Kooper has TWO legs!

I have been waiting to do this post until we could download the pictures off our cellphones. Kooper got his very first prosthetic January of 2010. Rikk, Kooper, Conner and I went to visit Shriner's in Portland, Oregon in December '09 and he got all fitted for it. Then in January '10 we headed back to Portland and Kooper got his cute little Curious George covered leg. Kooper picked out the material himself...we laid about 6 different patterns on the floor and he picked it out three different times, so that's how Curious George was picked. The foot on this first leg was the smallest one that they had and it was HUGE compared to Kooper real foot.


Kooper meeting his leg for the very first time. Look how happy he is!


He LOVES his leg. He seriously loves on it when he isn't wearing it.


Trying it on for the first time.


Getting some physical therapy while his leg gets finished.


Trying on his finished leg for first time. He didn't think it was too bad.


Until he stood up and then he was unsure...


And then he didn't really like it all that much...


Until we got back to the hotel and then he was just chillin' with it.


Playing with his real toes!

And then in May of this year Shriner's came to Anchorage for a visit and made a mold of Kooper's leg. It was time for a new one. Then they came back again in May to make sure the mold fit. We forgot to give them (Todd, the BEST prosthisist(sp?) ever!) the material to put on the leg and we then also forgot to mail it. So Todd picked out the material for us. We had no idea what it would look like until it showed up. It was an exciting/nervous feeling waiting for it to arrive. And then it did.


Kooper now wears frogs and what adorable frogs they are! You did awesome Todd, we LOVE it!


Kooper thinking he is pretty cool standing up to the entertainment center like Conner...with TWO legs!


Kooper modeling it for us.

Now Kooper LOVES to wear his leg. We are getting more used to him wearing it and putting it on him. I HATE to put it on him because there is a lot of tugging and pulling involved and I am just not really strong enough, so Kooper does a bit of crying. He also has physical therapy every two weeks, soon to be every week. His PT lady Martha is very nice and seems to enjoy working with Kooper...and Conner! We know that this is a slow and steady process and we are sure to celebrate every "little" accomplishment Kooper makes.

Some more pics

I left the diaper bag at church today with the CD of pics in it, so Holly was nice enough to put a few more up for me on Facebook. Here they are. We are DYING to see the rest.

Pictures

Kooper makes my heart melt!

A family in our ward asked if they could use our family to practice taking pictures . We of course said yes, who doesn't love a free photo session! Here are two of the pics so far. They have a whole CD for us and we can't wait to see them all.

Thank you for the 4th!

Thank you Rikk for being the man and soldier that you are. This song makes me miss you even more whenever you are gone. But I know what you are doing, what you are fighting for is worth it. Thank you Grandpa for the 30 years you served. And thank you Tramp for your service and the time you spent over there. Happy Fourth of July everyone!

(A More Real) Love Story

Since I can totally relate to this video, I am glad that there is another video (the next post) to help remind me how special my life is.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I just want to tell my mom "thank you" for being such a wonderful mom and a great example for me.

Who's that SEXY guy?!?

None other than Master Sergeant Matteson, that's who! That is right, it's official. Rikk sewed on MSgt today and his got another stripe on his arm. He passed his test last year and it took almost a full year to sew on because he made that rank in 12 years and the Air Force average is 16 and 1/2. But if this picture isn't enough proof for you, here is a picture of the certificate he received as well.

Since Rikk doesn't like to brag about his accomplishments, I will do it for him. Along with sewing on MSgt this week, he also won the NCO (Noncommisioned Officer) of his squadron. And if that isn't impressive, he also won NCO of the base. He beat out 2,000 applicants for that.

The boys and I are so proud of Rikk and all his accomplishments. Rikk is an upstanding, hardworking, go the extra mile, amazing, responsible, honest and fair Battalion Chief. Since we have gotten to Elmendorf, I have NEVER seen Rikk more happy with his job. He honestly LOVES his job and the people that he works with. And it is VERY apparent that everyone at work loves him to.

We love you Rikk and all that you do at work to make things better for us. Congratulations on all your accomplishments and we are looking forward to the MANY more that await you.