Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Katiedid get induced.

To start things off, I have the most amazing OB ever. 
I am sure I have mentioned her before, but because she is so incredibly wonderful I will talk all about her again. 
We first met when I did my OB-GYN clinical rotation together last Spring. 
As a Nurse Practitioner student it is nearly impossible to find a physician that will let you be their constant shadow for 6+ weeks. 
She embraces student after student each semester and gladly shares her wealth of knowledge with every single one. 
She is extremely thorough in her medical practice and truly treasures each of her patients.  
{Her patients absolutely adore her too!}

Here we are on my last day in clinic. 

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I knew there was only one doctor I could entrust this new precious little life with. 
After one of my first appointments it was discovered that I had an extremely low progesterone level. 
{Progesterone is a hormone that helps to maintain a pregnancy. Low levels can lead to a miscarriage.}
So, I was immediately started on daily progesterone suppositories until I was 15 weeks. 
Not many physicians treat low progesterone levels, especially if you have never had a miscarriage before. 
Initially, I was petrified skeptical about the different possible outcomes...
However, she continuously reassured me throughout my entire pregnancy that my baby was absolutely perfect. 
I truly believe she saved Miss Mini-Martin!
God graciously brought us together and I will never be able to thank her enough. 

Now, on to the induction part...
At my 40 week appointment Mini-Martin was estimated to be 7lbs 11oz and there was absolutely NO "progress" from the last 2 weeks. 
Again, I stated I had yet to experience one single itty-bitty contraction. 
After being placed on the monitor one more time, and it was evident no contractions were "quietly" taking place. 

From the beginning, I told my OB that I wanted to do things as natural as possible. 
{No induction.}
She typically does not like patients going past 40 weeks and frequently schedules inductions to avoid complications during delivery and to ensure that she will be the doctor during the delivery. 
Because I was now 40 weeks, I was asked the BIG question...
What do you want to do now?!
My answer:
What is best for both Mini-Martin and I. 
That day I was feeling enormous, impatient, and totally "done" with being pregnant. 
The idea of being induced was honestly sounding pretty appealing.
Thankfully, my doctor immediately replied, "Then come back tonight to be induced."
Typically, she only schedules inductions on Monday and Tuesday, 
{for hospitalization/discharge reasons} 
but "for me she would do it on a Thursday."
Pretty awesome, right?!

I vividly remember looking at MM and happily saying, "It's baby time, baby!"
We left the appointment and called our close family members to share the news.
I wanted the hospital stay/BIRTHday to be all about us and family. 
No Facebook, twitter, or texts until we met our little one. 

MM went home to start getting things ready...
I, like a crazy Momma-to-be, went to get a new comfy outfit "because I had nothing to wear to the hospital" and have a fresh manicure and pedicure. 
{My control freak self really loved being able to thoroughly prep for the special day!}
Here I am in the Old Navy dressing room!
When I got home I was greeted with these beauties from MM. 
Insert a downfall of tons of tears and a mini-Momma breakdown.
{Get used to the puffy face and squinty eye pictures because I am a just teensy-bit tenderhearted and cry over the tiniest things. Ha!}

We picked up the house, packed up our hospital necessities, got freshly showered, and ordered a pizza in true pregnant girl fashion!
Here I am at exactly 40 weeks and on our way out the door!
Thumbs up!
And sans make-up because I was just going to "sleep" that night and have a baby the next afternoon
Not exactly...

Which one will it be??
Glamma handmade the little gownies pictured above.
{Told you she is the BEST ever!} 
Mini-Martin's goodies packed up and ready to go!
Bye, bye nursery.
We will bring you back a baby!
Arriving at the hospital at 9 p.m. 
Glamma and Auntie Holly met us there to help get us settled in. 
I've never been a "light packer."
Nervous habits. 
We are having a BABY!
Momma's bed. Baby's bed. 
Night, night.
Sleep tight. 
{Really... Let the FUN begin!}
Last night Mini-Martin lovin'. 
Glamma and Auntie Holly then left to spend the night at Holly's house close by.
Good thing, because Miss Mini-Martin had a plan all of her own...
Our plans, Miss Mini-Martin's plans, and the BIRTHday details are coming up next!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Katiedid bare the belly. {8}

Just to make things complete...
Here are my last few belly photos. 
No make-up and in comfy clothes is how I lived.
If you have been pregnant before, I know you won't judge me.

