Kathryn's Birth Story

I know all we've managed to post so far is a few pictures, so I figured I'd write a little about her birth story. I know the timing of it all may be a shock to some/most... She did come 2 weeks early. We had a doctor's appointment on Thursday, and as some of you may know, I have been suffering with a bad rash all over my body since last week. It's a random thing that happens in about 1% of first-time pregnancies, and I happened to be one of the few lucky ones to get it. It doesn't affect the baby at all, but makes mommy miserable. The only way to get rid of it is to deliver the baby, and then wait for it to clear up (usually within a couple of weeks after delivery). So while at the doctors, I asked if there was any way I could get induced earlier than the 11th, which was our scheduled date. I've been miserable with it, and couldn't imagine dealing with it for another week plus the time after delivery, including the sleepless nights because it keeps me up. So, after a few minutes, she called us into her office, and said that they'd walk us over to the hospital. Whoa, talk about a shock! It was quite overwhelming, and I for one was trying my hardest to hold back the tears as we were walking to the hospital, so I didn't look silly going in there crying!

An hour later, I was hooked up to pitocin and the labor was starting. I had to send Johnny home to get our stuff, because our bags weren't even packed! In the meantime, lots of calls were made, and we began the waiting and laboring. Finally, at about midnight, it was time to push. After about an hour of pushing, Kathryn Elizabeth was born at 1:12 a.m. on Friday, January 5th. She missed her grandma's birthday (Johnny's mom) by an hour and 12 minutes (Sandra's birthday is the 4th!). We think she just wanted her own day! She weighed in at 7lbs 4.25 oz, and was 19.75 inches long.

We are so thankful for our little girl. We think she is absolutely beautiful and amazing. I am amazed at God's creation of life and birth. One thing that keeps hitting me as I think back about the whole labor and delivery experience is focus. I am so thankful for Johnny...I couldn't have done it without him. He was so good to be there during it all, and be involved. When the labor got really hard, he was right there with me, holding my hand and talking me through it. He really experienced it all with me. And when it felt like I wasn't sure I could make it, he would get my eyes on his, and just hold the gaze. When I looked away, I had a hard time, but as soon as I would focus on him and listen to him, he would get me through. It makes me think of the Lord...when we take our eyes off Him, we start to lose it. In keeping our eyes on Him, we keep the right perspective, and He goes through whatever we are going through right with us. He leads us through every part, just like Johnny did for me. It still hurts and is hard, but just keeping that focus makes all the difference in the world. Thanks, Johnny, for being such an amazing husband, support, and now daddy. And thanks God, for being who You are. I encourage each of you to do what it takes to keep your eyes on Him, whether it's something you have done before, or something you do for the first time.

And because I know what you really want to see is pictures, I'll work on getting a few more on in the next couple of days. Thanks for your continued prayers for us!