That's My Boy

Walking through the hall, almost into a wall, nose in the book, and mind in another world. That's my boy. Benjamin's devouring books this summer like candy. Time to hit my bookshelf and see what I used to read that he might like - perhaps it is time for the Hardy Boys?

- Jonathan

The Tooth Tales...

So many teeth, so little time... What biting humor we have, eh?!
Joshua's first tooth fell out in NH at Storyland on June 28, 2008. It was his bottom right front tooth. We warned him that the tooth fairy might not find us in the trailer in NH. Disappointed, but still hopeful, he told us when he woke up on Sunday that she didn't come. We reassured him that she would find him more easily at his own house on Sunday night/Monday morning. He was so excited to wake up to a silver dollar coin under his pillow. Ain't childhood grand?!
Joshua's first cavity discovered at the Dentist on July 1, 2008, to be filled on July 24, 2008.
Zachary's 3rd tooth came in on vacation in NH. It is the top right front tooth. His 1st and 2nd teeth came in about 6 weeks ago, but we forgot to make a note of it. Guess that's what happens by the 4th child!
See the photo of Joshua's new smile (with one tooth missing)...

Our White Mountains, NH Family Vacation

WHAT A FABULOUS WEEK WE JUST HAD! We packed up the six of us and headed up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire...How very beauty(full) and wonder(full) it is in what we would call "God's country." There were many things for us to see and do and choosing which to partake of was a task in itself. Ahead of time, we knew for sure that one of the adventures would be Storyland in Glen, NH. Elyse and her mom (aka Nana) went there last year with the three kids and the one on the inside (Zachary was 6 and a half months in utero at the time) while Jonathan was off in NYC being trained for what was then his new job at Palladium Group Consulting. Elyse promised the boys that the whole family would return in 2008 so that daddy could ride the Polar Coaster (that Mommy was no way attempting at that late stage of pregnancy...it was bad enough that she went on the Bamboo Chute ride!) The scenery at every turn was spectacular, but especially on the Mount Washington Auto Road! Neither Elyse nor Jonathan had ever been up Mt. Washington, even though our both families vacationed often in the area. So, this was the first time for all six of us! Unfortunately, it was all foggy at the summit so we could not see the awe-inspiring view we were told about. As we understand it, it is that way more than it is clear. Ah, well... Maybe next time. Now we can boast about driving up it with our "This car climbed Mount Washington" bumper sticker, which so many others also can do! Samantha was totally taken by the mountains and in her very sweet voice, as we drove around the bend and through the notches in the mountains, we heard, "Where are you, Mountain?" which is indicative of her speech therapy progress. Anyhow, we could go on and on about the trip, but instead, we'll simply show you in photos. Thanks for visiting, and until next time, may you enjoy every moment of your life.

Samantha Brooke

Samantha came into the world on February 20, 2006 at 1:54 am at Newton-Wellesley Hospital with the help of my fabulous doula Suzanne. She weighed 7 lbs, 8 oz and measured 19 and 3/4 inches. We were so excited to be having a girl, after having had 2 boys. We did not find out the genders of the first two pregnancies, but Elyse had to know if this one was finally going to be a girl. God is good and he listened to her prayers. Hence, her name Samantha translates to "God listened". The boys just love her to death. And, she loves them. It's hard to believe that she is already 2 years old; it seems like just yesterday that she was born. She is a charming, happy, friendly little girl. She is starting to test the waters now to see what she can get away with, so we are entering the Terrible Twos, it seems. Well, enjoy these photos of her...

Meet our Newest Member...Zachary Michael

Zachary Michael came into the world on November 10, 2007, to join his 3 older siblings. He was born at 8 lbs, 2 oz and measured 20 inches in length. It was another successful VBAC at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, with the help of my wonderful doula, Suzanne. Zachary is just a charming little boy who spends much of his time looking around the room at all of the activity generated by the other kids. He is quite content and is growing beautifully. In fact, he is tracking the same as his older siblings, but especially as his oldest brother Benjamin. At their 4 month checkups, they both weighed 15 lbs, 8 oz and measured 25.5 inches! Jonathan likes to say that this is the model we make - same make, different trim line...He is so funny! Well, enjoy these photos of little Zachary...

Introducing...Samantha Brooke Cohen- Child #3 (Our sweet and only girl)

Samantha Brooke Cohen was born at 1:54 am on February 20, 2006 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Having a second drug-free VBAC was slightly challenging; thank God for my awesome doula Suzanne! I was able to do it with her assistance in the jacuzzi and her hands rubbing my lower back. In the end, it was all worth it. Samantha is a wonderful little girl. We are so lucky to have her in our family. She is already 2 and a half now. We did not know in advance the gender of our first two children, but with the third pregnancy, Elyse was determined to know if she would finally get her girl. Once the ultrasound tech told us, the pink panther went shopping. Pink and purple was the name of the game. We were fortunate to have a neighbor whose daughter is just one year younger then Samantha, willing to give us all her outgrown clothes...How perfect that the size and the season would both jive...Check out little lady...

Introducing...Joshua David Cohen- Child #2

Joshua was born at 11:33 am on July 23, 2002 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was also a very smiley baby. He came into the world in the same way he does everything- in a hurry. He was the second grandchild on both sides. One week later, his Missouri cousin Ryan was born. Joshua was a great sleeper from the start. Big Brother Benjamin was very excited and helpful. Hard to believe he is already 6 years old. Check him out...