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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Eli's Birth Story

So here we are. 6 weeks in and I have a fresh new baby.






It's really crazy to believe it's been 6 weeks since this baby exited my uterus. That's what happens when you're sleep deprived and really only oriented x2, maybe 1 sometimes.

So Eli decided to exit the womb at exactly 41 weeks. ONE WEEK LATE, to the OB people of the world, I realize this isn't super late to you, but being the pregnant one it's really late and you really start contemplating if your child is going to just walk out of the womb.

Let me set the scene for you.

40 weeks 6 days

The day before Eli arrived Allie was absolutely all over the place. She was super clingy, wanted nothing to do with me and was all about her daddy. My God-mom Sandal came to help us, which was nothing short of amazing.

Mucus plug was officially lost this day. I thought for sure at the end of today I would give birth. That's the thing about second births, you literally think it's going to be the same and it's 1000% not.

Spoilers: I didn't go into labor this night.

41 weeks.

I woke up this morning and got my bloody show at about 530am. (if you're reading this and get offended by all the details, remember you opened this thing up!) I was having mild contractions so I got up and ate a big breakfast and started bouncing on my labor ball, hey it worked last time.

Then the contractions stopped. I mean went to nothing. Then when I go lay down on the couch, they pick right up again.

My first thought: what the hell is wrong with me?! If I knew that contractions would start by doing nothing, I would have never left my bed.

So I took a nap.

I awoke from the nap and had mild contractions on and off. Literally planned for nothing to happen, Had a conversation with my neighbors, leisurely went to the park with my family and chatted with a friend for a good 20 minutes.

Turns out this was the beginning, I started doing stairs with my Allie cat, she was not forgiving of how slow I was being. We ended up leaving the park and my contractions were in FULL swing.

I sent Matt to go get me something to eat, because if my OB didn't send me home it would be awhile with no food. I ate fast, because these contractions were catching up with me.

I had an OB appointment this afternoon at 2pm, so I decided what the hell I'll go.

WELLLLLL.... I got to the appointment and my OB finally checked me and she said I was at best at 1 Cm dilated, maybe 60% effaced. ***You should have heard all the cussing in my head.*** I told her that the contractions were pretty horrible and that I wanted to go to the hospital, I wanted to have this baby that day! She was really nice about it and sent me to the hospital.

I got to the hospital and they checked me and said I was at 2cm and 70% effaced and that I could stay for a bit and see if I progressed, if not they'd send me home. SEND ME HOME?! IM 41 WEEKS, I DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME WITHOUT A BABY. At this point friends, I was completely done being pregnant. DONE. I walked the halls. Spoke to a couple nursing students that recognized me from precepting them (weird, but nice they remembered me), and walked the halls some more.

Well for whatever reason it was near shift change and I had a new RN check me in 3 hours. She was an angel, she totally fudged the numbers of how progressed I was (praise Jesus) and my OB came in and said I could stay. THANK GOODNESS, but the OB wasn't convinced i'd have my baby until the next day. She said she would start pitocin at midnight and it was currently 5pm.

I managed to hang out without getting the epidural until 8:30pm at 6.5cm, believe me I had no intention of not getting an epidural (not a hero), but I did want to see what I could handle. The contractions at this point were getting really hard and fast and I was so tired. I was so blessed to have an amazing RN that got the anesthesiologist in there quick and the epidural was fast and easy.

Needless to say, epidurals love to drop your blood pressure, and my goodness it was not even 30 minutes in and of course I sent Matt out to the car to get our stuff and I called in my RN, I was completely symptomatic, nausea, head spinning, and feeling like I was going to pass out. They gave me some stuff to help boost my blood pressure and I was good to go. No rapid response this time, thank goodness.

For the record, I completely blamed Matt for leaving the room and this happening again, it happened just the same last time!

Once I got the epidural about 1 hour later, 9:30pm I was at 8.5cm dilated. OMG. I was going to meet my baby! Matt and I were watching HGTV, and all of a sudden at 10:30pm, I told Matt to help me adjust my legs and he was like "uhhhhh there's a lot of blood down there".

Good thing he's a trooper.

So my water broke and I was at 9.5 cm. At about 11:15pm I was fully dilated and baby was ready to descend! After practicing pushing which what felt like forever, my OB got there in the last 15 minutes and the room was super calm, I knew exactly what to do this time and TA DA!

