freckle faces

1st Easter

2010-04-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Johnsons, we have a great picture of our fam on Keaton's first Easter. We took a small and slooooooowww ride on my brother's four-wheeler. I think Keaton really enjoyed it!

Swings and Bubbles

2010-03-27T10:41:00.001-07:00

Keaton...you are just so much fun!!! Your Mom and Dad love you SO much!

Uhmmmmm....yeah, we know!

2010-03-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody! After some gentle nudging/encouraging, we thought we'd better post an update. I know at least one or two people keep checking our blog for an update...and we appreciate that! This one is for you!

p.s. I'm really terrible at journaling, checking emails, and we are the only people on earth who do not "facebook." So keeping up this blog has been a struggle for me. I will try to be "better."

Ok...where to start?

Keaton (since our last post) laughs not only when tickled now...but he laughs when he thinks something is funny. This in itself just cracks me up. Sometimes he'll just start laughing out of the blue. I love that.

He crawls like mad. It didn't hurt that he got to watch his playmate (Ellis) get from here to there whenever she pleased...and fast! So, he observed and took off, too. Now I have to say, "Bye bye pretty decorations."

He already pulls himself to a standing position in his crib, on his activity table (thank you Mark and Brooke) and now pretty much everything else. I'm not sure if he'll be walking soon...but I am afraid.

K has been growing like crazy. He eats 3 large meals per day with snacks in between. He only likes fruit...so we have to think of creative tricks to get him to eat his meat and veggies. Have you ever smelled baby meat in a jar...yuck! I wouldn't eat it either, K!

He prefers to take 2 two hour naps and sleeps a good 10 hours a night. (Except when he's sick-then he doesn't sleep at all).

He still has amazing red hair. Long enough for a sweet mohawk! I recently got some of my baby pictures...and I had some red hair too. Not, quite the vibrant red K has, but still now we know he gets it from both sides. It's official...he's got both our genes!

Ok...that's all for now. We'll work on more pictures and updates!

Fifteen Minutes of Fame!

2009-12-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's more like 30 seconds of fame, but hey, we'll take it! The week before Thanksgiving, we took Keaton to the Cherry Creek Mall to get his picture with Santa. Channel 4 News happened to be doing a story on gift cards and so we got a little cameo. So funny! : )

Check out our cameo. There is a little advertisement before the news clip:

Click here to view our Fifteen Minutes of Fame!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2009-10-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

We had a snow day...so we took pictures. Lots and lots of pictures!

Five Days and Counting...

2009-10-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

until I'm officially a stay-at-home mom. It will be bitter-sweet. More sweet than bitter. I apologzie for the looong post; however, I'm grateful we have survived thus far. Here is a collage of the last few weeks:

We went to the Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Patch with Tiff, Matt and Mackenna Mae. As you can see we dressed the babies in their halloween costumes. Mackenna is a banana and Keaton is a monkey...and we didn't even plan that! BFF esp, I guess! :) I think we have a new tradition.

Goodbye Auntie Krista and Uncle Justin! We are so sad to see you go, but so excited for the adventures ahead (and already on)! We got to hang out with them at the Snooze before they departed for Harare, Zimbabwe. They are on a year-long trek to Africa, Nepal, Russia, Guatemala, Central America and Europe. They'll sure be missed. To follow their travels, pray or offer support, check out their blog at ochockisoverseas.blogspot.com.

Brotherly love...nothing like having a 95 pound brother to lay right on top of your 14 pound body. I can't tell if Jack just loves Keaton that much, or is trying to SQUISH him out of the picture.

Favorite Pics

2009-10-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Quite content with Auntie Brooke!

Camping, Plastic, Giggles & the LSAT's

2009-09-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I started out as a strong blogger, but as you probably can tell, I've let it fall behind on the priority list. Most of you know about the events of the past couple weeks, but I'll update this blog anyhow.

Keaton is well over 13 pounds by now...and could even be 14 pounds. I took him to his pediatrician after our Labor Day Camping trip. His right eye was watery and red. We thought he had a cold in his eye. However, I thought I saw a scratch on his eye. The pediatrician took a brief look and told me he had a virus in his eye (like a cold). He showed me how to massage the eye by rubbing vigorously in the corner and then pressing outward. I hesitated thinking that rubbing his eye would hurt if it was scratched. But, I mentioned to him and then trusted he knew best.

