Katherine Austen Jones

She's here (and so are we)! Here's her story:

KAJ was born on Friday, November 15, 2008 at 1:15pm. Doug and I went to the hospital on Thursday night to get the process started. The night was alright - I was not uncomfortable despite having some mild contractions, but it was really hard to get any rest being monitored on my belly and my blood pressure every 30 minutes. On Friday morning my water broke just before 7am. This really increased the intensity of my contractions and I was in tears shortly. The epidural came at 8am. It was a stinging sort of pain that was super intense but it happened at the same time as a contraction and the BP cuff going off so it was difficult to focus on only one area of discomfort.

The epidural was perfect - I was in no pain in no time. We relaxed in the room with my mom and Doug's mom until about 10am when I drifted off to sleep until 12. At 12, I started to feel my contractions again and so the nurse checked me again for progress - I was at about 5 cm. That was so frustrating because it meant we were in for a long day. At 12:45, I told the nurse my epidural was really not working that well anymore because the contractions were bad and I felt so much pressure. Apparently "pressure" was different than a contraction and pressure meant we could be close! She measured me again and I was at 9 cm and Katherine was crowning. She paged the doctor who got there at 1pm, got everything prepped for pushing. They gave me a quick tutorial on pushing which I practiced twice but didn't get it quite right. I was messing up by trying to keep breathing throughout the push and I was supposed to hold my breath instead. So the first big push came and I pushed hard for about 10 seconds. The nurse asked if I could lift my head up and see Katherine coming out! I couldn't see her, but apparently she was coming out. So the doctor said, let's push again and as I pushed she pulled Katherine's shoulders out and the rest came out easily from there. I immediately got to hold her which was blissful as we all cried and looked at our new baby daughter at once! She was perfect!

The next few hours are a blur as she went to the nursery with Doug to be weighed and measured and meet the world outside of Labor and Delivery Room 1. She weighed 7 pounds 3.8 ounces and measured 18 3/4 inches. Her feet are super long (Doug thinks she formed her flipper feet the night of my Michael Phelps dream). Her nose and lips are so sweet looking and she has a head full of dark hair! She is just so pretty!

We stayed in the hospital until Sunday and came home that afternoon. We came home to a car (mine) that needed a new battery immediately and a dog with a double ear infection and some impacted bowels (I know, TMI)! On top of trying to adjust to our new life with Katherine, we have had to deal with those unexpected things but know that if we can make it through that, we can make it through a lot.

She has been sleeping pretty well, albeit only in her infant carrier or with someone holding her. Luckily we have 4 willing and able grandparents around along with lots of aunts and uncles. Doug is still home with us but goes back to work tomorrow. I will miss the help with her, but will mainly miss the wonderful time we are having as a new family.

Our love for each other seems to have quadrupled since she got here and we love her already in ways that are indescribable. I am so totally frightened at times wondering if we're doing things right - and at those times, God keeps me singing "Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour." Literally, we must ask God to remind us of the wisdom and courage we know have in order to face each hour. It's so easy to question, but we must remember to rely on God for the anxiety ridden hours, days, and years ahead!

Ok, enough rambling - here are some pictures of Katherine Austen Jones.
The Jones Family! Our first family photo at the hospital - proud dad and mom, with soon to be spoiled little daughter!
Katie-bug all wrapped up her in pretty polka dot blanket!
Her Phelps Feet! From her pinky toe to her heel is the length of my middle finger (sorry for the reference - didn't have a ruler.)
N o, I didn't have twins! This is Katie's cousin Cole - 3 weeks her elder!
Katherine and the beautiful pink roses she sent to me on the morning of her delivery to thank me for carrying her for 9 months! What a sweet (husband) daughter I have!
Katherine's "oh no you didn't bring 3 dozen cookies up here and not offer me any" face.