Thread: Our Atlanta Surprise--Baby #4

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I know that you are very well today!!! Hip, hip hooray!

After dropping your brother off at school this morning, gma and I and Miss L headed for the peri appt. All went very well!

Let's see...you are estimated to be about 6 lbs right now, which is 1/2 lb more than your sister was at this point, a good thing when it comes to nursing. Also, there is plenty of fluid around you, my blood pressure is nice and low, my cervix was long and shut tight, and the cerclage is fully in place. The biggest surprise of all, you are head down, and in perfect position for a vaginal delivery! I am still in shock over this...and definetely more than a bit sad.

Since I've had several c-sections already, and because I want to leave the cerclage in place, there will be no chance of a beautiful, natural delivery with you. I will just keep (trying) to focus on the fact that I will have a happy, healthy baby. I also keep reminding myself that, your sister Rachael gave me this special present...the chance to experience childbirth just the way it should be (in my opinion, of course!)

The tech asked me if I was having any/much heartburn these days. When I told her that, yes, I was having heartburn she replied...well, that makes perfect sense, since your daughter's hair is already below her head. She then pointed out all of the hair floating at the back of your head. LOL...this is no surprise to me...as both your sibs had full,beautiful heads of hair.

After a quick trip to the grocery store, gma and your sis and I went out for a nice lunch. It feels great having gma here...she's been a big help doing things around here. She can't wait to meet you...but, she will just have to....LOL!!!

Ok...off to shower and rest!

I love you!

Mom


So...the bottom line is...you could come at any time...or stay inside until they take you out. At this point, I am in no hurry for your arrival...just keep growing.

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today.

All is ok here in Atl...

This morning, your dad and I dropped Jacob off at school, and then headed to Smyrna for our OB appt. (The D'ville office was closed today). Turns out, I get ready, undressed, etc. and the OB was called out for a delivery. So....big waste of time...but, hey, I'd want the same treatment if it were me about to deliver. I will have the appt. tomorrow, here in D'ville.

I did find out that, we are "on the books" for the c-section for 8 Jan, if you don't come sooner.

This afternoon, we took your sibs to the Drs. Not for ear infections this time...

We had the Dr. check a lump near Jacob's left eye brow. Dr. says it's just a benign subcutanius cyst...and may or may not go away. Your papa has gotten these before on his wrist...so, I suspect it's somewhat hereditery. Your brother is more and more like your dad all the time.

We had the Dr. check Miss L's nasal/tear ducts, as she still has watery/teary eyes often because the ducts are closed. I have asked her peds about it before...and at her one year check, the ped told me that she didn't think it was necessary to do anything. Well, the Dr. she saw today recommends we go ahead with a pretty simple procedure to open the ducts up...so that they won't get infected and scar tissue won't build. The biggest draw back to the procedure, is that they will have to give her anethesia. But, hey...lots of kiddos are put under for things, so we will find a pediatric opthomologist and anetheseologist, and have the procedure done. We will likely wait until a bit after you are born though...

Other than the Drs. appts., not much else going on here.

I am feeling like you have less and less room as each day passes...but, this is totally normal, of course. At this point, I just hope you hang tight until after the New Year.

I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I know that you are well today.

I had an appt. today with Dr. Pearlman...my regular OB. We heard your sweet heartbeat....(140/BPM) and you are measuring right on track. She said not to worry about the swelling, and that my weight gain was perfect. I asked her how urgent it was that I get to the hospital, should my water break. She said that, if I felt comfortable enough (if your dad was working) I could just drive myself. She said that we really had some time....and there was no need to get there via ambulance or pronto mundo. This tells me that, if it breaks...you wouldn't just pop right out of me. With both of your sibs, I had contrax first for hours...so, I expect it will be the same this time. We shall see.

After the appt., I ran and got Big Brother and Big Sister buttons for your sibs to wear after you arrive. I then went to pick up gma and Lauren, and we went to buy a blind for her room. We then went to the fabric store to get felt for the train table that your dad and brother plan to build together.

This afternoon, I managed to vacuum the middle level...and do a few other things around the house. I am keeping my energy up....which makes me feel great!!!

Ok...sweet girl....I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today.

I had a really crappy sleep night last night...I just couldn't get comfy for anything. Needless to say, I woke up this morning thinking that you might just really be on your way. That, and I am now producing a bit of colostrum for your. So, I think that my body is getting ready. We shall see...

So...dad put the hospital suitcase in the van...just in case.

We decided to take your sibs and gma to the local Museum of Natural History. We had a blast there, and your sibs loved the frog display (over 100 live froggies of various sorts). Jacob loved being in a museum...he is sooooo "booky". Grandma's nickname for him is "the professor", and boy does it fit. I love seeing him so interested in really learning about a lot of things...rather than running around saying "kapow"....and other things that make no sense. Of course, there's nothing wrong with imagining and making things up. I am just glad that he enjoys learning so much. Miss L had tons of fun going up and down stairs and climbing and exploring....so, so cute.

This afternoon, I was feeling tons better. It really feels good to be on my feet and walking (gravity helps pull your patukas away from my rib cage). I did 3 loads of laundry, and made a list of phone numbers for gma to call when I go into labor.

