Kate's Arrival!

Kate Elizabeth Eckelkamp
December 19th, 2008 11:29am
7lbs. 11oz. 20 in.

Well, finally, Kate arrived 10 days past her due date! I was induced Friday morning the 19th. They started Pitocin at 7:15 and in the next hour I only had about 3 contractions. We were afraid they were going to just say "too bad," and send us home, but Dr. Potts came through about 8:30 and broke my water. From there everything moved pretty fast! I had hard contractions every 2 minutes for the next hour before I got that blessed epidural. An hour later I was 7cm, then another hour I was ready to push! I pushed through only one contraction and she was here! They were surprised to see how tangled she was in the cord (tight around the neck twice, once around her shoulder, and around her belly). Usually the baby's heart rate drops when they're tangled, but she didn't show any signs of distress. As you can see, Derek helped deliver her, which was pretty cool. He wanted to, but once he realized how slippery she was, he wasn't so sure. But he didn't drop her, so he must've done it right! The kids were super excited to see her, Jaden wants to hold her all the time, Tyler really doesn't pay much attention to her, and Joel gets excited and likes to hug her, but he usually gives her a poke, pinch, or smack before he lets go. We're definitely seeing a new side if him now- our sweet little guy has quite a temper and attitude he's been displaying recently. Hopefully when things settle down, he will too.

I'll try to get some more pictures up of our first week home soon!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Just some thoughts...

My friend Hope had her 4th baby earlier this week, and I was able to sneak in a quick visit with them at the hospital on Wednesday after my Dr. appointment. Little Elijah was so tiny and precious, and seeing and snuggling him for a few minutes was just what I needed! I have been a little overwhelmed at the thought of adding another little one around here. I have been getting more excited about her as I've gotten baby stuff out and shopping for cute pink clothes, (just cause I love babies so much) BUT I was still just apprehensive I guess about her actually being here. Anyway, seeing Elijah made me realize that she's not going to be just another little one to take care of, but another member of our family for all of us to love! It's not like I'm going to resent her just because I'm already busy with the others, I'll just be busy with all of them! They all bring such joy to our family in their own way... and I can say now that I can't wait to meet her and have her as part of our life!

Why do I ever doubt that God's timing is the best timing?

Some November Pictures

This was soooooo funny! They were dancing like the couple on White Christmas, I may post video if I ever get around to it.


The kids sang in church for the first time, and they both actually sang!


Making our Advent Wreath at church!


Derek's trying to get in all the duck hunting he can before the baby gets here... and Tyler just likes anything daddy does.


They are so cute, they're getting to be buddies as Joel gets a little bigger.


...and then Jaden comes home...

Boys Night

Jaden stayed all night with Grandma Margo and Adi for a girls' night, so Dad, Tyler, and Joel had a boys' night at home. They watched "shooting ducks" (a duck hunting video) in their underwear. What could be better?!?

Preggo Picture

A friend took some Maternity Photos today. I was a little uncomfortable having pictures done... it's just kind of weird to have pictures taken of your (fully clothed) body, but if this is the last time I'm pregnant, I would hate to regret not having any taken. It actually was a lot of fun and not too strange. This obviously is not one of the pictures, but it will be a while before we get those, so I just thought I'd post a picture of what I look like at 34 weeks. Just over a month to go!

Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween! We went up the high school for their trick-or-treat thing, but it wasn't all that exciting, so we headed to visit the granparents and trick-or-treated Grandma's street. The kids were so cute going door to door! Jaden told one person (who I guess had a cat) that she wished she could have a cat, but mom wouldn't let her have one because Grandma is allergic, and another older lady that she looked like she needed a wheelchair! That only made we wonder what she said to the lady who actually WAS in a wheelchair- I was out of earshot at that house. Tyler was just excited to get candy, but he did tell somebody he was faster than a bullet, or did Superman's "duh-duh-duh!" Joel just rode around in the stroller and liked looking at all the halloween lights and decorations. The best part was the beautiful weather, and that we were home with plenty of candy and in bed by 8:30!!!



Superman Ty. The kids decorated pumpkin cookies while we waited for Daddy to get home.


Dino Joel


Cinderella had her face painted at the Union High School trick-or-treat street.


Superman, the Dinosaur, and Cinderella.



Hahaha! The kids trying to hold Joel's hands so he can't take the hat off!

Tyler's Birthday Party

I can't believe he's 4!


Dad was pretty excited about the toy he picked out for Tyler!


The Party Guests
Joel, dinosaur
Brooklen, Margo, and Adi, Ninja, Dorothy I think, and Vampiress?
Lucas and Allison, The Incredibles
Rylee, not sure... Retro Chic?
Weston, Bob the Builder
Evelyn, butterfly.

I missed getting pictures of Drew, a boxer, Isaac, the little devil, Jaden, a haphazard Belle, and Denny as Indiana Jones. Kudos to Denny and Margo for dressing up!!


And the Birthday Boy!




Tyler tore into his presents so fast, I'm not sure what came from whom, but he loves them all! THANK YOU!



Tyler's cake


Joel and Evelyn... this was too cute! They are 3 months apart, which for a while seemed like a big difference, but it'll be fun to see how he harasses her and Allison now that he's catching up!