Clara Catherine

October 1, 2011

8:25 am

7 pounds 13 ounces

19 3/4 inches

We are so amazed and completely in love with this sweet baby girl. And also? We are tired. But that’s hardly noticeable next to her sweet face and cute baby noises that she’s constantly makes.

Welcome to the world and to our family, baby girl.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this pregnancy. Once we had Eli we knew we’d have a fourth child, I can remember trying to come up with the perfect time to become pregnant and then in the same thought process I’d begin fearing we’d lose the baby. That our hopes of having our children close together would not come true.

We had an early ultrasound, that was the protocol for our pregnancies since losing the twins, and she surprised us with a beautiful heartbeat.

This has been my healthiest pregnancy so far. I’m on the lowest amount of blood pressure meds that I’ve ever been on, even when not pregnant, I have felt great,  my swelling has been minimal, sure there are aches and pains but that’s part of pregnancy.

This pregnancy just always felt good to me. And then I damaged my pelvic floor and that did not feel good and then I could no longer pick Eli up, all I could do was sit or lie and do nothing.

So, we had to get creative with how we bonded.

I would spend many times a week attending different appointments. Mostly physical therapy, which in the end, I know, played a huge role in how good I have felt.

Beginning at 29 weeks, I started weekly NSTs. Every week, I’d head to labor and delivery and listen to babies being born, as I sat in silence, also listening to the rhythm of my sweet baby girl’s heart. Never wanting to rush through the pregnancy but obviously hardly able to wait until I saw her sweet face.

This pregnancy, despite my injury has just been really good. I can’t begin to stress how grateful I am for the health and safety of it all. Not that long ago I feared never being able to carry another child to term again. I thought I’d never hold that sweet, precious goodness that we had longed for … and here we are. Two babies in two years. (we are so blessed.)

I’m sad to see this pregnancy end. I’ve loved it and never wished it away. But rather than being sad that it’s over, I’ll just remain grateful that my last pregnancy was so very amazing.

And this week? I was given the all clear to hold Eli again. Which made my final week of pregnancy extra sweet with extra snuggles.

I’m ready for the next chapter to begin. Ready to be the mom to four amazing, beautiful children. I’m ready to be up in the middle of the night, ready for the hundreds of diapers that will need to be changed every month, I’m ready for it all.

And I’ll always, always be grateful for this amazing pregnancy that is about to close it’s door.

The next time you hear from me. The new chapter will have begun.

Thank you for always praying with me and cheering for me.

Like, getting way better.

It’s hard to believe that just three weeks ago I was in so much pain that I couldn’t walk or really, MOVE. Thanks to physical therapy, I’m feeling like a typical pregnant lady.

I love that.

So, yes. We are in the home stretch and I’m starting to panic a little bit. I’m not panicked about her arrival. I can’t wait. I can’t wait for those baby squeaks and seedy diapers, the middle of the night feedings, the nursing struggles, the shared time with the siblings, the balancing act that will have to occur between her and three other children and recovering from a c-section.

I’m ready for that. And I’m going to cherish it, too. I may have tears running down my face and be frustrated and want to quit but deep down in my heart I’ll know that this is it for this chapter. This baby-ness, this new-ness and it will go by so quickly, so I want it to come and rest on our family and let us carry it the way that we do.

I’m not so much ready for this pregnancy to end. As difficult as these past few weeks have been. Another mild concern (???) is that we, uh, she, keeps failing her NSTs. I have weekly NSTs due to my high blood pressure and my history with James and Jake.  (by the way, my blood pressure has been STELLAR, I’m on half of the meds I was on with Eli and my blood pressure has remained perfect, although, it’s slowly creeping up, it’s still … STELLAR.)

So, each week, I waddle through the hospital parking garage, cross the street, climb the stairs and walk through endless hallways to reach Labor and Delivery. Every time people wish me “good luck,” thinking I’m about to deliver, some people make comments about my hugeness. Yesterday, as I was leaving Labor and Delivery, a doctor was heading in my direction and he jokingly said “uhhh, I think you are heading in the wrong direction.” I laughed because it’s true. I’m large. (but I love it.)

(I only get angry at people’s comments when they insist that I must be wrong about a.) the number of babies residing in my belly or b.) that my due date is incorrect. Those are the people that are risking their lives just by continuing to speak to me.)

(sometimes, I dream of having a spray bottle filled with water and when they won’t stop talking about my size, I can just start spraying them, like you do with cats that won’t stop climbing your screens.)

Anyway. The baby’s heart, well, it just won’t accelerate the way they like. Her heart rate is great but after movement they like to see the heart react, like it would, if say, you climbed a bunch of stairs, your heart rate increases and then it eventually slows. Well, hers is just sorta anti-climatic. It has been since Week 28, when I began my NSTs. But back then, because she was younger, they weren’t all that worried but now that she’s older they have to take measures to make sure she’s okay.

So, after each failed NST, I have to go down to ultrasound and have a Biophysical Profile done. So far, she’s passed every single one. Although, each time, she barely passes.

What can I say? She’s easy going. She takes after her father. When he’s super angry or just finished running three miles, his heart rate is 45. Resting it’s 8.

Or something like that.

So, she’s calm and maybe that means she’ll be calm when she’s born or maybe she’s saving all of her energy to share with us. Who knows?

Back to the panicking. I’m beginning to panic about work and being too far behind and still having a few sessions left. I’m worried about the state of the baby’s room (not that it matters but if I can’t finish it now, there’s no way I’ll finish it with a newborn.)

Anna and Noah’s room is soooo close to being finished. Like, I think I could finish it today, if I put my mind to it. (or if my body allowed me to do it.)

All this to say that something tells me that it will all fall into place. Brian has been amazing, doing everything around the house, including childcare and these added projects like painting and installing shelves and carrying everything heavy and awkward. (he’s also very good at making Pop Tarts.)

My parents have been so dreamy. They came over to help paint on Saturday and when I mentioned painting the bathroom, when they were almost finished with the nursery, they grabbed the tape and started painting the bathroom and now that looming project is done. (oh and they brought dinner over for us, when they came over to paint.) (oh and my Mom is also very good at making Pop Tarts.)

Brian’s parents have brought meals and watched Eli and watched the kids and honestly, we just can’t get over how lucky we are to have our parents nearby. But also to have parents so willing to help when we really, really need it.

(by the way, I still can’t carry Eli, I’m really hoping this changes soon.)

I guess that’s it. There’s my update for you guys. I can’t wait to share the nursery with you and Anna and Noah’s new shared room and of course, pictures of this little girl. I love that you’re here for me to share these things with, you make me feel even more grateful for all of the great things in my life.

So, thank you.