Eli Andrew Coates was born September 4, 2018 at 11:48pm. 7lbs 12oz and 21 inches long.



He was born kicking and screaming. Those apgars were 9 and 9.

I had a healthy baby, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I cried and couldn't believe all that time I worried and prayed that my baby would be a healthy weight, and he was. God delivered on a prayer this day. I will forever be grateful.

This birth was completely and totally different from the last one. It was easy and fast and my support team was amazing. My RN was fantastic and so was my OB.

After Birth thoughts this time: 

  • Wow, I now have two children and am crying uncontrollably. 
  • I cannot describe the love I have for this baby. 
  • I hope Allie loves this baby as much as I do. 
  • I don't want to be pregnant again for quite awhile. 
  • I hope Matt forgets about all the blood he just saw, and everything else. 
  • This baby has so much hair, and still looks nothing like me. NOTHING LIKE ME. You win again Matt! 


This look on Allie's face cracks me up. She realized that he might be coming home with us, forever.


This little muggle was for sure snuggled.


Proud Daddy and his boy. I love this picture so much.


She wanted to hold the "bebe" immediately. I love her sweet little heart. 





Lastly, a very sleep deprived picture of Mama and Eli. My heart is so full and so are my hands, but these are the days, days that I've dreamed of. When I look back on this crazy part of my life, i'll remember how short the days really are and how much love we have in our home.



Thanks again for listening to all my rambles and following my preggo life. It's an amazing journey and I thank you for all the advice and encouragement.

Love you guys!

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Week 39: Massages, pedicures, full moon... Still preggo.

I've started pulling all the tricks out of the bag because this baby is now full term. Feeling large and in charge this week.



So I started this week with a pedicure, massage and I'm still pregnant. 
I'm eating eggplant, spicy thai food, my trusty yoga ball is in the living room. 

At this last appointment, I didn't want my cervix checked. If I knew my cervix was clamped shut, all my hopes of this baby exiting soon would be dashed. 

This is Baby Coates the Second, probably. 


I have made it a point to be more active than normal without overdoing of course. I even thought last night's full moon would have more done something with breaking my water. This is the closest i'll ever live to the ocean and the tides have failed me. 



Alas, the tides and barometric pressure did nothing. 

I am having contractions off and on, but I really believe they aren't doing a thing. I went to the perinatologist this last week and he said baby boy was 7lbs 1oz. We grew a little! I'll take it! 

Cravings: I'm literally eating everything. Accurate depiction of the last week: 




Aversion: NOPE. too busy eating. 

Here's to hoping and praying this baby comes quickly and well as safely. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and i'm hoping it's the last one!! 




Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Week 38: A mild panic attack and a new perspective.

Hello.

Writing to you from the 38th week of this pregnancy the blog post with little to no pictures in it.

This week literally has lasted years. I've felt pretty good up until this week. My hips are achy and my anxiety has been through the roof.

I debated on even talking about this because A. I didn't feel great about it. B. I was blaming myself, like good old fashioned mom guilt always does.

Starting at my appointment, my OB told me the baby was measuring small. She didn't say how small, and didn't really tell me much other than, Ok if on the growth scan he is indeed super tiny, we will induce and then walked out of the room. Now at the practice i'm at there are 6 different doctors. I see a different one each week so i'm familiar with all of them just in case they deliver me.

This was ok, until this week. As soon as she walked out of the room, I had a million questions that didn't have any answers yet. ***cue all the anxiety*** I had never met this lady before and now she's telling me something isn't right.

My OB loads all my paperwork online so I can view it anytime I need to. I went to take a gander at how small my baby was measuring. At 37.6, his fundal height was 33 weeks. Now I know fundal heights can be off the more the baby descends in the pelvis.

The first question in my head was, "what in the f*** am I doing wrong?!" I've gained an appropriate amount of weight, I eat right, I am exercising in a way that I've been doing this whole time (aka chasing a two year old).  My OB confirmed it wasn't any of these things, if anything it was most likely a placental issue.

So I see my perinatologist to do a growth scan. I'm not an OB RN so I didn't exactly know what I should be looking for or what questions to ask.

