The genetic test results are in....

and they're all normal!!! Ugh, do I have to tell you how relieved I am?

Although, his lactic acid test did come back elevated but she told me that it could be elevated if he was crying while his blood was being drawn...anyone, remember the nice lady (sarcasm) that ripped the sticker off his little arm??? He wasn't just crying but was in total hysterics! So, I'm hoping that's all it is but we have to have it re-drawn. Also, the same nice lady (whateva) also forgot to draw one of the blood tests so we'll have to have that one done, too. You know what irks me about the one test not being done is that my hubby specifically asked her what the last EMPTY vile was for and she said "oh, I don't need that one..." Ugh, some people...

But, anyways, tonight I'm rejoicing over what we do know and that is that the genetic tests are normal! Hallelujah!

So, now we wait for our next neuro appointment which is August 11th to see what the next step on the hyptonia road entails...

I just wanted to show off the chunky baby legs :) Oh, and please look over the dirty onesie...sweet potatoes, anyone?

Also, that's one of the characters from Yo Gabba Gabba (holy crap, how do you spell that?) on his onesie...it just occured to me that his shirt looks a little obscene!

Run, Run, Run!

Cooper has started to really kick his legs lately, I think they call this bicycling? He gets really excited when we say "run, run, run..." so please excuse my mommy voice :)

Crib = playground, bedtime = party-time!

Oh, long gone are the days that I put a tiny baby into bed who would stay on his back! He makes me laugh :)

"Awww, is it bedtime?"

"Hold on, there's something over here!"

"But mommy, none of my friends go to bed this early!"

In all seriousness, I have been blessed with a great sleeper! He's been in his own room since he was 3 months old and he's never given us a bit of problems! I think the nearly 6 weeks of nicu has taught him how to sleep anywhere!

Cooper- the voter!

Cooper had his first trip to the polls to vote this morning! I always like to go in the morning so that nothing can keep me away from our most important civic duty! My hubby is very politically aware also so I'm sure our voting seriousness will rub off on Cooper...which is one habit that he can learn from us that I won't be upset about :)

Cooper's first vacay!

We left for Savannah on Friday and we had an awesome time! It was the first trip to Savannah for all 3 of us and we were not disappointed! I've wanted to desperately visit this town since watching Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil in the late 90's! Crazy enough I've been on a few international trips before going to Savannah which is only 3 1/2 hours away from my home! Cooper is an awesome road-trip companion! We stopped for diaper changes and some leg stretches otherwise he handled himself like a pro!

On Friday night, my hubby and I went to a ghost tour...don't worry, we left Cooper with some friends that were in Savannah for the night! He's far too young for ghost tours ;) This was actually the first time that we've been on a date since Cooper came home from the hospital! I have to say that it was very nice to hold my hubby's hand as we walked down the street because normally one of us is either holding Coop or pushing a stroller! You certainly miss the small things when you get busy with baby!

On Saturday, we went to Bonaventure Cemetery (It took me forever to find Conrad Aiken's plot!), Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island and then we finished the day with an awesome dinner along the riverside and then a stroll around Forsyth Park!

I was sad to leave such a beautiful and historically significant town...but, now we're in love and are planning another trip for October!

What a cheerful disposition because this is at 5:30 AM on our way out the door to start driving!

Diaper change #1 and let's get outta our p.j.s :)

Mommy and Cooper getting acquainted with the comfy bed!

Cooper taking a nap in The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen). Obviously, he was just as impressed as mommy was!

Mommy and Cooper at Tybee Island! (Yes, I am wearing my glasses to the beach because I can't see crap without them!)

Us at the fountain in Forsyth Park!

Cooper staring dreamingly up at the Spanish Moss :)

Dream

I had a dream last night that Cooper's legs started to work and he was crawling all over the place! He started crawling to his daddy and I'm yelling "yes! I knew he could do it! I knew it!"

We're still going to therapy once a week. Our PT is thinking that maybe we should start coming twice a week. He is still rolling over from back to tummy but refuses to do tummy to back. I don't get that part because isn't tummy to back easier? Who knows! Yesterday at PT she stood him up in a "stander" which really looks like a medieval torture device. It's wooden with velcro straps and she literally puts him in and straps him up! Two weeks ago he was screaming after 5 minutes but now we're up to 10 minutes or so before the total meltdown begins. Ugh, I hate to hear him cry and not being able to intervene sucks!

We're still waiting for all the genetic test results and haven't heard a peep!

I have two friends that had baby boys around Coop's due date so all 3 are in the same spot when you factor in Cooper's adjusted age...both of the other boys are sitting up and crawling. It hurts, ya know? I want him to do what his friends are doing...right now, he doesn't notice the difference so it's more of a "me" problem. I hate when people ask me "is he sitting up yet" or " is he starting to crawl" and I have to give this long answer about his prematurity and the hypotonia. Both of those are innocent questions so I'm not going to hate on anyone. It's just frustrating...no, it's sad. I want his life to be easy...don't we all want that for our kids?

Rainbow Baby Celebration

Eh, we're still working on a name :)

A friend and fellow blogger, Beth, and I have been talking for awhile about a rainbow baby meet up. Plans are being made for a celebration in early December so we wanted to invite all rainbow baby parents to the party. I'm speaking for myself but I know the friends that I've made in blogging world in the baby loss community have been a Godsend. You guys have helped me through some of my darkest days while mourning Lily and kept me going through my very high-risk pregnancy with Cooper. There are so many of you that I would love to give a real hug to versus our virtual ((hugs))

Of course, (and, I'm sure Beth would agree) that this is open to all baby loss parents but I understand that for some that it may be difficult to be around others that have gone on to have rainbow babies.

You can email me at lilysmommy8308@yahoo.com for more information. Also, please let me know which blog that you're from so as to make sure that we don't have any *outsiders* (aka the crazy anon commenters, etc) into our community anymore than they already are...

I'm excited at the possiblity of hugging some of you mommies (and, having a glass of wine and some chocolate, too!) and being able to meet these adorable rainbow babies!

Cooper's first Fouth of July weekend!

We took Cooper to the same Fourth of July parade that I've gone to since 1987! We live an hour and a half away so you know I gotta love this parade to get up at 6 AM, get us all ready and be there by 9 AM! It was a lot of fun and the parade was made extra special by the newest parade attendee :) We also went to a pool party and hung out at a local park on our 3 day weekend...it was a great weekend and I was sad when we all went to bed last night that it was over!

Having a good time on the swings!

Cooper and Daddy in the pool

Too cool for shades :)

Cooper with his nana...he's really into his flag :)

8 months!

Dear Super Cooper :)

You are 8 months old today! You've also had a very exciting week! You got your first tooth yesterday and it is the cutest tooth I've ever seen if I say so myself! You're rolling all the time now! You also had your first late night out to see your first fireworks last night!

I also bought you some birthday presents today...I know your birthday is 4 months away but mommy couldn't help herself (which is what I'm going to use as an excuse when I show daddy what I bought you!).

I love you, sweet boy! You make me proud everyday to be your mommy!

My love for eternity~

Mommy