Well, needless to say after several days of rubbing and administering antibiotic drops, Keaton's eye was not getting any better. I was holding him up in the light, and again saw the same thing on his eye. So, I took him into my eye doctor. She put the dye in his eye and confirmed what I thought...he had a very deep scratch on his eye. However, it should have healed by this time...now nine days later. Another four days went by and I took him into see her again. She was concerned that it hadn't healed by now, so she sent me to Childrens' Eye Care. It was a relief walking into a place that could definitely take care of an infant's eye.

I was surprised to learn that it wasn't a scratch...but a piece of PLASTIC in Keaton's eye. Within minutes the Dr. had told me what he saw and was getting ready to take it out. They numbed his eye and I had to hold him up with his arms down to his sides, and the nurse held him by the top of his head and his chin...keeping his mouth closed. It was pretty traumatic for both Keaton and me, but the Dr. had the piece of plastic removed within minutes. Keaton slept very well that afternoon.

His eye has totally healed, and there is no sign of permanent damage. Praise the Lord! Needless to say, I'm a bit furious with the pediatrician at the moment.

In other news, Keaton has given Eric and I one of the sweetest gifts in the world...his GIGGLE! Once I figure out how to post this sweet sound that Eric recorded, I will. His giggle is remarkable. K smiles easily and loves to make us smile. His smile is so infectious!

Also, Cousin Ean has been visiting us from MT. He's been taking an LSAT preparation class, and is taking the LSAT's right now! He is going to do great things as a Lawyer. We're hoping he chooses CU or DU for his law school.

And, last but not least, I am headed back to work on Monday the 28th. I have so enjoyed my 12 weeks with Keaton. It's going to be a very rough Sunday evening. I know it'll be so good for Eric and Keaton to have some father-son bonding time on Monday's and Fridays!

Here are some pictures from the past couple weeks.

Making sure the beanie fits for camping!

Snug as a Bug in a Rug!

Can you find Keaton in the picture?

So happy, even with a bum eye!

The site of our worship service on Labor Day...not bad, God.

Just before bath and right after a slobbery kiss.

Hey Mom, why don't you have this piece of plastic removed from my eye please!

We love Cousin Ean! Good Luck on the LSAT's, Cuz!

Keaton Update

2009-08-20T20:48:00.001-07:00

So, it's been a REALLY long time since I've blogged and sent out an update on Mister K. I'll tell you why. I became addicted to playing solitaire on Eric's phone during late night feedings rather than blogging or checking my email.

Keaton has been busy. He has been busy eating. Yes, eating. That's pretty much all he does. He is 2 months and 12 pounds. Yes, 12 pounds...at this rate, he'll be 20 pounds by Christmas and out of his infant car seat. He is pretty heavy to carry in his carseat already, and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to carry him in it. He is officially out of newborn clothes and diapers. He's wearing 3-6 month sizes and his size 1 diapers seem to be getting smaller by the day. This kid is going to be bigger than me in no time! (I can just hear Eric say, well that's not going to be hard)! :)

Keaton also has the best SMILE!! I had a really cute video of him smiling, but it was too big to load, so I'll have to try again, and be sure not to make it a 15 minute video. I'm sure whoever is reading this will be happy about that! :) K is also getting ready to TALK! He loves to COO.

K is also getting really good at SLEEPING! Yahoo! He sleeps anywhere from 5 1/2 to 7 hours at night. I can't believe it. I feel like Super Woman!

Here are some pictures of Keaton's latest adventures:

Keaton had a special visitor - Kristin Rogers made a trip all the way from Nashville to see him! Well, not just him...but that's what we're telling him. She knitted him the cutest snowboarder's hat. LOVE IT!

Keaton made his first trip to a major Fashion boutique and met one of my favorite people - Lauren Metz, my former boss from NCM. Lauren owns DELISH DEMURE...an incredible fashion boutique. Check it out at www.delishdemure.com.

Keaton's first trip to the zoo! We had so much fun with Ally and her kids that we decided to get an annual pass. I'm so excited about going to the ZOO - and I think Keaton is too! :)

The New Nap

2009-08-20T20:47:00.001-07:00

I can tell this bear is a mama. She is so tired she can sleep anywhere, and by the looks of it, she is napping as high up and as far from her cub's little paws as she can get. Smart Mama Bear.

Welcome Makenna Mae!

2009-08-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here she is - Tiff and Matt's beautiful little girl!!!! Keaton already loves her! She was born early Monday morning - 5 lbs 15 oz! She is a little peanut! :)

Family Fun, Part II

2009-08-03T12:31:00.001-07:00

The past week has been filled with lots of family, help and the bustle of activity. Eric's parents arrived last Sunday to help with Keaton. They cooked, cleaned and LOVED ON KEATON! They are very excited Grandparents!

