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Katelyn's Birth Story

After nine months of waiting for the newest member of Team Mlakar, we are so happy to finally hold her in our arms! We thought she could arrive a couple weeks early, but Katelyn made a prompt debut on February 17 (the due date given to me at my very first appointment, which was later changed to February 19). The 17th was also the day I was scheduled to be induced at 7:30 a.m. - something that we quickly realized would not be necessary as this little one was on her own timing. 

Here's the last photo of my big belly (which you can't really see head on) before we took a long walk on Sunday, February 14, in the hopes of inducing labor (no dice that day):

Here's a rundown of the excitement that took place prior to Katelyn's arrival:

6:00 p.m. - Tuesday, February 16 Knowing that we were going in to be induced the following morning, Michael and I decided to enjoy what we jokingly called "the last supper" as just the two of us. We went to Granite City and each had a huge burger (Brooke, a friend of ours, recommended a greasy burger as that's what initiated her labor with their daughter Peyton, so I figured why not!) And while we were at it, we got a huge dessert too - a giant homemade cookie and scoop of ice cream. Who knew it would be just the fuel I needed for the hours ahead!

8:00 p.m. Arrived home from dinner and relaxed a bit. Michael watched Lost and I chatted with my friend Katie on the phone as she wished us luck with the induction. I also mentioned to her I was a little sad that we didn't have the "rush to the hospital, call my parents to hit the road north" excitement of a natural delivery, but I was still thrilled to know that we'd hold our little girl the very next day.

10:00 p.m. We climbed into bed and set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. as we were to call the hospital by 6:30 to ensure they had a labor and delivery room for us.

10:15 p.m. I just could NOT get comfortable in bed (something I had experienced the weeks and months prior, but this time there was absolutely nothing I could do to get situated... it just felt different.)

10:50 p.m. Had my first contraction while lying in bed. In the days prior, I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions, but they would subside when I would lie down, so this one was different.

10:57 p.m. Another contraction - same length but more intense. The contractions continued and the time between them began shrinking - first 7 minutes apart, then 5, then 3. Michael was watching the clock like a hawk and timing and tracking everything.

11:30 p.m. Michael called the hospital describing the contractions and they said to come in right away - "it's time!" Oh boy, here we go!

11:38 p.m. Got in the car and were en route to Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. I remember the exact time because I kept watching the clock between contractions hoping the minutes would go by faster. The contractions were intensifying. Michael was going about 85 on the highway, secretly hoping he would get pulled over and get a police escort to the hospital (clearly envisioning his role in a dramatic movie). He also called my parents and told them we were on our way to the hospital - this little girly is not interested in being evicted!

12:00 Midnight - Wednesday, February 17 Arrived at the hospital and checked into triage (I could barely walk at this point). I was dilated to 4.5 cm and they called for a labor and delivery room to be prepared. Contractions continued to intensify, but little did I know they would get a lot worse!

12:40 a.m. Arrived in our labor and delivery room. Got started on an IV and was told I could get an epidural in about 30 minutes. Oh man, 30 minutes?! I was hoping it would be sooner than that, but they're the professionals, so I put on a brave face (and squeezed the color out of Michael's hand) and made it through another 40 minutes of very intense contractions. Michael was an encouraging and patient coach :)

1:20 a.m. The anesthesiologist came in and administered the epidural. I swear the man had a shiny, glowing halo above his head! The epidural worked perfectly.

1:45 a.m. I am officially in my happy place (a pain-free place :) and am chatting with Michael and the nurse like a normal person.

2:00 a.m. Dilated to 10 cm already - much quicker than the nurse was expecting. The nurse advised us to rest or sleep for 45 minutes to give time for the baby to further descend before the real fun began. Of course, we couldn't sleep, so we just dimmed the lights, talked, and watched some TV.

3:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. They don't call it labor for nothing ('nuf said)

5:10 a.m. Welcome, Katelyn Clare Mlakar!! Wednesday, February 17, 2010 ~ 8 lbs. 8 oz. ~ 20.5" long. We find it so funny that she arrived just a couple hours before we were scheduled to be induced - it's as if she thought, "Not so fast, people, I will arrive on my own terms!" Such a first-born already :)

5:40 a.m. Called my parents (who were just entering the hospital) to tell them the news, but Katelyn told them for us. She was wailing in the background and that was all they needed to hear to know she had arrived.

