Settled in...

The first few weeks, heck, maybe the first month that Cooper was home was...shall, we say rough for mommy. His reflux was driving me crazy and getting used to less sleep was so much more difficult than I'd imagined...but, now we're in a nice little routine and I'm loving the business of being mommy. I don't know if I'm just getting more comfortable with taking care of this adorable little human but now I can't even remember my life before him.

On a bright note, Cooper is now only waking up twice a night to eat which works great for me. He goes to bed around 10 PM and wakes up to eat at 3 AM then again to eat at 6-7 AM...and, then we're kinda up for the day. We have succesfully managed the plan of being awake for an hour or two than taking a nap versus sleeping the whole day and partying the whole night!

His reflux is so much better and he continues to be on the Prevacid. We're now back on a milk based formula (Enf.amil Gentl.ease Lip.il) and its working like a dream. It looks like it was just the Neo.sure that he couldn't handle...he is happier than I've ever seen him when it comes to eating. His little legs are getting so chunky :)

He loves to go to the movies and so far as seen The Lovely Bones, Avatar, and Dear John. He either sleeps or just watches things move on the screen. He doesn't get antsy at all and I bet most people don't even know that he's there! We do go to matinees though so that there aren't many people there just to be on the safe side...

Cooper went on his first walk yesterday on the trail behind our house because it was just a glorious day! He slept most of the way but would occasionally open his eyes and just look around. He was adorable.

As you can tell, I'm not following all of the isolation precautions that they tell you to follow with a preemie this time of year. I am very cautious though about sick people being around him and I keep antibacterial cleaner with me at all times. I don't touch a doorhandle anywhere without cleaning my hands prior to touching him again. I can count on my two handles the number of people that have held him since he's been home from the hospital. I'm really a snob when it comes to people touching him but we're almost out of RSV season so we can make our official debut to the world by the end of March.


Taking a break from our stroll on a park bench~
Just being simply irresistible~

Talking to mommy~

He has just the cutest smile and is "talking" a lot these days~

Froggie was having a rough day in this one~

A must read~ in my opinion!

I recently read the above book and really wish that I had read it while I was pregnant with Cooper. There are certain things that you expect to come along with mommyhood, i.e. loss of sleep, dirty diapers, and singing lullabies. You know what's hardest about being a first-time mom...that my expectations didn't exactly match up with reality.

For instance, the guilt that comes along with your baby's first diaper rash. Rationally, I can tell myself that 35% of babies will have a diaper rash but in my mind I look at it as if I'm not changing his diaper enough. How about the guilt associated with having to give up breastfeeding...that's a whooper! You expect the loss of sleep but no one ever tells you that you will be so tired at times that your eyes will cross. And, your marriage will change no matter how great of a couple you are...these are just a few of the things that have I encountered since the birth of my much loved and much wanted child...but, being a mommy is so much harder than I think most mommies want to admit...because, if we admit that it's hard than we look weak.

I have analyzed my mommy instincts over and over again...because, I find myself comparing my instincts to other mommies. Hey, there are even one or two of you in blogging land that make me feel inadequate! But, what I do know is that EVERYTHING I do is in the best interest of my child. I live and breath to make his life better and if that means I have to ask for advice from other mommies than so be it...that doesn't make me weak...

I was the first to dish out advice before I had a baby...funny, uh? I was giving advice on something that you have no idea about until you have a baby of your own...not a baby that you babysit but a baby that is your sole responsibility to keep alive, happy, and healthy.

What this book has given me is a sense of normalcy. To not judge other mommies but to embrace the fact that all mommies will have their own way of parenting. To accept help and to be truthful to each other about how hard the job of being a mommy is whether you are a SAHM or work outside (or out of) the home mommy. To cherish each day with their kids and to live in the moment...because you can't get the small things back and our babies will be grown before we know it!

I think this book should almost be required reading for moms-to-be or brand new mommies...it didn't help me develop my mommy instincts but made me realize that if my instincts are slightly off one day that I'm not the world's worst mommy...and, Thank God for that :)

Update on Prayer request...

I just wanted to update you on the family that I asked you to pray for from my birthboard. The autopsy was done and it appears that Nolan died from complications from RSV and undiagnosed sleep apnea. Please, continue to hold this family up in your prayers as many of us know the heartbreak of losing a baby...

It's selfish but her loss has taught me to appreciate every second with Cooper. It's sometime overwhelming being a new mommy but I won't be complaining of sleeping less or any other trivial complaint again...

7 signs that your child loves you...

Babycenter sends daily e-mails about what's going on with your baby and I love reading these little tidbits of info every morning. They sent "7 signs that your child loves you" yesterday~

1 Your newborn stares into your eyes — he's actually working hard to memorize your face. He doesn't understand anything else about the world, but he knows you're important.
2 Your baby thinks about you even when you're not around. Between 8 and 12 months old, he'll start to scrunch his face and look around when you leave the room — and he'll smile when you return.

3 Your toddler throws wicked tantrums. Nope, those screaming fits don't mean he's stopped loving you. He wouldn't be so hurt and angry if he didn't trust you so deeply.

