Guess who LOVES the bath!!!

He would stay in it all day long if I let him!

Auntie Abby

Yesterday my best friend from high school, Abby Mae Perryman, met Lucas for the first time. We met at South Coast Plaza and had lunch. Abby just got a new job in LA and I am very excited that she is back on the West Coast so we can see her more often! Ava wanted to be in the picture with her new snow globe.

We love you Auntie Abby!

A few firsts...

We came to California for a Bruce Family Christmas. It is the first Christmas in 5 years that we have all been together, and it will be 5 more years until the next one! Since being in California Lucas has had a few "firsts"...

First time meeting Uncle Trevor and Aunt Ashley:

First Bath: (He LOVED it! He is mad in this picture because we took him out!)

First Christmas:

First Christmas PJ's:

First Nap with Mommy:

We have had the best time with Lucas on his first Christmas.... more pictures to come!

Photo Session

This weekend we had a photographer come to the house to take some pictures of baby Lucas and capture him as an infant. Today the photographer posted some sneek peek pictures on her blog... here is my favorite so far!

So cute!

1 Week Old

Today our little monkey turned 1 week old! It has been an eventful past few days here in the Coons household. We went to the doctors on Monday where Lucas was diagnosed with Jaundice. I realize this is a fairly typical thing to happen to babies, but I was an emotional wreck on Monday night. I just felt so badly for our little guy. I think the post-pregnancy hormones, lack of sleep and seeing him sad all combined caused all the emotions. The doctor dropped off a Bili-Blanket and instructed us to keep the light on him 24 hours a day until further notice.
We finally got the OK from the doctor this morning to take him off the light! Phew! He is still yellow, but looking much better.

This morning he was circumsized. Luckily, we weren't aloud to be in the room. We were instructed to walk around and get fresh air because he was going to cry and we would hear it if we stayed in the office. After 20 minutes we returned to the exam room and he was not crying, but as soon as I started talking he started wailing, as if saying, "Mom, where were you? I don't feel good!" It was TERRIBLE!! I fed him, swaddled him, and gave him some loves and he finally calmed down.

Here he is now all snug on the couch...

We have been asking everyone who they think this little guy looks like. I don't have a picture of Andy as a baby, but here I am in the hospital.

He definitely has my nose and lips, but the jury is still out on his eyes...

I hope Week 2 is less eventful on the sick side of things. We love our Lucas and just can't get enough of him!

December 10th, 2009

We arrived at Spring Valley Hospital at 9:00 PM on December 9 to check in for the induction. They took us back to Room 3 where I changed into a hospital gown and they took all my stats. After an examination they told me I was dilated 2 CM. Then they gave me Cervidil to help with the induction process. It is mandatory to have Cervidil for at least 12 hours before they will issue Pitocin. The nurse told me he wouldn't arrive until tomorrow afternoon and to get comfortable. She then gave me 2 ambien and instructed us both to get a good night's rest. Unfortunately they didn't give Andy any ambien, but I was asleep within minutes! I had a pretty uneventful night, but my contractions did increase to about 3 minutes apart by morning. When 8:00 AM rolled around my new nurse Jill arrived. I can honestly say I KNOW my labor was as easy as it was because of Jill. Once she arrived she did an exam and I was at 3 CM!

At this point it was time for the Pitocin. Jill removed the Cervidil and told me to take a shower and freshen up because it could be awhile before I was able to shower again. My contractions started getting stronger at this point and I was getting nervous for the Pitocin. When I was done "freshening up" Jill did another exam and I was 4 CM! She asked if I wanted my epidural before she started the Pitocin and I happily said YES!

The picture on the bottom left was RIGHT after I got my epidural... I was in my happy place!

The rest of the delivery was easy! I dilated relatively fast about 1 CM per hour and before I knew it, it was time to push! Jill called the doctor to let her know it was time. We had about 20 minutes before the Doctor was to arrive so we started pushing to practice, but before not too long we had to stop because the Doctor hadn't arrived and baby was coming!

Once the Doctor arrived we all got into place. Andy and my mom were AWESOME coaches. Andy counted to 10 for each push and my mom was yelling PUSH!!! Jill kept saving "Common Mama, harder, harder!" After about 20 minutes I heard Andy say, "I can see him Jilly" and then I lost it. I started bawling. I was tired and didn't think he would ever come out. Three more pushes and we saw our sweet boy for the first time. His poor little head was a cone, that was the first thing I said, "His poor head". I got to hold him for a few minutes before they took him to get all his stats and cleaned up. Andy and my mom and dad ran over to the baby while I sat their bawling. Jill asked if I was in pain because I was crying so hard, but it was just emotion overload!

We love our little boy, he has stolen our hearts, and has us wrapped around his little finger.

We love you Lucas Henry!

"I Cute"

This is a phrase my mom and I say all day long... we talk as if it is Lucas saying it... "I cute"
Here is my latest favorite picture of our little monkey:

This is the picture of Lucas and Daddy that wouldn't load in the post below:

Our first family picture:


I promise the birth story is coming...

We're home!

