Katie's birth story...

In honor of her 7th birthday....

After Jesse and I had our 4th child in September of 1997, we both decided that we were done having kids. We had always discussed that 4 was our perfect number. Plus, after number 4, I experienced a devastating bout of clinical depression leaving me with great doubts that I could take care of the ones that I had. Although I eventually recovered, I was very sure that 4 was all I could handle. We did not take any permanent measures but did actively prevent. Fast forward to July 2000...we were in Metropolis, Illinois (home of the giant Superman statue) camping in a state park, on our way to a Florida vacation. AF was late in showing up by a week, which never happens for me...so I decided to take a pt. Imagine my shock and amazement when those two pink lines showed up as dark as can be. Jesse and I were both thrilled...and I can say this is the only time we have been surprised with a positive pregnancy test. We quickly adjusted to the idea of having another one and thanked God that He is in control of conception and determines life beyond our imaginations. The pregnancy was wonderful and uneventful besides some moderate morning sickness for the first trimester. Our due date was April 5th and despite an ultrasound, we did not discover the gender of the child I was carrying. Thus I had a plethora of yellow sleepers, onesies, etc. On the last day of March I began to feel some pangs and secretly prayed that the baby would not be an April Fool's baby. I have never had a baby early, so I believed that this would be the case again. The pains ended only to pick up again on Sunday, April 2nd and continue all day. Early Monday morning we called Jesse's mom to come stay with the kids and we headed to the hospital around 1am. I was determined not to show up in L&D until I was good and gone, so I walked the hospital lobby for a good two hours. Jesse slept on the couch and my mom showed up to keep me company. Finally I decided it was time to head up to L&D. Once settled in, they checked me and I was disappointed to find that I was only 5cm. The labor began to get tougher and I begged for a dose of nubain...of course, this slowed my contractions down. The ob finally showed up and broke my water, which picked things up a bit but not much. I did not want pitocin and was praying that the contractions would get going again and they finally did. I had a very tough transition which I did not think I was going to survive. My nurse was named, Robin, also, and I think she was desperately wishing I had been given an epidural due to my thrashing and moaning on the birthing table. Finally time to push and it did not take long for our little baby girl to make her entrance into the world!! Katherine Grace was born on April 3, 2001 at 9:36am and was 7lbs13oz and 20inches long. The nurses commented that she looked just like her daddy and they were exactly right.

Back to the Midwest

Jesse officially gave his boss 2 months notice, so it looks like we are headed back to Iowa around the first part of June. We are planning on staying with Jesse's mom for a bit while we look for a place and new employment. The girls will get to finish out the school year and we will also get to do the recital on June 1st and then ROAD TRIP! I am waiting for that mega-second-trimester-energy-burst to start so I can begin packing but have been found woefully lacking thus far. We bought an old Dodge Van that will be able to pull a trailer, although it needs work right now. We will probably rent a truck as well. I am trying to purge stuff but really need to kick it into high gear!

Katie's 7th Birthday

My lone Spring babe celebrated her 7th birthday on April 3rd. She is my last baby girl...even though I am now pregnant I feel very strongly that I am having another little boy (could be wrong of course). We had a simple family party with a homemade cake (thanks to Julia!) and a few gifts. Katie had gotten two mice for her birthday a few weeks ago, but they have been incognito or happily nesting somewhere besides their cage since about the second day. The little houdini's can get in and out of their cage at will so they come to eat and drink periodically.

12 weeks...

Almost into the second trimester...still sick but getting better. I am getting anxious to hear this little one's heartbeat but have not made it to the ob yet. I am thinking of waiting until I am moved before I find someone since I only have about two months to go. I have considered renting a doppler, that is something I have never done before. I have bought a couple of yellow sleepers. It will be strange to need warm clothes again; Thomas has rarely even worn a sweatshirt. I hope to make it a while yet before needing to wear maternity clothes...

God has a plan for me...

Wouldn't it be lovely to know the ins and outs of that plan specifically? When a big decision is to be made and your mind is swimming with choices and decisions...ahhh to be able to know Exactly what to do!

"I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future." Jeremiah 29:11.

That is such a comfort...when we go through trying times, we know how it will ultimately turn out! Thank you, God! You know me inside and out and have a plan for my life. When I mess up, I can turn to you and know nothing I can do will derail that plan. I am safe in the palm of your Almighty Hand and follow the path you have set out for me.

As we prayerfully consider our move we know that God will lead us forth into great things. He has plans that will surpass anything we can imagine.

Still here...

I am hoping this m/s is winding down and I can get on with life and actually clean my house. The kids have been trying, but...well, you know:) I am eating a little better and getting a few more things done, anyway. We are still planning on moving sometime this summer, so I hope to be going full force by then. So much to do! So much to get rid of!!! We have a whole storage trailer full of stuff that we need to go through. How do we accumulate so much is a mystery to me, but I guess almost 18 years of marriage and 7 kids is one answer.

9 weeks and counting...

Right now I am struggling with this "all-day" sickness that leaves me helpless in its wake. No energy, nausea, indigestion...thank goodness for my husband and son who are currently doing all of the cooking. I cannot bear to be close to meat of any kind. My diet is severely lacking right now. On top of this, the kids are suffering with coughs, colds and fevers. I am counting down the days until my second trimester when I am feeling great and full of energy. Currently I am basically surviving.