Saturday, June 27, 2009

Kate is Here!


Here is how my day went on Wednesday, June 24th:

9:15am -- Go to OBGYN check-up
11:00am -- Go to Megan's, feed Finn lunch and put him down for a nap
1:00pm -- Go to hospital for appointment with specialist

1:20pm -- Get told that baby is now measuring almost 4 weeks small, so she has basically stopped growing

1:30pm -- Get an amneosentesis done where they stick me with a huge needle and take a fluid sample to see if baby's lungs are developed

2:00pm -- Get hooked up to monitors to make sure the amneo didn't stress the baby out

2:30pm -- Find out that baby's lungs are developed and they want to induce me!

2:45pm -- Realize that they are not going to let me go home...this is happening right now.

3:00pm -- get changed into hospital gown, call Megan and arrange for her to keep Finn overnight

4:00pm -- get first dose of meds, contractions start

1:30am, June 25 -- get an epidural, halleluja

6:32am -- give birth to a beautiful baby girl!


Kate Elizabeth Parks
3 lbs 13 oz
17 inches long


She is teeny tiny but breathing on her own and relatively healthy. I am home now, but Kate needs to stay in the Special Care Nursery for a couple weeks or so until she gains more weight, so everything still feels pretty surreal for me. Every minute I get with her is so precious. Right now I am going to the hospital twice a day to feed her and it is so hard to leave every time. We are just so thankful that her delivery went well and that she should grow strong enough to come home soon. We will post more updates, videos and pictures soon!

26 comments:

Launi said...

holy cow, that's awesome! congrats, guys! i love her name.

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

HURRAY! She so sweet and cute! I wanted to hold her so bad! It was fun to go with you last night--thanks for putting me on the "list." Seriously, it made me think of my baby as being real all of a sudden (not just a random kicking machine.) We are so glad Baby Kate is here and can't wait to get to know her better! (Thanks for posting pics--Brody is MESMERIZED.)

Zane and Lexi said...

oh my goodness - this all happened totally fast! we are so glad to see that baby and mom are both doing well and in good hands :) What a little doll - she's so tiny and sweet. We love you guys and keep you in our prayers!
XOXO
the shaeffers

Lant Family said...

Congratulations! She is so cute and tiny. I am so glad things went so well for you guys. Hopefully she will gain the weight quickly and be home with you guys soon.

Bailey said...

Oh my goodness she is so cute! Congratulations! I hope you get to take her home soon!

Katie said...

Congratulations! I'm so glad she's there safe and sound. She's precious. I hope she gets to come home soon =-)

ec said...

so beautiful ash ... you and baby kate. we're praying for you guys, and hoping that she gets to come home soon!

Annalisa said...

congrats she's here and pray all goes well. smiles to you and family. little kate is cute.

Meghan said...

Congrats!!! I am so glad everything turned out okay. I can't believe how teeny tiny she is... so cute. I love her name.

Ailyn said...

I am so glad she is okay. Congratulations Ashley, she is beautiful!

Connor said...

Congrats, guys!

Heidi Allred said...

WOW! YAY and what a crazy day! She's so cute and I'll be keeping her in our prayers so she can come home with her gorgeous mama soon!

Charlotta-love said...

Congrats! What a day, huh. Good thing for good friends and good doctors. She is beautiful. Hoping you get to take her home soon!

Mama H said...

What a cutie! So glad to see your pictures and can't wait to see you all in person and cuddle baby Kate!

JoSue said...

3lbs??? That's like 12 sticks of butter or something! :) Ok, bad analogy but seriously, that is small. I am SOO glad to hear that she is healthy and everything went well. You are amazing Ash! Good luck these next few weeks!

Nichole said...

Congrats to you two! She is beautiful! Can't wait for more pictures!

jenny barton said...

Congratulations on your little bundle's safe arrival! Preemie babies are amazing, they are such little fighters. You have been on my mind so much since I heard the news, and if you ever need anything... even if it is to let your frustration out about the NICU--please call. I've been there. Kate Elizabeth is such a beautiful name! She just couldn't wait to get here! Best of luck, please let me know if you need anything.

Adespain said...

She is so cute and tiny!! Congratulations! She (and you) will be in our prayers!

Allyson said...

Well I am sorry that it came about in such a stressful way, but Kate is beautiful! Congratulations!

Rob and Marseille said...

She is soo tiny, but soo cute!

davis said...

YAY! Congratulations! She is gorgeous and I am so glad she arrived safely. I love you Ash! Way to go mamma!

tara said...

you are so loved. its so awesome that all of these people comment on your post. i'm so glad you and the baby are doing well. i hope i get to see her before she's 15. i can't even imagine holding something that small. congrats cuz!

Marce said...

oh ash, what a perfect little angel kate elizabeth is! that is so cool that you named her that- elizabeth and kate were both names we had in mind for OUR Elizabeth (Ellie). i can't wait to meet her. hopefully you are feeling well...please let me know if there is anything i can do for you! we are just a hop and a skip away- so even if its just to watch finn for a while for you- i'd be happy to do that. you're AMAZING! xoox

Dan and Ashley said...

Oh Ashley, that is so crazy! congratulations though! She looks so perfect and beautiful. We are so happy for you guys. Keep us updated!!

Just wondering.....was Aaron there for the birth??? You didn't mention him getting to the hospital. :)

Jess and Matt said...

Congrats! She is so precious! We are so glad she is healthy and hope you get to bring her home soon! Crazy how fast you went from going to a check up, then delivering her! And you look so great! We send our love and hope to get up there soon for a visit! Love you guys! Kate is a doll!

lauren said...

Holy moly!
She's a beauty!
Well done!!