drank FOUR OUNCES at her noon feeding on January 12, 2012...just 16 days old... first I pumped two ounces, then gave her one ounce of formula which I added vitamins to, then she STILL seemed hungry, so I gave her another ounce of formula... almost immediately she fell asleep while I was trying to burp her... she has been very soundly sleeping for about 2.5 hours now...
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Baby Kate's Birth Story
Baby Kate's delivery was quite an intimate group, with only our doctor, Dr. Bartlesmeyer, the Resident Obstetrician on duty, a nurse or two, the anesthesiologist, and nurse for Baby Kate...
It seemed like forever before Pat was allowed into the operating room... finally he was told to come in and soon there after Dr. Bartlesmeyer began surgery... Pat was videotaping with the camera around his neck... he looked so cute!!! We decided we really only wanted to video the birth and events afterward, so Pat focused the camera on me for what seemed like an eternity!!! I'm hoping I asked him to film the room, but can't remember for sure... It seemed like it was taking forever for Dr. Bartlesmeyer to announce "Uterus" which we were told is code for start filming, the baby will arrive next... I asked if everything was OK as the anesthesiologist had previously told me that she should be born about 15 minutes after entering the OR... Dr. Bartlesmeyer told me there was a lot of scar tissue from Sarah and Anna's birth that he had to remove and all was fine... finally I heard him declare, "UTERUS" and knew we were moments away from Baby Kate making her appearance!!!!
Pat turned the video camera away from me and began to tape over the blue curtain... I was super excited as I waited to hear Baby Kate's first cry... seems like I was waiting for an eternity... I could feel a lot of pushing and tugging which didn't hurt but felt strange... I didn't care about myself, just my Precious Princess... I could tell by the way Pat was clenching his teeth and grimacing that something was wrong... I felt so helpless and alone... I was so scared... The anesthesiologist told me that if it felt like the doctor was literally laying on my stomach, it was because he was... a nurse shouted out that she had lots of hair, another person announced that she was bigger than they thought as Dr. B had just predicted that she would weigh about 7 pounds 4 ounces... I was guessing 8 pounds 4-5 ounces... time moved so slowly as I continued to feel helpless and alone... I desperately wanted to hep but knew there was nothing I could do or say... I heard a machine turn on and visualized it was helping empty her huge bag of water... finally, I heard her cry... what a wonderful sound... I didn't care what she looked like, all I cared about was that she was safe and healthy... Pat later shared that the doctors had a difficult time getting her out... upon reviewing the video, her sweet head was out of my body while the doctor tried to get her body out... a lot of the video is blocked by someones back as they were pushing on my belly... the machine looked like and sounded like a circular hair dryer... since Baby Kate was born with a hematoma on the top of her head and a small cone head, I'm guessing it was a vacuum they used to get her out even though she was head down and near but not in the birth canal... I plan to ask the doctor about this at my 6 week check up...
I think the nurse gave me a quick glance at Baby Kate before moving her to the warming bassinet for assessment... I was beyond thrilled to hear that she looked great and that her Apgar scores were 9 and 9... although her birth was slightly traumatic, she was thriving!!!! What more could I ask for?
Pat and I anxiously waited for Baby Kate to be weighed... we were stunned to see the scale register a whopping 8 pounds 5.8 ounces!!!
Dr. Bartlesmeyer shared that Baby Kate's umbilical cord was short, which was fine for her development, but not good for our collection of umbilical cord blood stem cells and tissue which we planned to privately bank with Via Cord... I asked him to please do his best and save whatever he could... I think they even called in more support for this as I heard another male voice from behind the curtain... soon after, Dr. B announced that he thought they were able to collect enough to be processed...
The nurse handed Baby Kate all cleaned up and swaddled to Pat... It was beyond amazing to watch him hold her for the first time... we took a few photos then I was wheeled to recovery while Pat carried Baby Kate...
