Synagis

Today Cooper had another appiontment to get his second Synagis shot. He will have to get a Synagis shot every 28th day through out the "cold" season which started in Nov. and will end in March. It pains me so to see him cry so hard but I know that is it only helping him. Its important for preemies to get this shot because they are often born before getting enough antibodies from their mothers to help fight RSV and other viruses. But preemies are also at greater risk for severe RSV disease because their lungs are less developed and their airways are narrower than those of full-term babies. Synagis helps preemies by providing more infection-fighting antibodies to help protect their vulnerable lungs from RSV. It doesn't mean they absoultely wont get it but if they do get it wont be as severe and could save his life.

Christmas Day

Now you would think that since Cooper is 4 months old that we would get to sleep in a little on Christmas morning. Oh how wrong was I. He started fussing around at 6 am. I finally couldn't take it anymore. So we were up and getting the day started at 6:30. Now it is tradition in our house for Kris and I to stuff each others stockings. So I peaked around my stocking until Kris decided to get out of bed. Santa was quite generous to me. He got me a new pair of diamond (he went to jared) earings, lots of new clothes (desperatly needed), and a couple other small items. It was a Captain Morgan christmas for Kris. He got a Dart board, hat, shirt, belt buckle, wallet, and a bar mirror which all had the Captian Morgan logo on it. The hot hot hot item was the Guitar Hero 3 for the wii! That was more for both of us though. Cooper didn't get much from us. Just some clothes and a couple of cute toys. Optimus was excited to nose his box of toys and rawhides open.

My parents came over at 9 am to do christmas morning with us. As we opened all our gifts I made breakfast burritos. As usual we all got spoiled. After opening everything I opened the Guitar Hero and we all started to play. After a couple of hours Kris and I got ready and packed up to head over to Kris's moms for some more present opening. It was good to see Grandma and Kris's sister and family. I love being around young children at Christmas. Its just a whole lot more fun.

Unfortuately we were unable to see Kris's Dad and his family. Kris's younger brother got Strep the day before Christmas eve. We didn't want to risk exposing Cooper or ourselves. It is sad to not see family, but it is all for the better.

We look forward to next year when Cooper can be around people. Also maybe because he might actually be excited when he is handed a present!

Hope everyone had a Happy & Safe Holiday!

Morning Man

I have come to realize in the last few mornings that Cooper is all smiles and grins when he wakes up in the morning. So this morning I was prepared with my camera! I finally got a picture of him smiling. He was also talking but when I bring out the camera he gets these concerned faces. It just makes me wish I was as happy about being awake as he is.

Birthday & Christmas Parties

Yesterday was our niece Karissa's 7th birthday! We made sure we were there right when the party started. Of course our plan was not to stay too long so Cooper wasn't around the girls for very long, but it didn't work out that way. We hung around and visited for about an hour and half. Watching Rissa open her presents, singing, and then having cake and icecream.

Of course grandma had to hold him for most of the party but he just kept spitting up on her until she couldn't take it anymore.

After we left her b-day party we headed over to my aunt & uncles house for my family's christmas party. Thank heavens we were 3 hours late! We just missed my cousin's who were sick. Whew! We had wassil, some dinner, chated with family, and watched a couple of football games. Cooper's aunt Ashely got to hang with him for a little bit before she left for Mexico for Christmas with a friend. It will be weird not having her with us but she will be having lots of fun!

Of course after such a long day Cooper was tuckered out and slept fairly well. Yah for me!

Chunky Monkey

Thursday we had to go see Dr.Ralston (Cooper's Ped) for his 4 month well child visit. He weighed in at 7 1/2 lbs and 21 inches long. That means he has gained another pound in only 3-weeks. Dr.R is very pleased with the way he is gaining weight. So we dont have to fortify his milk any more. YEAH!! No more formula. His head is of normal size, weight is low for 4 months old, and body is small as well. His doc isn't worried though. Coop also got 5 immunizations. If that isn't the saddest cry when babies get shots I dont know what is. Of course Cooper is still not supposed to get sick. So this holiday season will be a little on the though side. We will be cutting down our party time to say the least.

Cooper is also smiling and talking all the time now. Its so cute. Of course there is also this "hold me" phase that we seem to be going through. Big downer on my behalf. I will let him cry until I am afraid he will explode and then I grab him up. It seems that some days I am just so tired and those are the days that are the worst. Especially since Kris is remodling the basement. So I am with him ALL day. Its a very good test of character!

Week in review

Sunday Kris decided to get started on the basement remodel. Our guest bedroom had a 5 ft walk-in closet which has miracously shrunk to a normal size. After much deliberation we thought that closet could be better used as a dry bar for our entertainment room. Since Sunday Kris has framed in the regular size closet, sheetrocked, and started putting holes in the walls where we need to run wiring for a different lighting scheme. Its very entertaing when Kris is working downstairs because Optimus doesn't know whats going on and there is no where to hide from the sound. So he just circles around my legs.

Friday morning my by best Gal pal Abi flew in from Seattle for a few days to visit. I haven't seen her in 2 years! It was the first time for both of us to see each others boys. Her son Nathan was born about a month after Cooper but he out weighs Cooper by almost ten pounds now. When I held Nathan for the first time I just started laughing. I couldn't help it! He just has the cutest cheeks, they are huge! I just sat and poked him. He looks so much like his dad. Of course Abi couldn't get over how small Cooper is; he is still my little peanut.

Saturday evening I was lucky enough to get away for a few hours and go to a "Slumber Party." I had so much fun. Its great to get around a big group of women who have had a few drinks and are talking about toys. All you get is a big room full of laughter.

Tonight was our first of three holiday parties this year. We went to the Peterson Family (Ottley Side) party for a short while. We had to make an appearance so the family that has never seen Cooper could give him a quick peek and so we could see Santa (Outside the mall)! It was great to see my little man in his cute outfit with Santa.

Dane Cook Tour

Kris tried to suprise me with an early Christmas present. I say tried because the man can't keep a secret when he is really excited about it. Since Dane Cook is our favorite comedian I have always wanted to go see him live. I was of course really excited about it. There was only one down fall. Dane Cook wasn't coming to Utah! Apparently Salt Lake isn't bigger than Boise, ID. So that is where we were going to see him. Its not a horrible drive just 5 hours of nothing!! So Thursday night we drove up to Bear Lake and left Cooper and Optimus there with my mom and dad. G-ma was so excited to watch Cooper for the first time over night.

We left Friday morning and drove to Boise. After arriving at the hotel we met up with another couple who was coming with us. We went to dinner at "Table Rock" a local Bar & Grill. Then went to Boise State University to the Taco Bell Area where the show was at. Kris and I grabbed a couple of beers and took our seats in the 4th row. It was so awesom to see Dane so close. He is hilarious and his new tour has a bunch of new material. We will definately be picking up the tour cd.