The Best Thing: 2014

Colton Brooks Coker

August 26, 2014

7:46 pm

7 pounds, 13 ounces

20 inches long

Here is the whole story…

(and this is mostly for me to be able to remember in a few years!)

My pregnancy with Colt was very similar to being pregnant with Cade. Every person in the family was predicting that we would have another boy. I had no problems during my pregnancy, just very uncomfortable and had a hard time sleeping - especially near the end. I felt like the baby was huge and I could never get comfortable. I gained the most weight with Colt, but it was all in my belly, thankfully!

I went to my 36 week appointment not expecting anything, but Dr. Edwards let me know that I was already dilating and Colt was getting ready to come so I needed to take it easy. Bryan had to go to Athens Friday through Sunday for a wedding, so Aunt LaLa made the trip home to take care of Callie and Cade. And it was a good thing she came! She was a huge help and did everything with the kids so I could rest. I obeyed and stayed in the bed or on the couch, but felt totally ok and didn't feel any contractions. I went to the doctor on Monday all proud of myself, only to find out that I was even more dilated and Dr. Edwards was convinced I was going to have the baby within a few days. I was very conflicted because I did not feel like I was in labor at all! He told me to go home, get Bryan and all of our stuff and come back Tuesday morning. Driving to Savannah on Tuesday morning, I was not ready to have a baby. I did not feel like I was progressing at all or even having contractions. But apparently I just didn't know what was happening. By the time I was ready to leave the office, I was almost 5 cm dilated and he told me I had to check in the hospital - the baby was coming whether I was ready or not. At only 36 weeks and 6 days, I thought it was too early! But God had a plan for Colt to be born on August 26 and so that is what happened.

We called all of the family and everyone started to make their way to Bluffton. We got Bryan some food and checked in to the hospital around 12:30. I got an epidural and hooked up to all of the monitors. I was having consistent contractions but I couldn't feel them. We visited with everyone coming in to say hey, finally decided what to name our child(!), and tried to get some rest.

I had a really great epidural, but my left leg was falling asleep, so the nurse suggested I turn over on my side. Once I did that, it all starting happening fast! Apparently that encouraged Colt to drop even lower and it was time to start pushing. I had to kick LaLa and Emi out of the room and call the doctor. Colt must have been pressing on my bladder because I had major stomach pain with every contraction. Whoever told me that each labor gets easier lied to me! I think they have all been painful! We made it through and after only 10-15 minutes of pushing, we had a beautiful baby boy.

Since he was early, the special care nurses were present for delivery and they checked him out when he was born. Perfect baby boy!

All of our family was able to come and meet the newest addition to the family.

(Aunt Jamie had to come a few weeks later, but she got to spend the whole weekend with us.)

As the night went on, #coltbstrong became the perfect hashtag for our little one. Because he was premature, the nurses had to check his blood sugar every few hours. Very early on Wednesday morning, his blood sugar dropped and he had to be admitted to the special care nursery. Thankfully it came back up quickly and he did not have to be hooked up to tons of monitors (just a few). He did get his own little home in the nursery where he stayed until Friday morning.

Seeing all of the other babies in the special care nursery, made me so grateful for our precious little one and how healthy he was… and still is! I was still admitted in the hospital downstairs, so we had to walk up and down, back and forth, every couple of hours. After I was discharged on Thursday, we were able to stay in the special care nursery with him for his last night. The nurses were wonderful, but they had to prick his heel every 3 hours, and it was so sad!

His poor little feet did recover though, although PawPaw was worried for a few days that they were too blue and purple.

Callie and Cade were finally able to meet their brother on Thursday morning. They had to walk through the special care nursery and I think it was a lot for Callie to take in! But they were so excited to see Colt. I was surprised with how interested Cade was in meeting his brother.

It was a short visit, but Callie did take time to teach Aunt Libby how to listen to his heartbeat. :) Maybe she will be the next (or first?) doctor in the family!

Colt passed his hearing test, the carseat test, and multiple other tests that they gave him over those 3 days, and we were able to bring him home on Friday. I always think they look so little in the carseat those first few days.