Also, the GREAT Grandparents came into town with Cousin Chaz. It was so great to see them and very fun to get to introduce them to their first Great Grandchild!

Grandma and Grandpa Ochocki

Great Grandma Coats

Great Grandpa Coats

The Gang: Cousin Chaz, Great Grandma & Grandpa Coats, Grandma & Grandpa Ochocki, and Auntie Krista & Uncle Justin

Exploding Fish

2009-07-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

I was complaining to my friend, Emily, (who just had a boy born 8 pounds 12 ounces- ouch) that all Keaton wants to do is eat 24/7. She said, "sounds like our little boys have the same goal...to become as fat as possible."

This made me laugh and think (morbidly) of the time when I was five or so. I came home from school to a tragedy.

My beloved goldfish, NikkiVicki (I couldn't decide what name I liked better Nikki or Vicki...so I just named it both: NikkiVicki), had died. Well, it had "exploded." Those were the words my brother used, anyways. Apparently I fed him too much, and it...exploded.

This brings me to a serious question:

can you feed a baby too much????

*See the goldfish on Keaton's blanket? I thought I was pretty clever!

Happy One Month Birthday, Keaton

2009-07-29T20:36:00.001-07:00

Dear Keaton,

Happy 4 weeks on this earth today! We are so glad you were born to us. Your Dad and I are your biggest fans. We have known you for only four weeks, yet we feel as though a piece of us is missing when we are not in the same room as you. You have our hearts forever.

We love you,

Mom and Dad

Who's Your Daddy?

2009-07-29T20:05:00.001-07:00

Eric Victor Ochocki 7.7.80

Keaton Jeffrey Ochocki 7.1.09

Well, there is no doubt about who this boy's daddy is! (Not that we were worried about that). :0)

Mommy's Dress Up Doll

2009-07-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, that flash is really bright!

I am thinking about smiling...

Uhm, Mom - I'm not sure if you know this, but this hat is WAY too big!

...But, if I cooperate long enough, maybe you'll take it off!

Check out my hair sticking straight up on my head!

I sure love my bouncy seat!

Disappointed with Jon and Kate Plus 8

2009-07-25T01:25:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend posted a blog entitled, Regarding Divorce. She was prompted to write her entry after watching the Jon & Kate Plus 8 episode where they announced they were separating. She mentions in her blog how she hoped they would announce that they were going to shut down production to work on their marriage. Not so, instead they decided that marriage wasn't meant to last forever (or something like that) - as Kate later said in an interview. How disappointing.

My friend had a very real confession posted - that she is afraid of divorce. Especially the gradual progression of selfishness that can take place over time, leading to the thought that one or both spouses can't take it anymore, and the only solution they can think of is divorce. I can relate to that fear very well since that (was) always one of my greatest fears too since I grew up with divorce as well.

I wanted to write on this because I think it's a very real topic that most of us can relate to. I have worked hard to overcome this fear and wanted to share my thoughts on it and get your feedback as well. It's unfortunate that we can't just rely on being a Christian and say, "Divorce is not an option," since Christians have the same, if not higher divorce rate, than non-Christians.

So I mentioned I have worked hard to overcome this fear - and still do at times. I don't mean to sound like I have it all down, because I definitely do not. I just have really worked on this fear since I have been married. I never wanted to "think it" into happening. You know the whole self-fulfilling prophecy thing. Also, my marriage and the future has been something I have been thinking a lot about recently since E and I decided to expand our family. I knew (or at least had heard) that having kids changes your marriage. I didn't want my marriage to change - I liked it the way it was, and was scared that having kids would ruin our relationship. Especially since there was so many people saying negative things surrounding having kids and marriage...

I do know that marriage does take work, and can have it's wonderful, awesome moments. However, marriage can also be very difficult. I don't think true love comes without hardships, for those hard times makes you that much more in love. For four years, Eric and I have put in a lot of work into our marriage-we are VERY in love. :) We have been through counseling, marriage seminars, read books along with small groups, watched sermons on marriage, and have applied a lot of tools that we have learned from all of this. What I can say is that there is hope. There is hope for EVERY marriage (except one in which there is physical, mental or emotional violence in my opinion).

How do you not let that gradual progression of selfishness or whatever it is take place? I believe it is through constant effort with use of some tools to prevent the complacency that can often take place over time. Eric and I found so much hope through the tools we were taught through the sources I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Some of the tools we were taught, and the ones that especially stood out to us were these following things:

Pray together.
Utilize "Time Outs" during what Eric likes to call, "Intense fellowships."
Regular Date Nights.
Meet regularly with mentors/accountability partners.
Understanding God's intentions for each of our roles in marriage and setting that as our guideline.
Regular connection/intimacy.