It seemed like forever before Pat was allowed into the operating room... finally he was told to come in and soon there after Dr. Bartlesmeyer began surgery... Pat was videotaping with the camera around his neck... he looked so cute!!! We decided we really only wanted to video the birth and events afterward, so Pat focused the camera on me for what seemed like an eternity!!! I'm hoping I asked him to film the room, but can't remember for sure... It seemed like it was taking forever for Dr. Bartlesmeyer to announce "Uterus" which we were told is code for start filming, the baby will arrive next... I asked if everything was OK as the anesthesiologist had previously told me that she should be born about 15 minutes after entering the OR... Dr. Bartlesmeyer told me there was a lot of scar tissue from Sarah and Anna's birth that he had to remove and all was fine... finally I heard him declare, "UTERUS" and knew we were moments away from Baby Kate making her appearance!!!!
Pat turned the video camera away from me and began to tape over the blue curtain... I was super excited as I waited to hear Baby Kate's first cry... seems like I was waiting for an eternity... I could feel a lot of pushing and tugging which didn't hurt but felt strange... I didn't care about myself, just my Precious Princess... I could tell by the way Pat was clenching his teeth and grimacing that something was wrong... I felt so helpless and alone... I was so scared... The anesthesiologist told me that if it felt like the doctor was literally laying on my stomach, it was because he was... a nurse shouted out that she had lots of hair, another person announced that she was bigger than they thought as Dr. B had just predicted that she would weigh about 7 pounds 4 ounces... I was guessing 8 pounds 4-5 ounces... time moved so slowly as I continued to feel helpless and alone... I desperately wanted to hep but knew there was nothing I could do or say... I heard a machine turn on and visualized it was helping empty her huge bag of water... finally, I heard her cry... what a wonderful sound... I didn't care what she looked like, all I cared about was that she was safe and healthy... Pat later shared that the doctors had a difficult time getting her out... upon reviewing the video, her sweet head was out of my body while the doctor tried to get her body out... a lot of the video is blocked by someones back as they were pushing on my belly... the machine looked like and sounded like a circular hair dryer... since Baby Kate was born with a hematoma on the top of her head and a small cone head, I'm guessing it was a vacuum they used to get her out even though she was head down and near but not in the birth canal... I plan to ask the doctor about this at my 6 week check up...
I think the nurse gave me a quick glance at Baby Kate before moving her to the warming bassinet for assessment... I was beyond thrilled to hear that she looked great and that her Apgar scores were 9 and 9... although her birth was slightly traumatic, she was thriving!!!! What more could I ask for?
Pat and I anxiously waited for Baby Kate to be weighed... we were stunned to see the scale register a whopping 8 pounds 5.8 ounces!!!
Dr. Bartlesmeyer shared that Baby Kate's umbilical cord was short, which was fine for her development, but not good for our collection of umbilical cord blood stem cells and tissue which we planned to privately bank with Via Cord... I asked him to please do his best and save whatever he could... I think they even called in more support for this as I heard another male voice from behind the curtain... soon after, Dr. B announced that he thought they were able to collect enough to be processed...
The nurse handed Baby Kate all cleaned up and swaddled to Pat... It was beyond amazing to watch him hold her for the first time... we took a few photos then I was wheeled to recovery while Pat carried Baby Kate...
Friday, January 6, 2012
Baby Kate's Pre Birth Story
I slept pretty well and awoke to the first snowfall of the season around 6 am... It was a beautiful 1-2 dusting that covered the trees... I was confident that this was a good sign of things to come that morning... Pat said he had awoken around 5:30 due to his excitement about Baby Kate's birth. I piddled around, wasting time as I do when I am nervous, blogging to Baby Kate and gathering a few needed items...
Mom arrived around 6:45 and I finally headed downstairs... soon, one by one, all of the 5 big kids came down... I decided it was a great time to do a final photo shoot... just Baby Kate and Me; Pat, Baby Kate and Me; The kids, Baby Kate and Me; and Mom, Baby Kate and Me...
Before I knew it, it was 7:15- the time we were told to arrive at the hospital... after another round of hugs, we were out the door... then I decided I needed a few photos of Baby Kate and Me in front of our home, in the snow... luckily Pat has learned to be patient and that it is faster to follow through on my requests than to argue, then follow through...
