LUKE

Meet Luke.

Luke William Coy

Born February 15, 2011

11:53pm. 5lbs. 10 oz.

He was a tiny baby from the very beginning, which, we never learned why. He was breech, version, breach, version. Always keeping us on our toes. I went into labor four days early with my water breaking on the way to the hospital. When we arrived, we found out that there was merconium in the water. He wasn't doing well, with his heartbeat dropping, and we were taken for an emergency c-section. Not my finest hour. I HATED it. But, in the end, I got my sweet and loving Luke. For which, I will always be grateful.

Luke is such a happy baby. He loves to be tickled anywhere! His favorite spots are right where his leg meets his torso. He has several nicknames: Chubs, Mr. Chubby, Baby Bear, Mr. Luke, Lukey, Baby Monkey, Lukers, and more. He loves doing anything with his big brother. He is a great eater and drinker, never afraid to try new things. Veggies are his least favorite.

He has a serious temper and has mastered the art of the temper tantrums. He is a great sleeper.
He has steel blue/gray eyes, though we are hoping they turn blue. However, we doubt this'll happen. It looks more and more like his eyes will be hazel.

He started walking on August 2, 2011... at the ripe old age of 15 mths and 17 days. He has had more sinus infections than I can count. Which I don't get as he was nursed till he was eight and a half months old.

He loves playing with cars, getting into the cupboard and chillin', and baths. When he hears the water running, he runs to the bathroom. We have to close the door now and he just stands there screaming and throwing a fit to get in. When I pull him out, he gets super angry. He loves the water.

With this new fall snow, I've taken him into it, and he HATES it. Not just a little bit, A LOT!!! He just stands there and screams. So, apparently, he is a summer baby. : ) Landon and I, on the other hand, had a fantastic time!

His newest thing: When he gets angry, he does what he wants and then looks at you, sticks out his tongue and goes, "PPPTTTTTTFFFF." Hilarious. Such an attitude.

First serious injury: When he was just a little baby, I had him locked in his car seat and tied Bailey to his stroller. Bailey ran around the yard, taking Luke with him. Needless to say, I was just sick.

First blood gusher: 11/6/2011 he bonked his gums on our end table, splitting open his gums.

He loves shoes, on his hands and feet. He loves putting anything and everything in his mouth. He loves to wrestle and be silly... and he is very, very good at both of these.

He loves his brother and follows him around like a puppy dog. It just melts my heart to see them play together. I just love it. He loves Bentley too. He just laughs and laughs at everything he does. He just grabs Bentley anywhere he can. Bentley, is not a fan.

He is also a mama's boy. If I am not sitting, he must be in my arms or must know that I am in the room. I love this.

He was named after Shawn's side, following suit with the middle name William. He looks the most like his mommy, we are almost identical babies.

He is an absolute blessing to us and we are so thankful to have our little Luke. He makes my heart so happy.

Every good and perfect gift is from above.

-James 1:17

Sisterly Love

My sister Sammi and I are the bestest of friends, so needless to say her moving to Arizona, was incredibly difficult for me.

She left on Saturday July 9th. One of THE worst days of my life. Ryan left for Oregon in 2000 after her wedding. Just like Ryan's departure, Sammi's left me crying and standing in the middle of the road, just watching her drive out of my life.

Thankfully, they are still so much a part of my life and my kiddos. We text almost every day and talk every week (or try!)

I have been working 12 hour shifts and trying to bring in some extra $$$ for the family. I got home tonight and found some sweet gifts from my sister Sammi.

In case you can't tell, they are fuschia suede Steve Madden pumps..... AMAZING! While she was visiting in August, my dog ate my shoes. So... she replaced them. But better.

....and a SIGG water bottle. I had recently told her that I had to throw my old SIGG out, so she replaced it too! How thoughtful. I am just blown away...

So lucky to have such an amazing and thoughtful person in my life. God has truly blessed me with her and I thank God for her. I miss her and Ryan every day. Thankfully, I have this sweet tattoo to remind me that even though they may fly far away, they are with me ALWAYS. Not to mention, it ups my street cred. : )

If You Don't Know, Now You Know!

Well, I have been THE WORST blogger, ever. Nothing for over a year? Terrible. I have resolved to be a much better blogger. To start, I will just give a brief recap since my last blog.

