Hadley Ann Coltharp

After our false alarm on Feb. 20th, I walked around dilated to a 4, then a 5 and 90% effaced for more than 3 weeks.  My doctor decided to schedule me for an elective induction as soon as I was 39 weeks pregnant.  However, the hospital was full so we had to wait a few more days beyond that.  My doctor had said because the baby has been sitting so low for so long, the fact that I was so far progressed and I wasn't slowing down at work any, she kind of expected me to go into labor before the induction.   

My good luck "mooches" from Caden.

Last belly picture-- 39 weeks 3 days

Soon to be big brother, playing with daddy

I ended up walking into the hospital at 9:00 am on March 9, 2012 to be induced.  They started my IV and checked my cervix to get a starting point, already at a 6.  Pitosin was started around 10:00 but my doctor couldn't get there to break my water until after lunch, she had hoped that once the contractions got stronger my water would break on its own.  It never did. 

Just getting things started.

Even as the contractions were getting stronger, I wasn't in a lot of pain so we were waiting to get the epidural. It wasn't long though before the nurse came in and told me that 4 more women that were "very much in labor" just showed up. She was afraid if we didn't do it now I wouldn't have time to get one--and this was very important for me. The anesthesiologist then came in and gave me the lowest dose with the epidural since I wasn't in too much pain. 

My mom, dad, and Cody



Uncle Dusty, Auntie Mel, Gigi, Mimi, and Great Uncle Butch

At one point in the morning, my daycare called my dad (they knew I was being induced) and told him that Caden had a 102 fever.  Luckily Cody's mom and dad went to pick him up and took him to the doctor who said it was a virus and to keep him away from Hadley until he was fever free for at least 24 hours.  I was so bummed he wouldn't get to meet "sissy" on her birth day.

My sick boy in the waiting room

Pawpaw, Pop, Uncle Dusty and Auntie Mel keeping me company.

At 1:00 my doctor came in to check me out. I was now dilated to a "very squishy" 7 and she could not believe that after all my body had been doing the last few weeks and now with regular contractions my water still had not broken. She said that this just goes to show that no one really knows what it is that triggers labor.

After my water broke my labor really sped up and contractions were very strong-- I know this because my epidural only worked on my left side. On my right side I could feel a very strong backache, and what felt like menstrual cramps, but the worst pain was a stabbing pain in my right hip area. We tried turning me on to my side to see if it would even the medication out but it didn't change anything.

Within about an hour I was dilated to a 10 but they didn't want me to start pushing until the anesthesiologist corrected my epidural It wasn't long before they had it corrected and I could only feel just enough pain to push adequately.

As usual there was a lot of people in my delivery room which is why I only wanted Cody there.  I want as few of people as possible to see me in a vulnerable condition like this.  We had my doctor, my delivery nurse and a scrub tech--I loved them all!  They were pretty entertaining for the hour that I was pushing.  Once again, someone commented on how they've never really seen anyone laugh and smile through labor so much--that's my coping strategy (not always the best thing).  Of course the epidural helped with that too.  There was also a nursing student witnessing her first birth, I couldn't help but laugh as she was slowly getting closer and closer to the door.  Labor and delivery was not her thing.  Then there were also a few pediatric nurses coming in and out during the delivery process.  Good thing the room was big!

I pushed for about an hour.  The doctor/nurse kept commenting on how much hair she had and how long it was.  I chose NOT to look with a mirror...  I was in quite a bit more pain during this delivery than I was with Caden.  First my epidural wasn't as strong-- I still had muscle control in my legs.  Second, this doctor (my last one was in Lubbock) wasn't in as much of a rush.  She chose not to do an episiotomy and not to use the vacuum unless I just got too wore out.  This was good though because it gave my body more time to stretch which resulted in less severe tearing this time (only a 2nd degree).
At 3:31 pm Miss Hadley Ann entered the world.  All everyone could talk about was how big she was and how much hair she had.  This time around they were much slower paced in the delivery room after she was born.  They held her up for a little while for me to look her over.  Then almost immediately laid her on my stomach for what seemed like 5 minutes before even taking her away to weigh her, etc.  This made the stitching up process much less noticeable.

They then let Cody cut the cord.  I felt bad for him because he didn't get to hold her immediately like he did with Caden--but I was grateful for the extra time I got to spend with her that I didn't with Caden.

Daddy cutting the cord

Notice the curly cue that the doctor gave her while waiting on her to be delivered.

My big baby girl weighed 9 lbs, was 20.5 inches long and had a 14 inch head and 14 inch chest.  Her APGAR score was 9.9!

Cody finally got to hold his baby girl after I breastfed her and our visitors came in the room to meet this precious girl.

Hadley looks so much like Caden did when he was first born!

You know that old wives tale that if you have heartburn while pregnant the baby will have hair.  I'm a believer-- I NEVER have heartburn unless I'm pregnant and with her I was taking Tums daily.

Does this picture show grandmother's love or what?

Pawpaw, Pop with Hadley, Uncle Butch and Poppy



Poppy, Hadley and Uncle Butch

With Uncle Dusty and Pop

Craig and Briana came to meet Hadley

As expected, we didn't sleep well on Hadley's first night even though I was exhausted.  This girl wanted to eat.   ALL.THE.TIME.  She also wanted to be held constantly to which, of course, we obliged.

