To Tired to Update

Well the title says it all, Cooper has decided that he does not need nor want a shcedule and that we need to be at his beck and cry. But we are finally getting him to sleep for about five hours at a time during the night. All of this has had an adverse effect on Connor, he now needs us to hold his bottle for him, needs to be held when his brother is, and if Cooper is crying Connor needs to be yelling or crying as well. Kaija has gone back to work a couple of days, and I have started classes again. Poor Callie has no idea what to do with herself, she is bored and it is not even summer yet. But things are coming together and life is beginning to resemble a normal everyday routine, as normal as he can be anyway. We have finally received all the paperwork needed to submit Connors adoption subsidy application so hopefully we will be able to petition to adopt in the very near future. Just a quick update on Jed. I spoke with him a couple of days ago and says he feels fine and is doing well. I will do much better at updating the blog in near future now that Cooper is letting us sleep a little more these days. FYI Connor started "Army Crawling" on Friday, this is a big developmental achievement. -Chris

The Latest

All are doing well these days, the baby is gaining about an ounce a day, and Kaija is getting less sleep then ever. I am nursing a blown-out shoulder, not a baby, back to health, while arguing with Social Security over the gender of our adopted son. Connor has figured out that the baby is hear to stay and is building a play book on how to not loose any attention. Callie, poor, Callie she is just here, she is a great helper, but feeling extremely out numbered at times. She has landed the title of "Dirty Diaper Disposal Expert", because Kaija and I are usually changing diapers at the same time. But what can we say, we are blessed, but we don't recommend going from one kid to three in thirteen months to anyone. Until Next Time, Have Fun. -Chris

Adjusting

Well we have had Cooper home for a week now and we are getting use to no sleep or sleep in three hour segments, well I should say Kaija is getting use to three hours of sleep at a time. But I think we are all getting use to the change, Connor is wondering what this thing is that has invaded his room and is competing for what he feels is his attention. But Connor really is adjusting well and the rest of us are doing the same, Kaija is feeling much better and is happy to announce that she can fit back in to her jeans. We are getting schedules and assignments worked out and each day is getting easier. Callie has been on spring break this last week, and she and I have spent alot of time together, while Kaija and her mom got Cooper settled in. Callie had planned "phases" for each day and we visited the library, Bass Pro Shop, the mall, several boat dealers, Lowes, Chick Filet, and many many more places, but it kept her entertained and gave Kaija and the boys some quiet time without the rantings of a bored six year old. Thanks to all who helped through the delivery, and the week following. We lucked out having Tawnie and Paul here when Kaija went into labor, and then Jacque was able to come and stay the week, everyone has been a great help. The baby is doing well and so are the rest of us, I will keep everyone posted. -Chris

New Arrival

Well we finally have a few minutes to update the BLOG; it has been rather hectic for the past few days. It all started on Thursday morning when Kaija woke up around 4:00 am having contractions every 8-10 minutes, so we waited because the doctor said not to go to the hospital until they are less than six minutes apart, so around 7:30 am we dropped Callie off at school and headed to the hospital. We spent several hours in triage and by the time they got us into a delivery room, labor was progressing, the epidural was in, and the doctor broke her water. Around 3:00 pm it was time to get ready to push. After pushing for just a few minutes Joshua “Cooper” Claridge debuted @ 3:13 pm weighting in at 6lbs 13oz and 19 inches long. Kaija did very well and much to my surprise she didn’t even swear. But the baby is healthy, and Kaija is happy that she is no longer pregnant; she spent the last two months on strict bed rest and miserable. But now she is up and around and I am happily retiring from my position as house keeper, cook, and bottle washer. I will however still be on diaper duty, because as Kaija put's it-there are diapers coming out of her a**! -Chris

Jed

Jed has been released from the burn center and is staying with Russ and Jani here in Mesa; he will probably be here for a week. After he sees his doctor again, next week, he will decide when he will go home. He is doing very well and is happy to be out of the hospital. Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. -Chris

Just a Short Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that Jed is doing very well, he is hoping to leave the hospital in a few days, but he will most likely have to stay here in the Phoenix area so he can be seen at the burn center clinic. But he is doing better every day, Jed and Trish wanted me to thank everyone for the support and prayers, they greatly appreciate you all. On our home front Kaija is doing well, and only has to waite eight more days and then she can have the baby. Connor had an appointment with his Cardiologist today and he was given a clean bill of health, the two holes that he had in his heart have closed completely and his heart is as healthy and as normal as any other one year old's heart. So good news all around. I will keep you postes -Chris

Crazy Days

Well this has been an interesting week, after posting our latest updates last Monday Kaija and I spent most of that night at the hospital. She was awaken by some terrible and constant contractions, after speaking with her doctor he recommended that we go to the hospital and get checked out. So around midnight we headed to Chandler Regional where we spent the next four hours. They ran several tests and sent us home with very strict bed rest orders. This bed rest thing is for the birds, so Kaija spent most of the week on the couch. We saw her doctor on Thursday and he said that she only has to make it two more weeks and at that time he will no longer try to stop her contractions, which means she can have the baby anytime after March 12th. That is a lot longer than Kaija wants to wait. The rest of us are doing well, we are all looking forward to Kaija getting back to her old self and adjusting to the arrival of a third child. The end of this week was spent much like the first of the week; I spent about five hours at Maricopa County Medical Center. My mom called me Friday afternoon and said that my brother Jed was on the farm working on a bulldozer when the radiator blew up and he was burned with boiling coolant. He was flown from Safford to Maricopa County’s Burn Unit. I was able to meet him when the helicopter landed at the burn unit and able to stay with him until the rest of the family arrived. He is doing well, he has second degree burns over about 27% of his body, mostly his left leg, left arm, his chest and back, he is in quite a bit of pain. They are not sure yet how long he will have to be here in the burn unit so please keep Jed and his family in your prayers. I will keep you all updated on both Kaija and Jed’s conditions. I saw Jed after church today he is doing pretty good, his is still in alot of pain, they are trying a new type of dressing on him that may let him go home soon. I will Keep you posted. Take Care. -Chris