HI everyone!  I know it has been a while since I posted about Cooper.  Time has been flying and the kids are keeping me busy, I don't know where the last 3 months went.  Cooper is unofficially 21 1/4 inches long and a hard fought 9 lbs 9oz.  He is making great developmental strides, rolling to his sides and all the way over occasionally.  His neck has gotten much stronger and he doesn't require as much support.  He is moving his arms and legs more, clapping his hands and he always has his fingers in his mouth.  He loves, loves, loves his fingers! When he is feeling well, he so happy and content.  He has therapy every Friday, and we have had to make new goals as he has reached all of his previous ones.
Of course he has his bad days mainly due to stomach discomfort.  The poor guy will cry non-stop which is very frustrating to us since not much will make him feel better.  It is hard to feel helpless and I'm sure Cooper is not enjoying it either.  He was recently put on Neuronton, an anti seizure drug,  which sometimes helps to block the brains pain signals and and will help relax him during feedings.  So far I haven't seen any difference, but it is a step in the right direction.
In the past months, Cooper has been in the hospital for several larynoscopies.  The first several scopes he needed to be dilated and have a growth removed.  The last one the doctor did not have to do anything.  Yeah!.  We will not have to go in for another unless we notice a change in his breathing.
We had a visit with Dr. Capone, the eye surgeon at Beaumont Children's Hospital in Royal Oak.  It went really well and the findings were that the back of Coopers bad eye developed normally, just the front didn't develop all of the way.  This was great news and hopefully correctable with surgery.  The eye will never have the best vision but the doctors can make it work to the best of it's abilities.
We have been back to hemotology for blood work, Coopers counts look good except for his hemoglobin.  We were sent home and told to add iron to his already iron fortified formula and come back in a week.  His counts improved and we narrowly avoided a blood transfusion. Whew!  We go back in 2 months for a followup.  What an answer to prayer to see such an improvement in just a week.
He has also had another Baer test to have his hearing rechecked and he went from moderate hearing loss to mild hearing loss.  We placed an order for his BAHA (Bone Conduction Hearing Aid) several months ago through children's special health services and are still waiting for an answer.  Hearing aids are kind of a gray area for them and the BAHA is very expensive.  In the mean time, an audiologist through the school system borrowed someones hearing aid and tried it on Cooper.  His response was immediate, he would be very still when he heard sound and concentrate.  When the noise stopped he would start crying.  I can't wait for the day I can sing to him and he can hear me.  How awesome will it be for him to hear his sisters as they play with him!
The lastest in our update is his most recent MRI on his brain.  The tumor although it has not grown in size has changed in consistency.  The center of the tumor has grown dark and is causing some swelling in his brain around the tumor.  We don't know for sure but the dark spot could mean the tumor is dying.  We had a consult with Cooper's neurologist today who told us it is time to take it out.  The surgery will take place on Monday, October12th.  It will take at least 6 hours and Cooper could be in the hospital approx. a week.  The tumor is in a good position to remove it and it does not seem overly complicated.  That said, it is brain surgery and there are always risks.  As always please continue to pray for family in the coming weeks. 
Kalani

Isaiah 40:31 They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.