About Katelyn's name: Michael and I have always really liked the name Kate, but we also wanted a name that was a longer option, so Katelyn was a great fit. You may have noticed her middle name, Clare, is not the traditional spelling which is Claire. The reason for this is that my dad and my Grandpa Ridnour both have the middle name Clarence. My Great Grandpa Ridnour's first name was Clarence, so we chose the name Clare in honor of these amazing Ridnour men. We love it!

1/2 hour old - 5:45 a.m.

Happy family! One hour old - 6:05 a.m.

3 hours old - 9:05 a.m.

One day old - February 18

Two days old - February 19

Five days old - February 21

Katelyn's Firsts: A Bath and Check-Up

Hi all! Katelyn had a big day yesterday (we've come to find out that the seemingly simple things in life become marked milestones for a newborn :) She had her first bath at home and was a happy camper through it all...

She also had her first check-up at the pediatrician's office. When we left the hospital on Friday, she was down a bit from her birthweight (which was 8 lbs. 8 oz.) to 7 lbs. 15 oz. They say that babies are usually back at their birthweight by 10 days old. Well, Katelyn has certainly been getting the nutrients she needs as she weighed in a 8 lbs. 7 oz. She's a good little eater (which also equates to lots o' diaper changes!) Here are some pictures at the doctor's office...

Here are some other photos from yesterday and today...

The initials on the wall are revealed!

Michael and Katelyn love reading the paper together in the morning. As you can see, she's totally into it.

Sleepy little one - she loves to make all kinds of faces while she sleeps. Here's a bit of a smile :)

Enjoying her comfy swing.

We received this adorable embroidered blanket from my office. It's the first personalized item with Katelyn's full name on it and we just love it!

We're all doing well and let's just say that "Team Mlakar" takes on a whole new meaning when navigating the waters with a brand new baby. Michael and I are taking one day at a time and enjoying all the moments that fill the days - as overwhelming as it can be at times. Michael is a huge help and he's been to Target three times today... 1) To get Starbucks coffee and cereal 2) To get more newborn size diapers 3) Oops! Got home and realized he got premie-size (up to 6 lbs.) ... back to Target to exchange them for the newborn size. What a guy!!

Here are a few things that keep us all busy: feeding takes place about 10-12 times a day; countless diaper changes (and a couple accidents right on the changing table ... ya gotta see the humor in that!); hours spent staring at Katelyn and taking in all of her little expressions; many outfit changes due to spit-up soaked collars and arms; naps which range from 10 minutes to 3 hours; and at least one load of Katelyn's laundry each day. Quite a change from our lives just one week ago, but we count ourselves blessed and full of love for our little angel.

Speechless

Not only has Katelyn left us in awe and pretty much speechless about what a blessing she is, but we are also officially bleary-eyed parents just 5 days into parenthood. As such, we're not going to write much, but instead share a bunch of photos (which, let's face it, is all you really want to see anyhow :) Thanks to all of you for your kind words, messages of congrats, and unending support. Much love to all of you!!

SUPERWOMAN! :)

Love at First Sight

Yesterday morning, February 17th at 5:10am, we welcomed Katelyn Clare Mlakar into our lives.  She weighted 8lbs 8oz and measured 20.5 inches. Both Missy and Katelyn are doing great - as I type my first blog post, the girls are cuddled up and napping.

Missy and I can't help but to just stare at our little blessing. We treat each feature and contour of her face as if they are mini-miracles making up this larger gift from above. Our hearts can't fully begin to explain the joy we feel.

About the Baby: Feeling great, eating, peeing, and pooping...overall just being a baby and loving it. Loves to cuddle and loves to have her hand near her mouth. We found out that she has a healthy singing voice (a.k.a. can get our attention when needed with a cry).

About the mom: She did simply awesome throughout this entire process. She'll be posting about the birth story shortly, but I wanted to share how proud I am of her because I know she wouldn't say it about herself. After watching her over the past 9 months and the last few days, I have fallen even more in love with her and its deepened my appreciation for all that she is.

About the dad: Simply a proud husband and father!

I can hear the readers now - "this is great...but we want more pictures!" Never fear ye blog readers; below is a link to many more photos.

Link to more photos -  Katelyn's First Day!

Birth story and more pictures to come - stay tuned (we need a hook to keep you coming back for more, we're trying to keep our nielsen ratings high). And yes, Missy will most likely write the next posting, so expect improvements.

