What's she doing now...

at two, Sophia....
-talks in well developed sentences: 'may I please open the door daddy?' 'I went to the zoo today,' 'going to the hospital, listen baby's heartbeat?' and on and on
-is getting to know her colors, we thought she was colored blind for awhile because even when she guessed she was wrong about 100% of the time...
-can undress herself with little assistance.
-can put her shoes on
-Can manipulate. We are biased in thinking she is pretty intelligent, of course. But lately this has manifested itself in tactics of manipulation: She had just been running around the table and talking about eating cake when she did something that warranted discipline. As David took her in the other room she said in a real whiny voice: 'I don't feel too well, I don't feel too well,' we just had to smirk at this attempt to get out of her discipline. Sorry charlie.
-has pretty decent Chinese
-has a real sense of humor, she really knows when she is being funny
-can throw a wonderful fit. And just yesterday we started trying to get her to put her hands together and take a deep breath to get self control, she has started to do this and it helps...some.
-can be very sensitive, a strong 'no' from us will get her crying really hard more because of the hurt feelings than what we are actually saying 'no' to.
-is a wonderful big sis, loves to kiss and touch Isabella

we can't wait to see what this year brings

Happy real birthday Sophia

We officially have a two year old and a two week old. Two years ago today Sophia entered our world...she has been an amazing joy and blessing. We are entering those years of defiance and stubbornness, but she is hilarious to watch and blows us away with how her mind works. Here are some pictures of Sophia's first few weeks of life and then some current ones as well:


Sophia's first weeks...



Two years later...

enjoying cake, and the beautiful barrette Aunt Beth sent (thank you!).

Sophia reading to Isabella...she is a wonderful big sis!

Happy Early Birthday Sophia

We decided to celebrate Sophia's 2nd birthday early so that Poppy and CC could join the fun. They bought Sophia this cute little cake, while all the big kids feasted on a blizzard cake from DQ (Sophia says ice cream is 'too cold'). She had a blast...

precious pics

here is a father's day photo...

lovin' her little sis...

Mothering two

Barely. I say barely because Isabella has been wanting to nurse every hour from about 3-6 a.m. for the past three nights. Last night was much better. By the time the sun is up I am ready for serious sleep. David and Poppy and CC have been wonderful, letting me sleep while they do other things...
So really, I don't quite feel like I am mothering two yet...but it will come. I am so thankful for the help. I need to write an 'Ode to Poppy and CC' and their extraordinary efforts in serving us by loving on their granddaughters. They win all awards for grandparents, parents, friends of the decade in my book. They just have a few short days left....it will be too sad. Sophia has LOVED all the time with them. They have taken her to the mall, to the play place, they brought her to the hospital every day while we were there. They bought a cake and gifts and we celebrated Sophia's 2nd birthday (early), it was fantastic. Today David took them all to the zoo...sorry no pics yet.

Happy Father's day David

I wish my brain was not mush these days so I could accurately portray with words the amazing husband and father that David is....He has been an incredible leader and servant, a great disciplinarian and teacher to Sophia and Me. I adore him. Happy Father's day David. All your girls love you so much!


Baby Isabella is still in the belly at this point. Haven't had time to download all the pics....

Happy Birthday Aunt Laura

It is past due, but Isabella was born on her Aunt Laura's birthday! Happy Birthday Laura! Love and miss you!

Introducing Isabella Hayil Coker

Isabella Hayil Coker made her debut on June 16th at 9:01 a.m., weighing 2.9 kg (6.3 lbs), and was 51 cm long (20 inches). We are all doing well. Here are some pics. Yes she is already almost a week old. I am sure blogging will be sparse over the next few weeks, but we had to share our joy:
I will post her birth story and other tidbits when I can.

still waiting

went to the hospital, contractions stopped. we already had an appointment, but is this some evil joke? no sleep last night, so i tried to nap, then contractions started again this afternoon....we will wait until they are longer and more painful....but I am not sure I can continue on all this non sleep when it is not even 'productive. ...we may opt for the C section after all. we need wisdom. so no news....may be awhile..

