Happy Half Birthday Christian!

Today you are six months old!

We are so blessed to have spent these six months with you. Christian, you are just the most joyful little baby. Your smile brings happiness to our hearts. All we have to do is look at you and you will smile and show us your beautiful dimples. Then you get shy and bury your head in the chest of whomever is carrying you. I love to watch you giggle when I kiss and hug you. You close your eyes and laugh. It is so sweet.

You are very active and have been crawling for more than a  month already! You love to scoot around the den and you always head straight for the things that don’t belong to you. You especially love to touch Genevieve’s books. You can sit up but you would rather be crawling. You also stood up in your crib a few days ago. It is so funny to look over at you in the crib and see your little head peering over the side!

You are getting so big! You weigh about 18 pounds and wear size 6-12 month clothing. You are a sweet and happy baby. You don’t mind being in the car seat which is very helpful when we have to go to the store or take take Genevieve to a class. You usually sleep in there or just play with your toys and look around. You used to sleep through all of church in the stroller but lately you have been staying awake. I think you don’t want to miss anything. You love to look around and take everything in. We usually have to take you out into the foyer because you like to sing and growl during the service!

We are all in love with you Christian! We call you Handsome and you certainly are! You are our sweet, sweet boy and we are so blessed to have you.

This is the way we…

…fall asleep

My Genevieve

Every time I look at you I can’t help but notice all of these changes. Changes that have taken you from my precious little baby to a beautiful little girl. Your legs are long and lean. Your chubby cheeks have given way to a more mature face. Your golden brown hair is making its way down your back. (which of course you are thrilled about!)

Time is going so quickly that I find myself counting the years that I have left with you. Fourteen more years until college. Nine more years until you are a teenager and you might not be interested in spending that much time with us! I know I’m crazy but it’s a good reminder to cherish each day, each minute that I have with you. It won’t be long until you won’t want to sneak into our bed anymore. And you won’t always need us to tuck you in 800 times each night. So instead of being frustrated that you are out of bed AGAIN I just want to cherish that opportunity to give you one more squeeze and tell you how precious you are to me one more time.

So I pray that God would just help me to be patient and see each moment with you as a gift. Because eventually you will stay in your seat for an entire meal. And then one day you won’t be around for dinner with us anymore. So for now let me lovingly remind you to eat your veggies and please be still and stop blowing bubbles in your drink… while I still have you here. For all too soon you will be grown and will be off sharing dinner with someone else.

I just want you to know how very much I love you Genevieve.

Apple Picking 2012

This day could not have been more perfect. It was the kind of day that all you can do is marvel at a God who can create such beauty. It was warm and breezy and the sky was just magnificent.

Genevieve and Charlotte were just thrilled to run down the rows of apple trees, Genevieve picking apples and Charlotte eating them! Genevieve remembered the technique from last year- three twists and then pull up toward the sky. And just like last year, once Charlotte picked her first apple she was too distracted eating it to pick any more! Christian was happy napping in the sling.

The girls explored the grounds, picking flowers, sugar snap peas and fall raspberries. I gave Genevieve and Charlotte each a basket to put their raspberries in but Charlotte was eating them faster than we could pick them! And then she moved on to Genevieve’s basket and luckily her sister was generous enough to share. I couldn’t help but think of the story “Blueberries for Sal.” I’ll have to read it to Charlotte. I am sure she will be able to relate!

Our day was complete with a visit to Tate’s Bakery. We sat outside and snacked on some delicious butterscotch cookies.

It was a truly beautiful day!

Christian is 6 Weeks Old!

Six weeks!

My little mushy baby is 6 weeks old! And you are not so little! We took you to the doctor and you weigh 13 pounds 6 ounces! You are in the 97th percentile for weight. You were 23 inches long. You grew 2 inched and gained over 4 pounds in just over a month. I knew you were feeling heavy in my arms!

You are starting to get a lot more social and I can see the beginnings of some sweet little smiles. You are also not sleeping as easily as you were! I try to lay you down and you often wake right up or sleep for only 10 minutes or so.

 

The girls both have colds and we are praying that you stay healthy. It might be hard because they just want to snuggle you all day long.

Christian’s Birth Story

The summer went on and through the heat and humidity we waited for your arrival. I thought you might come at the end of July or at least one of the first days of August but you had other plans. We think we know what is best. I thought August 2nd sounded like a nice birthday but truly, God’s plans are greater than ours. You came at the perfect time and I couldn’t have planned a more wonderful and peaceful arrival for our little angel.

