WE SEE OUR RAINBOW....

Ok where do I even start? First, thank you all for sharing in our excitement. I felt each of your joys, tears and laughter as I read your comments. I love that about you all and it made me even happier. I have given Cooper enough hugs and kisses today to take care of all your hug requests I am sure. Tom said Cooper is our rainbow through the rain and boy was he right. Just to show you what kind of people are here, the comment from Erin....that was one of our nurses. How sweet is that. So thank you all and on to the good stuff :)



Our day began with much excitement as you know with Kitty pulling Coop's staples and dressings. They look really good. The one in the neck where the large cannuals were is pretty scary looking but it is in a very difficult place and we will just have to take very tender care of it. Besides, who cares about a few scares!!! Jan, Jana and Emma came to visit late morning. It was wonderful to see them and we had a great visit. Cooper even tried to peak at them once or twice but was still just too tired at that point. Unfortunately Cooper wasn't able to see Emma but I sure did and she is just adorable! After they left I tried very hard to wake Cooper but was told he had to wake on his own before we could remove the ventilator....Stupid Rules!!! Cooper started to wake a little when Leigh Ann, Madison and Morgan came to visit. They were only able to stay for a short while because things were starting to move with Cooper. It was great to see them though!!! As I was being called back to Cooper's room Aunt Bonnie and Nan were walking in. As I ran passed them and invited one of them back for the big event. Bonnie came running and got to help hold Cooper while they pulled the tube. I am not sure she was really pleased to be there for the whole event but I was very happy to have her there. Nan also came back to visit with Cooper and both he and I were so happy to see her. So needless to say, today was a fabulous day for visits.


Now for the best part. Cooper finally woke enough for the team to decide to pull the ventilator. I remember from last time that this is not a great experience. However, even as I type this just 8 hours later I truly do not remember the bad scary parts. What I do remember is seeing those big blue eyes and seeing those amazingly cute lips. He looked so perfect! I had not seen those precious eyes for so long. The rest of the day he was in and out. At 6pm, Beth, another wonderful nurse, poked her head in and asked if I had held him yet. I shook my head and she said to grab a chair. And that was that. I held my soft miraculous baby. It felt so good I cannot even begin to tell you. Those of you who have had children and remember the first time you got to hold them can relate. The feeling is so calming and perfect. Terry always says "it isn't Kristi's world" but while I sat there holding him that is exactly what it was.



He is doing well. His throat has been scratched and is very swollen but he is staying strong . His stats and lab work looked very good. He slips in and out of sleep and we are just trying to keep him "comfortable" right now. Terry holds one hand and I the other every time his eyes open. Tonight, whether I get to sleep or not, I will rest soundly.