The Arrival of Miss Katherine Ann Paulin

It was a routine visit to the hospital for a non-stress test on Friday, August 16th. I had been having two each week since my blood pressure had started to escalate was 180/110... Not good. So I laid down for about thirty minutes and they re-checked it. It had gone down, but not by much. The nurses called my OB, Dr. Weisberger, and she asked me to come into the office. As Nick and I drove over, we knew she was most likely going to put me into the hospital. We didn't know if it would be for bed rest or to induce me, but we had a feeling that's where I was headed.

Dr, Weisberger came into the exam room and said, "Are you ready to go to the hospital?". Nick and I just looked at each other. Yep. We were as ready as we were ever going to be! The plan was to let me rest over night on Friday. Dr. Weisberger would induce around 5 on Saturday evening. She would be delivered 3 weeks early. We joke about how good of a listener Kate is; we had always said that we would be so happy if I could make it to 37 weeks, and she made it to that exact day.

Well... Our sweet baby had other plans. Around 10:00 on Friday night, I started having pretty bad, pretty consistent contractions. Despite getting a dose of Ambien that night, I couldn't sleep through the pain. Kate decided she didn't want to wait until Saturday; she wanted to get this party started right now. At 8:00 on Saturday morning, I received an epidural. So for the majority of that day, I felt fantastic and pain-free... Then my water broke around 3:00 that afternoon on it's own and all seemed to go downhill after that. I'll spare the details, but my epidural wore off shortly after and I was feeling pretty much everything from that point on. What I choose to remember from that time period is how wonderful Nick was for me. Before I went into labor, everyone joked at how squeamish Nick would be in the delivery room. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. He was right by my side the entire time, except for the times when he went to re-wet cold washcloths to place on my head. He was so brave for me and I know it couldn't have been easy for him to see me like that. I couldn't have done it without him.

Finally, after 20 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing, we met Katherine Ann Paulin at 6:28 pm; our little Kate had arrived. She weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches long. I cannot describe how it felt to see her for the first time or to hear her cry for the first time. It was truly indescribable for both me and Nick and was the happiest moment of our lives. I'll never forget how alert she was right from the beginning. Nick held her and walked with her around the room and her curious little eyes were looking everywhere. I just couldn't stop looking at her beautiful face. What a miracle... 

Here she is!!!

View from delivery room

Bath Time!

That few days that we were in the hospital feel kind of like a dream. We were utterly exhausted and utterly elated all at the same time. There are so many good memories that we have of that time: our parents coming in to meet Kate for the first time and watching her get her first bath. Our nurse, Lori, that first night after Kate was born... What an angel. She was wonderful. Our friends and family coming by to visit, especially the Fowlers who surprised us by driving up from Nashville on Sunday to visit.

That drive home from the hospital when we were both a nervous wreck and acutely aware of all mistakes of surrounding drivers. Finally, walking in the door with Kate to our home, and now her home.

It's been a little over 3 weeks since she was born, and we have loved spending each moment with this sweet new addition to our family.

Bed Rest... Not as Exciting as it Sounds

To many close to us, you know that swelling has been my worst enemy over the past month and a half of pregnancy. Yet, last weekend I was swelling so badly we started to become a little concerned. Nothing at all was alleviating it. So on Monday, August 5th at a chiropractor appointment, I had my blood pressure taken and it was quite high, especially for me whose BP usually runs on the lower side. I immediately called my OB and they had me come in for a check on my BP and urine. They also found my BP to be high, so they instructed me to get it checked again on Wednesday and to call and give them an update.

Wednesday I had big plans... This was a busy tutoring morning for me, then I was supposed to take one of the kiddos that I tutor and spend a special "reward" day with her for a job well done over the summer. We were planning on going to the bookstore, out for lunch and frozen yogurt, then she was going to help me finish up preparation for my classroom for the upcoming school year. 

