Yeah!!!! She's Here!!

I know a lot of you have already heard the good news -- Mike is an exceptional "Facebooker" -- but I of course, need to post the same pictures and story in my own way.

Lettie Kate Pemberton
January 29, 2010
12:01 am
6 lb 10 oz, 20in

Here's the short story...
My water broke at home on Thursday afternoon around 4pm. No serious contractions were happening so Mike went to get B from daycare while I picked up the house and Mike's dad made his way over. We got to the hospital around 5:45pm - still no laboring/painful contractions so we settled in and said "hi" to our friends and co-workers. Contractions became stronger but bearable around 9p at which time I declined an epidural (knowing that my next opportunity would be around 11p). By 9:30 - 10:00 I was in full labor - contractions with breathing and the whole bit. I definately wanted the epidural when it was available but I felt I was coping well. By 11p I was wondering what I was thinking declining the epidural earlier and told myself that I was either going to be very mad at myself or very proud of myself because I didn't think I would make it to an epidural. Anesthesia was in around 11:30 or so (to the best of my recollection) at which point I know I said a few naughty words during contractions and almost panicked that I wouldn't be able to handle the pain - I had the resident check me to be sure I had time for the epidural - I was 7cm dilated. The anesthesiologist was quick to put in the epidural and give me some medicine but it intially only numbed my right side - and it wasn't quick enough because after I layed down I was 8cm and minutes later (literally, maybe 1 minute) I knew I had to push her out! I was complete and couldn't control the urge had my life depended on it! Unfortunately I didn't get pain relief from the epidural except on the right side of my abdomen but fortunately I only had to push through a few contractions before she was out!!! Such relief!!! She had the umbilical cord around her neck once and was intially quiet but after Mike cut the cord she began to squawk!! What a glorious sound that was!! Because she had a bowel movement inside before she was born, she couldn't go on my belly but went to the warmer at my bedside to be evaluated - she did great and Mike was next to her the entire time. Apgar score = 9/9 (such a good test-taker). We had a long first night/morning - she has a large appetite - with little sleep but we are now feeling rested. We have had some visitors and supportive phone calls - thanks to everyone for the well wishes and thoughts. I will be going home in the morning (Sunday) and can't wait to be a FAMILY!!!
Now for the good stuff....Pictures!!!



Friende and co-worker, Morgan came in on her night off to take care of me! (Yes, she was our nurse for B too!)




Dinner for the new Dad-to-be


Smooch!


No pictures of me in pain....and then...


...here she is!!!


Thanks to Maryrose and Jen!












Getting ready for a bath


First steering wheel :)


Loves to be pampered just like her Mom!
















Our awesome labor team -- once again I have no pictures of the docs -- Thank you Dr Sterling and Dr Hansul for helping to get Lettie here safe and sound and to Dr Florido for watching over us the last 10 months!


Miss Lettie Kate Pemberton


Visitors on Friday....Nana...


...Aunt Bridget...

Isn't my headband the cutest? Made by hand by EB and given to Lettie from Morgan see more at her website: Itty Bitty Bows


...Mimi...


...Big Brother Bennett!...


He is so gentle and calm with her! He still seems a little shy and hesitant to touch her but he likes to be close - such a lover!






I can't wait to get home -- I am posting this while sitting in the hospital (Lettie is asleep in her crib next to me). Seeing these pictures of Bennett is just pulling at my heart!






...Papa and GB (Grandma Barb)...




...Tober's...


...Jax and Addi were so great with her -- they are great big cousins!


...Uncle Rich...




"Noses" (We have a tradition to rub noses - started by Mike and B)
On Friday Mike and Mimi came back down with Bennett. I barely received a hug from him because he wanted to "see the baby?"






Impromptu photo shoot







I am so thankful that she made it here safely and she is healthy. Tonight she is eating very well, seems to have gotten over her stinky gas episodes and weighed in at 6lb 4oz.


By the way...the basement is finished too!


This is the first time B saw the carpet...


...it's so soft...


...he ran in circles for 10 minutes!...



...then found his fort "tunnel" under the stairs!

This week we will be adjusting to our new family but, if you know me, will also be for organizing the basement and setting up B's play area -- I can't wait!!!!

Love to all of our friends and family and your support during our pregnancy...we can't wait for everyone to meet her!!!
Love,
Mike, Katie, Bennett and Lettie

Birthday?

Well, today is (supposed to be) the day....the day we've been looking towards....the day we've been setting goals around...the day we've been eagerly awaiting. So, WHERE IS SHE???? I didn't send birthday invitations -- maybe she's waiting for a formal invite? I am done working now....I stayed last night until 12:10am just to be able to say I worked on my due date. :) I feel no different than I did last night or last week or last month (other than this shocking sensation as though she is break dancing on my pelvic bones) so I don't know when to expect her. Although, with Bennett I had no warning signs....which makes me think it could be any minute....except each minute passes with no news.
So.....I am sitting here, baking cookies and listening to the delightful sound of carpet being installed in my basement...yeah!!! It's a snowy, flurry-filled-sky type of day. I imagine similar to the day I was born (the day after Thanksgiving). A typical Michigan winter day making me thankful to be indoors. What else to do but post some pictures from the last few days?


