Church news

I was recently reminded that I haven't posted an update on our lives in quite a while. So, here goes:

1) Summit Church is no more. Sadly the church we moved out here to help plant has disbanded and merged with another Wesleyan church in the Denver area. Craig is working for this church, Cherry Creek Wesleyan Church, and helping in any area he can. The lead pastor has lots of projects for him to work on. Craig is guaranteed a job through next May. After that we are waiting to see what God provides.

2) No seizures for me since August 2nd. The new medication is working and Levi seems unaffected by it.

3) I go back to work on November 2nd. I'll be working part-time for 4 weeks and then back to full-time on November 30th. We met with a daycare provider yesterday so that Levi can be in daycare for 2 days out of the week. This will allow Craig a couple days for meetings and whatever else he can fit in the day. For the remaining 3 days Craig will be Levi's primary care giver. If you think about it please pray for me next week. It will be one of the hardest things emotionally that I will ever do.

That's it for now. I promise I'm trying to be better at posting. Hopefully life will settle into a good routine in the next few weeks.

New pictures

Here are some current pictures of Levi. Monday we go in for his 2 month Checkup. Then we'll finally know how much he weighs. He has grown a ton (probably more like a few pounds) in the last 3 weeks.


Grandpa Coe and Levi hanging out.


Most of his pictures have this expression. He doesn't like to smile when the camera is on him. But he is a smiler and loves to talk. One of these days I'll put up a video so you all can enjoy his jabbering.


I finally got a good picture with a smile!


This is our strong man.

This one is for Uncle Rich. The pacifier was from Craig's brother Curtis. Craig had to take this picture while I was out of the house since he knew I wouldn't allow it if I was around. (I'm a Colts fan.)

He's Here!

This is really sad - but - I started this post on August 29th and am now just getting to finishing it. I'll hopefully be posting more pictures soon. I'm trying - really!

Levi Craig Coe arrived on Friday, August 21st, 2009 at 3:07 am.
Weight: 6lbs 8oz
Length: 19 3/4 in.


Labor began at 5pm on August 20th and we arrived at the hospital at 1am on the 21st. After a quick and hard labor he was born 2 hours later.

This is Levi's 1 week picture. Mel got a great idea from a friend to take pictures in the same chair to see the growth. So we are doing the same and will post the pictures from time to time.

Levi's first sponge bath - from start to finish.

Sorry - I had to put this one in there. Doesn't he have the cutest behind?

Week 40 - And no baby yet

Here I am this morning before work. Today's the due date and no baby yet. Not even a sign that he's on his way. So we'll see if tomorrow is our lucky day. Tomorrow is also Craig's birthday. Today, Dad & Mom finally arrived after many delayed flights. However, their luggage is lost and they don't have any clothes. I guess it's good that we don't have a busy agenda - just hanging out and waiting for the baby to get here so they can focus on getting their lost luggage and/or replacement clothing.

38 Weeks 4 Days

- Above are some current pictures. The first is of me at 38 weeks 4 days (today). We had our 38 week appointment today and I'm apparently 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I like how a co-worker put it; "Well, you only have 9 more to go." Mom reminded me last night that she was dilated 2 cm for 1 week so I'm not putting much pressure on Levi to make an appearance any time soon. I'm content to wait for him to arrive.

- Plus I still have many things to do. For instance, as I write this post I'm putting together my Labor Playlist for my new iPod Nano that Craig got me as my Push/Birthday/Anniversary gift. Did you know that guys are expected to purchase something shiny for their wives as a "push gift"? I learned this at work this past year, with all the babies we've been having. I guess the baby isn't gift enough anymore. Seems a little odd to me that women want a pain free labor and something that sparkles. Oh well, I'm not complaining. I'm excited to use the iPod. We bought a clock/iPod docking station/CD player that will go in Levi's room so the iPod is really more like a family gift anyway. ;-)

- The other pictures are of the crib (that a friend gave to us for FREE!!!!), the glider and ottoman that the Ruder side of the family purchased for us, and a shelving/drawer unit that we are putting in the closet. We have plenty of storage for right now. I'm a little nervous to find out how much of it will be used as this little guy grows.

- An update on the seizure medication: The first one we tried that is safe for breast feeding did not work. In fact I had 2 seizures on Friday night/early Saturday morning. So the neurologist is having me try a different medication. Hopefully this one will work and I can be completely off the Keppra before Levi arrives. It takes approximately 5 days for the medication to leave the system so we're praying that this one works. This new medication makes me very drowsy so I'm not much good at work. I guess this is good preparation for my supervisors to learn what it's like to not have me there. ;-) I started the new medication on Tuesday and so far no seizures.

- I guess that's all from CO. When we have pictures of Levi we'll put them up here for everyone to enjoy.

Week 37 Update

It's official -I'm on the home stretch. Today I reached week 37 of this pregnancy. If labor begins they won't stop it. Craig and I (more me than Craig) have been frantically working on Levi's room. I had intended to take pictures tonight but Craig decided to paint all the trim in the room today so everything is pushed to the middle of the room - not a very pretty picture. Hopefully next week we'll be ready to show off the room.

- A huge relief for us is my transition to a new seizure medication that is safe for breastfeeding. It is a 7 day process to take me off the old and go on to the new. Today is day 4 and so far everything is going great!

- Tomorrow is our 9th anniversary! I can't believe it's been 9 years already. Also, don't forget that tomorrow is also my mother's 50th birthday!

- Craig and I have been attending birthing classes and have our final one on Thursday. Plus, Wednesday we'll be interviewing a pediatrician. Life is pretty busy right now. Thankfully I finished my summer class and can focus on getting ready for the baby. I think the busyness is preparation for the craziness that results from having a baby.

- Below is a recap of all the prego pictures we've taken. It's amazing to see the transformation that a woman's body goes through in order to give birth to a new life. The last picture is me today - 37 weeks. Enjoy!

20 Weeks
23 Weeks
27 Weeks
35 Weeks

37 Weeks

Week 36 & Baby Shower

Below are some pictures from the baby shower that the girls from Summit Church threw for Craig and I. The theme for the shower was potatoes - because I love potatoes. So does Spud, aka Levi. The shower was tons of fun and a huge blessing! I finally feel like I can get Levi's room ready. In fact, Craig and I were working on that tonight and I realized I needed to post to the blog - since I've re-committed to my Monday posts.

Hopefully soon I'll be able to get pictures of the room taken and posted for you to enjoy. I must say the time is closing in very quickly. The baby timeline at the top of the blog freaks me out at times. Like today - when I realized that there are only 28 days until my due date!!!! I'm not ready yet! Do all new moms feel like this?

Enjoy the pictures below. And in case you are wondering - I have no idea what I'm doing in the last picture. But I know for sure I wasn't having contractions or in labor. ;-)