And the winner is....

My good friend Emily nearly guessed the exact everything when it came to Kaitlyn being born. She won the little game on expectnet.com, blowing everyone out of the water with a mere 25 points!

Thanks to everyone that put in their guesses!

Adjusting

I hate to jinx it, but so far Kaitlyn is the epitome of a perfect baby. Minus the fact she pretty much sleeps all day and gets up about every hour at night. She is so mellow and when she is awake, just takes in the world around her. She is a breast feeding champ, today weighing in at 7 lb 11 oz. We will go back in 2 weeks to get another weight check. Natalie continues to be a great big sister, helping whenever she can.

She's here!

Little Kaitlyn Lyndie finally decided to make her appearance, on her own and on HER schedule. Labor started in the early evening Thursday night with my contractions not much worse but feeling them more in my back. By the next day they were getting a bit stronger and much more in my back. As I was getting ready to head to the doctor's office, I called Kevin asking him to come home around lunch time, I wasn't feeling all that great and chasing Natalie around wasn't getting much easier as the day wore on. I was trying to be optimistic going into my appointment, but I was sure I hadn't progressed and we were on our way to an induction.

As I was sitting in the doctor's office my contractions were now getting much more annoying but I could still talk and walk thru them. Within about 45 minutes I had to stop walking when they came on strong, by this time the doctor was in the room ready to check me. Much to my surprise I was in labor! I was 5 cm dilated and about 60% effaced and zero station! We were on our way...now the decision to go home and get stuff and try to make it all the way down to Carmichael to Mercy San Juan or to go straight to Sutter Roseville.

By this time I could hardly talk thru the contractions so we decided I would go walk around a bit, try to dilate a little more and then head around the corner to Sutter Rosevile. This way it was guaranteed my doctor would deliver AND I wouldn't deliver some where on the side of I-80.

My IV was placed around 1:30 pm, my doctor broke my bag shortly after that and then things really got moving. Around 2:50 pm I was about 7 cm and was close to convincing myself I should get an epidural. Thank GOD my doctor had so much faith in me and my decision to try and have a drug free delivery. She said to give it another 1/2 hour, she would come check me again and then see where we were. Needless to say 20 minutes later I had tons of pressure, she checked me, I was about 9 cm with just some lip of cervix left.

It only took about 3 contractions and some good pushing and Kaitlyn came out screaming, vigorous and ready for life outside my belly!

We only stayed about 24 hours since we were both doing so well. It is great to be home and things are starting to get back on track. Natalie has adjusted well, she is a great little helper and loves her little sister so much. Kaitlyn is the first thing she asks for in the morning.

Meeting for the first time.

What a day!

3 days old and a bit more awake.

Update

I went to the doctor today, she wanted to check to see why I was still leaking. Turns out I am a massive mucous maker. Everything is just breaking down and needs some place to go. She doesn't think it will be more than a few days longer, but she wants to see me on Friday. She will check my cervix again and if I still haven't made any progress, schedule an induction for the next week. I hope to not have to do that, but maybe making the appointment will be enough to coax her out. Stay tuned for more updates....

Guess not time yet

Apparently a pregnant person can leak enough mucous that she would think it was her bag of water that broke. After spending about 3 hours at the hospital hooked up, contracting and still leaking the test they send out for amniotic fluid came back negative. So, now we are back home, still contracting, still leaking....

So, guess she isn't ready yet.

It's time!

I guess she just may come on her due date. My water broke at about 3:15, so things are in motion for a baby in the very near future. Yeah!!

40 weeks!

Well, I can't believe we have made it this far. I thought for sure we would have an early bird, but not so. I haven't made any more progress dilating since last week. I am a bit more anterior so she had an easier time feeling my cervix, but I am still only about 2 cm. My contractions are definitely getting more uncomfortable, keeping me up at night for hours at a time. So, we just have to be patient and she will come when she is ready.

The doctor has recommended we talk induction if I don't deliver by next week. I am hoping we don't have to go that route, but we will do what is safest for the baby.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

39 Weeks

Only a week to go until we reach our official due date...and still no baby! I haven't dilated any more than when I saw my doctor 10 days ago. But, she says not to be discouraged, I could go into labor at any time! So, we will continue with our 2 walks or more a day and lots of walking up and down the stairs.

38 weeks

Down to the last 2 weeks now! I have been having lots of contractions since Saturday, thinking I was going to have to go into the hospital a few times. Thank God I have a neighbor that is an OB nurse. She came over on Monday night to answer a few questions and to check to see if I was dilated any more. I think I just did a little too much housework that day which sparked a lot of contractions but none that got any stronger. Nor had I dilated anymore...I was only at 2 cm, a mere 1 cm more than I was on Thursday.

I feel like she is a lot lower than she was a few days ago, and my contractions are a bit stronger at times. So, hopefully she is starting to make her way to the outside world!

Thanks to everyone who has put in a guess on expectnet. It has been fun to see everyones idea on when she will arrive, how big she will be, etc!!

37 weeks

Only 3 weeks to go or less if little Kaitlyn decides to come a bit earlier. At my doctor's appointment yesterday she checked my cervix and I am about 1-2 cm dilated, half way thinned out, but very soft. Kaitlyn is still pretty high up in the birth canal, I am hoping that as soon as she gets engaged things will progress a bit faster. As soon as Natalie begins to feel a little better and since the weather has improved so much we will be taking about 2 walks a day, hopefully gravity will help get her down and get things moving.

My, what a big tummy you have!!