We spent day after day just waiting for you. We had cleared our calendar expecting your arrival. Every day, Nana came to the door, with her bags full, thinking you might come. I felt hot, huge and uncomfortable. With the heat, my feet were swollen and the most simple tasks became so burdensome. Finally, I realized that staying home was causing me to dwell on my discomfort and anxiety was creeping in. So Tuesday we got in the car with Daddy on his way to work, dropped him off and headed to Aunt Jeri’s house for a little while. Then we had lunch at Nana and Pop Pop’s. After lunch, Genevieve and I headed to Janet’s house to meet precious James, who was 3 weeks old, while Charlotte napped in the car with daddy. That evening, Grandma and Grandpa came over for a little while. What a full day it was! And that night we would finally get to meet our sweet Christian!

We went to sleep around 10 and at midnight I got up to go to the bathroom. The contractions started about 15 minutes later. I took a shower and then we called Dale, our midwife. The contractions were about 5 minutes apart by then. She told us to call her back in a half hour to an hour or when things got very intense. Daddy and I went back  into bed and listened to the Hypnobabies fear clearing session together. (Well, I thought we listened together, but Daddy later told me that he just went to sleep!) Things were definitely more intense in an hour. Contractions were about 3 minutes apart. We called Dale and she said she would come right over. Then we called Tita to let her know to come over with Nana.

Dale arrived around 2 o’clock, followed by Nana and Tita and then Julie, the other other midwife. By this time, Daddy had already set up the pool and filled it half way. I was sitting on the couch listening to my easy first stage track on the iPod. Sitting was the most comfortable position for me. Every time I would stand or walk, the contractions would get very intense and close together. I definitely did not like that!  That made each trip to the bathroom very difficult! When I sat and listened to the hypnobabies track I was able to relax through each contraction and although they were very strong, I was able to manage them.

Dale asked if I wanted her to check how far along I was. I was hesitant to do this because I didn’t want to be disappointed if I hadn’t progressed that much. However, I didn’t want to get into the birthing pool too early; so I decided to let her check me so that I could better judge when to get in the water. I was 7 centimeters along! It felt good that I was so far along and I decided to get in the pool.

The water felt so good when I got in and I remember thanking God that I was able to labor in the pool! Shortly after that, the contractions started to get really strong and no amount of water was going to make them any easier to get through! This time, I tried to let go and just listen to my body and do felt best. Daddy was an excellent partner. Throughout the labor, he was there supporting me, bringing me coconut water to drink and helping me to get though each contraction. I was truly so grateful for him. We had talked about what I would need most during labor and I could really tell that he had listened to everything I said. I couldn’t have asked for more. He was so responsive and sensitive to me. He is an amazing man.

When it was time to push, we put on the Hypnobabies pushing track but I quickly realized that I didn’t want it. It was so peaceful in the room and we truly didn’t need it on. I asked Daddy to put on some worship music instead. Dale was wonderful in providing gentle encouragement to me all along the way. She has the most calming presence and helped us all to be at ease. She helped me to let go and ride the wave of each contraction, allowing my body to do what I believe women were created to do.

Pushing was difficult. I felt focused and wanted each contraction to come quickly. I was ready for you to be in my arms! I leaned back, Dale’s arm was supporting my shoulders and Daddy was behind me too. It was the hardest work I’ve ever done! I remember feeling this huge sense of determination as I worked to breathe you out. And then you were on my chest. The most beautiful and perfect little angel. Your cry was strong and I was immediately in love with you. My first words to you over and over were I love you, I love you.

Your birth was so many things. It was gentle and intense and and difficult and powerful and peaceful, all at once. I was able to see how strong I really am. It reminded me of how much I love your Daddy and how blessed I am to have him as my husband. It demonstrated to me how sovereign God truly is and how He really does make all things work together for our good.

Christian, you are our beautiful gift from God. I treasure you and I am so grateful that God would bless me, an imperfect sinner with such a precious little life to share. Thank you for the privilege of being your mother. I pray for God’s grace and mercy as we embark upon this journey life together.

Christian Alexander Coco

August 8, 2012

9 pounds 5 ounces

20 1/2 inches

Charlotte 23 Months!

My sweet, sweet Charlotte! You are 23 months old. Almost 2 years old.

You are the most fiery, sweet, loving little thing. You give the best hugs, snuggles and kisses. You have the most infectious laugh. You are compassionate and kind. You are so sweet to your sister and brother.

When Genevieve comes down in the morning you run to her and hug her. You love to hug Christian and just smile and giggle whenever you are near him. If someone is upset, you will go over and ask what is wrong and lovingly stroke them to make them feel better.

You also have quite a temper! If you don’t get your way, you scream and throw yourself on the ground. You also like to hit. Genevieve is often your target! She has to run away from you quite a bit.

We love you so much Charlotte. I can’t imagine life without you.