Pat had been warming up the car for a LONG time, which he knows drives me crazy because it wastes gas and I know that he does it to get me to move faster... finally we climb in... and I realize I forgot my purse, which has my photo id and insurance card in it... back inside Pat goes...
On the way to the hospital we hardly talk and occasionally hold hands... once there, Pat insists on opening the car door and helping me inside to a wheel chair, then he goes to park the car... this gives me a moment to reflect on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the lobby... I really was to pose in front of it, but know we are out of time... I settle for a photo of Pat entering the hospital and hope to get a photo of Baby Kate and I in front of the tree as we are safely heading home...
Since Pat and I had been to the Woman's Evaluation Unit (which is across the hall from Labor and Delivery) just 5 days earlier for dehydration from the stomach flu, we knew just where to go...
Since this was a scheduled C Section which I was preregistered for and had completed the blood work for the day before, we were escorted to our awaiting room from the Labor and Delivery front desk... I was more excited than nervous at this point...
Once alone, we begin our usual belly photo shoot before I put on the gown... I also had time to grab a set of paper hats and booties for the Middle Peeps (Lizzy, Jack, and Mary C.) to play dress up with later... then the nurses came in to review my health history and start my IV...since I am well hydrated, the IV only took one try...
The nurses left and soon after the doctor who I met during my anesthesia consult the day before came in... I confirmed that he DID get to go home and sleep between our consult 19 hours earlier... he said he got off at 5 pm and did get some sleep... I was relieved to see him as I liked his personality the day before... the only part of the epidural that hurt was the part that he said would sting like a bee- and boy did it!!!! This time I insisted Pat stay in front of me as I was VERY nervous!!!! Briefly, I did have the "side effect" of a tingle or shock feeling running down my right side and leg... not really painful, just creepy and scary... Soon after the numbing medication was added, I began having my blood pressure drop and I would begin to feel nauseous... At one point, I pulled my numb lower half on my left side and rested on the bars holding me in bed... Soon I realized I would have a fuzzy feeling in my numb legs each time my pressure began to drop, so I was able to warn the anesthesiologist and he would watch the monitors then inject medication into my IV and I would feel much better within 30 seconds...
Before I knew it, the time for Pat to get dressed in his scrubs had come...
Then the nurses appeared and it was time to go to the Operating Room... They had Pat sit outside the room until the blue curtain was up...
Mom arrived around 6:45 and I finally headed downstairs... soon, one by one, all of the 5 big kids came down... I decided it was a great time to do a final photo shoot... just Baby Kate and Me; Pat, Baby Kate and Me; The kids, Baby Kate and Me; and Mom, Baby Kate and Me...
Before I knew it, it was 7:15- the time we were told to arrive at the hospital... after another round of hugs, we were out the door... then I decided I needed a few photos of Baby Kate and Me in front of our home, in the snow... luckily Pat has learned to be patient and that it is faster to follow through on my requests than to argue, then follow through...
Pat had been warming up the car for a LONG time, which he knows drives me crazy because it wastes gas and I know that he does it to get me to move faster... finally we climb in... and I realize I forgot my purse, which has my photo id and insurance card in it... back inside Pat goes...
On the way to the hospital we hardly talk and occasionally hold hands... once there, Pat insists on opening the car door and helping me inside to a wheel chair, then he goes to park the car... this gives me a moment to reflect on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the lobby... I really was to pose in front of it, but know we are out of time... I settle for a photo of Pat entering the hospital and hope to get a photo of Baby Kate and I in front of the tree as we are safely heading home...
Since Pat and I had been to the Woman's Evaluation Unit (which is across the hall from Labor and Delivery) just 5 days earlier for dehydration from the stomach flu, we knew just where to go...
Since this was a scheduled C Section which I was preregistered for and had completed the blood work for the day before, we were escorted to our awaiting room from the Labor and Delivery front desk... I was more excited than nervous at this point...