The best thing to happen to us in 2010 was the arrival of our sweet little Luke. He was due 2.19.2010, but came into this world on 2.15.2010. Sunday February 14th I started having contractions but then they stopped. So, I didn't think much of it. They kept on through the night and I just tossed and turned. I went to work and told my boss that I needed the afternoon off. So, I went to lunch with my sister Sammi and Aunt Dan. I told them what was going on and little did I know at the time, my Aunt Dan said I'd have the baby that day.

I went home, napped, and work up feeling funny. I went to my mother-in-law's home with my grocery list in hand (I was bound and determined to get groceries that night for the week). I went up the steep driveway and that's when the contractions started. I didn't think much of it, but they started coming heavy and strong. Pam, my mother-in-law, wouldn't let me leave and called Shawn to come get me and get me to St. Joe's. She was so sweet and shaved my legs for me, while I waited for Shawn to come get me. I called the nurse with Kaiser and she told me that if any body parts come out to call 911. This didn't freak me out!!!

Shawn came and Aunti Nicki rode with us on our way to the hospital. We made it almost to Gunther Toody's and my water broke in the car! The contractions were so painful and so constant. When we arrived, the doctors told me that there was merconium in my belly, so it wasn't too safe for the baby. Then they did an ultrsound and found that Luke was vertex, but had his hands up over his head. On top of it all, it turns out the cord was around his neck several times, so every time I had a contraction his heart would stop.

In we went for an emergency c-section (which, I DID NOT want).

Luke William Coy was born at 10:53p.m. on February 12, 2010.

5 pounds 15 oz

He was and is such a joy and blessing to our lives! He just turned one and we had a great monkey themed birthday to help celebrate! Mommy made him a banana cake and he didn't know what to think of it! He either laughs from his toes with this amazing laugh or does his little grunt laugh. When he gets really happy, he smiles so it scrunches his nose. He started crawling at 11 months and still isn't walking. He had his first tooth just days before his 7 month birthday and now he has 6 teeth. Four came in at the same time!!!

We went to Mexico with him and got his passport at the tender age of two weeks old! We had a fabulous time seeing Aunti Sammi (Ami) get married to Uncle Dave. It rained the first four days, but the skies cleared in time for her to get married on the beach, just like she always dreamed about! She was such an amazingly beautiful bride!!!!

Mommy went back to work just after Mother's day, kinda cruel if you ask me. :) We had so much fun over the summer, going to the park, bike rides, Waterworld, Elitches, hiking, and more. Daddy celebrated one year with Yellow Pages and is doing so well with it.

Landon started preschool in the Aurora Public Schools speech therapy department in the fall. He is doing so well! His speech has improved (as much as I'd love him to talk like that forever!) and he is learning so much - educationally and socially!!! What a loving and sweet boy he is! He makes his mommy and daddy so proud!

Phew!!! Trying to sum up our crazy year in a few sentences is hard!!!

Well, I will do much better, I hope!!! Here's to a great 2011!

xoxo

Looking back on 2009

The past year has been pretty crazy. Our little family went through so much and we are so much stronger as a result. There were some really low moments and also some very high moments... which leaves me with mixed emotions about the past year.

The first quarter was pretty uneventful. In April I got promoted to PIP at work, which was a postition I had ALWAYS wanted! I got a new manager and a new team, which I love! On 5/7/2009 Dave proposed to my sister, Sammi. He was so sweet to let me be a part, which, I am forever grateful! For all of you who know me, I am a bit of a control freak and love doing fun surprises for people! He got dozens and dozens of rose petals, made a shirt for Landon to wear that asked her to marry him and had Shawn and I sneak into the house to get it all set up. They went to Del Frisco's, came home and found us waiting for them! She cried and her hands shook... she was so happy!

Next, was Sammi and I's birthdays. This time of year is my favorite! We celebrated with family dinners and, of course, a night of dancing! On 6/11/2009 I found out that I was pregnant. Shawn and I had been trying, I just didn't think it would work. For some reason I thought I didn't think I would be lucky enough to be blessed with another beautiful baby! He was on the couch and I just walked up to hiim crying. He said, "You're pregnant!" and all I could do was nod my head. He then kissed my belly and said a prayer for us and the baby... just like he did with Landon!