All of our family, Gigi, Big Daddy, Mama D, PawPaw, Mimi and Papa, and especially LaLa and Auntie Em, took such great care of Callie and Cade (and Bear) while we were in the hospital. It was a group effort and I don't know what we would have done without them! Lauren got to stay through the weekend and help out which was wonderful. Then the moms took turns staying with us - night feedings, load of laundry, dishes, cooking… they did it all!

Callie loved having another baby in the house - but he is a little more fragile than the baby dolls!

Cade wanted to play with him, and didn't understand why he couldn't play catch?!

After that first night/day of low blood sugar, Colt has not had any more issues and we thank God for that! CG and Cademan were teaching him the Clemson cheer before he was even a week old.

Bryan and I are so blessed with these three beautiful children!

Welcome to the family, Colton!

(and thanks to Janet Powell - Silly Goose Photography - for wonderful newborn photos!)

Is it June already? I realize that I have been a total slacker about updating this blog, and I am sorry. I would promise to do better in the future, but knowing what is coming up in the next few months, I probably shouldn't! So here are the important things that happened in the last 6 months that I never put on the blog. And thanks to my phone and photo stream, I do have a few pictures!

Cade's First Christmas!

We took the kids to see Bluffton's longest-ever Christmas parade. Only in South Carolina do you wear short sleeves and sweat in December.

As you may remember, Callie had quite the traumatic visit to see Santa last year, so this year she wanted nothing to do with him. We did take Cade to see Santa and he was just confused… "Who is this guy?"

Callie baked Christmas cookies with Mama D and Mama Gerry and loved making and playing with the dough. She is very serious about her cookies!

Callie had her first Christmas program at school, and I can't tell you how many times we have heard the song, "Mary had a baby boy" sung at the top of her lungs.

My babies got all dressed up for the Christmas Eve service and a nice dinner at Palmetto Bluff...

…and we took our annual family picture in front of the tree.

We celebrated Christmas morning at our house and it was so much fun! Callie understood the concept of presents and Cade was just happy to play with the wrapping paper and ribbons.

So Merry Christmas from the Cokers!

After Christmas, we decided to turn our dining room into a playroom. I was tired of the toys taking over my living room, and it was the best decision ever! Callie and Cade both love to play in their playroom and they spend hours there each day.

Janet Powell (Silly Goose Photography) took some great family photos that I love!

It's A New Year! Hello 2014!

Callie started ballet in January and she looks so sweet in her little pink leotard and skirt.

We have spent countless hours circling the neighborhood in the wagon.

Cade started eating solid foods and has not stopped! I promise we go through at least 4 jars of puffs in one week. He is a big growing boy and eats so much! I don't even think he tastes his food - he just inhales it as fast as he can. Our grocery bill is already crazy; I can only imagine what it will be when he is a teenager! I may have to go back to work full time just to keep food in the house!

Bryan and I were able to go to Passion again this year and Callie and Cade had a great time staying with Mama D and PawPaw. They got to go to the Children's Museum on the Island and no one wanted to leave when it was nap time.

On the few cold and rainy days that we did have, Callie became an artist at her new easel. Isn't this a beautiful drawing?

No More Party of Four!

Then in February we announced….SURPRISE! Baby #3 will be here in September. We did not know it would happen this fast, be we are so excited to add another precious baby to our family. At some point in the next 3 months we have to: choose a name, buy a car, and put Cade and Callie in the same bedroom. Now you know why I can not make any promises to be better about blogging! Callie thinks we are going to have a boy and she wants to name him Elsa. She also laughed hysterically when Bryan suggested Noah as a boy name. Clearly we have a long way to go before deciding on a name!

Callie made cupcakes with Aunt LaLa for Valentine's Day…

and Cade tasted his first Chick-fil-A. It has become a favorite for both of my children (like there was ever a doubt that they would not love Chick-fil-A!)

Callie and I continued our Alphabet Baking with some help from Aunt Debbie. The two of them spent hours in the kitchen to make homemade Jelly! We had so many apples, they also made apple pie and applesauce. We still have jars of jelly in the pantry, but the pie and applesauce did not last long!

One of the weeks at school was dedicated to Dr. Suess and they had "Crazy Wild Hair Day". Can you believe I sent my child to school looking like this?

In the meantime, Cade just kept growing! He is quickly catching Callie - people ask me all the time if they are twins.

Road Trips!

In March, we made the trip to Hartsville to see Aunt Jamie...