He said the abdomen is measuring 33 weeks, which means his birth weight will be lower. He was measuring 6lbs 4oz at 38 weeks. Which I mean is still pretty good, so I intently focused on this number. What I wasn't focused on was the overall picture. That the horrible thing about anxiety, it's a constant hurdle in your mind. One that sometimes you can't get over right away no matter what anyone tells you.

His femur length 75% and head circumference 95% measured fine.

It took one more OB visit and a Non-stress test to help me get to feeling ok, we're not inducing this baby and he can cook just a little bit longer.

Long story short: Everything is fine. I'm just really ready to meet this baby.

When I write this out, it's really all about perspective. We took Allie to Chik-fil-a for breakfast on Saturday so she could play. I noted there was a dad and his two adorable kids also playing at the play place, so we struck a conversation and he told me his son was a miracle baby (everyone tells you about their children when you're preggo, and I mean everyone). He said his son was born at 23 weeks and 6 days. Everything I was feeling about my baby currently wasn't that bad. He went on to tell us about his journey and that his wife had delivered at the hospital I was delivering at and how great the experience was.

It's funny how situations present themselves. I am a firm believer that God does show you different perspectives when need to see them.

Any who, y'all that was week 38. I'm glad it's over and done with.



Thanks for listening to all my rambles.





Monday, August 13, 2018

Week 37: Nesting has begun.

My two year old is obsessed with my husband's car. Every evening she wants to go hang out in the car. Thanks Los Angeles for all the time she spends in the car during your fabulous traffic hours.



Just look at those skills. Watch out future 16 year old Allie. 



After wrapping things up with work, I have been nesting full go.

Bought all my last minute things. Including the breast pump route. Y'all there are way too many options. Thank goodness insurance likes to cover a little cost. I decided to go against the willow.

The Willow was too expensive and after reading a bunch of reviews, it was super handy to have, but didn't have the power. So I looked into the Spectra pumps. My insurance covered the S2 and S9+, two pumps for the price of one. I had to pay a little bit extra, but you cannot beat the Spectra pumps. They are hospital grade.

They also are compatible with the Fremie collection cups. If your eyes are glazing over, you're clearly not a mom yet or your nipples are useless (men). For those moms to be, check out all of this stuff. I've done quite a bit of research and this stuff holds up.



We also couldn't stand the thought of buying a whole other infant car seat, so we're using Allie's infant seat. It's still within the window of being usable and Chicco is so amazing that we bought a replacement cover for the seat to be more gender neutral. You can find all the replacement parts on the website! It's the perfect way to go. I'm sure this baby will only be in this seat for 6-9 months before being too big and needing to upgrade.


Also, my new child will be sleeping in a pack n' play for the first 6 months or so of his life. So we have one that Allie used, (are you starting to see how amazing it is having baby #2), you already have everything! Well this pack n play desperately needs to be washed. I didn't really think this thing needed washing, but I was wrong. You can go here and find out how you can really deep clean it! I guess I'll give my second child a chance, just in case he's allergic to cat/dog hair.

The hospital bag is for the most part packed and ready to go.

Moms: what did you love putting in your bag?

I am not taking all the sh*t I did last time. I mean you would have thought we were moving in, with all the stuff I brought. I'm literally fitting all my stuff in a backpack and taking an extra pillow. The things you learn from being a first time mom.

I will be bringing all the snacks.
- a change of clothes or two.
-Toiletries
-long iPhone charging cord
-baby clothes, just really a couple onesies and a swaddle. They do provide blankets.
-Lanolin
-make sure the car seat is in the car.

And that's it. I'm pretty sure I brought a makeup bag and a straightener last time. HAHAHAHA I can tell you how many times I opened that bag and used that straightener! ZERO.

On another note, my doctor said she didn't think I would make it all the way to the end of August (due date is the 28th). I swear they tell you those things to make you feel like you can do the last month of your pregnancy. My doctor told me that last pregnancy too. Allie came at 40 weeks, 1 day. Just to spite me.

This week is hot. If you're preggo its always twice as hot, guess who doesn't care about it being hot outside and still wanting to play?

Allie.

She is still in denial about having a sibling. She refuses to read her book about being a big sister. I'm hoping this defiance stage stops before baby gets here, but I don't think it will. Until then we will do all the park days and spending extra time loving on her.

Y'all. I need a new show.

Last time we were in the hospital having Allie, we pretty much binged all of Frasier (Yes, were extremely basic white people) for the 43957489 time.