So....I am now off to polish my nails and try and get some rest.

The only thing left to do for your arrival, is put the carseat base in the van, and clean the outside of my breastpump. By golly, I think we're ready for you Miss K!

Ok...."see you soon"...

I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today.

We are good here in Atl...and you are still tucked safely inside of me.

We had a pretty slow day here. Gma and I ran some errands this morning...and we got curtains for Miss L's room. Other than that, not much else to report....

I slept sooooo well last night, probably because I was soooo exhausted from the previous night. Whatever the reason, I am grateful.

So....here we are....almost the last day of the year. I think that you are going to be a 2008 baby...which suits this mom just fine.

Ok....off to shower and to rest.

I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Baby Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today.

Happy almost 2008 to you! It looks like you are going to be a 2008 baby, after all.

We had a pretty good day here...and I am feeling well. We took your brother in to the Dr. this morning, just to make certain that he doesn't have an ear infection. Turns out, that he doesn't, just a cold. The Dr. did give him a prescrip for a stronger decongestant and antihistamine...so, hopefully, his nose will stop running soon.

This afternoon, I made a Mexican dinner and prepped a dip for tonight. We are just having a super low-key New Year's here. Maybe just watch a movie...and then rest up.

You are still tucked safely in me....with less and less room each day. I don't mind though, because I know that your days inside of me are numbered. I will miss holding you inside...and feeling the miraculous movements that are just you! However, I will enjoy holding you, kissing you, smelling you...etc...

Ok, sweet girl...I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

Happy 2008 to you!!!

And, happy 37 Weeks! I am sooooo thrilled to have made it this far, with you inside. This is the longest that I've been preggo....and it feels great that my body is still holding you inside.

We went to the Mall today, to see what good buys we could find on clearance. We found a few things for next winter, but, not as much as I'd hoped for. Such is life.

Your dad is still in his nesting phase....ha ha...and spent most of the day cleaning the second level blinds in the family room. I am certain that, they haven't been touched since they were put up...around 14 years ago. Well, it's done for now...and on to other projects.

I have a regular OB appt. tomorrow morning. I plan to ask Dr. Pearlman what the reasons are for taking you at 38 weeks. If it is not medically necessary, I will ask her if we can just keep going, until I go in to labor naturally. I know that this would likely be the best for you...so, keep on growing, sweet one!

Ok....off to rest and bed...

I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today. I know that you sounded (your heartbeat) so well this morning...nice and strong. My swelling is also down, a good feeling....yeah! I asked Dr. Pearlman about putting off the deadline for c-section another week or so. She was totally agreeable to it, and so....if you don't come before, you will be born on 16 January 2008. I think it seems like a great B-day...around the holidays...but, not too close. So, hang in there sweetie...keep growing bigger and stronger.

After the appt., I picked up gma and your sister and we took Miss L for a hair trim. Turned out, we had some cut off the length...so, it's now a shoulder-length bob. She looks so stinkin' cute. I don't think that there could be a single cut that would look bad on her...

We ran to the grocery store, and then home to do some chores. I finally cleaned the outside of the breastpump with disinfectant...and the cones and bottles are ready to be sterilized. So, so exciting...I can't wait for the nursing bond to begin...so, so incredible! I've already decided that, I pretty much want you to self wean...since there will be no real good reason to just stop. So...here's to a great nursing start...and a great nursing journey for you and me.

The weather here is really, really cold and windy...but, hey, it is winter.

Ok...off to get dinner on the table...

I love you, sweet girl!

Mom

Hello Sweet Baby Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today. You've been moving and grooving inside all day long...I know you must be getting uncomfortable. Other than feeling somewhat uncomfy (ha ha), I am so glad that you are still inside of me. In some ways, I am just dreading that this will end...I know, a crazy momma...what can I say.

We had a good, productive day here. Your brother went to school, and gma and I went to the grocery store. Tomorrow, we will make a dinner to bring to my friend Sarah and her family...they had a baby late last month. It makes me feel good that I am able to do this for her.

This afternoon, Gma and I put away all of the holiday decorations. I am thrilled that this is over and done...and I won't have to dwell on it after you get here. I know that I won't be able to do it quickly after you arrive...and I don't want it up for months. So...whew, it's done. All but the tree and ornaments that is...and we will work on those this weekend.

We received a gorgeous cross-stitched blanket in the mail from your Momma Ann and Poppa Joe today. It has the most adorable little animals on it...and the backing is a nice, soft flannel! I can't wait to use it...it will be perfect for the cold weather days/nights here in GA, and we do get them!

Ok sweet girl...off to rest and bed!

I love you!

Mom

Hello Sweet Katelyn!

I sure hope that you are well today@!

We are good here in ATlanta. After dropping your brother off at school, gma and sis and I ran a few errands. We wound up at the mall to look for more clearance buys..but, turned out just walking around for a bit. Goodness, you are getting heavier and heavier!

This afternoon, we just rested here at home.

I keep looking at my preggo stomach, thinking that, soon it will be gone. I love the pregnant body...and am so proud that I have kept you inside this long.

Ok, sweet one, off to watch a movie with dad...

I love you!

Mom