I am only mentioning these things, not because I'm an expert on marriage - far from it. I just hope I can share what I have learned, and that it might give others a new idea or food for thought at least.

These are tools that we were taught have to really be non-negotiable. It's cliche, but someone said that if you view marriage as a marathon in which you'll need constant training, you'll succeed to the finish line.

The marriage seminar we went to through our church along with the book that we read had a lot of impact on our marriage. The book is, Intimacy: 100 Day Guide to Lasting Relationships by Doug Weiss. The seminar was helpful as well as the book. There is a lot in this book to digest, but it is well worth it.

Another impactful tool was some sermons by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. We first watched the sermon on Women in Marriage and then the next night watched the sermon, Men and Marriage. You have to watch the entire sermon including the questions and answer sessions at the end of each sermon. To us, it was powerful, and opened up a lot of conversation for us. It may not be for you, and that's ok...this is just something that was helpful to us.

You can find the sermons at:

Mars Hill Church: Trial Sermon Series - Women and Marriage

Mars Hill Church: Trial Sermon Series - Men and Marriage

I am writing all this to say that I can definitely relate to the fear of divorce. I know that all marriages will face some trials in the course of their lives, but I know there is hope. I have found peace in my faith that by following the Lord's plan for marriages, we (E and I) can weather any storm. I hope I have not come across sounding like I know it all. I have learned that you get out what you put in. I believe that is what makes a marriage last.

Family Fun

2009-07-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

We're seriously blessed with great family. This week my Mom has taken off work to help me as Eric has gone back to work. She has been an awesome help doing laundry, cleaning, spending time w/ Keaton so I can take naps, etc. It has been so nice having her here.

Today, Auntie Kristy and the cousins came to spend some time with Keaton. They also brought some chick fil a - I LOVE chick fil a -thanks again! It was a lot of fun having them visit. I can already tell cousin Kaitlin is going to be a great babysitter to K one day!!

Grammy & Keaton

Auntie K & K

Cousins Kaitlin & Keaton

Cousin Madi

Cousin CJ

Me & K (sporting my new "mom do")

Little Man

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

2009-07-19T10:10:00.000-07:00

Keaton, Eric and I want to say thank you for all the calls, emails, meals, gifts and well wishes you all have given to us. We are incredibly blessed with amazing family, friends and community. I apologize if we haven't personally thanked you yet. Thank you's are coming!!! :) We are still working on finding a routine. I didn't realize that even answering the phone would be difficult with a newborn!! K must be going through a growth spurt because it seems like he's always eating!!

Uhm, I have a question...

Jack Dog loves Keaton

Seriously, where did he get all that red hair?

My Belly Button Fell Off

2009-07-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

Keaton wanted to quickly announce that he lost what was left of his umbilical cord. He also wanted me to let everyone know that he prefers it when Daddy changes his diaper and would like Daddy to be the all-time diaper changer - especially the poopy ones!

Thanks Daddy!

He Eats & He Poops and He Poops & He Eats

2009-07-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

Quick - go buy stock in PAMPERS!

This entry's title is a line from one of the Shrek movies - the third one I think. That's all my nieces could say after meeting K. I thought for such young girls, they really hit the nail on the head. That is about all K does! It's a guessing game once you open his diaper whether or not he's going to spray you in the face. He's done that to us a couple of times - he sure keeps us on our toes!!!!

I love it when Keaton smiles. I know deep down that it's a gas smile - but it warms my heart just the same. :) I can't wait for the real deal.

A visit from Uncle J-Dawg and Auntie Krista

After bath time - look at that curly hair!!!!

Just chillin' like a villan

A Baby Story

2009-07-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

(Sorry for the late post - this is my 17th attempt (wait...now it's my 18th) at finishing this entry - I need to keep them short from now on - but wanted to tell the whole story:

Wow! Words cannot express how overjoyed I feel. Keaton is pure delicious. Eric and I just can't get enough of him. Although, I will be grateful for the day that he sleeps through the night, or at least longer than 2 hours at a time. I don't want to sound ungrateful because he is the best thing that's ever happened to us.

Here is how Baby Keaton made his arrival:

On Tuesday, June 30th, Eric and I went into the Dr.'s for our weekly appointment. I was almost 39 weeks pregnant. The Dr. informed us that I had preeclampsia...a condition in which your blood pressure rapidly rises (to dangerous levels), you have protein in your urine, swell up like a balloon, have headaches and other such things. The only real cure is to deliver the baby. So the Dr. told us at our appointment that he had scheduled our induction for that same night. Eric and I were shocked, excited, scared and nervous. We went home to pack some things, and then waited for 10:00pm to come. We had our last meal just the two of us at PF Changs...it was good.