On 7/10/2009 I celebrated my grandpa Howdy's passing after 15 years. Landon and I went with my mom and Craig to Fort Logan. We brought him orange and blue (he was a die hard Broncos fan) and talked to him. It was so nice to see him again. That same night, we were told that my other grandpa, Donald Keith Bloomquist "Gramps", fell and broke his neck as a result of his defibrilator going off. He had a black eye and was, once again, in the ICU.

Gramps was in an out of the ICU for several months, if not years. On Monday 7/27/2009 his defibrilator went off early in the morning and he was placed in a drug induced coma. I was called at work and told to come down and see him again for the last time. I left work immediately and went to Sky Ridge. I was so glad that Shawn, Sammi and I all made it in time. He passed away a little after 11am. I was so lucky to be able to say goodbye and to be there with him and for him in his last moments. He was such an amazing man and God blessed us with 25 extra years with him. He was a fighter and fought to the very end. We all miss him so much! We had his funeral on Wednesday August 5, 2009 and Ryan and Conolly came back for it. It was our first time meeting her! So did other family members and close friends, which were all so nice to see, just wish it was better circumstances.

On August 8, 2009 Shawn left his job. This was a great thing for him, just a bit stressful! He had been run ragged and treated misfairly by his boss and co-workers. So, it was time for him to leave. So, he was super lucky to become a stay at home daddy while he looked for a job. Which, was amazing for him and Landon to have all of that quality time together! They both just loved it.

We celebrated Landon's third birthday on August 27, 2009. I still can't believe he is getting so big! I made him a choo choo train cake and he just loved it! That week Shawn found out that he got an amazing job with Yellowpages.com and AT&T. He was over the moon! We all were, just sad to lose him as a stay at home daddy! September 14, 2009 he flew to Arizona for three weeks of intense training. I was heart broken!

While he was gone, I found out that Chance's dog food was contaminated with grain mites, so I took him in for a check up. When I was there, they did an xray of his right front paw. They came back and told me and my dad (who came with to walk Chance) that Chancey had bone cancer. I could not believe it... I just cried and cried. I could not stop. They said that he had less than six months and that it would start to spread. We knew he had even less time as he had been limping since the end of June or beginning of July. I had to break this terrible news to Shawn over the phone. It was the worst!

Shawny came home on October 2nd and I turned 20 weeks the same day. We were all so glad to have him back home! Meanwhile, we soaked up our baby Chance and spoiled him. With lots of human food (which he NEVER got before), belly rubs and love. Before we knew it, he didn't want to eat, lost his bowels and was just in too much pain to even get up. He was pacing at night and the poor thing just couldn't get comfortable with all the pain he was in. They say bone cancer is the most painful cancer to have, for dogs and humans. So, with heavy heavy hearts, we put him to sleep on November 10, 2009. That was THE HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. I was not prepared to leave him... but I don't think you ever really can be.

As a result of Chance's death, I was so depressed. I had lost my first born and nothing seemed to cheer me up. So, on Sunday November 15th, we decided to open the card from the ultrasound tech and find out the sex of our baby. Either way, boy or girl, it was AMAZING news. News that we needed to cheer us up and get our minds off of Chance for once. We went to my dad's with my sister and Dave. After brunch, we opened it up and found out that we are going to have another baby boy! We were so excited! A brother and best friend for Landon!

After thinking long and hard about whether to get another dog, we decided that it is the right time for us. No dog will ever fill Chance's paws. :) So, on December 21, 2009 we adopted Gracie Joy Coy into our family. She is such a sweetie and it is so nice to have a dog in the house again. Although, we still miss Chancey baby terribly!

This year has brought so many blessings into our lives... Shawn's new job, Gracie and baby Luke. However, there were several extremely rough times... Shawn being unemployed, losing Chance and my Gramps. Everything happens for a reason and I am so looking forward to 2010. I know that there will be so many wonderful things in store for us, after the rocky 2009 we had! Sammi and Dave will be getting married, we are giong to have baby Luke, I will be off for 12 weeks with the boys, we are going to Mecaso (Mexico) for ten days on our first real family vacation and (not that I am too excited about it, but...) Shawn and I will both turn 30!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and blessed 2010! I praise God for all of His blessings and I love to see His plan and purpose for our lives. Even though at times I didn't understand it, looking back now, I do. I know my Gramps is at peace and I will see him again some day. He is watching down on us and taking special care of us. Same with Chance, when I walk into heaven, he will run up to me and give me all those kisses I have been missing! Shawn ended up getting an amazing job and is doing so well at it. What a blessing!

