Kimberly Katlyn

June 97

7 lbs 5 ounces, 19 1/2 inches

(head 12 1/2"!)

As soon as Canaan was celebrating his first birthday, I was ready to have another baby in my arms. I had already had a dream on August 22 that I was pregnant, so to me that was the first answer to my desires. You see, I also had dreams that I was pregnant with Canaan before I concieved. I had 3 dreams before I was pregnant, so when I had my first with Katlyn, I told Robert to write it down!

With Katlyn, those silly hpt tests didn't want me to know I was actually pregnant with her, so when I tested at 8 weeks along, it still came up negative. I didn't tell anyone except my mom and Robert cause I didn't want to hear any negative feedback, so I went to the doctor the next week ( a new ob at that) and found out that I was indeed 9 weeks along now!

My pregnancy with Katlyn was almost as uneventful as with Canaan, except with her I had occassional morning sickness, and couldn't brush my teeth or put anything at the back of my throat without gagging! I gained weight quickly for the first few weeks, then I started losing it, I lost 10 pounds up til my 5th month. I don't know why I did, just did. Trust me, it's not normal for me to just lose weight for no reason!

So, at the end of my pregnancy, I'd gained back the 10 that I'd lost, plus 8 pounds. The new doctor I chose was very understanding of my wish not to let her get as big as her brother had been at delivery, so he kept a close watch on the size of Katlyn as she was growing and even though he was thouroughly sure she was a normal size baby for delivery, he let me have the option of inducing 3 days early...which I did.

I was dialated 2 cm on Friday as we all went to the hospital, all meaning the three of us, my mom and my dad was on the way. So, we got to the hospital at about 9 am and I was immediatly prepped for my work ahead of me and hooked up to the "pit". I was having a few contractions, but nothing to get the ball rolling. About 10 the dr. came in and checked everything and to see how me and Katlyn were, and said he'd see me again in a few hours, cause things were already moving at that point.

Well, when I was about 4 cm along, my mom and dad decided to go out for lunch early. Robert and Canaan were in the room to keep me company while we waited for the big stuff. I think it was about 12:15 when I hit 6 cm, and mom and dad were still not back yet, and by this time of course, things were getting serious. I could barely laugh at any of the silly things my husband was saying and was needing cold washcloths for my forehead constanly, and was doing that breathing thing. ( I've never had lamaze, so I just do what makes me feel better, which is a good deep breath when a contraction hit, hold it for a few seconds, then exhale. ) I didn't have any demoral with this one, things went pretty fast, and by the time I was asking for something, they couldn't give it to me, cause it was to close to the birth. I did get a half shot of stadol though, about 10 minutes before Katlyn came out. (lot of good it did!) So, here we are, Robert and our 22 month old son running around the room trying to help momma and momma really thinking hard about that epidural and no grandparents!

It was about this time that mom and dad showed up. They told us they were laughing on the way up the elevator because they thought it'd be funny if I was close to popping and Robert was having to take care of me and Canaan.....well, they got it right on the nail with that one!!! They both about dropped their jaws when they seen all the bustle in the room trying to get my dialation checked, the area prepped, and the poor anistisiologist trying to find out if I actually wanted something or not. When he showed up I couldn't make my mind up if I wanted an epidural or not! Everyone was asking me "do you want one? He's here and will do it now if you do." Well, it was about that time that the first push came. That guy just took his medicine cart and left the room saying "she doesn't need me now". hahhaha

I pushed 3 times while I was still laying on my side, then they were finally able to get me turned over on my back and two more pushes and she slipped out! She was so much smaller than Canaan I actually asked "Is that all? She's so tiny!" :) I got two stitches this time from her shoulder, and when she came out she was screaming! Almost all the pictures we have of her at her birth is with her mouth wide open and hollering. When they laid her on my stomach the first thing I said was "look how small her feet are!" and Robert said "yep, it's a girl!"

I was wide awake and ready to go after that, it seems that as soon as the baby is out, all the pain stops and it's all about the baby. It truly amazing.

I got to nurse her too, and she took to it so well. It was like we were made for each other. She was such a slow eater though my poor milk was about busting out of me!! It took about a month for my milk to get regulated. She ate every 2 hours all day long, and it would sometimes take me about 40 minutes to feed her cause she just laid back and enjoyed the environment as she ate. :)

She is 22 months now, and is still a lot smaller than her brother ever was, though she is still a head taller than other girls her age. I guess all my babies will be taller than their mommy. I look forward to giving her a younger sibling to play with too. Our children have been such a blessing. They play together so well and truly care for each other. I want them to keep that bond forever...no matter how many children we might have.

Just after birth	Later in my room	About a week old