(Ultrasound pictures from week 8.5 and week 20 of Marci's pregnancy)

Katelyn Michelle made her entrance into this amazing world on August 12, 2001 at 10:11p.m. Weighing in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces, she was a tiny miracle long awaited for! The labor, which actually started on July 29, 2001, became stronger each passing day. Dr. Adam Carlton had originally asked us if we wanted to induce since the false labor was so hard on us, but we declined, saying, "We don't want to evict our surprise baby from its womb." Then came August 11th! I woke up with contractions that were 3-5 minutes apart. Will and I sat in for most of the morning, which was unusual for us on a Saturday morning. No Jamba Juice, just wondering if I was really in labor after being teased for so long! We decided since it was horribly hot outside to go walking at the mall. My contractions got much stronger there…we even walked up the stairs instead of using the escalator and then we went to Canoga Camera to pick up some pictures. After that, we went home and decided it was time to make another attempt with the L&D at West Hills Hospital to bring our baby into this world.

We arrived at the hospital at about 3:15p.m. The nurse we didn't like was there to tend to us (figures). I was in a lot of pain so I could actually care less! They hooked me up to the fetal monitor and confirmed that I was in labor. To get my contractions stronger and closer together, Will and I walked up and down the hallways of the L&D. You'd think after a few rounds, I'd know my way around, but no, not me, I was so out of it, I could barely find my way back to the room without Will's help! At 6pm Dr. Carlton advised the nurse to start me on a Pitocin drip to make my contractions stronger since I was not dilating. Will and I were so excited at this point knowing that our little baby might be born soon!!!!! Both future Grandmas came to the hospital to give some support and so did future Uncle Eric at 9p.m.

At 10:30p.m. Nurse David gave me a sleeping pill and at 11p.m. stopped the Pitocin to see if I would make progress on my own by the morning. At 6:15a.m. I was put back on the Pitocin. When Dr. Carlton arrived at 10:30a.m. to check me, he discovered that I hadn't made any progress…still 75% effaced, baby at -1 station, and only a dimple dilated. He tried to convince me at that point to give up and go home to relax, but I begged him to give me a 5p.m. deadline. Sure enough by noon my contractions got much stronger so I was given a shot of Demerol to ease the pain. I was in heavy labor by 1:30p.m. and Grandma Marcia helped me breathe through contractions. At 2p.m. I was checked again and found out that I had finally made some progress! 1cm dilated….not much….but enough to give me a little confidence. By 2:15p.m. I was begging for more Demerol. The Pitocin level was at full capacity by 4p.m. and at 4:30p.m., while Will was taking a momentary break and my mom was breathing with me, I had a MAJOR contraction and heard a "POP!" When the nurse can in to check me, my water broke! Birth was imminent, hooray!!!!

I BEGGED for an epidural at 5p.m. when I was a little over 2cm dilated. I have never felt pain like labor in my entire life. It felt like the sharpest cramps in the world and they were back to back…truly unbearable, but well worth it. By 8:45p.m., after 2.5 hours of sleep, I was 10cm dilated according to Nurse David! Set-up for delivery began at that point and we waited for Dr. Carlton to arrive. At 9:30p.m. we began pushing and could see a tiny head of black hair! At 9:50p.m. Dr. Carlton arrived and by 10:11p.m. we met our daughter!!

Nothing was more amazing than the moment when the doctor said "Here's your little girl!" Both Will and I cried tears of joy as we stared at her in amazement. She stared back at us too! She was very alert. She was the most beautiful little baby girl in this world! Daddy went with her into the nursery and watched over her as her life began. Me, I sat with my daddy in the L&D room and all we could do was smile. That is all our entire family could do! Both Will and I were the happiest people on earth that night and still are every time we look at you. You are the little angel I have been dreaming of…our dream come true! Recovery Room 310 was where the celebration began soon after and it has yet to end! We look forward to sharing our lives with you, Katelyn, and hope we can give you all that you dream of.


Designed with love for Katelyn by Mom!
2001