26 weeks along.
M is having surgery as early as today on her intestines. She is having troubles digesting her food and it looks like this will require surgery.
Keep sweet M and her family in your prayers tonight, and tomorrow as they do this.

Thank You.

Crack of Dawn

Have you ever experienced Dawn? I mean that short time early, early morning that marks the beginning of the twilight before the sunrise. Now, don’t confuse this  with the sunrise... Dawn is recognized by the presence of weak sunlight. While the sun itself is still below the horizon.  The Dawn of the day can be determined by a single ‘thread’. When the color of the thread can be seen changing from black {of night} to the thread’s {beautiful} and distinctive color, the ‘crack of dawn’ has occurred.

I was recently driving through New Mexico on our way to Colorado {for our yearly summer trip}. I was taking my leg of the driving and drove from about 3 am – 7 am. Through this, I got to experience my very first ‘crack of dawn’ – AND, I had a back drop of gorgeous mountains. I could not help but just bask in the glory of God’s goodness and His creation.

It’s a beautiful sight, and if you have not seen it… I strongly suggest that you wake up one morning early enough to see the beauty that only God can provide.

I couldn’t help but think of Cooper and how he has come so far. Although there is still a long road ahead of us, I just know that Cooper is here, NOW for good reason. He is God’s creation and a beautiful one at that. God’s timing is perfect. He is never early, and never late. Cooper’s arrival here was all in HIS plan.

Well, our Cooper is a superstar and it seems his light is shining brighter and brighter each day! He is growing like a champ and still eating like a little piglet! He also knows how to digest and {eh-hem…} dispose of all that goes in….

 He is down on his rate, and pressure on his vent and oxygen! {This is GREAT!} The numbers for his vent needs to be in the teens. They are currently around 30, but better than last week when they were 55. He will slowly get his breathing down, just takes time…and a little growth.  He is a big boy at 3 pounds and 7.7 ounces. Amazing, isn’t it? He gained 3 ounces since YESTERDAY!

He got to wear his first T-Shirt and looks soooo darn cute! He also got a nice bath, and even got in a little tub time!!

Big Boy!!!

What a slacker I am!! The last post was on Sunday - and it's THURSDAY!!! So sorry!!!

Actually there isn't much to report. His infection has cleared up! YAY!! And he has reached 3 pounds. I'm not sure the exact weight this morning, but yesterday he was 3 pounds 1.4 ounces... He is such a little fatty!! He actually has a double chin coming in... It's really adorable.

The doctor is not pushing his oxygen to get better just yet. She said that she wants to focus on him growing right now. He is doing so great at that, they are going to let him grow a little more, then decrease his numbers. The bigger and older he gets, the easier the breathing should come to him.

So, how about just a few pictures of our big boy??? Here you go!! These were taken this morning!

PRAYER REQUEST:

KEEP praying for Cooper's lungs that they continue to get stronger. Pray that he continues to grow at such a great rate!!! And pray for him to be able to regulate his oxygen levels.

Always say a prayer for K&J, they need strength, love, comfort and REST!

Happy Birthday {2 days late}, Karen!

Friday was Karen's birthday! {we'll leave the age out...} SO, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KARENNNNNNNNNNNNNNN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU!!!

Happy birthday sis, I hope you had a fantastic day! Cooper also told me to wish you a happy one and that he loves you bunches!

Yesterday and today have been an improvement. Cooper still needs work on his breathing, but it is better than it was! His lungs are starting to look better too. Turns out he had a staph infection and e Coli in his lungs.

WHAT!?! you may say... {I did at least...} He got it from his breathing tube. Sometimes bacteria will just start to grow in it, and that seems to be what happened. They DO change and clean the tube on a regular basis though. Sometimes it just happens. He is being treated with antibiotics and on his way to being well.

As of this morning;

They think that his breathing problems from just a few days ago was because his chest was so congested. Poor little guy just didn't feel very good... and again, I'm not even kidding when I say he is one snotty little kid....
His breathing is improving, and they are slowly lowering his numbers - so they can kind of ween him off of the vent.
OH!! He is 2 pounds 14 ounces.... ALMOST 3 POUNDS!!

Sweet Coop is already a Rangers fan... {tiniest Rangers fan there is} - good luck to him if he dares like another team.....

And yes, this is an ice cream bowl hat that J&K put on him.... I"m pretty sure they washed it out first.

