Cooper Update (I'm sure it will be long)

Hey Everyone -

Thanks for checking in!   I was thinking of ya'll too - and logged in (before seeing Jessica's message) and was thrilled to see an update on the J-kids, Amelia and Lydia.... good timing I guess! 

Cooper is 19 months old!!  Geez.  Time flies way too fast.

Cooper waited until 14.5 months to walk.  But there was no learning period.  Barely any cruising.  He went from crawling to standing up one day (August 28th to be exact - if you're keeping track) to walking.  When I called his grandma to report his new talent she said "how many steps" and I had to answer "I stopped counting at 98!".  He just WENT.

He waited for a while to talk to.  He had very early pointing / joint attention and signed quite a few words, but had no spoken words until about 17 months.  Now at 19 months he has about 30 words.  Not great - but I'm thrilled.  Still at his 18 month evaluation the pedi said I should have him evaluated.  I haven't done it yet... 

At his 18 month check up he was 30lbs and 35".  Yes - 30lbs.  Do you remember my 12 month update?  He was 30lbs then too.  From 12 months to 18 month he's had no weight gain.  The pedi wants me to bring him in for "weight checks".  Ironic, huh???  I was obese most of my childhood and now my son's pedi wants him to GAIN weight (when his weight really is in the 80th percentile - it's just slipping down the charts from 97th to 90th to 80th). 

They want him to drink Pedisure shakes to gain weight....but I really am against the idea of forcing "milk shakes" down him.  (I did try one day when he was on a hunger strike and he just didn't like them!)

We go in Feb. 4th for another weight check / 2nd flu shot

So onto the "bad" news... since the last time I talk with you ladies my husband's health has gone down hill.  Several surgeries later they ended up removing his transplanted kidney and now he is on dialysis and suffering quite a few side effects of having NO kidneys in his body.  We're facing another surgery (to remove his parathyroid glands to help regulate calcium) soon.  He's been in and out of the hospital with a week in the ICU (just got out last week).  Scary stuff.   He really needs a new kidney and he's been on the list a year now, but the wait is 5-6 years.  UGH.

Since daddy's been sick Cooper had to leave the baby sitter (who used Febreze all the time!) and now goes to a daycare "school" full days 3 days a week and 2 days with Grammy.  He LOVES the school and I think it's good for him.  He's learning to play with other kids - takes turns - getting to do all sorts of things like finger paint, walk on grapes with bare feet, play in sand and jello and stuff mommy doesn't want to clean up at home.   When he's home with Grammy he does laundry and housework LOL - also good learning experiences. 

Now for the best part -- sorry if I overload on pictures!  (You know I have hundreds and hundreds since the last update so choosing a few is difficult!)

This is the DAY he started walking - about 2 minutes after his first steps.  For some reason the whole first day he walked he held his chest (like he was having a heart attack!) - I think he thought he had to hold onto something??


15 months old - playing with his doggie on a warm fall day:




The front of our Christmas Cards...


I was making dinner one night and he kept saying "ball"  "ball" and I turned around to find him in the fridge - dragging out the "balls" he found!  (Yes, I took a picture before telling him they were onions and not balls.)



And just the other day playing with "bubbles"  (his 2nd favorite word after "ball") in the tub!




Hope everyone is well!  Today the Bears play -- but I will try to read and catch up on everyone!

Cindy  (Cooper's mom!)

Cindy!!!
I had wondered where you went! Cooper is just so beautiful!! Wow it goes so fast!!
I'm so sorry to hear of your husbands health :( I can't imagine how hard that has to be :(
You must come on here more often!! I had my baby Connor in Oct :)


Jackie

Hi Jackie,

I sneaked a peek at your recent posts - Connor is ADORABLE !!!  Congrats on him!!   What a cutie.

BTW - I was a baby-wearer when I could.  I even had a hip-sling I wore Cooper on until he started walking.  (Then it was not going to happen!)

The hip-sling goes up to 35 lbs so in theory I could still use.  I loved having my baby near me!

We also co-slept from 9 months until....well until last night, but I guess it's still co-sleeping because I was in his new bed with him. 

I work most days so I like that cuddle time! 

I will have to pop in more often to check in on all these babies and wonderful mommies (and mommies-to-be!)

Cindy

I love baby wearing! I'm into wrapping now. It's SO amazing! I co-sleep on days my husband works nights. He will do crib or bed. I just love being a Mommy again!! I'm also making babyfood! It's just too much fun! I'm so glad to see you back!!!

Jackie

Cooper is a DOLL!!! I just love those bubble pictures... they look like they're straight out of a catalog.

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's health issues. My husband has kidney problems as well, so that scares the hell out of me. It's not anywhere near what you're going through, but we're trying to be proactive about it and get help now before it progresses to that stage. Hang in there!!

Thanks, Mandy! 

We try to be proactive with my husband, but his kidney failed at age 28 due to IGA-N and it seems like he can't catch a break!  But we just keep trucking along.

I hope you can stop the progression of your husband's kidney disease before he needs a transplant! 

Cindy

Hey Cindy~ Yah Cooper I am sooo excited to see pics of you! You are sooo handsome. You have gotten so big. Thank you for updating. He has a one in a million smile
Jessica

Dear Ms. Jessica,

Thank you!  I am so handsome that I know it and can make Mommy do whatever I want.  Mommy says I am "spoiled" but then she calls me "sweet".  How can sweet things be spoiled???

Love,

Cooper

Hey Cindy!  Glad I could call you out from your hiding place! lol.  I am glad Cooper is doing so well and is as cute as ever!!!!! 

I am so sorry to hear about your husband.  My aunt Heather, who Sage is named after (her middle name) was on dialysis on anf off for years.  I know the pain and hearbreak of it all.  And remember carrying her transplant beeper everywhere we went.  I hope things start to look up for you. 

Hope to see more updates!!!

Karen, and Sage :)

Wow!!!  Look at how big Sage is !!  I remember when she was born.  (I was watching and waiting for it!) 

Transplants are no fun..... nor is dialysis.  My husband's first transplant lasted 5 years....  I hope his next one lasts longer.

Thanks for calling me out from hiding!  I will try to pop in more often.

I'd love to say we're TTC #2, but with my husband's health we aren't... although I'd desperately love another LO.  (I also fear I wouldn't have enough love/time for two!)

Take Care,

Cindy