Cole Steven

Cole was born on November 25, 2009.  During my pregnancy, I had wanted to try a natural birth.  Life had other plans.

36 weeks

At 41 weeks pregnant, my doctor had me come in for non-stress tests every 3 days. A fetal non-stress test measures the baby's heartbeat, any contractions, and fetal movement.  The doctor looks to see if the baby's heart rate increases with movement and what happens when a contraction occurs.  In my case, during my second non-stress test, Cole's heart rate decreased significantly at two different times.  The most troubling part was that his heart rate was very slow to come back up.  At this point, my doctor sent me to the hospital to start an induction.  I was a wreck.  I knew that inductions led to epidurals which led to C-sections, and I didn't want any of it.  And ultimately, I was right.  The induction lasted only a few hours because Cole's heart rate again went down and came up too slowly for comfort.  At 8pm on November 25, I tearfully went in to the OR for a C-section.  Cole entered the world five minutes later.  Upon seeing him, my first words were, "He's huge!"

We discovered after the delivery that Cole had a true knot in his umbilical cord.  If I had attempted a vaginal delivery, the cord may have tightened too much for him to receive oxygen.  I am forever grateful for the caution my doctor chose to act with.

Cole is now a funny, mostly sweet, extremely chatty, occasionally stubborn 3 and a half year old.  He loves Winnie the Pooh, Thomas the Train, and the Cars movies. 

 

Disney's Art of Animation Resort February 2013

He's his Dada's buddy

and his Mama's snuggler.

He is the best big brother he can be to his sister Molly, always saying he loves her at the end of each day.  I am so honored that I get to be his Mama and watch him grow and change.  Cole is truly my heart out in the world.  I have learned more from him than he will ever from me, and I love him beyond measure.