Well... Baby Kate certainly had other plans. That morning our friend Laura (a nurse and Kate's future babysitter) came over to check my BP and, wow, was it high, coming in at 159/99. Again, I called my OB and she had me come into the office immediately. She ran several tests on me, then proceeded to tell me that I was going to be put on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. On top of that she told me that I was already 3 cm dilated... Eek! With being only 35 weeks along, we knew we needed to slow this baby down and stall her rush to enter the world. 

My mind went into panic mode as I saw this as the worst possible timing... Back to school?!? There was so much left to be done! The rest of my day was spent on the phone with my principal, long-term sub, and colleagues. They assured me everything would get taken care of, and they truly have made it so that I have nothing to worry about.

So... I have been on bed rest since Wednesday, August 7th, a week today. And it has felt like a month! It is difficult mentally and emotionally, trying to stay occupied and keep the pace of the day moving forward. We are literally sitting around and waiting for the baby to arrive. 

But this whole ordeal has been made much easier by my loved ones around me. First, my husband. Nick has always been my helper in everything and anything but I have been absolutely amazed at how he has stepped up since I've been put on bed rest. He works all day, then comes home in the evening and takes care of everything around the house, most of all he takes great care of me. He has been my rock this past week, making me laugh when I need to laugh and always knowing the right thing to say. Anyone who knows Nick knows that he has a tendency to worry. I know that he is worried, but he has put his personal feelings aside and has put me first in everything, just like he always has.

Secondly, my parents. The day I was put on bed rest they drove straight to our house... Which is 3 hours from their house (they made it in 2). They stayed for the whole day, simply to make sure I was handling everything ok and that I was comfortable (and, I think, making good and sure I was truly following doctor's orders and staying off of my feet). It isn't easy living far away from my parents, but they have made it feel like they live right around the corner, and that has meant the world to me.

Lastly, our dear, dear friends. Wow. I am so overwhelmed by the love shown to us by our friends during this time. Our friends from work, church, and our neighborhood have done nothing but been there for us this past week. My sweet friend, Yvette, created a website that set up a meal schedule for us so that people could sign up to bring us food. Laura has come over multiple times just to check my blood pressure, taking time out of her busy day just to check in on me. Myra brought us cupcakes, then helped Nick install car seats into our vehicles. Mandy brought over tons of goodies from our friend, Corrie's, baby shower since I wasn't able to attend. Not to mention all of the visits, phone calls, e-mails, and texts that I have received every single day. We are so unbelievably blessed to have all of these people in our lives and we thank God for each of you every day. Things have been made easy and enjoyable at a time that can seem a little trying.

As of now, I'm still visiting my OB once a week and now going for non-stress tests twice each week. I went for my first NST yesterday and all was well; amniotic fluid levels looked good and Kate is moving around just like she needs to be (I could have told you that without going through the test... This kid moves around constantly!). Our goal is to get me to 38 weeks before I deliver. I'll be 37 weeks on Saturday. At the end of every day (and night) we are so thankful that she hung in there with us for another 24 hours. We know that the longer she can stay in the womb, the safer and healthier she will be.  I know I might complain about being bored or keeping occupied, but it is ultimately so worth it for her health. We can't wait to meet her, but we want her to be as ready to take on the world as she possibly can! 

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and prayers! We love you all so much!

Maternity Photos

On Friday, August 2nd, we headed up to Devou Park for our maternity photo session. At this point, I'm 35 weeks pregnant... the countdown is on! Brooke Stacey did our pictures and we were so happy with how they turned out - she does amazing work!

Nick's Office

I'm officially outnumbered on the photo front in Nick's office. :)

The Evolution of a Nursery (Part 2)

The nursery for Baby Kate is finally completed. The only thing missing is our sweet baby girl! We are so happy with how everything turned out. We love just coming in here from time to time... Makes us so excited for her arrival!

Showered With Love (Part 2)

My mom and my sister threw an amazing baby shower for me on Saturday, July 6th at 10 am - a brunch baby shower! It was wonderful getting to share this event with friends and family from back home.

Loved the cake so much!

Was so happy that the Fowler's were able to be there! We don't get to spend near enough time with them.