This may be the day...

Okay, so today may be the day of Baby Coker girl #2, I was up all night. I couldn't sleep at first, then around 3 started having contractions, consistent this time. Ten minutes apart, not too painful, this is a very slow start, not a good sign for someone trying for a VBAC. It is now almost 8 am here and they are about 7-8 minutes apart and not lasting long. So already one night no sleep, this is reminiscent of Sophia....ut oh. We will leave in just a little bit to go in, as the doc said to come in when they are this far apart. Can't do the 36 hour labor again, so we will see and keep you posted....
MEANWHILE....
Poppy and CC arrived after a tumultuous time getting to the west coast to catch their international flight (they RAN to the plane), their bags came 2 days later....
We have had a wonderful time hanging out, showing them around, and watching them enjoy Sophia.
Here are some recent pics:

reading the paper over her cereal, just like Mommy was doing. This paper had a picture of an elephant with an 'owie,' two broken legs, so she enjoyed talking about it.

all smiles with Poppy and CC around...precious pic

Poppy and CC took us to Ocean World...

scared of the boat...glass bottom to see all the fishies, she got over it quick and took it all in.

the boat was all she talked about for quite a while


the snake, still unphased even by touching it. no sweat.

lots of sharks, which she kept calling dolphins


June 14, our date night. the last one ended in a cancellation and DAvid in the CCU. This was the first time someone other than us has put Sophia down in over a year. I was worried. She didn't look back, and didn't even ask about us. We were sad and glad (I am starting to sound like Dr. Seuss).

Sophia's great great Aunt Martha Lou gave her this new dress with scarf, too adorable. And she is a ham for the camera.

False Labor and Ultrasound

Last Thursday night I had contractions on and off almost all night. They were not consistent but they did last all night, which was strange. Sometimes 15 minutes apart, sometimes shorter, it just varied. I let David sleep (they were not that painful, so I knew they were not 'productive'), and I got up and read, walked around (helped the discomfort), and actually got things ready in case they got consistent, more painful, and closer together. I finally laid back down around 3 a.m. and then they stopped. Crazy. I wasn't too sure what to think, I called the doctor at 9 a.m. and he said to come in just to make sure (this is 2 weeks before my due date). I sat on the monitor for 30 minutes, our friends took Sophia (they happened to be at the hospital for other appts), and I had zero contractions, which I knew. The baby was fine, and after an exam the doc said I didn't seem close (no dilation), false alarm. Then I went for my 38 week ultrasound yesterday. She is still a girl :), and she is a little small, but not abnormally so, about 3kg, give or take, (a little over 6 lbs), this is good for a VBAC, but we still have two weeks to go. I am hoping she grows a little bit. Sophia was 3.5 kg. Everything else looked fine. And so we wait! Poppy and CC arrive in about 48 hours or less, YEAH!

appointments update, etc

Monday's appointments all went well. This next Monday we will have an ultrasound, 38 weeks, whoa. Sophia got her last Rabies shot, this time we gave her tylenol and just to be sure the doctor wanted us to give her some benadryl type stuff just in case her high fever last time had something to do with the shot. We gave her one dose of each, and all was fine. she whimpered for about two seconds during the shot and then was fine.

David saw the same cardiologist that tended him when he was in the coronary care unit, and all looks great there as well! No need for another heart monitor, but still staying on a low dose of meds.

And the Chinese tutor? I will say I expected to be disappointed, not thinking that anyone could top the time she spends with xiao chen. But this girl is very good, she brings things that do help her 'teach' although they are really playing, she talks to her the whole time saying what she is doing and she is very animated, I hear Sophia laughing quite a bit! Yesterday she brought stickers of different appliances, washing machine, refrigerator, etc. then all in Chinese asked Sophia where they were, etc. It was very effective as she learned what it was the teacher was talking about! This is TPR (total physical response) language learning at its best. I think this will be so helpful, so we are going through with it! She is scheduled for four days a week until who knows when???? It may just be a few weeks until the baby comes or we may try to keep going until we leave, we will see what our schedules look like then!