November 22, 2011: Your Birth Story

There is so much I could say to you and include in your birth story, but the many days I was in the hospital leading up to November 22 are not important in the long run. I was admitted into the hospital 17 days before you were born, and I was so lonely waiting for you to come. Your Daddy came and visited me when he could, and he spent many nights sleeping on the uncomfortable couch. Your Mimi and Aunt Bailey came to visit, along with your Mops and Pops. Daddy Rick even came to see me when they admitted me into labor and delivery. I had visitors, but for the most part, I spent a great deal of time getting to know the nurses and feeling you kick and grow stronger every day.

On November 20, your Dad and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. We had big plans for the night. We were going to order a fancy meal from a nice restaurant and cuddle up together and watch Titanic or Moulin Rouge. Those plans changed very quickly when my doctor decided she wanted to induce me the next morning. She had originally wanted to wait, but then she changed her mind at the last minute. Within an hour, the nurses came and wheeled me off to Labor and Delivery. Your Mimi came and brought us our wedding cake, and then turned right back around to go back to Panama City to get ready to come back the next day. She had to make sure everything was prepared for her substitute teacher. Ben and I ate the top piece of our wedding cake and spent the night holding hands and experiencing every emotion possible. The fact that we were soon going to be parents was more of a reality than ever. We were anxious and excited, all at once.

The next day, the doctor started me on Pitocin to start contractions. Your Daddy had taken the day off of work, and we couldn't wait to meet you later that day. After being on that medicine all day long and trying all sorts of other things to get labor started, I was still no closer to having you than I had been when I started. So, the doctors decided it would be in our best interest just to try again tomorrow. I was very sad because your Daddy had to go back to work the next day. He was training for his new job, and he could only have one full day off of work. I wasn't going to be alone, though, because my Aunt Laura was coming to help me.

The next morning your Daddy went to work and Aunt Laura was there bright and early. They started me on Pitocin and broke my water at 11 a.m. At that point it was official : You were going to be here soon!! Your Aunt Laura was my hero that day. I missed your Daddy so much, but she was there for me to talk to and to take care of me when I needed her. She had been a nurse, so she knew what she was doing and she was able to tell me what was going on. When your Daddy walked into the room at 5:30, they were working to find another place to put my IV. There was a problem with the first IV and they had to replace it. He was very worried to see all of those people standing over me. He teared up and gave me a big hug. He had texted Aunt Laura for updates all day and he was so ready to get to the hospital and check on us! It wasn't too long after he got there that Dr. Torrence came in and told us it would be best if we did a C-Section. I hadn't progressed at all, and you were completely content to stay in your warm little home. Finally, at 8 p.m., they wheeled me back to start the C-Section.

When they started the surgery, I was reminded of what it felt like when a big cat makes biscuits on your stomach. That was literally all I felt. I was very sick during the C-Section due to my blood pressure being way too low. Your Dad came into the room right before they started the surgery and sat beside my head. He didn't say very much. I think he was overwhelmed by how fast everything was going and by the fact that after over 9 months of waiting, you would be here within minutes. I talked to Ben the whole time, (in between the times that I was sick), and I asked him if he was excited. He said he was, but he still looked very nervous. Dr. Torrence and Dr. Raines performed the C-Section. I was very happy they were the ones doing the surgery because I trusted them completely. I should have been nervous, but even though I was sick, all I could feel was excitement. After just a few minutes, I heard Dr. Raines say, "Oh, how pretty," and then they asked me if I wanted to see you. And, then, just like that, there you were. After 9 months of waiting and thinking about you and praying for you, there you were. They stuck my beautiful little purple girl up over the curtain and my first view of you was perfect in every way. You started crying and it was the best sound in the world. I cried, you cried, and all of the sudden, I knew what it was to fall in love at first sight. Your Dad went over to where they weighed and measured you. As they started working on sewing me up and cleaning you up, I yelled to Ben and asked him if you had hair and what color it was. He yelled back that it was dark brown and I laughed. I couldn't believe you had hair. They gave you to Daddy and he brought you over for me to look at. You were simply perfect in every way.

Katharine Claire was born 11/22/11 at 8:54 p.m. She weighed a grand total of 7lbs, 2ozs. I feel like that is when life really began for us. This pregnancy wasn't easy, but the result is the most beautiful gift God has ever given me. We are so blessed! 

This is you in the dress that I wore home from the hospital and Aunt Bailey wore home from the hospital. It is 25 years old now, and three girls have worn it!

Dr. Torrence: One of the doctors who delivered you. 

Dr. Raines: Another one of the doctors who delivered you. In this picture she is actually pregnant with her little boy.

You and your sweet Aunt Bailey. Two of my favorite girls!