Halloween

So I know it's the end of August, but Halloween costumes are on sale everywhere (I assume they're getting rid of the ones left over from last year to make way for new ones).  So I was just going to go ahead and get one for Cooper.  But there are just too many options!  I need help!  Please take a look at these and vote for your favorites in the comments or on Facebook. (Or suggest something else.)  Thanks!

Duck
Dragon
Lion
Dinosaur

Shots

Today, Cooper had a day of torture.  He went in for his one year checkup and vaccinations.  He got four vaccines: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); chickenpox; Haemophilus Influenzae type b; and pnuemococcal conjugate.  Plus, he had to get the first of two testosterone injections in preparation for his surgery in October.  Recently, he has been getting some granulation tissue growth under his button.  So, he also had to have silver nitrate applied to that.  Basically, silver nitrate burns away the excess tissue.  You can imagine how that feels.  Right after all of that, Cooper went to sleep and slept for the next four and a half hours.  Poor little guy!  I think he was a little traumatized!

Good news:  Cooper weighs 19 lbs. 4 oz.!!  That is the 25th percentile for a premature baby boy, and between the 5th and 10th percentile for a normal 12 month old!  He's actually ON the curve!  He is also 72 cm, which is also on the curve for a normal 12 month old!  So exciting!  He's never been on normal curves before!!

Birthday!!

On Thursday, Cooper turned one!!!  I can't believe he is a year old!  And though this has been the hardest, most challenging year of my life, I would not trade it for anything.

Saturday, we had what I thought would be a small birthday party for Cooper.  But, over 30 people showed up!  My little house was packed!  And Cooper got so many cool things!!  He is one loved and lucky little man!

Robin Eiler, Sarah Shelby, and I made the cake!  It turned out great!

How many doctors does it take to have a one year old's birthday party??

Our happy family!

Cooper enjoying his cupcake in his crown.

Genetics

Last week, Cooper had a genetics appointment.  Brad and I have been praying and pondering about this appointment for months.  We had to decide whether we wanted to get genetic testing done on ourselves or not.  We finally made the decision that we would have it ONLY if we could be told whether we were high risk or low risk for having another child with a genetic abnormality.  There is too much blame and guilt that would go along with knowing what each of our DNA results were, especially if we end up being at a greater risk for having a second child with genetic issues.  So this allows us to know what is going on without all of that.  After what I am sure will be a fight with our insurance company, we'll get tested and know more!  Hopefully, we're low risk and we can have more children of our own.

Dinner tonight

After a long (hour and a half) photo shoot and no lunch, I needed a big, yummy dinner.  And we succeeded!  We bought a BIG (like the size of my head big) sweet potato at the farmers market yesterday.  I really wanted to make twice baked sweet potatoes.  I found a recipe from the Neely's, but I made a few (accidental) changes.  First, I put a pinch of cumin into the spice mix.  This was not on purpose.  I have three spices from San Antonio that are in distinctive white containers: cinnamon, cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes.  The recipe called for cinnamon, but I grabbed the wrong spice.  I had just put a little in when I noticed it smelled wrong.  However, I think it made the potatoes taste even better than they would've otherwise.  The second change dealt with the skins.  They tore when I was taking the potato out. So Brad suggested i put the filling into ramekins.  This was a great idea, but I was upset  that I wouldn't have any skin to eat.  Then I got the great idea to line the ramekins with the broken skin.  All-in-all, it was SOOO good!!
We also had steak with a mushroom and red wine sauce on top.  This recipe is AMAZING!  Last, we had a mango (also from the Farmers market), arugula, and feta salad with a splash of balsamic vinegar dressing.

Oh, and lastly, this is how Cooper has been sleeping lately.  Notice the crossed ankles?  Everything that child does is precious!!

Bad about blogging

Lately, I've been bad about blogging.  So, a quick update is needed.  Coops had 2 doctor appointments on Wednesday.  He had ophthalmology in the morning.  Things seem good there.  The glasses are helping.  His eyes are crossing a little less.  BUT, he may still have to have surgery.  We go back Sept. 28 for one last appointment, and if he thinks he needs surgery, it's looking like it will happen at the same time as his other surgery on Oct. 6.  So, bad that he might have to have surgery, but good that if he does, they'll work it out so he only has to have anesthesia once.  That afternoon, he has a surgery clinic follow-up appointment.  All is well there!  No problems with the button!

This weekend was crazy!  Our good friend Brian came into town Friday afternoon.  We all went to dinner that evening, then watched ridiculous TV (Hoarders) and just caught up with him.  The next day, we went down to the Farmers Market, then had lunch at Flying Fish, where I got a yummy shrimp kabob.

We then drove around and showed Brian some of our favorite places in LR before getting frozen yogurt at Yogurt Mountain.  Cooper REALLY liked the frozen yogurt!  He would open his mouth really wide when he saw the spoon coming!  So cute (and I'm glad he's old enough that he can eat stuff like that!).

Late that afternoon, we came back to the house and made cupcakes (Brian's first time to do so).  He left about 3:30, giving Brad and I plenty of time to get ready for the big Manhattan Party last night.  We got a babysitter (!) and had a great time last night.  Today, Cooper is having a photo shoot for his first birthday.  Can't wait!!

Cooper being tickled... again

This one is WAY better!