Baby Blaize's Birth Story

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SOME INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER "TMI" PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.  

I am sharing this personal story because I believe we need to hear more of these wonderful calm birth stories instead of your common horror/pain stories.  Birth is beautiful and natural and if we let it "do it's thing" it can be strong, sweet and miraculous. 

My due date was April 22nd... that day came and went which we were kind of expecting because I usually go over.  We were all excited and waiting for our little guy to make his appearance. I'd been having contractions off and on for a few weeks just waiting for things to pick up. 

Then... on Saturday April 30th around 9 pm I started to have some more regular contractions that were stronger.  They started out about 5 to 7 minutes apart, we were watching a movie with the kids so I let Andrew know things were picking up.  He got the kids in bed while I timed contractions, by the time they were in bed things had picked up a bit more and he started filling up the birthing pool. 

 

(this is the birthing pool... soft and squishy and comfortable)

By about 10 pm they had gotten longer and were now 2 to 3 minutes apart.  I decided it was time to get into the birthing pool.  Contractions continued to gain intensity and I knew our little guy would make his appearance soon.  After 4 to 5 really strong contractions I felt like it was time to start pushing.

 

(These pictures were during the contractions) 

There were a few contractions that I tried to just push with a few times and I could feel things moving down.  I had another strong contraction and I reached down and could feel my water sack bulging (my water had not broken yet).  At this point I had the option to break my water or wait for it to go on it's own.  I decided I'd wait for a few more contractions and see how things went.  It was definitely a very cool feeling... like a water balloon.  I even remember saying out loud how cool it felt and how crazy it seemed.  I had another strong contraction after that and knew that we were almost there.  Andrew got into the tub with me and prepared to catch the baby. 

(About to make the last push)

One more strong contraction and a push from me... all in one the water broke and Blaize's head slipped right on out and then the rest of him followed quickly.  Andrew actually got to feel the water break in his hand before he caught Blaize.  He was born at 10:43 pm... only about 1 hour and 43 min from when the contractions started. 

Blaize had a nice covering of vernix and let out a loud cry.  He was beautiful and long and lean with a full head of hair.  We snuggled in the water for a few minutes.   This would be the first birth that I've had that I didn't feel shaky or exhausted right after the delivery.  I think this would be due to all the Crossfit training.  I also noticed during the contractions and pushing I was really able to use my own muscle and strength to work with them instead of straining to keep up.  It was amazing at how quickly it progressed and I was happy to add another chapter to my birth stories. 

 

(The paintings you see behind me were ones I painted for my wedding... these pictures weren't planned but I was so happy to have them be the backdrop for another new beginning.)

(I want you to notice the clarity of the water... people always comment about birth being messy but this shows a new perspective.) 

 I'd like to thank my midwife's assistant Dy for taking all of these great pictures with my challenging camera that was only focusing every 1 out of 3 pictures... thanks for sticking with it and helping capture some magical moments. 

Thank you to my midwife Laura for being an encouragement and support throughout this beautiful process. 

Thanks to my incredible husband who has always made it a priority to be fully engaged in the amazing moments of our life... I love that you've been the first one to touch our babies as they made their entrance into this world.  You're a good daddy.

 First pic with the whole family

 

Blaize Jeremiah Coffelt

4-30-11

8 lbs 8 oz

20 inches

*this pic at 4 days old... you can get your own hat here*

Perception of Pregnancy

Every time that I have been pregnant I am intriged to see how people perceive pregnant woman and pregnancy in general.  At the beginning of your pregnancy you often get people commenting on your cute belly and how you are glowing. Then, somehow 9 months later they are asking if you are still alive? If you can handle one more day of it? When you are gonna go? Saying that you look like you are going to pop.  When did pregnancy become a disease or a possible risk of death?  Women have been having babies for hundreds of years and continue to do so with little death and disease.  How has the beautiful process of creating a baby inside of your body become such a horrible thing? Something that is often associated with pain, suffering, trama, emergency, and possible death.  Where have all the strong, beautiful pregnant women gone? Have they been sucked into our societies perception that birth is dangerous and it requires doctors and ambulances and high dosages of medication? 

I understand that there are some situations that requires emergency help, but as a whole women are strong and their bodies have been made to deliver a child.  We have been given the gift of being the first place our kids grow, where they are created.  Our bodies protect and nourish them for 9 months and then deliver them into this world.  How can we believe that we are in a risky dangerous state as a pregnant mother?  I will be honest, when I am pregnant their are days that I feel tired and worn out.  But there are many other days that I am filled with honor for the gift I've been given to carry my children, I feel strong and confident.   

This particular pregnancy I've had the opportunity to challenge myself with what many would call an extreme workout program called Crossfit.  I have scaled workouts along the way to fit my changing body.  But I have been able to see how strong my body really is and even though some workouts seemed like they might not be possible I've completed everyone that I've gone up against.  I've continued to keep in my mind, "just keep moving and finish".  No matter how slow I might be going or how long it might take me, and in the end I felt amazing for completing something that seemed impossible. Isn't that life as a wife, parent, etc. ??  Facing seemingly impossible situations and pressing on and finding all the strength and courage was right there inside of you and you make it through.  