Birth Day Update

Hi all! Let's cut to the chase since you might be wondering what the update is for this week. February 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18... one of these dates will be Baby Mlakar's birthday! No, it's not exactly mother's intuition kicking in here. If Baby M doesn't make an appearance before Wednesday, February 17, we'll head to the hospital that morning at 7:30 to be induced. My doctor said based on the progress I've already made, the baby will likely be born by Wednesday evening - but I added the 18th to the date list in case she's a lil stubborn :) Generally, practitioners wait to induce until week 41 or 42, but because my most recent ultrasound showed the baby measuring about 8 days bigger than my due date, the doctor said it's probably best for me and the baby to expedite the process a bit. If it means not having to deliver a 10-pounder, that's fine with me! Here's a photo at 39 weeks:

Michael and I are simply thrilled to finally be able to meet this little sweetie - and she may indeed arrive on Valentine's Day (just like her Great Grandpa Mlakar who turns 85 this year), or the next day (February 15) and share a birthday with her Uncle Mitchell, or if she arrives on the 18th she'll be born on the day her Great Grandma and Grandpa Ridnour were married in 1944. Regardless of when she arrives, it will be an amazing day and we feel so incredibly blessed to welcome her into our family.

14 Days To Go and Nursery Pics

Hi all! Hard to believe it's February - I remember thinking throughout this pregnancy that "February 2010" seemed soooo far away... well, suddenly, here it is and it's already day 4 of the month! The baby's due date is still 2/19, but my doctor is pretty confident we'll get to meet baby Mlakar before then - according to her, "She could really arrive any time at this point." WOW!! Exciting, scary, exhilarating, and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I'm starting to get rather uncomfortable, so I can tell we're getting there! Here's a photo at 38 weeks - I know it looks like a basketball under my dress, but I swear it's not ;)

We did quite a bit of work on the nursery - which is a 2-for-1 nursery and guest room. Michael was the leader of putting this room together and I'm so grateful for his hard work. He and my dad were the assemblers of the crib and changing table. He also replaced the light fixture in the room and added a dimmer switch for it - impressive in my book! He assembled and hung the valance and bar, helped paint the room, and re-designed the closet. Whew! Thankfully, these projects were done over the course of several weeks. We think the room turned out great considering the "dual-purpose" arrangement. The nursery bedding is pink, black, and white and then we carried the black and white theme into the guest bedroom side as well. The pack and play is set up in our bedroom (since it's also the bassinet) and the glider/ottoman combo will be in the loft area. Here are some photos:

We have the initials framed above the crib and changing table, but I blurred them out in these photos (sneaky, sneaky!!) We'll announce the name when she's here (and if we happen to change our minds upon seeing her, we'll have to get new initials for the frames :)

Top of changing table with supplies organizer.

Crib with toy bin on the floor.

This cute little cross was in my bedroom for years growing up and we thought it would be cool to have in her nursery too.

This one shows the new light fixture.

Thanks for reading and we'll keep you posted on any progress!

Ryan and Murphy: KC to MG

Friday night, my brother Ryan and their new puppy Murphy made the trip to Maple Grove from the Kansas City area. What fun to have them visit! It was awesome to see and catch up with Ryan - regretfully, we hadn't seen him since last Christmas. Michael enjoyed catching up with Ryan too - and appreciated having a beer drinking buddy (a role I haven't filled for 9 months). We ordered pizza and lounged around home on Friday night. Saturday morning, we went out for brunch. It was so nice of Ryan to make the trip up here, even though it was quick and we missed Carly and Jack. Thanks, Ry, it meant a lot to us!! We look forward to seeing all of them in a couple months when little Miss Mlakar gets personally introduced to them. 

Malone and Murphy had a ton of exhausting fun romping around and it was a hilarious sight - Murphy, a Bichon, weighs all of 5 pounds and has white, wavy fur; Malone, a lab, weighs 85 pound and has black straight fur. Talk about polar opposites! They were buddies though. Here are some photos of the weekend:

Murphy lovin' on Malone.

Malone appearing to tower over Muprh.

Brother and sister with the canine cousins.

On the baby front, I'm making even more progress according to my doctor and I can definitely tell. We packed the hospital bag(s) tonight just in case. We'll keep you all posted on any news - thanks for keeping all of us in your prayers for a smooth delivery and healthy baby girl!