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
