Coe Baby Napping

These will always be some of my favorite pictures of Roscoe. He fell asleep on our way to the park, and I just happened to have these pillows in the back. I got to watch Hendrix play while he slept away. Nothing sweeter than a baby asleep.

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Roscoe Everett's Birth

You'd think I'd have learned my lesson with Hendrix that a baby picks their due date, but unfortunately, not quite. I fully expected Roscoe to come even earlier than his brother. I had all kinds of anecdotal facts! My mother! That girl at the library! MY HEART! I just knew he'd come early. His due date was March 9th, and I have emails from February emailing my friends excitedly about my "contractions" and all the "signs" I had that he was on his way. Yes, I'm a ridiculous person. 

So, the weeks before his due date felt impossible. So much so that when I found out that my little brother was in between jobs, I begged him to come to stay with us till Roscoe made his appearance. He arrived as the best brother of the century on February 26th. On the way back to our house from the train station, I was giving him directions to the hospital and plans in case my labor started that night. He and Eric stopped at Gamestop to buy the newest version of their favorite racing video game. Obviously, they didn't understand how eminent Roscoe's arrival was. MEN. 

I wont say this often, but it turns out the men in my life were right. Roscoe did not come that night. Or the next. Or the next. Luckily, Trey was a life saving distraction. During the day, he helped me take care of Hendrix and at night, he helped me take care of Eric. We ate spicy foods, walked all over IKEA and the mall and he helped me time contractions for hours. Roscoe was true to himself in the womb and was chillin' like a villain.

So, on the day before my due date, when my OB told me he could sweep my membranes to try and get labor started, I thought, WHY NOT?! But, here's the problem with the whole sweeping membranes thing. Sweeping sounds like a light cleaning. It's not. They should call it RIPPING your membranes. What my OB did in that room was nothing short of kill me. I still don't know how I survived. But, an hour later at 11:30, while stuffing my face with a Whopper and large fries in the Burger King playscape, I felt my very first intense uterine contraction. Roscoe had received the message. 

We left Burger King, and I felt 4 contractions on the drive back to the house. When we got home, I called Eric to let him know my contractions had started. I kept moving around the house, picking up, packing bags, bouncing on the exercise ball I'd purchased. Trey and Carol watched Hendrix while I felt my contractions intensifying. However, they were never regular. I'd have one after 2 minutes and another in 6. So, I really couldn't tell if things were going to pick up or not. Then, at 3 pm, I had contractions every 4 minutes for an hour. Eric got home at 4. He thought we should stay home. I thought we needed to get to the hospital. I remember saying, "Eric, this could progress really quickly! What if my water breaks? We don't want to be home and have to deliver him! We left at 4:30 and got to the hospital around 5. I remember leaving in a hurry and feeling like I didn't get a chance to give Henry the big goodbye I wanted, but he was off playing super heroes with uncle Trey. 

By the time we reached the birthing floor, my greatest fear returned. I was walking the hall while Eric filled out the paperwork, and I realized I was no longer feeling my contractions in my uterus. Slowly, my contractions were creeping from the center of my tailbone, up my spinal cord and down my legs. The pain of back labor is kind of like a back spams, but, you also have an infant trying to escape your body. So, it sucks. However, I went through 24 hours of back labor with Henry, so, I laughed when I told Eric we were going through it again. He rubbed my back while we waited to be admitted. 

Once we got into the birth room, I was super excited because there was a bathtub! The nurse informed us that she had 1. never attended a natural birth and 2. had never seen a person actually get into the bathtub. So, I let her know we were going to be rockin' her world and making BOTH happen! She checked me at a 5, put in a iv line, strapped me up to fetal monitoring and called my doctor. Doctor Mahaffey is known around Austin as "the vet." Birth is and should be as natural as possible to him. That's why we picked him as our OB. That and that he's a Texas rancher in his free time and is never without his handlebar mustache or his cowboy boots. He let us know that since he was on call that weekend anyway, he had swept the membranes of 5 different women that morning. He was going to be a busy man, because three of us were already at the hospital! What a guy. He also gave the go ahead for intermittent monitoring, a bath, and a mobile labor. Score. 

I labored standing up, talking with Eric and the nurse for a long while. My contractions were all still in my back, even after trying a lot of different positioning techniques. At around 6:30, Yaya showed up! I can still remember her face when she walked through the door. She was so excited. Eric and I were both pretty stoked, too. We talked between contractions. Carol rubbed my back. She was such a helpful distraction for me. After seeing me in labor for about an hour, I remember her asking the nurse to give her a run down of my pain medication options. She hated seeing me in pain! And actually, with the pain getting worse, we decided it was time to get in the tub for a little while to help me relax, and hopefully, to relieve some of the pain.

Eric and I turned the lights off and just sat with each other while each contraction came like mad. I remember laughing, because Carol and the nurse were talking about ghosts. Both of us were like, HOW DID THEY GET ON THAT TOPIC?" Eric held my hand and we tried to breathe through contractions, but I did a lot of screaming. The nurse came in after 30 minutes to check Coe's heartbeat. After an hour, she had me get out so she could check me and do 10 minutes of fetal monitoring. 