We desperately need something that is easy to get into and not hard to follow, because we will be sleep deprived (most likely).

On to the obligatory bump pic: Week 37:



It's really turning into a shelf. I put all kinds of things on it.

Cravings: Chocolate. Which is weird because I haven't wanted anything like this, this whole pregnancy. Cold Cereal. Probably because it's a million degrees outside. 

Aversions: Nothing. I'm eating all the foods. 

Weird symptoms this week: lightening pains in the down under region. This baby is slowly dropping.


Until next week! 

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Week 36: Of all the love stories there are, ours is my favorite.


They say a picture is worth a thousand words. 

I think it's worth a thousand emotions. Finding someone who can photograph your story for the world to see is truly an incredible thing. 

When I look at this picture I see my life in a still frame. 

Crazy. 
Full of life. 
Holding on by the seat of our pants. 
Love that holds us together. 



I seriously didn't think I would get a second maternity shoot, because I really didn't want the focus to be on me. I didn't want a super artsy shoot. I wanted something that would capture us in the crazy, unpredictable life we have. 




Allie changed our lives in the best possible way. She started us on this journey of parenthood. In the past two years, i've learned more about myself than ever before.

She's taught me patience and love, a much deeper love for myself. Sounds weird when I type it out like that. She taught me that I am more than enough for her.

Being present is the most important thing.


How in the world we got this lucky to be under the Manhattan Beach Pier at 5pm on a Sunday with all kinds of people around with a shot like this?! 

My photographer Danie Henry is amazing. Let me tell you I showed up 15-20 minutes late in the wrong location and she still showed up with a smile on her face, ready to go. When I got to the shoot I was sweaty, hungry and not really feeling that glamourous because of the heat. 


But then we started our shoot. It was comfortable and we just got to be ourselves. She didn't hurry us and she always listened to all my input. Would I go with her again?! 

Yes. 

Mamas in the South Bay area or anywhere in Los Angeles, I would really have you consider her when needing a pictures of your family. Danie is a mama of 5, and totally understands all the obstacles of getting everyone to look at the camera at once. She's is super flexible and just really makes you feel at home. 

A very special thank you to Danie for all your hard work and understanding of my preggo brain. You're amazing and my family thanks you for helping capture us in the most perfect way. 


This outfit made a come back. It was one of my favorite outfits for Allie's shoot. It was one that made me feel like a really pretty preggo lady.

Sometimes, it's weird seeing us in pictures today. I remember of all our pictures over the past 12 years and sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago and how different we were back then.


But then when I look at this little lady, I realize, Yes, we aren't the same, we are much better than I could have ever hoped for. 

We communicate better, we don't sweat the small stuff, and we're all around a better team. 


How did we take pictures in the witching hour of toddler life? Bribery and M&Ms. Lots of M&Ms. 








I cannot describe the love I feel for this baby in this picture. 


There are lots of stages in life that couples go through and I have to say with all the chaos and unknowns, this has been one of my favorites. 

I love you, Matt. Thanks for being on this journey with me. 



A very sappy lovely week indeed. 

Baby Coates the Second, we are absolutely ready to meet you. 

Love, Mama 

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Week 34/35: A showering of love and an Ode to My 3W people.

This week I have been spoiled so much by these people this week.


My beyond wonderful co-workers threw me and amazing baby shower. I cannot tell you how overwhelmed I am with love and support. When I came to California, it was anything but a picnic. I struggled finding my people. I am very, very glad I found these people when I did. They made my life exponentially better. I learned a lot from these people. When you work in healthcare, you become very close with people, you spend a lot of your life with these people, so it's very natural they become your wonderfully, dysfunctional family. 

Shout out to Kelly, Kim, Andria and Deidra for all your help coordinating this. 

These ladies below are my A-team from dayshift. I will miss you and love you like nothing else. 


Every single person in all of these pictures played a very big part in always feeling included and loved. 


Today was also my last day before maternity leave (really forever leave). I was feeling every bit of my 35 week preggo emotions.


Most of these people below are my night crew. Even after I went to day shift, they never left me out. I will never forget all our amazing Disney days. I love you guys so much. 


This is also a shout out to all the people that I have precepted over the years. You are all amazing and thank you for putting up with me. Especially pregnant. 