4 Your toddler runs to you for comfort when he falls down or feels sad. Kids this age may not truly understand the meaning of "I love you," but their actions speak louder than words.
5 Your preschooler gives you a flower picked from the garden, a finger-painted heart, a sparkly rock, or another gift.
6 Your preschooler wants your approval. He'll start to be more cooperative around the house, and he'll look for chances to impress. "Look at me!" will become a catchphrase.

7 Your grade-schooler trusts you with secrets, like his first crush or his most embarrassing moment. You're his confidante, even if he shies away from your hugs in public.

The only one that pertains to us at this point is number 1 which made me giddy...below is the evidence that he does indeed LOVE me :)

His shirt was a joke for our CPA that has been doing my hubby's taxes for 15 years. She, inturn, gave us a bib that says "I'm a new tax deduction!" And, we thought we were being so clever!

Say a prayer today and hug your babies...

One of the mothers on my birthboard had a post today to tell us that her baby died yesterday morning. I don't know the details but I'm assuming SIDS...I have only a tiny glimpse of what she must be feeling right now but my heart is broken for her. I can't imagine going to sleep and waking up to find your baby dead. Ugh, it brings tears to my eyes...

I immediately got up from the computer to kiss my napping Cooper. Events like this put things in perspective...

Please, say a prayer for this family today that God will comfort them during their time of need...

100th post!

I started this blog when I found out that I was pregnant again...unexpectedly, therefore the title of my blog is the surprise rainbow. I don't believe in jinxing things (really) so I threw myself into this blog so that I could read back over the pregnancy and chronicle the baby's life when they arrived...Now, that baby, which we all know now as the marvelous Cooper, is 3 months old! I love both of my blogs but, of course, this blog has a different vibe because I come here to "talk" about my living child...

We went to his ped. today...was kinda dreading the appointment because I didn't really want to go off on her if she started to question my decision to change the appointment. I was prepared with all my reasonings but luckily for her (just joking!) she was okay with changing him to a soy formula. The only thing that she said that kinda irked me was that it was probably better to buy a cheaper formula anyways...uh, hello? The soy formula is only $1 cheaper than the Neo.sure..and, I would spend whatever amount if that was the right formula for him...whatever...

Cooper now weighs 11 pounds 11 ounces! There is a theory in the world of NICU's about "wimpy white boys"...there was a study done with 4 babies...1 african-american baby girl, 1 caucasian baby girl, 1 african-american baby boy, and 1 caucasian baby boy...I don't remember all the factors in the study but basically I listed out the order in which premature babies the ones that have better survival rates. You will see then that caucasian males are more likely to die when born prematurely...yeah, loved hearing this during one of the preemie parents dinners when Cooper was only 3 days old!

I do have to work on keeping Cooper more awake during the day though...He would sleep the whole day if I would let him. I feel like I have to torture him to keep him awake at times...Any suggestions of baby friendly ways to keep him more awake and active during the day? I sing to him and read to him, put him on his entertainer...well, maybe, he still is wimpy :)

Some Relief *knock on wood*

Thank you to those that mentioned how well Preva.cid worked for your preemie because I spoke with Cooper's ped. and had his Zantac changed...and, I can tell a slight difference with his grimace and how he handles a spit-up episode. Not all of his symptoms cleared up though so after thorough research I decided to take him off his Neo.sure and onto a soy formula. I know, I know, we are preached at before we leave the NICU about how our preemies should be on Neo.sure (or Enfa.care) until they are a year old. But, I had to weigh out how my baby was responding to the formula and it wasn't good. He has been on a soy formula for a week now and I see a 100% difference in Cooper. He is taking a bottle with such ease right now that he's almost a different baby. I don't know if he is allergic to milk-based formulas (all 3 of my neices were and had to be put on soy formulas) but something had to give and soy seemed like my safest bet until I can have him tested. I had spoken with his ped. 3 times about changing his formula because my gut was screaming to me that something just wasn't right but it seemed as if she wasn't fully listening to my concerns...so, I sent her an e-mail last week about how I was changing him to a different formula. I worded it as if I wasn't asking her for permission anymore...You see, mommies are responsible for their healthcare but they're also responsible for their children's healthcare. So, that's what I did...I see her this Wednesday for a weight check so hopefully she'll be able to look at the situation as a fellow mother...she never responded to my
e-mail last week which is a seperate issue all together...

Cooper is 3 months old today! It's a blast being able to stay at home with him all day...we work on his tummy time (which I need to get a picture on here of) and he is starting to coo and stay up more during the day. He recognizes me and my hubby now which is so cute...he breaks out into the sweetest smile in the mornings. I'm debating moving him into his room in a couple of weeks...I feel strong right now but it may change as we edge closer to that time :)

Here are just a few pics for your Coop fix..

Mommy fixing Coop's hair...he is such a good sport :)

Coop with Lilybear (the bear that the hospital gave us when Lily died)
And, his "I'm getting to be a big boy" 3 month pic...