Katherine Ann Blacker

Note* This post and the one before this are complimentary to each other. In other words, read both!

As many of you know, I started having contractions around 29 weeks with Kate's pregnancy. This was horrible because:
1) it limited my ability to care for our family
2) I wasn't supposed to exercise cause it caused contractions
3) everytime I had contractions (these were not just Braxton Hicks) I had an effusion of "scared for my baby's health" emotions

Saturday, June 11th, I had contractions from 3:30 AM to around noon. Really disappointing and uncomfortable. Then around 11 PM that night the contractions started again. I couldn't sleep so I woke Nathan up, hopped into the tub and he timed them from 12:30-1:30 AM. During this time they were 3 minutes apart but not terrifyingly strong. So, finally after many reservations, we decided to go to the hospital. We were discouraged because we were sure the contractions would stop and we'd have spent yet another night at the hospital only to come home without a newborn baby. So, we got to the hospital around 3 AM. The midwife on duty checked my cervix, I was effaced 90 ish percent and dilated to a 5. And the contractions weren't subsiding! We were going to have a baby! Nate and I were stunned that it was actually going to happen. Anyway, the midwife wanted me to walk around for 2 hours before I got an epidural and I conceded. I made it clear to her that I wanted to be sure to get one though. At 4:20 ish I decided the contractions were toooooooo strong and so we went told the lady I wanted an epidural now, before I couldn't handle it anymore. The anesthesiologist (I spelled that would perfectly by sounding it out) was in taking care of a woman having a c-section and wasn't able to come right then, but we were told she'd be coming in about 20 minutes. The midwife asked if I'd like any other pain medications. We told her how that went during Zac's pregnancy (I made me throw up). So, around 5 AM I told them I wanted something to take the edge off, and they gave me the pain meds mixed with Benadryl which my body received well. So, that dosage lasted for 20 minutes? After that everything went more entertainingly for everyone around. I don't remember much of my labors. It's as if I'm in a different place and am not aware of my surroundings. According to Nathan, every time I had a contraction I yelled about how much I hated the nurses cause they wouldn't give me an epidural - not their fault really but I wanted to blame someone. Then when the contraction subsided, I would apologize to the nurses and tell them I really didn't hate them. Etc. I also kept whimpering to Nathan to "Help me." That was really hard on him. When I was dilated to an 8 they had me sign the epidural papers so that the second the anesthesiologist got out of the OR I could get my epidural. Things progressed a little too quickly for that. I was at a 9 1/2 shortly there after and wanted to push. That was the most incredible (in a powerful, not a good, way) feeling. Wow! It's like you need to poop but are sooooo backed up that you have 7 lbs of stuff that you want to push out and it's hard! I pushed for 10 minutes and she was out at 6:32 AM! After having given birth naturally, I don't know if I'll do it again. I'll just wait and see. But I'm so proud of myself. I. Am. Woman.

They said she was 6 lbs. 7 ounces and 20 inches long. Funny thing though, the pediatrician said a couple days later that she was 19 inches long and then at her 2 week appointment she was 20 inches long. Who knows.

Zac has taken very well to Baby Kate. He loves to give her kisses. But he's had his hard moments and those are hard!

Also, you should all refer back to my 2010 May posts and see how much our little ones look alike. I'll have to post some pictures in which they look similar so that you guys can see!

She's a great sleeper already. She slept from 12:30 AM - 6:50 this morning. It was so wonderful to rest.

Funniest thing! We like to go to the park to eat dinner about once a week. This last week there was a mom and her boy kicking a soccer ball back and forth. Zac would walk toward whomever had the ball and since they were passing the ball, he ended up walking in a zigzag in a trance. He wanted that soccer ball!







And you thought that these headbands were cute. She looks like thug - kind of :)











Aren't these towels cute side by side?



We went Mini-Golfing and Zac was thrilled that we let him play. He loved picking up the balls and trying to drop them in the hole. it was adorable.

I'm so proud that my boy likes to play in dirt :)



From the previous post - this is a picture of Zac right as he noticed the soccer ball and starts to zigzag toward it.



Zac likes to walk the dog.


Zac had his first whole apple. He loved it and tried to share it with Kate. He's really been into feeding others recently. He feeds us all his food. And here's him trying to use a fork - even when Nathan and I are eating with our hands.


So, my bow making has continued. This green bow I helped Mini-Dorff make while she was visiting.