Once alone, we begin our usual belly photo shoot before I put on the gown... I also had time to grab a set of paper hats and booties for the Middle Peeps (Lizzy, Jack, and Mary C.) to play dress up with later... then the nurses came in to review my health history and start my IV...since I am well hydrated, the IV only took one try...
The nurses left and soon after the doctor who I met during my anesthesia consult the day before came in... I confirmed that he DID get to go home and sleep between our consult 19 hours earlier... he said he got off at 5 pm and did get some sleep... I was relieved to see him as I liked his personality the day before... the only part of the epidural that hurt was the part that he said would sting like a bee- and boy did it!!!! This time I insisted Pat stay in front of me as I was VERY nervous!!!! Briefly, I did have the "side effect" of a tingle or shock feeling running down my right side and leg... not really painful, just creepy and scary... Soon after the numbing medication was added, I began having my blood pressure drop and I would begin to feel nauseous... At one point, I pulled my numb lower half on my left side and rested on the bars holding me in bed... Soon I realized I would have a fuzzy feeling in my numb legs each time my pressure began to drop, so I was able to warn the anesthesiologist and he would watch the monitors then inject medication into my IV and I would feel much better within 30 seconds...
Before I knew it, the time for Pat to get dressed in his scrubs had come...
Then the nurses appeared and it was time to go to the Operating Room... They had Pat sit outside the room until the blue curtain was up...
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Today IS THE Day!!!
Dear Baby Kate,
Mommy loves you with all of my heart... I can hardly wait to meet you... my miracle blessing from above!!!
I am so sad that you will no longer be in my tummy, but as Daddy keeps reminding me, my body has done all it can... Today you are 39 weeks 6 days along... even the doctor told me you probably would come sooner...
You are moving less and with less intensity... I'm sure you are officially out of room...
Daddy says he is looking forward to meeting you as well!!!
If everything goes according to schedule, you will be here in just over 3 hours!!!!
We love you Sweet Miracle Girl, Baby Kate!!!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Saturday, December 24, 2011
39 Weeks and 3 Days...
No complaints... just trying to record everything... My body aches... feels like my innards want to fall out... keep thinking I have a really slow leak in Baby Kate's bag of water... my back is starting to hurt... and Hemmy and Roid have invited their friend Flyod to hang out... I woke up this morning just feeling tired and exhausted, then rallied, getting the kids to clean and organize their rooms...
We just got home from Christmas Eve at my Mom's House... it was wonderful as usual... we exchanged presents with my siblings and their families, and my Mom and Step Dad then had a yummy dinner... I am stuffed to the gills and ready to pass out for a long night of GREAT sleep...
I did measure my belly... when pregnant with Sarah and Anna on Christmas Eve, 2009, I was 34+ weeks pregnant and measured 46 inches...
Tonight, pregnant with Baby Kate at 39 weeks 3 days, I measured 45 inches... I just feel like I'm going to explode... even her moving hurts sometimes...
My Mom is on call tonight- in case my water breaks or I go into labor as I did not want to disrupt my friends' family Christmas morning... I haven't given up hope that Our Miracle Blessing will become our Christmas Miracle... I have her 1st Christmas Outfit ready to go, just in case... if not, I'll take it to the resell it shop...
We just got home from Christmas Eve at my Mom's House... it was wonderful as usual... we exchanged presents with my siblings and their families, and my Mom and Step Dad then had a yummy dinner... I am stuffed to the gills and ready to pass out for a long night of GREAT sleep...
I did measure my belly... when pregnant with Sarah and Anna on Christmas Eve, 2009, I was 34+ weeks pregnant and measured 46 inches...
Tonight, pregnant with Baby Kate at 39 weeks 3 days, I measured 45 inches... I just feel like I'm going to explode... even her moving hurts sometimes...
My Mom is on call tonight- in case my water breaks or I go into labor as I did not want to disrupt my friends' family Christmas morning... I haven't given up hope that Our Miracle Blessing will become our Christmas Miracle... I have her 1st Christmas Outfit ready to go, just in case... if not, I'll take it to the resell it shop...
