Meet Joseph Porter Coleman!

Born 0850 AM, 27 August 2008

Weight: 11 lbs 9 ounces, Length: 21.5 inches, Waist: 38 cm, Chest: 40 cm, Head: 38 cm

Please welcome our newest arrival, Joseph Coleman. Little Joe arrived early Wednesday morning. Both mom and baby are doing fine. Amanda is recovering well from the Cesarean. As of today she is already up and walking around (albeit slowly). Both mom and son will be home on Saturday. For those who didn't know, about 3-4 weeks ago doctors performed an ultrasound on Amanda and were a little concerned with the size of Joseph (they estimated him at around 9-10 lbs, and Amanda's due date wasn't until 1 Sep.). They advised doing a c-section. So after much prayer (by us, friends and family), and a priesthood blessing, we departed for Bassett Army Hospital, early morning, on 27 August 08 (Wednesday). We arrived some time before 0700 AM, and three hours later were holding our son in our room. It was a very interesting experience, and we could see the Lord's hand guiding all throughout these past few days. A special thanks goes out to Karen Fell, a dear friend of the family and a registered nurse, who rearranged her busy schedule so that she could be in the O.R. during the operation. She has been a huge strength and comfort for Amanda throughout this ordeal. Also, the Patterson Family, who took our energy ball of a son, Darren, in with them for the last 3-4 days. That alone was a HUGE help. and to all else, friends and family who are too numerous to list, thank you also! We will never forget the love and kindness showed us by so many.

Please enjoy the following pics. Don't worry, there will be many more to come...





The following picture has a little blood in it...








There he is... all 11lbs 9ounces... Look at the size of that head...




Just a few hours old...



Mom and son doing great!

Darren giving his new brother a kiss... (then it was back to getting into everything)

Proud father...

Heart Attack!

So, I learned that church is not necessarily toddler friendly yesterday. Before church started, we had a little mini choir practice since we were singing. I am the choir director, and Matt sings in it, so we were both occupied. Anyway, we both knew this, and just did our best to keep our eye on Darren while we were singing/directing. Every time either Matt or I looked, Darren was just quietly wandering around the chapel and would occasionally come up on the stand by us - he was being so good (or so we thought). Anyway, after sacrament meeting was over, a sister in the ward came up to me and asked me if I knew that Darren had been outside BY HIMSELF before sacrament meeting started. I was shocked, because I thought he had been so good staying in the chapel and quiet! Apparently she saw Darren open the outside door, walk out, close it behind him, and then take off walking down the sidewalk. She grabbed him by the hand and brought him back inside, which I am very grateful for! Then after church, Matt and I went to go get Darren from nursery, only to get there and find out he's not there, and no one knows where he is! I about had a heart attack! There were 25 kids in nursery that day, and he must have escaped when another parent opened the door to pick up their kid, 'cause the nursery leaders were surprised he wasn't there too - and they felt horrible! Anyway, we quickly grabbed a few people who were close by, and we all took off in different directions looking for him. A few minutes later he was found. Outside, wandering around in the parking lot! Quite scary on account of our ward was leaving, and the next ward was coming, and Darren knows no fear, and has no concept of danger - especially with cars (see birthday posting). Thank goodness he was still safe, but I thought I was going to have a heart attack! I am very thankful for great friends and ward members who helped us find him! Darren has opened the outside doors of the church before, but has not ever made it more than a few feet - until yesterday. Scary, but I'm glad he's safe and in one piece!

Darren is 2!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old already! His birthday was the 15th, and we just kept it a little family day. He seemed to really enjoy himself while opening presents and eating cake and ice cream- of course! So, in thinking about my little boy, I thought I would just mention some of the things that he is really into right now, along with some of his developmental achievements. He is such a funloving kid and makes us laugh every day! Darren is OBSESSED with cars, trucks, airplanes, helicoptors, tractors, construction vehicles, etc. - basically anything that "goes." He almost always has one in his hand, and points every single vehicle out wherever we go - and expects you to respond when he does so! He also loves balls, and has a very good arm when it comes to throwing them! He can throw them diagnally across a room, and from kitchen to dining room and vice versa, which involves throwing the ball up and over a wide countertop and the table! He also loves to play "fetch" with his balls. Another one of Darren's very favorite things to do is play any chasing game and wrestling with Daddy! He has so much energy, some days he is content just running laps around the couch! He keeps me very busy, but is so much fun!

Some of Darren's favorite foods are bananas (he asks for one first thing every morning!), macaroni and cheese, cheese, grapes, juice, milk, tomatoes, eggs, peanut butter, and anything sweet!

A lot of his words are still not very clear, but is adding more and more to his vocabulary every day! He has very definite periods where he is quite passionate about trying to tell me something, and honestly, I have a hard time understanding him at times.

Darren is so full of personality and is already quite the little charmer! He has a very animated face, and seems to be able to wrap people around his finger whenever he wants to! I love our little boy so much and am so glad that he is a part of our family! Here are a few pictures from his birthday.....

Anticipating more presents..... he had just opened his very first train set
His birthday cake. I had fun being creative!
Blue frosting is quite messy... and tasty!
Enjoying his cake!

Darren's new talent!

In the last week or so, Darren has discovered something new he can do with his his body. He learned how to go cross-eyed. It took us several tries to get it on camera, 'cause he never holds it very long (which is probably a good thing!). Everytime he does it, he seems to feel very proud of himself, and thinks it's funny! It's quite entertaining to watch him!

Baby's Quilt!

I started making a quilt for the baby a few months ago, and I finally finished it this weekend! Here are the pictures of what it looks like. But, don't examine it too closely, or you'll see all my mistakes! The first picture is the frontside, and the other is the back! Anyway, I think it turned out pretty cute, as long as I don't look too closely! It's all flannel and fleece, so it will be pretty soft for baby! I can't wait to wrap baby Joseph up in it!

So Spoiled!

On Thursday, I had a long day, and was exhausted, complained about everything and was pretty ornery that evening. Most of my emotional stuff was fueled by pregnancy hormones (meaning blown out of proportion), but that's beside the point. Anyway, Matt handled the situation very well. Unknown to me, he went into the bathroom, cleaned it, gathered a couple candles, a portable CD player, bubble bath, etc. Then he gently took me by the hand into the bathroom, and instructed me to take a nice long relaxing candlelight bubble bath while he took care of Darren and cleaned the house. Being ornery, I wasn't convinced that's what I wanted, but I have to confess that after I got in the tub, I changed my mind (of course). Gradually, my mood changed, I relaxed, and my thoughts turned to gratitude for having such a patient and thoughtful husband. He never got upset with me, or even showed that he was annoyed (though he must have been). Instead, he pampered me, and took care of everything that needed to be done that night with a great big smile on his face! I felt very spoiled and undeserving of the great love and tenderness he showed me that night. I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man! I love you, Matt!