Once we arrived at the hospital, we shared our "birth plan" with the nurse. We now laugh because none of OUR plans worked out - only the exact opposite. We picture the nurses at the nurses station just laughing their heads off while putting a big red X through our birth plan. We learned that the end result is the same and also that God laughs when we make plans.

The nurses and our Dr. were wonderful (an answer to prayer), and we put our trust in them and our faith in God. So, with that, I was hooked up to machines at all limbs. I was put on oxygen and a drug called magnesium, an anti-seizure medication - and as a friend puts it - "hell on earth." She was right. I felt like a human volcano and had all sorts of fun hallucinations. They started the induction at 2:00am and after pushing for 38 minutes by 4:05 pm on Wednesday, July 1st, Keaton made his great entrance into this world. His cord was wrapped tightly around his neck, so they did have to give him a bit of oxygen, but other than that was perfectly healthy.

I had to stay on magnesium for 24 hours after his birth. I couldn't get out of bed, as I was still hooked up, catheter and all. Keaton was brought to me for feedings and thankfully did very well. After 24 hours they moved me from "ICU" to the post-partum wing. Each day got a little better. Unfortunately the swelling got worse before it got better, but the good news with gaining tons of water weight quickly is that you loose tons of water weight quickly - 30 pounds in a week, quickly.

My blood pressure remained quite high, but we were finally released from the hospital on Saturday evening. That was a very long night. I have to thank my good friend, Brook Guikema, a labor and delivery nurse for those of you who don't know her, for coming to our rescue that night. She came over at about 12:00am and stayed to help me through a feeding and many questions. She was our angel.

Keaton is doing awesome - he is a very good eater. I just love every minute with him. We want to thank you all for your love, support and prayers. Thank you for your gifts, calls, emails, food, visits, etc. I apologize if there are people we haven't personally thanked or gotten in touch with. It has been a bit of a crazy ride. We are working on a routine, but each day gets much easier. We want you to know that we thank you very much.

I will continue to update this blog as I get a chance! Congrats to those new mama's (Kristi Knipp, Kelly Newton, and Tiff (soon to be a mama).

We love and thank you all very much.

Click HERE for more pictures.

Click HERE for even MORE pictures.

Here he is!

2009-07-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Chrissie and I are overjoyed to introduce our new little boy Keaton Jeffrey Ochocki! He came into the world weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. Click here to see more photos! Thanks for all your love, support and prayers!

Ready or Not, Here Comes Baby O

2009-06-30T12:58:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends and Fam...

Eric and I went in for a routine Dr. appt. this morning and found out that I'm developing preeclampsia. The Dr. would like to induce labor tonight (we check in late tonight), which means E and I will probably meet this little one sometime tomorrow!

We are feeling lots of things: scared, excited, nervous, apprehensive...scared!

I am really building my "trusting in God" skills right now. :)

We so appreciate all of your prayers, love and support from the beginning of this pregnancy through these next days as well!

We'll be posting pictures soon!

Love,
Eric and Chrissie

A Watched Pot Never Boils

2009-06-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

...I know, I know, Mom! I just can't help but count down the days until D-Day (delivery day). (11 days and counting)! I think that God designed pregnancy to become unbearable in the last weeks leading up to delivery, so that labor actually sounds do-able. I'm saying to God, "Bring it." And then I hear a voice that says, "Uh oh, Chrissie, be careful what you wish for!"

Eric is so sweet and patient. He's put up with my mood swings - one minute laughing, the next crying just because I chipped my toe nail polish. What is up with that?

I have been given a doctor's note to work from home. I feel kind of like a weakling...thinking that I should be able to work right up until Baby O decides to come. (I will be working, but with my swollen feet and cankles up in the air). With this pregnancy, God is reminding me that my plans are completely independent of His plans!!! Why can't I get that through my head?

Never Say Never

2009-06-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess there is a first time for everything. I never thought I'd enter the blog-o-sphere, but here we are. I'm not very good at keeping a journal, so this may be interesting. However, as I day dream about being with our new little one, I can only imagine how much I will want a record of every little giggle, smile, burp and spit-up (well, maybe not the last two). ;0 I hope I can make this not just an online journal for our little family, but a relational journal in which I can share in the lives of friends and family too.

So, here we go...