Coker Family: Birthday Letter

Dearest Emerson Rose,

Welcome to the world little one! We have been waiting for such a long time to meet you, and we are so glad you are finally here.

However, truth be told, we did not think you were going to come until next week, but I guess you had other plans!

You see, you were really quiet in my tummy...I did not feel you move for quite some time, so Daddy and I got concerned and decided that we needed to made a little trip to the ER to make sure you were still okay in there.

Unfortunately for us, G, and Ballerina, we made this trip REALLY early in the morning (Daddy and I put G and Ballerina in the car well before 5 in the morning); however, once we heard your heartbeat, we felt all was well... we got our stuff together and actually all made it to school early that day!

The nurse in the ER said that we needed to check in with Dr. Dawson as soon as the office opened to make sure that he did not want me to come in too. We did such. Actually, we left a message with the nurse went about our usual morning! Afterall, we had heard your heartbeat and figured all was well, and as usual, we had lots of stuff to do at school!

A little later the nurse at the doctor called back and agreed with Daddy and me that we didn't necessarily need to come in that day. I already had an appointment for the next morning, and we all figured that Dr. Dawson would deem our plan acceptable.

He, however, did not.

Instead he said that I needed to come in to the office right away...that he would do an ultrasound himself! I guess it did not matter to him that the ultrasound technician was out. Right?

So, I waddled to the gym to get Daddy from class, and we went straight to the doctor. By now, it was close to 10:30 in the morning.

Once in the office, Dr. Dawson did do a quick ultrasound...not real sure what he saw other than your pretty face...but then said, "So, I think we probably should have a baby today..." I was a little taken back (know that I am REALLY obsessed with schedules and adhering to the plan in place), so the rest of the things he said truly went in one ear and out the other...there was was something about low fluid, inducing this afternoon, no reason to wait a week, you being big enough, my feet looking like crap, instructions to hurry up and get back to the hospital, etc.

I was thrilled to meet you sooner than expected, but the plan was for you to be induced on September 28! And, I guess I was real stuck on that plan!

What I do remember: Dr. Dawson handing me papers (I assume hospital orders) and Daddy saying, "I told you so." (He DID say in the car on the way to the doctor that it would be your birthday, but I told him that I thought he was wrong. Uhhh! I hate being wrong!)

Then there was a mad rush home to get our things together, phone calls to family, stops at school to fill them in on the change of plans and to grab work...It was a whirlwind! But, we finally made it to the hospital around 1.

This was our room.

By 2:30ish they started the induction.

Daddy and me...and LOTS of visitors hung out waiting on you to decide to make your arrival!

(Note: I have a WHOLE LOT of pictures - close to 400 - from that day thanks mostly to Gigi, so I am only putting a few; however, the few now seem like a LOT!)

Your big sister may have been the most excited that this day would be your birthday, and did not understand why you were not coming faster once we told her you were coming!

Gigi and Ballerina went to the gift-shop...and you and Ballerina ended up with new stuffed animals.

See yours? Ballerina got a purple cat with a LONG tail that she is still dragging around! (It has just been a few days, but it is completely disgusting!)

Lots of hours passed (Well, like 4)... You were being a little bit stubborn.

The nurses got in trouble because they were not giving me enough pitocin. I thought it was funny...until your heartbeat got a little wacky, and I started feeling dizzy.

So the nurses followed the doc's instructions and upped the pit...and we were well on our way!

A few minutes later, they said you were REALLY coming...like in the next few minutes...and they hurriedly got the room ready for your arrival.