Today baby Kate is six weeks old. Time is going by too fast, and the newborn that I knew a month ago is already gone. She is beginning to fill out clothes that seemed impossibly big her first week of life. Before her birth gets too far away from me here are the highlights:
Saturday October 20th I woke up super grumpy. It was that time in pregnancy when you are just done lugging another human being in your belly. I took myself on a small shopping trip to try and de-grump myself---it sort of worked. I went to bed that night positive that I would wake up in the morning still grumpy and still pregnant.
Surprise! At two in the morning I woke up to my water breaking. I called my midwife who told me to keep her posted as to when my labor started. Right after we got off the phone I started to experience those lovely labor pains, but nothing unbearable. I started straightening up the house and I made Clint do the same. I'm sure he thought it a bit unnecessary to clean house at two in the morning after being woken from a dead sleep, but he is smarter to know not to argue with a pregnant laboring woman.
By the time Rebecca got to our house it was nice and clean. Labor progressed super quickly and Kate Rose Womack was born not even four hours later! at 5:48 in the morning. I loved birthing at home. This birth experience was everything I wanted; calm, spiritual, and empowering. She started crying right away and I did as well. I was overjoyed that I was holding my daughter and relieved that labor was over.
After bonding, nursing and Clint cutting the cord, I took an amazing hot shower. There is something very important, maybe even ritualistic, about taking that first shower after having a baby. Your body is once again yours and a new phase in life is about to begin. I remembered this part of Zachary's birth and looked forward to it with Kate's birth. After everyone was checked out and deemed stable and healthy Rebecca suggested that we all take a nap. Clint of course fell asleep immediately (watching a woman give birth can sure tire a man out), but I was too excited to sleep. I kept looking at this brand new addition to our family, in awe of her every perfect detail.
I eventually got hungry so I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich and marveled at how good I felt. The recovery, or really lack of recovery of this birth has turned me into a believer. After eating my sandwich I started to miss Zachary, who had been at our neighbors house since 4am. It was surreal walking across the street to pick up my son, while Kate slept at our house, independent of my body. It was only a few hours earlier that she took her first breath and became her own person.
Kate is such a sweet baby, I love being a second time mom. The good moments are sweeter and the bad moments are less dramatic.
Welcome to your beautiful life Kate.
Kate Rose Womack
Sunday October 21st 2012
5:48am
6 pounds 13 ounces
19 inches
