No more Anderson Cooper!

Today was a much much much better day for little Cooper. Two of his least favorite interventions were discontinued. First, they turned off the bili lights, which means we can hold him much more, and that he can finally wear clothes! Secondly, they removed the tube (called an Anderson) that was draining his stomach contents back out through his mouth. Mat exclaimed “No more Anderson Cooper!” which made us laugh harder than it probably should have. 🤪

Mat got some quality snuggle time in with little Coop in the morning. While we were talking on the phone at one point I heard him start to squeak and cry, and I listened while SuperDad comforted and quieted our son. Needless to say, at that point my heart completely melted.

I took the afternoon/evening shift, and just had a wonderful time doing typical baby things. I helped the nurse give him a sponge bath, changed his diaper, and buttoned him into the very first outfit he's ever worn! Because of the bili lights, up until today he was only allowed to wear a diaper. This was one of the outfits that the NICU had hanging around, but they said we can bring him some of his own clothes, within certain parameters (due to all his lines).

The nurses are amazing at incorporating us into Cooper's care. Even though we probably make it take 10 times longer, and they probably have to redo everything we screw up. I can't tell you how much it means to me as a new parent trying to navigate this crazy NICU world to just have a taste of doing something normal!

We even got in some skin to skin time tonight. Don't worry, the nurse gave me explicit permission to lower my mask for just a second to give this beautiful head a smooch!

I look at him and I just can't believe that Mat and I created such a beautiful little guy.  Here he is being a goofball and holding his binky completely sideways.

And here he is shooting me the same dirty look that his father does when I wake him up!

I think each day in the NICU can have a totally different vibe to it. I'm hoping for some more good vibes tomorrow. A few things we know are on the docket - bloodwork to make sure that his bilirubin isn't getting too high without the lights, more bloodwork to be sure his platelets and red blood cells are OK, and a consult with GI liver experts to follow up on something potentially funky seen on his abdominal ultrasound. It is hopefully nothing at all, but they just want to be absolutely sure. 

And that's the Coop Scoop for today! Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for all of the love, support, and prayers for our little guy.