We've so been looking forward to thanksgiving this year! Not just for the turkey and brussel sprouts (and pumpkin pie) but also for a great excuse to rant about how thankful and grateful we are for our new life as a family. This time last year I had just been put on bed rest and we had no clue what we were about to endure. As much as it feels like our entire world has changed since last thanksgiving, the biggest change is all the things we are now thankful for- so many small, everyday things that we took for granted before. Today, we have two beautiful babies who: smile, laugh, breathe on their own (with a little help), eat on their own, love, explore, play, hug, scream, cry, shout, poop, puke, make a mess and so much more. They are here with us and that in itself is a miracle. People often say that it's not until you experience some sort of hardship that you truly appreciate things- and that's true- but it is also so easy to forget those small things and so important to constantly remind yourself of how truly great the world is. Things gets busy, stress builds up, housework piles up, money runs out and on and on. No matter how many hardships you encounter, the world gets stressful and it's easy to forget how bad it can get and how lucky we actually are.
We went back to visit Mount Sinai this week for the babies 8 month follow up (corrected- so 8 months from their actual due date). The hospital is scary familiar- too familiar for somewhere like a hospital. It looks the same, feels the same, same security guards, same elevator line ups- same hustle. As we waited in line I couldn't help but think how crazy it was that we spent 202 days there doing the same thing every single day. Eight months ago I couldn't imagine being anywhere but there- other than for a few hours over the holidays, you couldn't tear me away from that place. We lived life day to day, glad for opportunities to hold the babies and clinging to any good news that came our way. Most days we couldn't imagine life beyond those hospital walls. We couldn't imagine normal life. People always told me that it would get better but I couldn't believe them, always thinking they didn't actually know what we were going through or hadn't been in our shoes- but they were right, it absolutely gets better. Now, the entire experienece feels like a distant memory, a part of their story. The point of all of this is simply just to say that no matter how bad it gets- we didn't think it could get much worse- it gets better. We are so happy. We still have shitty days and get tired and argue and stressed and on and on but we have two constant reminders of how lucky we are and how much we have to be thankful for. Without sounding preachy- don't wait for a catastrophe to happen to realize what you have. Love everyone around you, treat eachother well, love yourself, splurge, don't stress about simple things, smile. Focus on the good. It's so easy to focus on the bad, but that tiniest bit of positivity can do so much good for you and for everyone around you, so try that. We know how amazing it is that Chase and Reilly are here with us today, how many times they've beat the odds and how they continue to surprise everyone, to this day, with their continued strength and progress. We are so incredibly blessed.
Now time for a baby update! It has almost been a month since we last posted! Lately we find ourselves telling people that the babies are real humans! It's not that they weren't human before, but they are looking and acting so real and mature that they feel like real people! It's crazy. They were11 months old yesterday (almost 8 months corrected/developmentally). Chase is eating everything in site- we have yet to find something that he doesn't like! Reilly is eating all her bottles- it's now been 6 weeks since we've had to use her gtube! They'll take it our November 14, as long as we haven't had to use it. Normally the tube is left in for six months without use, just to be sure it's not needed but our doctors have agreed to remove it sooner because of her fast transition to all bottles. Chase is fully sitting on his own and is dying to crawl but still needs to build some muscles! Our 8 month follow up last week went so well. They were so happy with chase and all the progress he's made. He's right on target for gross and fine motor and overall development. We thought so too, but nice to have a professional tell you so. And then Reilly, she was the show stopper. They couldn't believe the change they saw in her- first in her physical appearance. The doctor that did our follow up was one that we had often in the unit and she said that she wouldn't have ever imagined she's turn out so beautiful- ha! We always knew she was. And then came her progress in other areas- so impressed that she's feeding on her own now and not throwing up anymore. She's learning to stabilize herself and play with both hands. She's learning to raise her head higher when she's on the floor and she's interacting "appropriately" with us. Although they told us she is very behind developmentally, and has severely low muscle tone- we left celebrating. They told us that at this point, there are no signs of cp! Small things that they watched her do - like hold our hand, relax, pick up certain toys certain ways, shift her weight and stand up, were enough for them to say that she is not showing any of the behaviours they would expect to see if she had cp. They did explain that because cp is an injury to the brain, it can show at different points and in different ways but for today we celebrate that she has- this far- beat the odds (and we know she'll continue to beat the odds). Hearing those words is a victory for us- there were days that they told us to consider her quality of life, what it would mean for chase, and so on- but we pushed through it and we are so incredibly thankful for that today. We will love her no matter what, but she has shown us that love, prayer, lots of exercises and positivity can make miracles. She is the happiest little thing- Chase too. They are our constant reminders that no matter how bad it gets- how terrible life can seem- it all works out. We have lots of work still to do with her, but they've rejuvenated our strength and hope becuase everything that she is behind in are things that we can work towards and help her to develop both socially and physically. We are so so happy.
We can't take all the credit. We're taking this thanksgiving to thank those around us that make this all so much easier:
We're thankful for grandmas and grandpas who take care of us so we can take care of them. Meals, date nights, clean floors, laundry, nice messages, lots of check ins, diapers, books, clothes and unconditional love for the little ones. We would be so lost without you.
We're thankful for aunties and uncles who just can't get enough of them. Especially to Auntie Katie who is my saviour pretty much every day.
We're thankful for cousins and great aunts and uncles and good friends who are always here to help, bring handme down clothes and toys and send delicious dinners and the happiest cookies and more just to make day to day easier.
And we're thankful to all of you who continue to check in on us, think of us, pray for us and send us all your positive thoughts- they are working. We have so much wonderful support behind us- near and far- and we wouldn't be where we are without it. Hardships make you realize what is important and brings out so much love in people- we have so many amazing people around us, supporting us and our families- it is truly incredible. Thank you!
Now for the goods: photos! We are wishing you the very happiest thanksgiving. May you love those around you a little more, worry less and feel truly happy.
Love you all to bits
💜 The Cooper Crew