We got home this afternoon and we are all excited to be sleeping in our own beds tonight. Here are just a few pictures from today:

Baby Lucas loves his swing...

First tummy time with grandma...

Going home outfit...

Mommy and Lucas...please note my darling hospital gown with matching blanket, made with love by Auntie Ashley

Lucas and Daddy

*We are in love with our little monkey
**A huge Thank You to Ashley for keeping the blog updated
***Birth Story to follow...

Introducing...

Lucas Henry Coons

Born December 10th at 3:02 pm

8 pounds, 6 ounces

21 inches long

This is still Ashley. I'm sure Jillian will resume her posting duties soon here. I wasn't going to post this one because he's got all that goopy stuff in his eyes. But I was just staring at it a minute ago, and noticed that the other person in the picture is sweet Andy. He's touching his head and holding his hand, and I think it's such a sweet perfect moment that I couldn't help but share it.

Plus, you can see how stinkin' cute this baby is. That top lip... I just want to kiss it.

He's Here!

I hate to post because I don't have any pictures yet.

But he's here! Stats to come...

p.s. Jillian is doing AWESOME. She's such a champ.

Doctor just arrived. Should be just a few more pushes!

Come on Baby Boy! It's your birthday and everyone is waiting!

She's pushed about 5 times and the nurses made her stop so they could run and get the doctor. Mom says she can already see that he has dark hair.

I love it.

Hopefully the next post is pictures of baby boy Coons.

10!

We are at a 10 people!

The nurses are calling the doctor to get permission to start pushing.

When my mom called me she didn't know I had answered and all I could hear were these crazy pushing noises... I think she was trying to show Jillian what to do.

Jillian sounds great. She said to me, "Ok, my life is about to change forever."

She says she feels like she needs to push but she sounded awesome.

Keep your fingers crossed!!

And here's a pic from just a minute ago... ready for this baby to come!

Half hour later and 2 more centimeters... She's at a 9!!!

Jilly's body apparently knows EXACTLY what to do.

Mom said the doctor will be in in a little bit to give an assessment. I'm guessing at this rate it will all be happening pretty quick here.

Go Jilly !!

Dilated to a 7!!!! Woo hoo!!!

The doctor says she's 90% effaced, and the baby is low.

Jilly says she's feeling a little pressure but nothing too bad.

Things are definitely rolling... Keep it up little guy!

Dilated to a 5.

Doctor just broke her water, and baby is doing great.

Woo hoo!

Ashley here again.

Just heard from both my mom and Jilly. After taking out the Cervidil she is contracting really well on her own. So they've decided to give her the epidural (the anesthesiologist has 4 scheduled c-sections today and Jilly doesn't want to chance not being able to get one.)

She is at a 4, and will start petocin as soon as the epidural is in.

Steady progress... I love it.

Not too much new. Jilly slept really well and had contractions all night about every 2 minutes.

The doctor feels like she's progressed enough to take the Cervidil out and start her on petocin in about 15 minutes. She's dilated to a 3 and the doctor is hoping for a baby boy by this afternoon.

Keep coming back for updates. I'll post them as soon as I get them.

Ash

Checked in!

Jillian is officially checked into the hospital. She is registered, hooked up and ready to go.

They gave her some Cervidil to try and get things going and also gave her some Ambien to
help her get some sleep before the hard stuff starts.

My mom is staying at Jilly's house until the real contractions begin. I'll post again as soon as they do.

Good luck Jilly! We love you!

Baby Book

I just finished documenting the pregnancy and putting together the first pages of Baby's Book. I think it turned out cute...

Now all I need is a picture of baby for the cover! Hurry up Little Monkey! 

Just playing the waiting game...

We are so anxious for our little guy to get here! I know, I know I should enjoy these last few days all by my lonesome, my sleep, and one on one time with my hubby.... but let's be honest, I CAN'T wait to to have this baby!!! I look in the nursery everyday so excited to actually put it to use. 

So since we are just playing the waiting game over here at the Coons' residence... I thought I would share with you my new favorite things...

#1- Andrea Bocelli Christmas Album-

I love his voice, plus it features Mo-Tab! 

#2- Pantene Pro-V Split End Protection

I typically use Bed Head's Ego-Boost to get this job done, but couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on a product this month. I found this at Target and thought, it couldn't hurt? I LOVE IT! It makes my hair SO soft, it doesn't weigh it down or make it greasy. However, let me say, typically products that I LOVE in Nevada, don't always work so well in the California because of the moisture....so beware if you find this to be true as well.
#3- See's Candy- This is not a new favorite, just one that I want 24/7 in the past 2 weeks. I literally crave it ALL DAY LONG! I have a new favorite, Vanilla Buttercream... Whoa, it is amazing. I still love my old favorites as well, the milk bordeaux, milk patties, butterchew.... but the vanilla buttercream is just tasty!

We will keep you posted on Baby Coons....but technically we have 13 days left until the actual due date...

PS- Many have asked what we are naming our little monkey. I think we have finally both agreed, but it isn't 100% just yet, we'll let you know as soon as it is!