Friday, December 23, 2011
39 Weeks and 2 Days...
Wow!!! It is 37 minutes away from Christmas Eve... I'm stunned and thrilled Baby Kate has yet to arrive... I have been able to get so much accomplished... still more to do, but everything can wait... I just finished wrapping all of the presents... I honestly cannot remember a Christmas Eve that I wasn't up way to late wrapping... this year I'm finished the night before!!! Just in case Baby Kate does make her move in less than 36 hours, we decided the kids would open their present from Santa on Christmas morning and save the ones from Pat and I until Baby Kate and I came home...
Early last Friday morning around 3 am, Pat started throwing up from the stomach flu... Sunday morning, Sarah woke up with it... Monday night around 6, Anna threw up all over the two of us, then threw up three more times... William woke up around 10:30 pm and threw up... Followed by Mary Christine around midnight... Tuesday came and went with Anna not feeling well and having a runny nose as did Lizzy... Wednesday night, as I was wrapping presents at 10:30, a wave of nausea came over and I knew I was in BIG trouble!!! I figured I might as well keep wrapping as laying in bed thinking of what was to come wasn't going to help... Around midnight hell on earth began... since Pat and the kids had it, I knew what was to come... I had three rounds of throwing up to the point of dry heaves, diarrhea, and since my stomach is huge and bladder couldn't stand the pressure... I thought my water broke... by the fourth time, I literally cried out asking the Lord to not make me throw up again... and it worked!!!!
At 9 am I knew I was completely dehydrated... Baby Kate was moving, but not as strongly as she usually did... I called the perinatologist's office and the nurse told me to go into the Woman's Evaluation Unit... We arrived about 10:30 am...
At 5:56 pm, I posted on Facebook:
Early last Friday morning around 3 am, Pat started throwing up from the stomach flu... Sunday morning, Sarah woke up with it... Monday night around 6, Anna threw up all over the two of us, then threw up three more times... William woke up around 10:30 pm and threw up... Followed by Mary Christine around midnight... Tuesday came and went with Anna not feeling well and having a runny nose as did Lizzy... Wednesday night, as I was wrapping presents at 10:30, a wave of nausea came over and I knew I was in BIG trouble!!! I figured I might as well keep wrapping as laying in bed thinking of what was to come wasn't going to help... Around midnight hell on earth began... since Pat and the kids had it, I knew what was to come... I had three rounds of throwing up to the point of dry heaves, diarrhea, and since my stomach is huge and bladder couldn't stand the pressure... I thought my water broke... by the fourth time, I literally cried out asking the Lord to not make me throw up again... and it worked!!!!
At 9 am I knew I was completely dehydrated... Baby Kate was moving, but not as strongly as she usually did... I called the perinatologist's office and the nurse told me to go into the Woman's Evaluation Unit... We arrived about 10:30 am...
At 5:56 pm, I posted on Facebook:
Monday, December 19, 2011
Can't Sleep... Again...
Once again it is 2:36 am and I'm wide awake... I have a bit of indigestion, no signs of contractions, and the lack of desire to do anything productive... with Christmas Eve just 5 days away, I wish Baby Kate would break her water asap or wait until after the kids open their gifts on Christmas morning... I really want to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family on Christmas Eve, then with our kids on Christmas morning... if Baby Kate makes her move any later than Tuesday or maybe Wednesday, we will celebrate her first Christmas at the hospital... doesn't sound like much fun to me... at the same time, I don't want her to make her move because I am really enjoying each and every move she makes inside of me... completely conflicted... well, it's completely out of my control, so why do I keep obsessing??? I am also a bit anxious about the entire C Section/Delivery process... I want everything to be perfect this time... I created a birth plan which I will share once it is complete... last time I battled nausea and it was so scary because Anna had the cord wrapped around her neck twice... I also have anxiety about being away from the kids for several days... truth be told... as wonderful as it sounds at times, I really don't like to be away from them for more than a few hours...
Hopefully the Sleepy Time Tea will kick in soon and I can catch a few winks before the kids get up for school!!!
Hopefully the Sleepy Time Tea will kick in soon and I can catch a few winks before the kids get up for school!!!
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