A kid who LOVES his Cheerios....note all the boxes and "stuff" piled high in the dining room??? Soon to be moved to and organizied in the basement!


Impromptu ice cream social in the living room.


What's better than a grilled cheese sandwich?


Just the cheese, of course!


Baby "Gertie's" room


It's completed, the clothes are washed and put away...just need a baby!!

Winter Fun

Well, it peaked at 35 degrees today and we needed to get outside. Dad came home from work while we were still outside and joined in the fun. It's great to have a yard with so many hills...I think ahead to the birthday parties in the winter with kids sledding everywhere. Sledding was a blast and we built a snowman too!!!

No Baby Yet....

I thought that working these last few nights would trigger something but nothing is happening! Just some irregular, non-painful contractions. The basement is still waiting to be dressed in carpet. For now I suppose not having a new baby in the house is a good thing because we are still living in a storage closet (boxes and furniture in the most inconvinient places).

Bennett seems to be getting bigger and more mature by the day. He's no longer my baby! He is becoming more descriptive in his language which is just a delight to hear his thoughts and ideas. He has also tried to put both Mike and I on time-outs for being "naughty" (Mike was playing with Bennett's top which B told him was "not a toy." I'm not sure why I needed a time-out.) Things B loves to do: run through the house ("ready, set, 9, 10, go!"), brush teeth, wash hands (or just generally play with water), read books, watch "Yoga" and "trains," sit on the potty and help out with projects around the house. Things he dislikes: having us brush his teeth, sitting on the potty, us helping him wash his hands, us helping him to do projects around the house...!!! He definately likes to be independent! We try to encourage him to do most things by himself which takes a bit of patience on our part especially when, say, he is turning a screwdriver in the wrong direction but doesn't want our help to put the object together. He displays his fair amount of frustration and internal battles - yesterday he took about 30secs to answer a question - "yes,yes, no, yes, no, yes, NO!, yes, no, Yes!, no...." all without us repeating the question (which was probably something like - are you hungry?). I am constantly amazed at what he is able to do. I hope that he doesn't feel left out or ignored when his sister finally arrives (although I know this is unavoidable). Mike will be his main buddy for a while but currently he is more of a "Mama's Boy" which has me slightly concerned about how his adjustment will be. Here are some updated pictures - I hope the next time I post it will include a beautiful baby girl and her proud family!!!


At our monthly dinner Val decided to broaden and enhance B's knowledge of fine wine



"cheers!"


It was a good try...


Here is Bennett helping me paint Baby Girl's room




And helping Mike turn the toddler bed back into a crib


I love the color - thanks Mimi. The dresser in the middle of the room has been sold on Craig's list and we purchased and painted a dresser which is now in the closet...her room is finished and it feels so complete!


Jumping in the crib and playing with the butterflies


When listening to music B frequently wants to watch and feel the sub woofer buzz along with the bass...just like his dad!


"close eyes!"


Mimi gave B a "Sing Song Yoga" DVD (developed by a local GR woman) and he loves it! It is the most adorable thing to watch him try to mimick the poses.


Note he is wearing big-boy underwear! This lasted only this morning as we went through 4 pairs in 1 hour and I had things to do...poor boy...he's needs some consistent attention in the potty learning department.


Reach up high! Bennett's Tree pose.


Hilarious! (and I'm not refering to the fact that I can't quite reach my toes without bending my knees!)


Cozy time in the rocker in Baby Girls room. B is very much into being cuddled prior to naps/bed and singing "Rock-a-bye Bennett"


After a late night and multiple times up through the early morning, B finally fell asleep in his reading chair in his room...he was still asleep at 9am when I got home from work. Too sweet!


At 9:15 I checked on him - he was awake and reading "Stop That Ball"

Well, I have an appointment with Dr Florido tomorrow...also another ultrasound to check her growth as my belly is again measuring 2 weeks behind (if she would measure my backside she'd be worried about a BIG baby!!) I'll do my best to keep everyone updated...maybe tonight....I'm forever hopeful!

Baby Girl Update

So we are now 37 weeks 2 days...only 19 days until our due date!!! Yeah!!! Everything is coming along fine - she seems to be way more active then Bennett ever was - maybe she'll find her way out early! Since the basement isn't carpeted yet we still have a lot of storage items in the nursery -- I'm getting anxious to have it painted and finished so we might be living among clutter for a while if I decide to put it all in the living room! I feel pretty good - the usual tiredness, occasional swelling in my feet and sore back but all-in-all I have no major complaints.

2 weeks ago at our 36 week visit my belly was measuring 2 weeks smaller so we got to have an ultrasound to be sure she was growing appropriately and had enough fluid around her. Everything looked great (she is just curled up in a small ball) and we got to take some pictures home with us! The ultrasound technician estimated her weight to be 5lbs 11oz!!


Face shot with chubby cheeks (forearm across her chin).