On Saturday we were lazy around the hospital room until we could be discharged once she was 24 hours old.



Cuddled up for a nap with daddy

Thanks Andrea for my cute outfit!

My mom and dad (Gigi and Pop) brought us lunch to the hospital and brought Caden for a quick picture with Hadley.  It's too bad none of them turned out cute.

Hadley has her daddy's hairline

Her first birthday cake made by her Nonny.

Progression of the baby bump--Hadley

20 Weeks

21 Weeks

24 Weeks

25  Weeks

29 Weeks

31 weeks

33 Weeks

36 Weeks

37 Weeks

38 Weeks 3 days

39 Weeks 3 days -- Day of Delivery

False Alarm

Sunday night was a long one... At 36 weeks 5 days pregnant, I came down with yet another stomach virus (Cody and I both have gone years without catching this nasty bug.  That is, until we had children.  Now we seem to have it every 5 or 6 months).  I went to bed not feeling well, then woke up with violent symptoms from about 12:00 to 2:00 am.  After my 2:00 episode, I started having a lot of pain in my lower abdomen, enough that it was hard to stand up straight.  I decided to monitor my contractions before I called the doctor.  It turned out that for over an hour, I was having contractions every 3 - 7 minutes.   So I called the doctor who told us they needed to check it out. 

We took Caden over to my parents house and headed up to the hospital.  They got me set up on the monitors, asked 100 questions (including "Do you have feelings of wanting to kill anyone?"), and after the long list of questions they checked my contraction pattern and decided that they were consistently every 5 minutes.  This was followed by an exam which determined that I was 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced.  We were told that it was likely that we could have this baby today.  (Scary thought for me since I didn't bring ANYTHING and we were still very unprepared at home).

My doctor had thought differently.  She had them start me on an IV because she thought my dehydration was triggering my contractions.  They also gave me morphine and phenergran to help with pain and nausea.  As miserable as it was to be at the hospital triage with a stomach virus, it sure did make me feel better almost immediately once they gave me phenergran. 

By about 6:00 am, my contractions had become much less intense and were no longer regular.  The only problem was the Hadley's heart rate was a little too high.  We had to wait another hour to see if it would settle down.  By 7:15 a day shift nurse came in, informed us that Hadley's heart rate was much better, and performed another vaginal exam to make sure I hadn't progressed further.  I am almost positive this lady had a knife in her hand for this exam.  I can't even describe how painful it was.  I couldn't help but almost jump right off the table, which only made her get even more aggressive (and also made me bleed heavily for the next two days).  Still 4 cm--which was good news since my doctor really hopes I make it to 38 weeks. 

On our way home at 7:30 am with baby still on board in the belly.

The next day I was back at work... still dilated 4 cm.  How long can you walk around like that anyway???  It makes me very nervous to think that I am almost halfway to the "push phase".  My doctor did warn me to get to the hospital very quickly once contractions start again because it shouldn't take long.  I'm only concerned because I HAVE to make sure I have time for an epidural!!

Stay tuned... next time I get around to posting on the blog may be with a picture of sweet Miss Hadley Ann Coltharp.

Caden 18 Months

Weight: 27 lbs (50-75%)

Length: 34 in. (90%)

Head Circumference: 19.5 (95%)

My dearest Caden Layne, you are so much fun at this age!  It's amazing to me how quickly you are learning things just by watching us.  You recently watched daddy put new batteries in one of your toys and now you like to find the screwdriver and try to take apart all of your toys. 

You will eat anything--which I love.  You are happy to eat any fruits or veggies but you do have a preference for sweets if given the option (kind of like your momma).  "Nanas" (bananas) make you very happy and you have been known to shove about 1/3 of a banana in your mouth at one time.  If only I could catch a picture of your stuffed cheeks. 

I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again... you LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, music and dancing.  Even when you are very sick you still find a way to put in a quick dance when music comes on.  The other day you even stood up in your high chair (with Daddy's help) and danced with the waiter/waitresses at Texas Roadhouse during one of their routines.

You give the best hugs and "mooches".  My heart melts a little when I see your ornery grin.  I it is impossible to keep from smiling when I hear your adorable laugh.  Recently you have been going through a bit of a clingy phase in which you want to be held or sitting in my lap.  You also will cry/whine for a few minutes when I leave you at daycare--(I won't show it but it sure makes it hard to leave you when you do that).  You will, however, still let anyone hold you.  We never really went through the stranger anxiety stage.  Sometimes it just takes you a few minutes to warm up to an unfamiliar location or a crowd of people but soon you are on your way to exploring your surroundings.  You're a friendly little guy--waving a strangers who aren't even paying attention to you, playing peek-a-boo with the people sitting in the pews behind us at church... etc. 

I'm sure all kids your age do this, but it looks to me like you are fearless like your daddy because you are climbing and standing on anything and everything you can.  This has resulted in a few injuries but thank goodness it's only been a few bumps and bruises and only one lost fingernail (ask Daddy how this happened if you ever want to know).