Give that Mouth a Break!

Some cute pics of Cooper without the NAM. He still has the duoderm on his cheeks though.

More of the NAM

So, the first week of having Coop's NAM in was something I was unprepared for. Since the day he was born Coop has been nothing but an easy baby. Eats, sleeps, get his diaper changed, and the cycle continues without any fuss. But that first week of the NAM changed everything. He had trouble eating, spitting up over his NAM, and was just generally in a bad mood. We didn't encounter any troubles of this nature until the NAM. I wish I was more well informed of the purpose of the NAM at that time. The doctor said it would help his performance eating, but in our case it did nothing but actually make it more difficult for my son. He was able to breastfeed before, and that became a real struggle to where it was only possible to pump and bottle feed.

Thankfully I have better news now. THAT WAS ONLY THE FIRST WEEK, IT GETS BETTER I PROMISE. This is a common problem for other parents of NAM babies, and though I was ready to just take the darn thing out and say forget it, I new it would help prepare my baby for surgery. After all isn't that why we signed up for all this in the first place?? It has been a month now since the NAM was put in, and Cooper is doing excellent. He's over his cranky mood swings and eats like a pig. He's gained significant weight which is exactly what we're going for. He still isn't too happy when I have to go through the process of cleaning/replacing his dressings and putting the piece back in, but once I get that accomplished, he knows he has a nice warm bottle to devour and voila, my happy boy is back!

NAM :(

We met with Cooper's pediatric orthodontist May 28th for his NAM appliance to be put in. Surprisingly Cooper did amazing the entire morning, being pried at and poked with the retainer-like mouthpiece. After 2+ hours of not feeding we figured he'd be the grumpiest little boy on earth, but the "pretty" lights in the office captivated him enough to deter his attention off what we were really there for. The doctor was beyond impressed with how well Coop took the the piece, saying most babies freak out over it and have a hard time feeding. Not this case. He ate there at the office with a new bottle. Previously he was using the Haberman Feeder, to this day he is using the Mead Johnson Nurser and doing very well. We were back in the car on our way home, and before we left the parking lot, his mood shifted once he realized what the heck was just put in his mouth and screamed the ENTIRE way home. We enjoyed the lovely 2 hours of pure screams coming from such a little being. Bad on our part, he was having paci withdrawals. He wasn't able to use it anymore due to the "button" sticking out of the NAM. This was JUST THE BEGINNING!

UC Davis Cleft Lip/Palate Team

May 5th, Cooper's due date, we packed for our first big outing with the lil man. We had a 2 1/2 hour drive to meet with the team that would be working with Cooper throughout his life. The day was filled with meeting doctor after doctor, unable to remember the 20 some people we met that day. Cooper was amazingly great and didn't fuss for us at all, even with the daunting task of taking his clothes on/off on/off a sum of 6 times that day to be measured and checked. Everyone was extremely nice and caring, knowing that one day they will have their turn to work with Coop. Our main surgeon gave us the option of going through a process where they would use a nasoalveolar molding device (NAM)to help bring his palate closer together and shape the nostril for a more successful surgery. We agreed that would be the best option, even though it meant taking the 2 1/2 hour commute every week for adjustments. As the day concluded, we were shown how to tape Cooper's lip until the NAM was put in and off we went back home with our little boy's cheeks orange from the skin protectant that is used under a clear tape used for burn patients. This was the first step to our little man's incredible journey.

April 23, 2010

38 weeks pregnant for the first time, I found myself confused whether or not I was truly in labor. No matter what anyone tells you, labor is different for each and every woman. Signs of labor vary. For some, it is very obvious and for others it is just a guessing game. That was my case. Unsure of whether my contractions were the real deal or not, I waited at home for quite a while timing their pattern. My nerves finally got the best of me and I decided I best go to the hospital. The hospital was fairly empty with it being 3am in the morning, but fortunately I was treated right away. Although 3cm dilated, 100% effaced, they monitored me for around an hour and let me know I was having "spasms" and that I wouldn't be going in to labor so I was sent home. Less than an hour later, my "spasms" were ridiculous and before I new it, my water broke. My husband and I were educated in a 7 week childbirth course and new that the liquid shouldn't have odor. Even with that knowledge, we weren't sure if in fact my water broke or I had an accident. All dignity went out the window when we were both on the floor smelling the liquid. Laughing our butts off, we couldn't believe what we were doing, and yes, it was in fact my water that broke. I called my midwife and off we went BACK to the hospital. I was now 5cm, and progressing very fast. Only in labor for 8 hrs with no medication, little Cooper Douglas entered the world pure and healthy. Of course, this was the happiest moment for my husband and I. 6lbs 7oz, our little boy was greeted by his entire family, who immediately took to him-Cleft lip and all. He took to breastfeeding, ate without any problem using the Haberman, and we were all discharged 2 days later with a clean bill of health. I couldn't be more grateful for such an easy pregnancy, delivery, and having the happiest little baby boy.

20 Week Ultrasound

My husband and I couldn't have been more anxious than we were at our 20 week ultrasound of our first baby in December 2009. My mother and he were there with me waiting to find out whether to decorate the nursery in pink or green. Finally! There was our son; spread eagle, showing his manhood clear as day. The joy in the room was soon interrupted by the uncertainty of what came next. The technician broke the news that our little boy would have a cleft lip/palate. Although shocked by what I had just heard, I was calmly prepared for what I'd soon endure. We hadn't even left the office before my husband started researching the condition on his iPhone. I figured the best way to handle the situation was to be as knowledgeable and informed of the condition as possible. That is what helped ease the feelings of why me? How did this happen? What will he look like? Unfortunately, family wasn't as level-headed initially. It took a while to get them to understand that our son was healthy in all other regards, he would just have a wider smile than others. He would have to endure many difficulties at a young age, but still be a happy, healthy member of our family. I know that God put me on this earth to care and nurture others. He gave me the opportunity to care for a little being that would need extra TLC. Thus, the blessing of Cooper James