…and a trip to Atlanta to see Aunt LaLa.

Thankfully, Cade slept in the car. Isn't that the sweetest face ever?

We also had time to visit the Children's Museum in Atlanta while we were there. Callie was busy and into everything, and this guy loved to drive the tractor!

Back at home, we continued our weekly Monday morning trip to Publix. Callie gets excited every time she sees that there is a "car buggy" available! (Driving while on the phone…don't know where she learned that!)

We celebrated Brantley's birthday in the park, and now Callie relates every birthday to cupcakes. All she wants for her 3rd birthday is to go to the beach and eat cupcakes. I think I can handle that!

April brought warm weather and we headed outside. Thankfully my children both still love to swing!

We continued our Friday lunch tradition at SCYC with Mama D and PawPaw. CG loves their she-crab soup and gets excited for it every time we go!

Bryan took Callie out on a date to Japanese and Lovin Spoons. She talked about it all week- she was so excited! She did not love the fire and loud noises at the Japanese restaurant but she now asks to go to fro yo several times a week. (And of course we say yes!)

Because I was so tired (being a few months pregnant), I decided that we would go to Taste of Bluffton and just buy Kettle Corn for our "K" alphabet baking. I know that is cheating because we didn't cook anything, but it was so delicious!

Easter

I decided to try to be somewhat creative this year, and we actually dyed eggs for Easter! Yes, all I did was buy a kit from Target and add water, but the kids had fun!

The whole family came to Bluffton to celebrate Easter weekend and Cade's birthday.

Cade's First Birthday

For Cade's party, we went all out with a circus theme, thanks to help from Aunt LaLa, Auntie Em, and Mama D! Everything looked so cute and I think Cade had a great time!

Emi created a cute little "photo-op area" and we actually took a family picture. Will we ever take a picture when all of us are looking at the same camera?

Cade absolutely loved his birthday cake..

…and didn't want to stop eating! Of course, this much sugar for the first time meant he spit it all up a few minutes later.

We had bubbles at the party, so that kept Callie very entertained.

They both are enjoying the many new toys that Cade got as presents. This tent has been in my living for almost 2 months now!

I love this picture and the personalities of each one that it captures. (Thanks Emi!)

Summer Has Officially Begun

We made our first (of many) trip to the beach in April! Cade is absolutely obsesses with his shovel and will not set it down. Callie can and does take every other toy from him and he never makes a noise, but she knows not to try to touch his shovel!

I am so glad that they both love going to the beach. It is a lot to load up to get there, but once we are there it is totally worth it! They both love the water and have absolutely no fear. Callie loves when Daddy comes with us because she gets to "go out more!" I will not get in and swim with her so she can only stay where she can touch when I am there. They also love to build castles (that are actually giant holes) and play in the sand. It is always an adventure but we love it!

These two little people love to swing! Callie is getting better at playing with Cade and loves to help him in any way she can. She still gets frustrated at times when he tries to get to close to her things, but we are working on it. And then there are sweet moments like this one...

We have take a few Sunday night trips to the beach. I love the beach that time of day!

We went to Clemson for Devin's graduation (Way to go Dude!) and the Clemson Triathlon. Bryan didn't get to race, but Cade and Callie had a great time cheering on everyone else!

Happy Mother's Day!

We drove home from Clemson, let the kids nap, and headed straight to the beach. It was a great night - the beach with my family and pizza once we got home. Who could ask for more?

When we are not trekking out to the beach, we head to the pool. Callie is getting very comfortable in the water and I cannot wait for her to take swim lessons! Cade also has no fear and just keeps crawling until I turn him around.

Cade also loves the baby pool where he can walk in his float. I think he enjoys the freedom of being able to go where he wants to go! It may be a few more months before he is actually walking though.

Auntie Em has been able to come home a few times and spend some quality time with the kiddos. One hot afternoon we made Cherry Limeades ("L" is for limeade). Callie made a great face the first time she tasted it! I think the carbonation got her and it was hilarious.

PawPaw ordered and installed a swing on their deck so that my two swing-loving children would be able to swing at their house. It has only been up a short time and they have enjoyed it many times already!

A Year of Preschool Complete Already?!

Believe it or not, Callie finished her first year of preschool! Every day after school, she talked about Reese and Gracie, so here they are! Best buddies...