Reagan Jean has arrived

A day that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

August 8, 2013 

She arrived and again I was taken. Smitten. Breath gone.

Precious. Perfect. Complete joy. A treasure.

Our little girl, Reagan Jean.

Her birth story is not uncommon :: contractions, labor, epidural, delivery.
But it is totally unique to us and hers alone.

She had me fooled.  I expected her early and confidently told others she would be here early.  Why I was so confident I have no idea. I know better. Timing is not mine to decide. The days crept closer to her due date and then past it. I was baffled.  When would she arrive? On the night of her due date, August 7th, Matt and I were chatting about when she might make her entrance and he commented that she could come any time after his 10 meeting in the morning.  It was one he would rather not miss.

And so, as you could expect...

 ...at 4 am on the morning of the 8th the contractions began and didn't stop.  I spent the next two hours laying on my left side, walking around, praying, packing bags.  At 6 am when Matt's alarm went off I let him know he was going to miss that 10 am meeting...

Grandma came to watch the guy and we left for the hospital. Got there and I was at a 5. Phew!  No sending me home - she was on her way and I was already exhausted, already hungry..oh and excited.  We would finally see her face! I needed to be hooked up to an IV for antibiotics to protect against Strep B and the Doctor preferred 2 rounds 4 hours apart. I decided to get the epidural because of the length of time that I would need to labor.  And the epidural made things stop.  I mean really stop.  Hard labor contractions went from every 2-3 min to 13 and barely a blip on the screen.  Oh well..we had time.

Predictions were made.  Nurse predicted 6:30. Anesthesiologist predicted 7:00. She arrived at 6:45.

She was beautiful. LONG dark hair. Dark eyes. Full cheeks. Tiny fingers and toes...and like I said before I was taken. So was her Daddy. She wrapped him around her tiny little finger in a matter of seconds. He'll have to tell you about it sometime.

She became ours.

Given to us for a time. A precious amount of time that I pray is long and that I won't waste a second of.

We spent the next few hours with friends and family... and In n Out.  Remember. I was hungry.

Introducing
Miss Reagan Jean Poladian
8 lbs 3 oz :: 21 inches
August 8, 2013 :: 6:45 pm

 

Remember. Hungry

Cooper meeting his sister for the first time. A moment that is tucked away in my heart forever. 

Mama snuggles.  I needed one.

..and now we are 4

Taking her home!
She did not want a picture. Modest already.

This is your story, Pretty Girl. I love you.

Love, Mama

Colorado, Carter Lee and Callie Jean

We boarded a plane with 3 very excited people.  Cooper was beyond excited to be on an airplane on his way to see Callie Jean and we were excited to spend time with family and meet our new nephew! 

It was a win-win situation!

We enjoyed a full weekend with the Bosserts and couldn't get enough snuggles from Carter Lee.  He is just the cutest, squishiest little man...we love him!

Uncle Matt and Carter Lee

Carter and big sister Callie Jean

The twosome cozied in for a bike ride.  Giggles could be heard far and wide.  

We enjoyed a wonderful morning at the Denver Zoo. It was so much fun and a lot of the animals put on a great show for us.

It is so fun that these two have "ideas" now.  Here they were taking to go orders from Grandma.  

and a few of the new little man

Cooper John :: 2 years old

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. -Psalm 127:3-4

The truth in this verse is becoming more and more real to me as the years go on. 

Heritage :: valued objects, inheritance, legacy

Cooper is indeed a valued object.  Given to us for a short time to raise and train and direct and instruct and love on and so much more.  How his life takes shape and form is a heritage from the Lord.  What God has taught and instructed us we hope to pass onto him in a way that he will cling to it tightly and make it his own. The ultimate goal - he would be saved and pass that onto his children. A legacy. 

