Kate Elizabeth Macfarlane Arrives!

Kate Macfarlane
3/5/08; 7lbs 7oz; 19-3/4

We all knew it was inevitable that baby Kate would arrive before her mother would be ready. Truth be told, I'd always find something else "to do" before her arrival and probably never would have been "ready."

Kate's Birth Story:

As I put the final touches on my last post, I was indeed having contractions every 10 minutes. I ended up staying up all night nervously writing down the times. Then, I spent all day Tuesday pretty much doing the same thing and putting together my music playlists for the labor. By 3:00 p.m., and after much convincing from my dear friend Tara, I was pretty sure I needed to go to the hospital to be checked. I felt silly because I hadn't reached the 5-minutes apart milestone. In fact, I had remained between 8-10 minutes apart ALL day. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 p.m. and we were certain we would be sent home...but we weren't! Next thing I knew, my physician was in front of me and asking if I wanted an epidural. Three long and painful hours later, I received the epidural (midnight, 24 hours after I began writing down and tracking contractions). The epidural was a welcome relief from the contractions that had grown to 1-3 minutes apart and quite intense. Without Keith's wonderful patience and ability to take me to all of the places we've been together, I never would have made it through the hours of contractions. We visualized all of our favorite vacations and experiences over the past 10 years--within moments he'd have me sailing on the Teralani II in Hawaii or floating in our pool on a hot summer day.

I spent another fitful night not sleeping much as I listened to the epidural pump that sounded eerily like Darth Vader. At least I was in the newly remodeled Labor and Delivery room and had my soothing music playing all night long.

Unfortunately, the labor didn't progress any further until the following morning when my doc augmented labor by breaking my water and ordering some Pitocin. The next thing I knew, an hour had passed and I was ready to begin pushing. Everything seemed to be moving at lightspeed and by 11:26 a.m., Keith and I watched Kate Elizabeth enter the world.

A friend of mine from work mentioned that you can have all the plans in the world going into labor, but be ready to adjust as you just don't know what to expect. Keith and I never expected to watch the birth. I never expected to go through such a long early labor phase and I never expected to feel the joy I felt as I saw our daughter for the first time. And, holding her for the first 40 minutes of her life was pure heaven.

One week later, I am still in awe of the feelings she inspires in us. Despite the exhaustion from lack of sleep, we couldn't love her more. In an instant, our lives have forever changed to put her happiness and health above all else. Keith and I have spent a lot of time this week holding and cuddling our new bundle, trying to take in each moment as we know that in the blink of an eye, she will be graduating high school, getting married and even having her own children. We look forward to enjoying the small, everyday moments along with the many milestones that lie ahead.

With the birth of Kate, my adventure in pregnancy is officially over. I'm amazed at how fast my body has been changing back to its former self; thrilled that my itchy feet syndrome has nearly disappeared and trying hard not to "do too much" and "sleep when the baby sleeps."

Here are some photos of our first week..both Keith and I are adjusting to our new sweet bundle of joy!!

Waddle, Waddle, Ouch

Ahh, don't I look like a picture of grace? But to watch me walk is quite another story! I'm now waddling around like a duck. Both from an oversized belly adding pressure on my pelvic region and from tired feet walking around in el cheapo shoes since my foot has grown to be of Anastasia and Drizella (Cinderella's step sisters) proportions!

For the first time since this pregnancy began, I can honestly say I'm VERY uncomfortable. First, came the itchy feet. This actually began last week--I noticed my feet were a little itchy and I was waking up in the night scratching at them or rubbing them on the bed. I had a couple of busy days on my feet and assumed the itchy feet syndrome was a result of the puffiness that occurs when my feet protest to being overworked.

This week, tiny bumps have broken out on my feet and especially my toes. I tried bathing in an oatmeal bath and quickly realized that hot water was far more detrimental than the soothing oatmeal. The itch has also grown more intense. The only relief I've found is a cold foot bath. It appears that freezing my feet reduces the swelling and relieves the itch temporarily.

Then, last night, began the cramps and "contractions." This, combined with the itchy feet, is getting me to rethink how much longer I have to go. If you asked me last week, I was fine going 41 weeks in order to make it to Grandma Joyce's birthday, but now I am wondering if I can make it to 40 weeks!

My mother shared all kinds of home remedies to try...maybe that will provide relief.

The good news is that I've finished working (at least for now)! I am quite relieved to have some time to prepare for baby Kate. Of course, I'm moving a bit slower between all the cramping and itching. I suppose it's silly to complain. I made it all the way to week 39 before I really felt any real discomfort and for that, I am soooooo grateful!