PARENTHOOD
Sarah’s childhood also included
divorced parents and both she and
Chris are delighted that their son will
have such a large family.
“We come from similar backgrounds
with half siblings and step kids incorporated into the families,” Chris says. “Six
grandparents and two great grandparents in his corner – it’s just incredible.”
Sarah shares Chris’s excitement
about all of the change in their lives
over the past 15 months.
“It’s really been great that it all
happened so fast and seems very
natural,” Sarah says. “It just all kind of
happened and we rolled along with it.”
It’s a happy 50/50 split when it
comes to taking care of the baby, who
was born weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces
and is nearing the 15-pound mark.
“If Christian could talk, he’d say,
‘Wow, my parents won’t leave me
alone,’” Sarah jokes. “We read to him
every night. We have a pretty strict
routine and we stick to it thoroughly.
I feed the baby through most of the day,
but Chris handles one feeding, which
he thoroughly enjoys.”
The Wragges are truly slaves to the
routine, which they believe is of great
benefit to their baby.
“We especially look forward to the
nighttime routine,” Chris says. “That’s
our playtime.”
From 5-7 p.m. each evening, Chris
and Sarah strive to keep Christian
awake so that he will sleep through the
night – which he does. They read to
him, sing to him and play with him after
he eats and then put him happily to bed.
“Christian is very stimulated by
music, rhythm and the sound of his
father’s voice,” Sarah says. “Chris talks
to him constantly and that is really
sweet.”
The special bond between father and
son was established from the moment
of his birth.
“I had a C-section and Christian got
an hour with his dad to bond, which
is very cool,” Sarah recalls.
“I cried when he first came out
and once he was wrapped up, he was
sweet and had his eyes open,” Chris
remembers. “He was wide awake and
he was taking it all in. I was just weep-
34
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 | (201) FAMILY
NEW ROLE Despite his schedule, the CBS news anchor spends as much time as he can with
his son, Christian.
ing uncontrollably – it was a euphoric
moment for me and he rose to the
occasion as well. From the moment he
came out, he was just a beautiful guy.”
Do Chris and Sarah have advice
for first-time expectant parents?
“A healthy lifestyle is not only good
for the expectant parents, but is really
good for the baby,” Sarah says. “I felt
happy and elated throughout. I tried
to take the last couple of weeks and
prepare with long walks, yoga, playing
music and talking to the baby.”
Chris says that guys should jump in
and be involved from the moments the
bump forms. And, most importantly,
stay involved after the baby is born.
Chris and Sarah are reveling in their
role as parents and hope to add to the
family in the future. And, perhaps they
will find their way back to Bergen as the
family grows.
“The 201 is always calling me! I still
have my Mahwah buddies from my
childhood and high school days and
we are still very connected,” Chris says.
“Mahwah and the people there will
always have a special place in my heart!
Some of my high school friends got
together and gave Christian some
personalized Mahwah bibs. We’ve
heard from coaches, teachers – it’s
been really wonderful.”
The Wragges have already worked
out how they will spend the holidays.
“Holidays are huge for us,” Sarah
says, “and there will be plenty of
maneuvering among the family. We will
spend Thanksgiving with my family and
Christmas with Chris’s. This is the first
grandchild on both sides and it’s a really
big deal. We want to share him with
everyone.”
As they look to their son’s future, they
hope what every parent hopes – that he
will be the happiest kid on earth and
that he’ll remember his parents with
love and use those memories to raise
his own children.
“He seems so content and he has so
much energy,” Sarah beams. “Being
around him makes us happy. He’s
starting to smile and to make eye
contact, which is so wonderful.”
Chris shares his wife’s exuberance
for their beloved bundle of joy.
“He’s the greatest,” he says.
“I want to hold him and not let go!” ●
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