9 Months

Cooper is actually almost 10 months,

but I am a little behind on my blog

due to more sickies in our home.

Cooper turned 9 months on February 24, 2013.

I am still having a VERY difficult time believing

he will be one in almost 2 months.

Blows. My. Mind.

A few things about Cooper at 9 months:
~12 pounds 7 ounces (12% on the achondroplasia growth chart)
~22.5" long (20% on the achondroplasia growth chart)
~19.5" head circumference (just below the 50% on the achondroplasia growth chart)

~He can roll over and gets around by rolling

~His favorite word is "da da"

~He started meeting with a feeding therapist with Early Intervention

~He is eating solids like a champ

~His favorite foods are:

~Pears

~Sweet peas

~Sweet potatoes

~Bananas

~Applesauce

~Green beans

~Sweet carrots

~Oatmeal cereal

~Rice cereal

~Mix grain cereal

~Ice cream

~Yogurt

~Mango's

~Biter biscuits

~Yogurt melts

~Puff melts

~He is still in size 1 diapers

~He wears size newborn and some 0-3 month

~He LOVES Hunter & Paizlei

~He LOVES interacting with everyone

~He is afraid of any toy animal that makes sounds

~He is cries if anyone talks to him or holds him

~He has had his 10th ear infection

~He loves playing with his toys

~He is so curious about EVERYTHING he gets in his hands, and studies it intently

~He is very ticklish

~He giggles

~He still meets with PT Kelly with Early Intervention

~He met with an peds orthopedist at Shriner's for his kyphosis

~His all-time FAVORITE person is Mommy

Every day I find myself asking,

"How did I get so lucky to get 3 of the most beautiful, special children?"

Truly, 

I feel like the luckiest,

most blessed Mommy on the planet.

Cooper is truly that missing piece in our family puzzle.

We love him more than we can put into words.

We have been blessed in ways I didn't think was possible.

Happy 9 Months Little Man!!!!

Early Intervention and Physical Therapy

I'm kind of late posting this, but we have had such great response from Cooper, that I figured it was definitely blog-worthy (is there such a thing?).  Anyway, back in September...the 15th to be exact, Cooper started physical therapy (PT) with Early Intervention (EI) out of Richfield.

Just to give a brief explanation, because of Cooper's Achondroplasia (the most common form of Dwarfism), he has hypotonia, or low muscle tone.  When Cooper started PT, he couldn't hold his head up, Zane or I, or anyone holding him, had to hold his head up.  Part of that is because of the hypotonia, but the other part is because of his large head...just to give you an example.

Back to his first appointment. Cooper has an AMAZING therapist.  PT Kelly actually works in Orem at a pediatric PT facility, and travels to Sanpete County every weekend.  We LOVE him!  Cooper LOVES him!  He has done AMAZING work with Cooper!  His first appointment, PT Kelly mainly did measurements, asked a bazillion questions, evaluated Cooper, to name a few.  He started doing some stretches with Cooper's legs to help with the bowing, as well as stretching his hips and ankles.  Because of Cooper's orbital measurements, one side being bigger/flatter than the other, he had us rearrange Cooper's sleeping so that he was looking over his left shoulder.  The other area he had us working, was queuing (not sure that's a word, but that's what PT Kelly said) his muscles to roll over.

Not only did he have us doing all of those things, we had to set goals for Cooper.  The goals we set were:  1) Cooper will hold his head up on his own.  2) Cooper will reach for and grasp toys near him.  3)  Cooper will roll to and from his tummy.  4) Cooper will sit independently once placed.  On PT Kelly's last visit, Cooper had met the first 3 goals!  Plus, his orbital measurements improved so much, that our worry about a helmet is nearly gone!!!

After PT Kelly's first visit, I was completely overwhelmed.  I was in tears.  There is NOTHING WORSE than someone telling you every area your baby/child is behind.  Not to mention all of the different stretches, muscle queuing, changing certain behaviors, we had to do.  Knowing most of it would be my responsibility, since I am home with Cooper 24/7.  Trying to figure out how to juggle all of that into my daily routine, was one of the biggest challenges.  However, I did it!  The only way I was able to do it, was to plan everything out.  Every single day.  For all 3 kids.  Overwhelming.  But, it's all working!  Cooper is THRIVING with his PT.  He is making leaps and bounds.

Even though Cooper is THRIVING with PT, doesn't mean there hasn't been set-backs, heartbreak, frustration.  He HATED tummy time!  He HATED the stretches.  He HATED when I would cue his muscles.  He HATED when we changed up his sleeping habits.  Now that we are through all of that, I KNOW we will have more set-backs, heartbreak, and frustration.  But, that all goes with PT.

Where we were when Cooper started PT back in September 2012.

 

 

Where we are at now!

A SUPER HAPPY BABY!

 He LOVES tummy time!

He is able to roll over!

Cooper started rolling where the bottle is sitting,

just to give you an idea.

And, he can reach for and grasp toys that are set in front of him!