Seth's Birth and Being Mr. Mom

Seth was born on a Tuesday evening (1/27/09 - another date that I get to remember) a little before 18:00. Jean has mentioned a couple of times that it was one of her easiest births, if not the easiest. This doesn't mean that Seth came without any work or difficulties (ex. the epidural, when initially administered, completely deadened one side of her body while 'allowing' Jean to more fully experience the joys of a somewhat-natural childbirth on the other side), but he came out perfectly, with the exception of trying to hook one arm to the inside of Jean on his way out. I guess he wasn't completely ready to give up his quiet studio apartment for a house full of siblings and noise, but he came and we have been happy and blessed to have him since. It's been fun to watch Danny, Rachel and Aaron take their turns holding Seth and talking about how much they love him. No jealousy or envy, just love for their new little baby brother. Aaron often comments while holding him that "I love my brother" and follows it with several kisses for Seth's head.

I got to strengthen my appreciation for what Jean does by playing Mr. Mom for a week and a half. It's amazing how much work is done around this house to make it function, especially with three (now four) little monkeys running and jumping all over the place. Hard to see how Jean manages and still finds time to do website work. Upon my return to the Water District I told people that I may have been absent from work and on paternity leave, but I was still working and just as hard. Jean does an amazing job and I'm such a lucky boy to have her at home to help nurture and raise our kids. Seth - you're very lucky and blessed (as we are)!

Cliff and Zonda came out to help this past Thursday evening. It's been nice to have their help to assist with the transition to having a fourth child. They are good to us and always so willing to help. I enjoy spending time with Jean's family and have never felt at any time that they are 'in-laws', but feel as though they are just as close (if not closer) to me than blood relatives. I'm very grateful for that. I picked wisely.

Seth has been a calm and content little boy - he still has his moments, but he's pretty observant and well-behaved. We've been working to get him interested in eating, as he seems to prefer sleep over most any thing else. That'll change as he realizes his duty as a Cox boy and starts to eat everything put in front of him like his Dad (and his brother Danny is starting to do). Seth is pretty mellow (opposite of how lively and energized Aaron is) and often stares and watches his surroundings when he is awake. He looks just like his brothers and is a good mixture of Aaron and Danny. He's a handsome (cool) guy.

I took Rachel to a Daddy/Daughter dance at Antonello this past week. We had a great time - she especially enjoyed getting to showcase her 'moves' at home after the dance. YMCA was her favorite song. Danny ran the mile on Wednesday and Thursday and finished first on both days. He's a fast (and good) kid, but when I asked him if he likes running, he said 'not so much'. Aaron has been fun to watch with his new brother. He's proud to take on that role.


I'm hoping to finish up most of my capstone project (creating a Flash module to help teach sustainable military land management concepts to students by using GIS and geovisualization techniques) for my MGIS degree over the next couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to being done with my Masters. If I manage to earn an 'A' for this semester I'll graduate with a 4.0 - then I'll almost be as smart as Jean and the rest of our kids. I've found it pretty amazing that I've been able to work through this program - all while holding down a full-time job, a part-time job, filling my callings in church (currently the Ward Clerk), being a father and husband, doing my part around the house, etc. I've been blessed the way things have worked out and wonder what I'll be doing with my time when I finish the program with a presentation at the Association of American Geographers Conference in March. Probably more work!