#especiallytheonebelow



How cool is that my friends even get up early enough before they go into work a 12 hour night shift, to see me? I am one lucky girl. 


Do you see this beautiful thoughtful table below? Well this sweet lady to my right, crafted the entire thing. Kelly always puts so much thought and care into everything she creates. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful friend to have put this part together. Kelly, you are so creative and wonderful. Thank you so much again for all you do for everyone. You always make all the people in our RN community feel so loved. 


 On to preggo things!

Week 34 bump pic:

Week 35 Bump Pic: 



These few weeks have been very emotional, not only because i'm pregnant, but because I'm about to uproot myself from the life i've made here over the past few years. Somedays, I feel like I just unpacked and got used to being here. Let's be honest you never get used to the traffic, but you kind of make peace with it, sort of.

I'm excited to focus on having this sweet babe and introducing him to all things outside of my uterus. He's heard lots of things from the inside of this belly and I can only imagine all the things he's thought about.

Cravings: Garlic and grapefruit!

Aversions: Salmon. The smell is horrendous. I don't know how I got back to smell aversions.

Sleep: only brought to me by Naturally calm magnesium drink and Unisom. Unisom, if you're out there reading this, you have a customer for life.

Until next time!




Monday, July 16, 2018

Week 32/33: Hello Month 8 and to always expect the unexpected.

We are officially moving to our next assignment, Fall 2018. Kirkland AFB, Albuquerque, NM.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival! Source

We have been in Los Angeles, CA for the past 3.5 years. It's really crazy how time tends to fly. I really don't know much about New Mexico in general, because living in Texas, I always knew if you landed a little past West Texas there was pretty much nothing. 

Well this will be a bit of slow down for us for sure, something I know we've been waiting for. Less traffic, less expensive, and all around a time to focus on our growing family. 

So our timeline will be a bit full over the next few months: 
  1. Have a baby. 
  2. Uproot/ Move to Albuquerque. 
  3. Deal with having a fresh newborn, a two year old and learning a new city. 
Thank goodness this will all transpire before the holidays. 

Oh yes, on to talking about Week 32/33. 

So I will tell you Week 32, did not go as planned in my head. 

We were going house hunting this week and this happened: 

It doesn't look like much but we were hit by a suspected drunk/altered driver at 3am leaving LA, total hit and run. We were so pumped to be missing the traffic, there was literally no one on the road. 


We are 100% all ok. Literally scared us shitless, but other than that we are good. At 32 weeks preggo, I knew that we would not be continuing the journey, a million things ran through my head, What if I went into pre-term labor due to stress? How stressful would it be renting a car and then continuing?! NOPE. 

So we got home before all the traffic started and went back to sleep to try to start July 4th over again. 

Don't worry we all had our obligatory July 4th Old Navy shirts on. We were celebrating at Chicago Rib Joint, right by the house, so we didn't have to get in the car. 



With all the stress, I completely forgot to take a belly pic this week. :/

Thats ok I got Week 33 belly pic coming at you! This belly is really becoming more of a shelf. I can rest my hands on it, my drinks, my phone, and Allie cat can prop her head there. 



This week this little baby has dropped well into my pelvis. I'm officially uncomfortable, with the constant picking up of Allie, my hips are not cooperating. I don't know if it's due to the car accident or literally this baby dropping, but i'm feeling super preggo. 

Cravings: 


Garlic, olive, pepperoni pizza at Blaze pizza. I literally told the girl behind the counter, "I want you to take a fist full of garlic and pile it on". She was super sweet not to judge me out loud. 

I've burped garlic for 2 days. No I didn't eat this in one sitting, I thought about it, but I can't eat very much in one sitting these days. 

Aversions: really nothing. I'm a bottomless pit these days. 

Preggo symptoms: 
  • Lots of burping. 
  • Lots of potty breaks. 
  • Slight swelling, not like I had with Allie though. I did prophylactically take of my wedding band today just in case, until I upped my water game. 
  • Slightly hormonal. 
Lots of changes coming our way, We like to plan our lives to a T, but this is one of those times we will be walking by faith, and praying all works out. 

Questions for all: 

How do you prepare your children for a big move? It will be insane enough that Allie will be adjusting to another baby in the house, but then relocating her. I'm sure many meltdowns will be had.