Arrows :: intended to fly straight, released from a bow

Cooper is an arrow in our quiver.  We will one day send him out from our home, like an arrow released from it's bow, and watch him fly. Beautiful and Precious is the job of a parent.  We take it seriously.  We toil and rejoice, pray and discipline, laugh and cry because we understand the outcome is influenced by what happens now. We know that we can't just sit back over the next 18 or so years and hope that when that day comes he will take off and fly straight.  We need to dig in and get our hands dirty, so to speak, relying on the Lord for the strength and wisdom it will take to release him with joy!  As much as I want that day to be long in coming - I also wait longingly to see the man he has become.  

Lord willing - he will be like his Daddy - who is like his - who both strive to be like the Lord :: heritage

----- :: -----

Cooper John, like the first song you learned at church and surprised us by singing one day, our love for you is deep and wide.  Not a day goes by that your Daddy and I don't end it talking about you and how you amaze us.  We are usually laughing and praying with thanksgiving that you are part of our family.  

This next year will be a big one for you.  You will become a brother and test your boundaries, I'm sure.  You will learn to use the potty and how to count to 10 without skipping 3, 8 and 9.  You will continue to learn to listen and obey and what happens if you don't.  

And then there are the things we hope continue.  I hope you still love to read books and play basketball.  I hope you still love tractors and dancing.  I hope you still love to snuggle with your Mama and run down the hall when Daddy comes home.  I hope you still shout hello to friends and family, and sometimes strangers, with that infectious voice. I hope your feet stay "happy" and you continue to try new things unaware of whether you succeed or fail.  I hope you still call yourself "Pooper" and use phrases like "I think so" and "How about..." But mostly, I hope you begin to understand the love of Jesus and the sacrifice He made on the cross so that you could have eternal life.

And a few photos of our boy on his birthday ::

  Donut cake and Happy Birthday face time with Daddy

Present from Mama and Daddy - 4 full episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - a favorite

 and a chair to match ours in the courtyard 

(Note: purchased by Daddy without Mama knowing - it's a little thing he does. We secretly love it even though I give him a hard time about it!)

Off to the Splash Pad to run around with friends

Then to dinner at Islands with Grammie and Gramps

 This was your idea.  

I think it went something like this..
"Daddy stand right there...Pooper stand right there"

Our Sweet 2 year old Man

Showing me you are 2
(using 10 fingers because it is a little hard to just hold up 2) 

Oh, little Arrow - I love you dearly.

Love, Mama

Happy Birthday & Father's Day Matt!

I love when June rolls around.

I have the opportunity to love on and celebrate my boys.

Matt's birthday, father's day and Cooper's birthday are all within a couple of weeks of each other!  First up...Matt!

What a blessing it is to be married and continue to find reasons why that person is so great!  Matt is constantly reminding me of what it is that drew me to him so many years ago and giving me more reasons for the years to come.  

He is so busy between long and demanding work hours and ministry at church but we always feel like a priority here in the house.  He takes our calls at any moment throughout the day, he welcomes us to the office often for lunches, he leaves early for special celebrations, he works hard to provide for us, he reads to Cooper every night before bed, he finds ways to show me how much he loves and appreciates me, he is creative in thinking of family outings and prays for us.  

Here is how we celebrated his special day!

Started out with the traditional donut cake!  

Cooper and I made him a new prayer journal since his other one went missing.  It was a fun project. 

Donuts with Dad!

 Cooper painted a picture to take to Daddy's office where we were joining him for lunch.

Lunch with work buddies!  

and lastly we ended the day at Brother's Sushi. Matt's favorite restaurant.  What a fun day!

Next up - Father's Day!  

It's amazing to see the man I've known as husband for seven years take on the roll of father.  He has learned a lot from our Heavenly Father and the examples of wonderful friends and family. Our boy just adores him and I can be sure Reagan will feel the same way.  The first thing Cooper usually asks me in the morning is where Daddy is. It's precious.  

After church we headed to the park for some fun with the family! We ate and played..perfect!

And then there is my Papa!  My Dad is steady and for that I'm so thankful. He always has been and always will be.  I know just what to expect and know he can be counted on.  A rare quality! Cooper gets such a kick out of his Gramps.  He talks about him often and loves to play with him.  We love you Gramps!

Two of the best Dads around!  I am one blessed Mama!

Next up - Cooper John Turns 2!