I am glad 2009 is over, what a journey it was! Looking forward to watching my baby sis and bestest friend get married and bringing this baby boy into the world and more importantly, such a wonderful and loving family! We are so thankful to have the people in our lives that we do!

Thank you to all of my friends and family who have been there for us during this rough and exciting time! It is GREATLY appreciated and I love you all so much!
xoxo
Randi Lynn

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Chance William Coy
January 28, 2000 - November 10, 2009
"Puppas" "Sweet Baby Chance" "Chancey"

Well, I am sad to say that we have lost our first baby, Chance. He was put to rest yesterday, seven weeks to the day, that he was diagnosed with bone cancer.

He had been getting so much worse and showing us how much pain that he was in, that we decided we could not let him suffer any longer. On Friday October 30th we were watching scary movies in the dark and were screaming with it. Chance kept coming up to us and we thought he just didn't understand what was going on. But, he continued to come up to us lifting his paw, until the very end. We would give him everything he needed and he would just shift positions or find someone else to go to. Like he was never comfortable. Keep in mind that Chance has never pawed for anything, EVER. So, we knew this was a big deal.

Chance is an inside dog, so when we would put him outside, he would claw at the door and cry. Lately, he just lays down on the cement and lays his chin on the step. Before he was diagnosed and on pain meds, I would ask him to come to bed with me and he just wouldn't. I didn't think of it then, but now I know why.

On Sunday November 8th, in the middle of the night, Chancey woke up and went to our bedroom door. Shawn thought he just needed to go outside, but Chance would not go. He then started to pace our house, back and forth. So, we comforted him and talked to him and unknowingly gave him five pain pills. As a result, he was finally able to get comfortable and go to sleep. He did the same thing Monday night as he slept on the bed with us. Head up, head down, head up... just unable to get to sleep. So, we gave him more pills and he was able to rest. We knew it was time for him to go on Morphine if his pills weren't helping him any longer. But, the thought of him being in so much pain that he needed morphine, was a thought we couldn't bear. That would be torture for all of us and we didn't want him to suffer.



I gave him his breakfast yesterday morning and he could not even finish it. Which, is so unlike Chance. Whenever there is food, Chance is there. No crumb left behind. I thought for sure that while we were gone he would finish it. I came home to find it still there, untouched. Shawn thinks he stayed on the rug near the back door all day, as he was too afraid to walk on our floor. He has fallen more and needs the rugs on the hardwood floors to be super close in order for him to pass. He has always had bad hips and now a bad front paw that he hasn't been walking on since the summer. He has been avoiding his right front paw since July, maybe even June. They said he would have maybe six months and he has been limping for over four months.

Sammi and Dave came over and took some last pictures of us and then we gave Chance his chocolate cake that Landon and I had made the night before. He started licking it and then just started taking big bites... it was great to see him enjoy it so much. We then got him in the car and he seemed so happy, like he knew his pain was about to be over. He continued to be happy the whole way there and even once we got to the vet's office. Normally, he is so scared and reserved there. But this time he wasn't.

When we pulled up, Shawn and I said a prayer for Chance. To give him peace and to make it painless for him. We went in and the doctors talked to us and helped us get everything set. They took him and put his IV in and then gave us time with him. The vet, Dr. McLucas, even cried a couple of times. She said that she tells herself and her mentees that if they ever stop crying or caring about the animals that they are putting to sleep, then they should no longer be a vet. I thought this was so sweet. We kissed and hugged puppas and so did she. Which was so touching for us.

She held his head in her hands as he slowly drifted to sleep and then he lowered his head and closed his eyes. He was at peace. We continued to hug and kiss him and tell him that he was no longer in pain and that we would see him in heaven. I told him that he better run up and find me as soon as I enter those gates. It was so hard to say goodbye. Not to be there to put him to sleep, but to leave him in that room. To return home without our baby. We walked out and looked at him through the window. We went on for a bit more and I just wanted to run back, hug him and never ever let him go.