The fear that often holds us back from even starting or challenging ourselves in the things that seem so difficult.  Delivering a baby, the physical process of it may seem daunting but women have accomplished it beautifully for hundreds of years.  Why allow the fear that resonates from hospitals and pregnancy horror stories effect our experience?  Why crumble and believe that once we hit 37+ weeks we are miserable and uncomfortable and in pain constantly?  If we are constantly looking for the pain and irritation isn't that exactly what we will find?  But what if we began to look at the beauty and fascination of how our bodies have molded to this life inside of us? A life that responds to our voice and our environment.  A life that moves and dances inside of us.  Admiring the strength that has brought us to an amazing moment of birth.  Birth is a process, your body working with your baby to help bring him into this world.  Allowing the strength that has sustained you throughout the pregnancy to finish the work, to "just keep moving and finish". 

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that applies to so many areas of our lives... 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."  

-Marianne Williamson

Before and After Fabulousness!

So a while ago I purchased a great dresser for the girls room... and thus began my first furniture make over! 

Here is the before pics that I almost forgot to take... there were gold pulls on these drawers

 Here is the dresser with some primer on it...

After the beautiful aqua spray paint : ) I was in love already. 

Then from some fabric I had got inspiration for these cute trees. After many layers of pink and yellow I finally finished yay!! This is what held up the process the most. 

 

Here is the close up of the schnazzy handles that I love! 

 What goes better with a cute dresser than an newly refreshed head board?.... no before pic here, but it was just a plain white head board before.  We (me and my sister...a pro upholsterer) added 4 layers of batting and then this super cute fabric accented with some brightly colored rick-rack. 

A close up of the cuteness : )  We completed this all in just a few hours soo rewarding!

After finishing up the head board we got inspired to start the quilt that started it all... and finished it in just 2 days of working a few hours here and there.  All it needs now is a backing and to be quilted :)

 

This flower is applique' ...it's the first time I've ever attempted it and I was pleased with my results.

 This isn't the girls bed... just need some muscle to get the room moved around and then we'll have a final pic with all the components all together : )

Soo... after 2 days of finishing the dresser painting, making a head board, and a quilt I'm feeling accomplished and so excited for the girls new colorful room.

Looks can be deceiving...

Yesterday my sister is taking some pictures of me and my large belly.... 

we are on the back side of a building by a parking lot just shooting away. I'm sitting on a red bench (pictured below) and all of a sudden from across the parking lot we hear, 

"YEAAAHHHHHH!!!! SEEXXXXYYYYY!" 

In a creepy, slightly gravely voice.  Some random guy in a truck hanging out the window is the source.  

We start giggling and then go back to taking pics, but every time we try to get a shot he starts yelling again... now we are laughing so hard we are crying because my sister is making all these comments about how he probably doesn't realize I'm super prego and that from across the parking lot I just look like a Victoria Secret model. 

It went on for a few minutes and we just sat there laughing and crying not taking one picture. Finally he was done and drove by us on the way out yelling one last, 

"YEEEAHHHHHH!!!! SEXXXXYYYYYY!"  

After this experience there are many questions that come to my head.

What was he thinking? 

Are you kidding me? 

Am I really that hott for a pregnant lady? 

Did he even notice I was pregnant? 

Is this a hobby for him to help spread a little joy/freak people out? 

The answers don't really matter, but it will definitely be a memorable experience for the record books. 

Belly ART fun fun fun!!!

A few months ago I won a free Mehndi Belly Art Session... 

It's where they do the Henna art on your belly :) 

I was so excited and I finally got it done last night!! 

BEFORE:

DURING (The Henna is still on there and drying): 

 

AFTER:

(The color will get a bit darker over the next few days.)

 

In honor of all the hard work that Callie put into this, I decided that for this morning at the gym I'd do the workout like the "real athletes" and let everyone enjoy the art.  It was fun and I was proud to sport my fancy belly (yes, there are pictures coming of this monumental event!).

Dear Grocery Stores....

Dear Grocery Stores, 

I'd like to express my concern for your child friendly carts.  As much as I love the car idea it makes it difficult when you have 3 children and 2 of them want to ride in the car and there is no where to put the third child.  Some people actually have more that 2 children.  

Today when presented with this problem I was forced to modify your cart.  I simply attached my single stroller to the front and "Wha la!" Mommy has saved the day. Please understand that when I knocked down 8 cans of frosting and 4 cake mixes trying to make a U-turn in your isle it was simple because I was trying to let my children have an enjoyable experience.  (Good thing I did knock them down because as I was placing them back on the shelf I found an item I was looking for.)

Some people may look down on my innovation and label it "ghetto", but sometimes it's not about looking pretty it's just about getting the job done.  So as you question, "Did she really just do that?"  I'd just like to go on the record by saying, "Yes I did. Oh yes... I did."

Sincerely,

Just Jess

34 Weeks...

So here is the 34 week belly... and Daisy watching me curiously.