Saturday, July 9, 2011

We have a blog?

Wow...we can't believe it has been so long since we have updated the blog.  Time sure goes by quickly these days.   So much has happened since our last post, so we have a lot to write about tonight.  Coen is now 8 months old!  We can't believe he is already so big and is beginning to seem more like a toddler rather than our little baby boy. 

Coen has two bottom teeth and is now getting two on top.  He has been handling these 2 top teeth rather well, which we are thankful for.  He will go to the doctor for his next appointment at 9 months, so we don't know what he weighs right now.  I can say that after forgetting the stroller at home and having to carry him through the store the other day, he must weigh about 40 pounds!  He is definitely a big boy now. 

In the past few weeks Coen began to say "ma-ma," which I LOVE!  It just makes my day when I can tell he's upset and then he begins to call for me.  We can't really tell if he actually knows what it means, but just hearing it is enough right now!  This week Coen also started pulling himself up to sit all on his own.  We even find him sitting-up in his crib when it's time to get-up now.  This morning we actually found Coen standing up in his crib after a nap!  In a related story, we've lowered his mattress. :-)  It's really nice that he can do this all on his own and it has certainly helped with some of his fussiness.   Coen has definitely mastered the "army crawl," and it amazes us how quickly and easily he can now get into trouble.  His favorite thing to do is make us think he's just interested in banging the handles on the drawers by the kitchen, and then he quickly makes a move to play in Steve's water bowl.  He really loves splashing his hands around in the water.  Thankfully he has yet to eat any of his food..although he has tried! 

Two weeks ago we packed up the 2-bedroom town home and moved to a much bigger 4-bedroom house in  Elkhorn.  We have so much more room and it has been wonderful for all of us.  Coen has definitely gotten better at crawling now that he has so much more room.  Coen's Baba, Nana and Poppy were here to help us on moving day and then Nana and Poppy took Coen back to Lincoln for his first night away from mom and dad.  I cried when he left and was worried he would have a terrible night and keep everyone awake all night, but he did fantastic.  In fact, he slept the entire night!  Nana and Poppy brought Coen home the next day, and then thankfully Baba was here for the rest of the weekend to help with Coen so Matt and I could unpack and get settled.  We are really blessed to be living in a brand new home.

Matt's parents came to visit for Fourth of July weekend.  Now with an extra bedroom, Nanny and Pops can stay with us.  This means that we carry Coen into their room each morning they're here.  Call it the "Coen Alarm Clock."  They may not live nearby, but they find a way to get here as often as possible.  We're so thankful that Coen has so many loving grandparents.

The next month will be a busy one for us but we are enjoying the summer.  Coen started swimming lessons this week and will have a 30-minute lesson every Thursday for the next 2 months.  He did fantastic and absolutely loves the water.  Matt will be posting videos shortly :)  We are also heading to Ohio next month for a wedding, where Coen will meet most of Matt's extended family.  The trip will be Coen's second on a plane.  We flew to Denver for his first trip at the end of May, where he met his cousin Lucy for the first time!  He did great on the plane and made many friends.  We are so blessed to have such a sweet and happy little boy.

We hope you are all having a wonderful summer.  Hopefully we'll remember to update this blog before Coen turns 1!  :) 

Thanks for reading.

Matt and Kelly



Thursday, April 28, 2011

6 month update

Today we can't believe Coen is already 6 months old!   The time is going by so quickly and sometimes I look at Coen and don't even see a baby anymore. 

Today Coen had his 6-month well-baby visit.  He's up to about 27 inches and is in the 90th percentile for length.  He weighs 18.74 pounds and is now in the 75th percentile and he continues to have a fairly large head which is also in the 90th percentile.