PRAYER REQUEST:

KEEP praying for Coop's lungs and that they develop quickly and STRONG! For his breathing to improve on a daily basis and we want to get back on the CPAP soon!!!

KEEP K&J in your prayers always. For peace, strength and plenty of rest.

A Roller Coaster.

Do you like to ride roller coasters? I remember the first roller coaster I rode was with my dad and it was the flashback at Six Flags. I remember my parents not giving me much of a choice of going on it...my crying relentlessly didn't seem to help either. I cried getting on the ride....going up that first hill, and slowly but surely my crying turned into laughter. My first words when I got off the ride... "Lets do it again!"

No, I do not think J&K will be saying "lets do this NICU ride again..." but I do think that the fear and the tears will soon turn into a lot of joy and laughter.
Yes - they have joy right now. Who wouldn't have joy when you have such an amazing little man in your life... but the roller coaster of the NICU will end in the happiness that only a baby's giggle can bring.

Cooper's little lungs are working hard. His night last night and day today has been a little rocky. His breathing has been troubled. Part of his lung collapsed, however after being "bagged" -(basically this provides Cooper with artificial breaths using an ambu bag.) and an X Ray, his lung looked better.
They also gave him a breathing treatment. This treated his lungs as well as some congestion he had in his chest. {the breathing treatment works the same way an inhaler would work for someone with asthma}. They have also taken blood to check for any infection and have started him on an antibiotic just in case an infection is there.

He is still eating like a champ - and digesting. (the little pig) he weighed 2 lb 12.1 oz today. No kidding!!! They did give him a double does of lasix last night, and his regular dose today... so he may loose a little bit of weight in the next couple of days. Either way, little man is nearing 3 pounds, and you can really tell.

Today's blood drive was a huge success. Thank you so much for coming out and "giving life" to Cooper. It means so much to actually see so much support. 51 people were able to give blood until they shut down. We actually had to turn 10 + people away. {MANY apologies to those that waited and were not able to give}.
If you were not able to give today, (or you were sent away because there were so many people...) you can give on Friday, July 15th at First National Bank in Burleson on Wilshire. I'll have more information on the time shortly.

PRAYER REQUEST:

Pray for Cooper and his lungs. They were just so premature, that they have a lot of growing to do. His breathing really needs to improve, and his oxygen levels to to improve also.

Keep praying for J&K - strength and rest. (they are tired).

Hopefully I'll have a new picture soon!

HAPPY 4th and BLOOD DRIVE!

I'm such a slacker! I apologize for my lack of updates the past few days...

Happy 4th of July! I o hope everyone has had a great 4th weekend.

Cooper's first July 4th has been good. The little chunk weighed in at 2 pounds and 10.3 ounces... He s gaining weight like a champ. And you can really tell. He is starting to noticeable look bigger.

Everything else is about the same. His breathing is slowly improving. Some days will be good, some not so much. He's a snotty little fellow... so when his breathing starts to go downhill, they clear out his nose and throat/mouth and that usually does the trick. - Really, when they clear his nose...it is like they are cleaning the nose of a 3 year old.... There is a lot of snot in his tiny little nose. A LOT! He also has a little bit of reflux, so it all gets caught in his throat and troubles his breathing.
His oxygen levels are improving as well... We'll get there, slowly but surely.

Here is Coop this morning!!!

THE BLOOD DRIVE IS THIS WEDNESDAY!!!! YAY! Have you signed up yet???
The details: This Wednesday, July 6th.  from 11 am - 7 pm. Locate at First Baptist Church in Burleson. Carter will have their bus in the parking lot.
You o not have to have an appointment to come, and it does not matter your blood type.
ALSO< everyone who gives blood gets free BLUEBELL ice cream! (Who can pass up free ice cream???)

Questions? Call me at 817-781-3459 :-)

Lastly, We have a little something for sale. K&J had originally planned to attend the All Star game next week in AZ. Cooper had other plans for them... SO We have 6 All Star Game tickets for sale. All star game is July 12 in Phoenix Also includes tickets to: FanFest July 9 Legends and Celebrity Softball Game July 10 All star Futures Game July 10 Home Run Derby July 11, 6 available in section 305. Can be sol all together or separate. Email Karen at jkchandler77@yahoo.com if you or someone you know is interested. Airfare and Hotel is not included.

Thats it folks, keep praying for Cooper, Karen, Jason and the blood rive on Wednesday!!

HAPPY 4TH!!!