When I stepped out of the bath, it was around 8:15. I remember trying to put a hair tie in and literally not being able to because the pain just wrecked my body over. My legs were shaking, and I felt like I was going to split in half. The nurse asked me to lay back down to get on the fetal monitoring, but all I wanted to do was walk. So, she strapped it to my belly while I rocked in place. I began to tell the nurse that I might need something for the pain. She talked us through all my options, and I was seriously considering some IV drugs. I remember feeling crazy and crying a little to Carol, because I was worried I hadn't dilated anymore. She looked at the clock and said, "Kelly, he's going to be here so soon! I bet he's here by 9:15!" I didn't believe her, but she was SPOT ON. The nurse checked to see how far I was dilated. I was an 8. NO DRUGS FOR ME! 

After being checked at an 8, everything got insane. I was going through transition, and it was INTENSE. I paced back and forth in the room, SCREAMING. The contractions started coming almost every minute. The nurse walked in laughing at one point and was like, "You're scaring the other mamas!" All the nurses are just telling them, enjoy that epidural. That girl who's screaming? She's going natural." HOW EMBARRASSING.

I was feeling an insane amount of pressure. So, the nurse moved the bed into a kneeling position. GAH, I remember everything just feeling so crazy and I felt so scared all of a sudden. I started crying, "I NEED TO TALK TO MY MOM. CALL MY MOM!!!" So, Carol picked up the phone and called (I remember her shaking while she was dialing, because she was so scared-- I will never forget that hilarious look on her face). Soon, my mom and dad were on speaker encouraging me when I felt the most INSANE contraction coming. I screamed as the contraction ripped through me and my water broke! I had seriously been on the phone with them for 30 seconds! My poor dad. He said he can never hear me in labor again. It upset him so badly. I remember my mom whooping up a storm and saying something like, "Oh, honey! He'll be here so soon!!"

I told the nurse that I was ready to push. I could already feel so much pressure. I was sure he was coming right away. I climbed up into the bed, and just felt I had to lay down and start pushing. The nurse was moving like she had something better to do. Eric and Carol, however, moved in sync to either side of me and were both rubbing my shoulders and encouraging me. Although, Carol looked like she might pass out!

The nurse called to another nurse to find my doctor, and came over to check me. Coe was crowning! After what seemed like ages, Dr. Mahaffey came in with the biggest smile on his face. He made a few jokes (all of which were lost on me!). He told me that, "Oh, yeah!" I was ready to start pushing. He is the funniest man. He just sat back on his little stool with his arms crossed and watched me while I pushed. After only a few pushes, I could feel Roscoe's head coming out. However, Dr. Mahaffey just raised his hand slowly and told me to slow down and stop pushing. The cord was wrapped around Coe's neck twice (I did not know that until afterwards). Once he move the cord, Coe baby just slipped out with one more push! It took a little smack and some encouragement, but soon I heard the most amazing sound, my little boy screaming hello to the world!

I remember Dr. Mahaffey laughing this big laugh and handing this purple, red, perfect human to me. Coe was so himself from the first touch. I brought him right to my chest. Carol was bawling; Eric wiped tears and kept saying, "Hi, Rocky!" The room was just spinning and centered and perfect and insane. Roscoe Everrett was real and in my arms and so magical. He nursed right away, like a little champ. His tiny fingers wrapped around mine; I remember feeling whole. As if, my whole pregnancy I'd known him so well, but had just been missing holding him. My little, perfect Coe baby.

Carol and Eric held and cuddled Coe after they'd cleaned him up a bit. I felt great right away. I didn't have an episiotomy (probably shouldn't have the first time). I had torn in two places, but I was stitched up and helping get Roscoe bathed in no time. Carol left to go home and cuddle Hendrix and Trey came as we got checked into our room. I remember all of us looking at his peach fuzz of hair and all speculating over whether it was red or not?! 

After Trey left, Eric and I were alone and I remember just looking at Roscoe together in awe. The second time felt so different than the first, but so exactly the same. We were so much more calm and less scared. We knew just what to do. I remember staying up and just staring at his perfect face. We couldn't WAIT to have our little family all together. Our little Coe, here at last; the perfect fit. 

Roscoe Everett Seaman

 Born at 9:15 pm 

March 8th, 2012

 7 lbs 7 oz

 19.5 inches

PERFECT. PERFECT. PERFECT.

Here's Hendrix's http://goteamfamily.blogspot.com/p/hendrix-philos-birth.html

My Coe Baby, you're TWO!

Dearest Roscoe,

Right now, you're curled up next to your dad in our bedroom. You fought sleep like a ninja for TWO HOURS. When I thought you were asleep, I snuck out of bed to get some me time. Then, I heard your little whimper of, "Maaaaahm" behind me. You were still awake, kid! You threw your perfect little arms around my neck and nuzzled down back to sleep in no time. Those moments are passing faster. You're starting to push me away from our nightly cuddle sessions to wrap yourself up in blankets and fall asleep by yourself. So, I cherish those moments when you're still lost without me.

