Introducing Katelyn Jean

Vital info:
Date and Time - October 28th, 4:39PM
Weight - 8lbs 0oz
Length - 19in

Sarah after the epidural, seeing if she's having a contraction.


First family photo.


Happy new grandmas.


Grandma and Grandpa A.

Blurry Grandpa O.

Grandma O and the happy papa.

Andy doin a great job holding his 2nd cousin.

Katelyn taking a look around.

Uh-Oh! Sarah nor Adam have dark hair. Hmmmmmm :-)

Katelyn showing off her shiner.

Nap time.

Close up.

And again.

Dad trying his hand at swaddling.

Taking a nap after dinner.

39 Week Belly

As you can see - she is still growing and working her way downward...

...And here is Dad working on his thesis! You can do it!!!

39 Weeks - Still Pregnant

Baby:
Well by all medical reports and doctor opinions, she is ready to arrive any day now. She continues to grow about 1/2 pound per week and is now likely 7-8 pounds and over 21 inches long. She is starting to drop into position but still feels the need to wiggle around. Interestingly enough, her heartbeat also sounds more "human-like". Rather than "swoosh-swoosh", it is more like "ba-boom, ba-boom". At today's appointment it was beating between 130 and 140 beats per minute.

Mom:
I am doing pretty good for being 39 weeks pregnant. But to complain just a little - I'm getting very tired, sore, and even more awkward if at all possible. I can feel her dropping and it is putting pressure between my legs making my "lady-like" walk not so lady-like! ;-) Quack-Quack-Quack... But knowing why that is all happening just makes me smile...

We went to the doctor today and she told me I am 2-3 centimeters dilated and fully effaced. I'm not 100% sure what that means, but it sounds like wonderful news! For this being our first child, she said we couldn't be entering labor in any better way. She offered to do something that would possibly expedite labor but I asked her to wait until next week. Since I'm still comfortable enough to work and wander around I can be patient and wait for her... Next week I may not feel so certain of all that! Our doctor said we could go into labor tonight, or it could still be a week or two out - I could walk around for weeks dilated at 3 cm... Amazing thought...

People keep asking if I am scared. Yes - a little. I'm more nervous than scared though b/c I just want to be a good mom. Labor scares me a little b/c I really don't like pain but I can do it. I've recruited this kick a** coach. Some people call him "Oak". Our baby girl knows his voice b/c she literally moves upon command when he talks to her... It is so cute! I think what I am most right now is excited beyond words to simply meet and hold our baby girl. I want to cuddle her. I want to kiss her. I want to feed her. I want to rock her. I want to see what color hair and eyes she has. I want to know if she'll have Dad's nose, Mom's chin, Dad's dimple (I'm hoping she does!), and all that kind of stuff. I want to squeeze and play with her little fingers and toes... Good grief! Patience is not a virtue of mine so I hope she hurries along...

Dad:
Dad is currently typing his thesis. He has been putting a lot of hours towards getting it done before his family expands. I have to admit, he is doing an admirable job of not stressing out (visibly) and taking each day as it comes. And even though he is trying to finish up his doctorate, find a job, and plan our future, his eyes still light up when he talks about his little girl on the way...

Now we wait...

38 Week Belly

Just keeps getting bigger.

38 Weeks

Baby:
Our baby girl is now between 6.5 and 7.5 pounds. She is roughly 20-21 inches in length and has reportedly developed a firm grip. Her mom finds this fact extra interesting since it almost feels like she is grabbing onto something down low and either twisting or pulling randomly! A firm grip may be a great quality in a handshake, but not so pleasant when it is the umbilical cord and/or "home". ;-) She is physically ready any day now, with the due date fast approaching.

Mom:
I am suffering from a serious case of "pregnancy brain". I am so excited and am constantly distracted from what I am doing. I'll just get focused on something and then she'll move and I can't help but smile and touch her... Well, then it is all downhill as my mind wanders and pretty soon I have no idea why the fridge is open, why I'm in the living room, or why I was looking for my purse...

I am also very exhausted! A lot of my first trimester symptoms have randomly returned. I have minor morning sickness/nausea, extra heightened smell, and am sensitive to certain foods. (Chicken - Yuck!) On top of it, I am large and awkward! But somehow I'm not quite as moody... (Maybe I should ask Adam to verify before I publish this post?!?!) I kind of feel as if I am on this permanent "high" where almost anything can be laughed off or simply ignored b/c none of it really matters...

I believe we now have everything we "need" before she arrives. The nursery could use some more organizing which is on the "to-do list", and there are several things I'd like to do/get before she arrives, but I believe we are actually ready! The bag is mostly packed - what isn't packed is on a list so we won't forget it. Her blankets and clothes are washed and ready for her to wear/stain. Now she just needs to make the decision to come out and play!

Dad:
I'm ready for her to come out and play any time, but my thesis needs her to wait until her due date. I'm writing as much as I can and think I'll be able to get all the typing finished by the time she arrives. That will just leave the formatting and inclusion of pictures, which is pretty brainless work.

Besides writing, I really haven't done a whole lot. I try to help out around the house as much as possible, but at the same time stay out of Sarah's way, while not doing too much around the house to get Sarah anxious about me not finishing in time. At times it feels like one of those circus guys juggling chainsaws while tightrope walking 50 ft in the air. As long as I keep my focus, I won't fall.

Only 2 weeks left for baby and less that 2 months left for school. It's going to be crazy.

37 Week Belly

And the belly continues to grow... Here she is at 37 Weeks!

And to prove I can #1 - still wear my ISU t-shirt and #2 - am resourceful, here is a very bad picture of me, but funny non-the-less! I was busted eating cereal out of my mug at work...

37 Weeks

Baby:
She is now about 6-6.5 pounds and somewhere between 19 and 20 inches long. This is a milestone week as she is now officially "full term". If born at 37 weeks, her lungs would be fully developed and not need steroids or extra care. As she grows, she is getting more and more cramped for space which explains why babies like to "scrunch" themselves after birth.

Mom & Dad:
We are staying busy... Adam is typing away. Sarah is cooking extra meals to freeze, attempting to organize, and trying to make sure we have all the essentials. Thanks to some very generous family and friends, we are very close to having everything (and then some) that our little girl will need!