We pulled out of the parking lot and I just started to bawl and could not stop. When we got home Landon asked me where he went, I told him that he went bye bye. I put him to bed that night and Landon says to me, 'Landon bring Chancey home, K Mommy?' My heart just broke and I started to cry. I told him that I wish he could, but that Chancey is up in heaven with Jesus protecting him. Landon then fell asleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and there was no Chancey there by my side. I could see where his bed was and it was gone and so was he. I just started to cry and could not stop for over an hour. I feel like a part of me is missing, a part of our family is missing. The house seems empty and so cold without him. People keep saying that it will get better and I hope so. I have this pain in my chest that has not gone away since last night... my heart is literally broken without my Chancey.

Chance was such an amazing dog. We were lucky to adopt him six and a half years ago when we got married. We have known him since he was a baby, playing with him, loving up on him and dogsitting him. He came to us knowing and loving us, as we did him. He was potty trained, never begged, never got into anything, never snapped, never not let Landon use him as a jungle gym, never pawed for anything, never had accidents... he was literally a PERFECT DOG. He was chill and lazy and this is how we loved him.

I thank God for our Chance and the time we got to spend with him. I thank God that we were blessed with him and that he could go in such a peaceful way. He brightened our lives and offered us so much unconditional love. We will miss him dearly.

Thank you sweet Puppas for your loyalty, companionship, friendship, hugs, kisses, patience, laughs, walks, funny times, and unconditional love. We love you so very much and will miss you more than words can say.
XOXO, Mommy, Daddy and Landon

20 Week Appointment!

So, on Tuesday October 20, 2009 we had our 20 week appointment. Even though I was 20 weeks and 4 days pregnant. We had Landon's 20 week appointment late as well, his was on 4/25/2006, almost exactly three and a half years ago! If we had waited five more days, it would have been three and a half years ago to the day!

We were so excited to see our little one again. We had decided that we would walk in and tell her right away that we did not want to know the sex. Her name was Crystal and she checked everything out. Counting the chambers in the heart, counting the number of hands, arms, feet and legs. When she was all done with everything, I stupidly asked her if she knew what we were having. She said she did, she had snuck a peek! It must have been so close... I was looking, secretly trying to see if I could see something. I didn't see a thing!

So, I asked her if I was right (I think it's a boy), she said she couldn't tell me. I then asked her if that meant it was a girl. She said maybe! Maybe? Ugh.... that got my mind running! I just CAN'T read into it! She was so stoic (or I thought anyway)! Shawn got the impression that she thought we were having a boy... just off of her expressions. But, I didn't see it and am just not thinking about it! It was so hard to know that this woman, Crystal, knows the sex of our baby and the fate of our little family!

The baby looks great! No cleft palate, strong heart and all limbs are present and accounted for! This baby is a little wiggle worm! She could not get a profile so had to smush my belly, it was SO PAINFUL! But, she got the shot! She ended up giving us 8 videos, yes, videos! They are only five seconds long, but they are amazing! You can see the baby sucking his thumb and moving his head forward and back. It is so incredible.

Yesterday was hard for me. Having to come to work and tell everyone what happened, hearing everyone say their thoughts as to the sex. I thought about finding out the sex but then woke up this morning and realized I don't want to find out. I have always wanted this surprise and now is the opportunity. Why spoil it? I am over halfway done and can do it.

So, we will find out the sex in February! I still think it's a boy. Another boy would be fabulous - matching outfits and the chance to try for a third baby! A girl would also be so much fun! Finally, some estrogen in the house with me (i.e. no more sports for mom! I'll have a shopping buddy!) and daddy would have his daddy's girl! But, God has this precious little one waiting for us and whatever the sex is, it will be just amazing to be blessed with this little darling! :)

Bad News Bears...

Well, we are on the home stretch. Daddy will be coming home on Friday night and I can't wait! Last week was incredibly difficult with lots of little emergencies and bad news all around!

