Doc Appts.

Cooper had a couple of doctor appointments this week.  He went to see his pediatrician and the ophthamologist on Monday afternoon.  We, of course, got both good news and bad.

The good news is that Cooper can see.  They did an actual vision test on him, which is way too complicated to explain here, and found that his vision is within normal range for his age.  He passed even though he was half asleep and took a really long nap as soon as they finished the test.  He also uses both eyes to look at things, which is good because it means his brain hasn't picked one eye to use.  If that had happened, it's much harder to fix.

There were two pieces of bad news.  The first is that Cooper did not gain enough weight over the past couple of months.  So we are readjusting his meals because of that.  He'll go in next month to get weighed, so until then I'm just trying to get him to eat as much as possible.  The second is that Cooper has to get glasses.  The glasses will hopefully make it easier to focus on things that are far away, so his eyes will stop crossing as much.  If these don't work, he may have to have surgery.  Not fun.  I'll of course post pictures of Cooper in his baby glasses as soon as they come in.

THE BEACH!!!

Coops and I went to Destin last week.  We had sooo much fun!  Sunday through Thursday, the group was Cooper, my mom, Trish Denton, Sarah Shelby, Semmes, and me.  Sarah and Semmes left Thursday, and on Friday, my dad and Jack Denton joined us.

Monday through Wednesday, the surf was really rough, so Cooper didn't get too much ocean action.  He LOVED the pool, though.  He had a little float that he sat in, and he would lean forward and kick his little legs.  When he got tired, he would lean back in it and fall asleep.  It was great.

On Thursday, it was cloudy and sprinkled, so we went to the outlet mall, where I got Cooper a bunch of 9 month and 12 month clothes for the fall and winter.  On Friday, when the guys arrived, the surf was much calmer, so Cooper was able to sit in the sand and the water.  He was fascinated.  He loved the waves hitting his feet.  But occasionally, a big wave would hit his face and he would get mad.  He would try and rub the salt water out of his mouth and eyes.  We would get him some orange pedialyte and let him dry off a little, then he would be happy as a clam again.

All in all, it was a wonderful vacation.  We got to sleep late (9 a.m.!!), eat great food, and relax at the beach with family and friends.  If Brad had gotten to come, it would have been just perfect.  Here are some extra pics:

Beach teaser. Way more to come!

Menu

I spent the last couple of hours making baby food for Cooper.  Normally, I don't do so much in one go, but he needed everything all at once.  So, his menu for the next week or so is:

Breakfast:  Apple and peach (actually a REALLY tasty combination!)

Lunch:  Asparagus and butternut squash (not too sure how he's going to react to this one; glad he's getting it at school)

Dinner:  Flounder, tomatoes, and carrots (just because I don't eat tomatoes doesn't mean Cooper doesn't have to!)

YUM!

Plus, he's still eating four bottles a day.

Good Eats

For the past couple of weeks, since Cooper started his medicine, he has not been eating well.  He went from five 5 oz. bottles to three 3 oz. bottles.  Now, finally, he is getting back to eating!  I am taking advantage of his only eating 4 bottles a day to introduce breakfast.  I'm going to start giving him fruit in the morning.  Then he will eat lunch at school and dinner at home, as usual.  In addition to his bottles, of course.  My little piggy is getting chubby thighs!  Love him!

"Swimming"

Yesterday, Semmes and I got Cooper a blow up swimming pool.  We blew it up, put it in the front yard, and were very curious about how Cooper would react.  Basically, he thought it was a cooler bath in clothes.  Looking like the beach is going to be an easy trip!

Hmmm...

Clapping?

The past week...

Not too much new to report.  Cooper is still having micro spasms daily, but only one big spasm every two days.  So far, I don't think it's interfering with his development, but it is still too soon to tell.  The medicine has made him sleepy and decreased his appetite.  We actually saw his neurologist today when he was at his neurosurgery appointment.  She said once his sleepiness is under control, they may increase the dose a bit if he is still having any spasms at all.  The neurosurgery appointment was a waste of time.  Literally, he measured his head, said he would see him again in four months, and we left.  The good thing was, if his head growth is normal in four months, we never have to see him again!  Yay!

Semmes has been here for about a week and a half.  It's been nice having her around since Brad has been on nights and sleeps during the day.  She even helped with the painting of the house.  It looks so good!  It's nice actually accomplishing something good.

Sarah and Jason Shelby came for a visit last weekend.  We had so much fun!  We went and visited Central High School Friday afternoon.  That evening we went to the Flying Saucer for dinner, then walked around by the river for a while since it was so nice out.  Saturday morning we went to the North Little Rock Farmers Market, then to the Market District, where we spent about an hour at a used book store.  All-in-all, a great weekend!

Cooper has been getting used to the heat and humidity.  He is so sweaty!  He has been sleeping in onesies at night, instead of cute pj's.  He'll adapt soon; he does live in the South!