March 2013

April 2013

May 2013

See, you're pretty independent, Coe. Since you started moving, you've been on a mission to test all toddler limitations. People never believe what a rager you are, until they've been in our house for 10 minutes. After they've seen you scale the side of the counter to try and turn on the stove, escape through the backdoor to play in water from the faucet and climb the stairs to throw heavy objects at people's heads, they are believers. You are unreal. I can't take my eyes off you for a second, and whenever I do, you always have some terrifying surprise waiting for me. I think I'd be more of a frazzled mom if you didn't look so cute while attempting to destroy the entire house.

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

Because, you're pretty much the sweetest devil that ever lived. You have such strong love in you. Your hugs are like magic. You run up to me at random times during the day just to pat me on the back and kiss my face. You take care of your big brother whenever he's sad; you agonize over him if he's in any pain at all. It's amazing to watch your love in action. You make strangers smile and everyone around you laugh. And, man. There is nothing as electric as that laugh of yours.  GAH. Just thinking about it makes me want to tickle the mess out of you.

September 2013

October 2013

Roscoe speak is one of the great joys of my day. You have the funniest accent. It's like-- a Boston/ Southern drawl. Things that are hot are "TOO HAWWWT", "Car" is "Cahh," "Wrigley" is "Wig-ah-wee." I really need to record it, because it's downright hilarious. You've started speaking gibberish sentences. I will understand maybe two words in the PARAGRAPH you're reciting. And, your dramatic inflection and gestures just serve to make everything more entertaining.  I'm sure at some point, you'll just figure it all out, and we'll realize you've been reciting Shakespeare sonnets the whole time.

November 2013

December 2013

You are more than mobile, you're AGILE. You can already scoot around on your scooter faster than I can! You are an amazing dancer ("What the Fox Say" is most definitely your jam of choice). You are ridiculously coordinated for a two year old (although, don't tell that to your missing canine tooth). I always joke that I need to get you training for the X-games, but seriously. I need to get you training for the X-games.

January 2013

February 2013 

Roscoe, Coe baby, Roe-Coe-Coe, Coaster Rica, Rocky, Roller Coaster,  My life without you would be boring. You have brought more joy to this little family than you will ever know. You are vibrant, loving, funny and adventurous. I promise to nurture and fight for those qualities always. You will always be my baby boy, and I am so insanely lucky to be your mom ( here's hoping that luck keeps us out of the ER for a long time!).

xoxoxox,

Your Maaaaaaahma

The brothers.

2013 Slideshow!

Our year in review! Such a great year.

Hendrix, you're FOUR!

Dear Hendrix, 

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? You are four years old! FOUR WHOLE YEARS! As if I needed more reasons to be an emotional mess, you've gone and become KID. 

The past year has been amazing. Three was so good to all of us. You are smart and funny and wild and perfect. Every bit of you is so perfect.

This year has been my favorite because you started asking so many QUESTIONS. You are curious and smart, and just hearing the things you come up with is unreal. You'll come up to me and your dad randomly and just say things like, "Hey mom, hey. Can we talk about Bigfoot rea-yee quick?" "Can we talk about fire ants for a sec-nick?""I've got a pwan, can you tell me about ice?" And, I'm telling you what, kid. That is the coolest thing. Your dad and I can finally hear all the amazing things going around in that gorgeous brain of yours. 

You are the sweetest. Seriously. You have a way of saddling up next to me, your dad, or Roscoe and just making us feel loved. You still crawl up into my lap and let me cuddle you. Oh, I wish that would never end.

You are doing so great in preschool. You've made friends, you are doing great "work" and you have even taken a nap during nap time! All in all, it's heartbreaking for your mom and dad, because we're having to come to terms with the fact that you're growing up. It's the worst and the best at the same time. We're so proud of how easily you've made the transition, but we're also left feeling like, "What? You don't miss just being home?!"

You care so much, about everything. As you learn more things, you are making connections and having revelations, and it's wonderful. You have such a super hero heart. You want to right wrongs and save people who are in trouble, and I can't wait to see what you do with this little life of yours.

Here's to the past 4 years, Hendo. You've made them the best of my life.

xoxo, 

Your mama

september 2012

october 2012

november 2012

december 2012

january 2013

february 2013

march 2013 

april 2013

may 2013

june 2013

july 2013 

 august 2013

september 2013

For past birthday letters: 3 Years Old, 2 Years Old, 1 Year Old. :) 

My guy.

We've been gearing up for the next big step around here: preschool. PRESCHOOL. It seems crazy. My little guy isn't so little. He's a true kid, who asks every preschool director during his interview if they'll be "yearning about dinosaurs this year?" 

Roscoes big "bubbah", who hears his brother crying and who says, "Hey, I found this binky in there, think my yittle buddy needs this?!"

My little genius, who spends hours talking about the elusive Sasquatch, the mighty Ant, the amazing Spider-Man. 

Hendrix is thrilled to be taking this next step, and honestly, so am I. I'm ready and I'm not. I'm thrilled and I'm terrified. The truth is, parenting is as much about holding as it is letting go. Hendrix is going to shine and learn and play and become more himself every day. He is unafraid and secure

And I am so proud.