On Sunday September 20th, we were getting ready to go with Aunti Sammi to buy her wedding dress when I noticed that Chance's food was infested with grain mites! Shawn was so sweet and bought me a big bag of dog food while Shawn was gone and little did we know, it was seriously contaminated! I put his cup that I scoop the food with on the counter and went to put it away, when I noticed that the grains of food were moving! It was SO DISGUSTING! I immediately bleached the counter tops and threw out all of my food on the counter. I called Bill and Pam and Bill came over and checked it out for me. He cleaned out his tub of food and threw the food away. He was actually the one who discovered that they were mites! It was so nice of him! He takes such good care of us!

So, I spent most of Monday, researching these critters and calling every doctor to see if they were harmful to Landon, myself or the baby in my belly. Thankfully, everyone said no. But, just to make sure, I made an appointment for Chance with the vet on Tuesday afternoon.

My dad came and helped me get Chance into the vet. He is a very strong dog and I didn't want to risk it myself! The vet reassured us, grain mites were just extra protein for Chance and would not hurt any of us humans. Phew! A sigh of relief! She said that he was too skinny, that you shouldn't be able to see the bones in his head, his spinal column or his ribs. He was just over 70 pounds and last we knew he was closer to 100 pounds! She was also worried about his teeth, said that they would need cleaning.

She checked his paw (he has been limping for over two months) and decided it would be best to do xrays to see what was going on. She said that it could be a tumor or a growth, she didn't know. I just assumed that a tumor would be benign... thinking everything would be fine the whole time. She said that if his xrays came back bad, then his teeth wouldn't matter at that point.

She comes back into the room and had an awful look on her face. My dad said, "It isn't good, is it?" She just looked down and shook her head. I started to bawl, uncontrollably. My baby Chancey has BONE CANCER. She said that bone cancer is excruciatingly painful and will spread to his lungs next. Oh my gosh, my poor baby is dying, is in pain and is suffering. I couldn't stand it, I couldn't believe it. Then, she showed me the xrays and over two inches of his right radius were gone, destroyed by the cancer. The surgeon and the oncologist came in to talk to us. The surgeon said that it was so brittle and destroyed, he was surprised it hadn't already broken.

If he were to break it, which is rretty likely, we will have to put him down right away. His teeth didn't matter. He had lost all of his weight from the cancer. She said that he will need more calories as the cancer takes so much. They told us to pick him up a cheeseburger from Burger King on the way home and just to make him comfortable. They did mention amputation, but I think it has already spread. Besides, I instantly started to realize all of the changes in Chance that I have tried to ignore: he stopped getting up to come to bed with me, he is more sluggish and he struggles even more on our hard wood floor. My dad was amazing, he cancelled all of his appointments, picked up dinner and spent the night talking with me! Sammi came over too, it was so nice to feel love at such a terrible time.

I am starting to come to terms with it, it has been a slow process. I am not ready to say goodbye, I am not ready to lose the best dog ever. He is so loving, sweet, loyal, calm, affectionate, obedient, smart and loving. He came into our lives almost seven years ago and at that time we didn't think we could survive all of his shedding. But now, he is a part of our family, a part of our lives and a part of our hearts.

I think about coming home and not having him there to greet us or Landon looking for him and I will have to tell him that Chancey went bye bye. Ugh... Landon always loves on Chances and cuddles with him. I had to pull him off of him the other morning to get him to Grammy's in time for work. A boy needs a dog and eventually, we will buy him a puppy. We were thinking about getting one this last summer and now I'm glad we didn't. I don't want Chance to feel overwhelmed or be in any more pain with a puppy jumping all over him.

At this point, I don't want any other dog, I just want Chance. I wish I could freeze him and keep him with us for the rest of our lives. I don't want to lose him. I just have to remember how much pain he is in and that this is God's plan. He will get to go to Heaven and this is an amazing thing.

On Thursday, September 24th, Landon jammed a jelly belly up his Right nostril. It was WAY up there. So, I had to leave work and get down to Kaiser to get it out. Poor thing, it was painful and scary. But, hopefully, he will never do it again!

Friday September 25th was Aunti Janelle's birthday and she and I went to Women of Faith at the Pepsi Center. We went all day on Saturday too. It was amazing to hear these women and the strength of their faith, to hear their stories and struggles and learn of the amazing things God had done in their lives. It was very refreshing and just what I needed after the awful week I had.