Everyone really fusses all over Coen when he arrives, especially today when he was wearing his cool sunglasses!  The doctor continues to be amazed at how strong his legs are but with all of his bouncing, we aren't surprised.  Coen didn't like laying on the table until the doctor used the light to look into his eyes.  He was pretty fascinated by the light and calmed down immediately.  He received 3 more shots today and it seems each time the cries get a little bit worse.  Fortunately he calms down quickly!

We feel so fortunate to have been given such a sweet, happy and healthy baby boy and we're very excited for all of the new things he'll be doing in the next few months. 

Thanks for reading!

6 months old!!

Dear Coen,
 
  I can't believe you are six months old today.  You are growing so fast and it seems like you change a little bit everyday.  The past six months have been the best in my life.  You certainly haven't always made things easy, but you are totally and completely worth it. 

  You are such a happy little boy and I always look forward to going into your room when you wake-up in the morning.  You smile immediately and can't wait to be picked-up.  And you LOVE when Steve comes in the room and peeks into the crib.  That always makes you laugh.  Last month we started giving you solid food and you are getting better at eating all the time.  You really love sweet potatoes, pears, carrots and bananas.  You will eat oatmeal and rice cereal  but you definitely prefer the fruits and vegetables.  So far the only thing you don't seem to like is peaches.  It is very funny watching you try to eat them since you make a funny face everytime. 

  When you lay on your tummy you hold your head up really well and you like laying on the floor and watching what Steve is doing.  You sit-up when you hold onto me or daddy and we are looking forward to the day you can sit-up all on your own.  You love to stand on our laps and we can tell you really want to be able to walk.  We hope we have a bit of time before you start doing that!  You absolutely love to be in your bouncer and if you can't be in there, you like to bounce on our laps when you're being held.  You smile and laugh so much and recently you've become quite the spitter.  Daddy has a good video of that so we'll be able to show that to you someday.  You are so fascinated by the camera and the video camera that it can be tough to catch you doing all of these cute and funny things!  Someday you'll be borrowing the camera and taping yourself just like your dad used to do. 

  After we changed your routine a little during the day, we started putting you in your crib awake for naps.  Now you nap a couple of times a day and that has been very nice for all of us.  You do a good job of putting yourself to sleep at night and now you sleep for at least 5 hours before waking-up.  Most nights you go even longer.  This has been a great change and we are a little relieved to be past the newborn stage.

  You have been such a blessing to me and I look forward to all of the new things you will be doing in the next few months.  I love that I get to be home with you everyday and I am so thankful God blessed us with such a happy and healthy little boy.

  I love you.

  Love,
  Mommy

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Videos Galore

Below are ten new videos from the past couple of weeks with Coen.  Start at the bottom and work your way up.  It's amazing to see the changes in our sweet little boy.  He's keeping us very busy!

Man in the Mirror



April 12, 2011

Coen is having some quality tummy time with another baby on the mat.  Who is that other cute baby?

Back to the Bouncer



April 10, 2011

A Saturday morning begins with some quality time in the bouncer.  And he likes to fake-cough.

Squash!




April 8, 2011

Coen eats squash.  Or at least he tries to.  Just as much on the face as there is in the belly.

A New Phase



April 6, 2011

Coen is well-into a new phase.  You'll see which phase at the end of this video.

Drinkin' and Gigglin'



April 4, 2011

It's hard to get this milk down when Mom is making me laugh!

Spittin' Schick



March 31, 2011

Coen learns a new mouth noise, and isn't afraid to show it off.

Please Sir, No Cameras



March 31, 2011

There's one thing you learn quickly with Coen:  don't interrupt his Baby Einstein video viewing or you'll face his wrath.

Rolling Coen Gathers No Moss



March 29, 2011

After some initial camera shyness, Coen comes through in the clutch.  Our dog Steve still hasn't learned how to do this, and is humiliated off-camera.

What's My Name?



March 29, 2011

Coen is learning his name. 

Is Coen a Sweet Potato Kinda Guy?



March 22, 2011

Coen tries sweet potatoes for the first time.  It takes some getting used to.