38 weeks. 

39 weeks. 

Just for my own memory:
-These last few weeks were MISERABLE. 
-Sleeping was nonexistent due to being unable to roll over and multiple nighttime potty trips.
-The back pain/left butt cheek pain was intense! I could hardly walk!
-I didn't gain any weight the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy. Food would not fit in my belly. 
-We tried all the "home remedies" to induce labor. No success.
-Pregnancy is much cuter on other people. Yourself, not so much.

I was induced {well, sort of} at 40 weeks and 1 day. 
Check back soon for the whole story. 

Monday, March 12, 2012

Katiedid have a baby...

GIRL!
Meet our precious daughter
Emme Kate Martin.
March 8, 2012
6:36 am
7 lbs 13.2 oz, 19 1/2 in
We are absolutely smitten with our little bundle of sweetness!
We are currently soaking up every day as new family of three!
As soon as I decide to put down my little lovie I will share my last bare belly photos, her birth details, and all the coming home fun!
{Thank you all for your sweet texts, tweets, and Facebook messages/comments! I have loved reading each and everyone.}
We are abundantly blessed! 
"Every good and perfect gift is from above."
James 1:17

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Katiedid wait.

And patience is not a quality I am known for. 
I am currently sitting at home with mini-Martin happily tucked away inside my tummy for another day. 
Yep, NO arrival took place this weekend. 

I am the "I want, I need, I must have NOW" kind of gal.
And that usually works out in my favor when speaking of material things. 
But, I know my limits. 
I don't waste my time dreaming about things that won't become a reality. 
Mini-Martin's arrival is a reality that is so close I can almost envision every minute of that day. 
I have waited SO long to love on him/her for the first time...
And I just wish that day would arrive already. 
Clearly, its not about MY schedule or comfort anymore.
I get it.  
{But, someone did keep his/her end of our school schedule deal. Keep reading.}

Our precious mini-Martin, 
Whenever you decide to make your debut, there are hundreds of people waiting to meet you. 
You get asked about through texts, tweets, and Facebook daily. 
I know it's getting tight in your current home...
And dancing to The Voice like you did last night outside my belly would be way more fun!
You will undoubtedly be a superstar in our eyes!
We love you so much already!
{Now, please come out.}

Here is what has been going on in our time of waiting. 
We celebrated Holly's 24th Birthday at Sorrento last Thursday. 
{My Canon Rebel refuses to take decent pictures in dim light, so here is the 5 that were clear.}
This little fur ball has been my constant shadow. 
She is too sweet for words. 
We ate spicy foods all weekend long. 
 Friday was Mexican food at Lopez. 
And Saturday was our first crawfish of the season at a new favorite restaurant. 
These darling Baby Legs arrived yesterday. 
Now, where are MY baby's legs?!
 And I have been keeping up with the March Photo a Day fun. 
I post them daily on Twitter. 
{@mrskatemartin if you want to follow.}
March 2nd.
My mid-afternoon pick-me-up and serving of cold fruit.
 March 3rd. 
The view of our neighborhood golf course from my parents balcony.
{For the next few weeks anyway.}
March 4th. 
Mini-Martin's rocker has arrived and is ready for use at his/her bedside. 
Our current bedside. 
{Clearly, baby accessories are taking over our home!}
 March 5th. 
How can you look at these two and not smile?!
And I forgot to mention in my last post that I/we completed ALL of my clinic hours on February 27th. 
In January mini-Martin and I made a deal that he/she would not arrive until those hours were done. 
240 hours in 8 weeks is no small task!
We persevered through major foot swelling, intense back pain, and put in 40+ clinic hour work weeks. 
Thumbs up on our last clinic day!
All I have to do for the remainder of the semester is a few small assignments.
No big deal. 
The BIG deal will be on April 27th when I graduate from the UTMB 
Family Nurse Practitioner Program 
with a
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

We have our 40 week OB appointment tomorrow. 
Hopefully, we can establish somewhat of a tentative BIRTHday plan for Mini-Martin. 
I am highly considering being induced early next week. 
This mini-Martin bun is cooked and Momma's oven is ready to be turned off. 
Updates and the bare belly coming tomorrow!