Eason, Hayes & Kate Ross http://murphree5.blogspot.com/

Well I realize I have not updated our journal since Kate Ross was born. So, I thought I would share a condensed birthstory.

Labor and delivery were easy and pretty fast (epidural is such a great invention!). Justin and I laughed because he actually got to sit on the couch and watch college football and I got to lay in the bed all day. We felt like we were on vacation! As you can imagine, with 2 active little boys this does not happen at home.

Saturday,October 25, 2008 Scheduled Induction
7:00 am 1st check ~ 3 cm
8:45 am Pitocin Started
10:45 am Doctor broke water
11:30 am Epidural Started
12:00 pm 5 cm
1:00 pm Baby's heartrate started dropping with each contraction. I was put on oxygen, and they also put an internal monitor on the baby and added more fluid. For the next hour my doctor and 2 nurses stood right by my bed watching the monitors and having me move from side to side to see if that helped. I was a little concerned, but I knew that if the baby was in great danger the doctor could get her out fast.
1:50 pm 10 cm ~ Start setting up for delivery
1:59 pm 2 pushes and she was out! The cord was around her neck which was what was causing her heartrate to drop with contractions. I think that is fairly common.
Her Stats: 7.4 lbs (our lightest baby) and 22 inches (our longest baby)

Her Name: We had the hardest time deciding on a name. Why is it that I think of all these cute names when I am not pregnant, but when I really need a name, nothing sounds right? We wanted something not too trendy, not too popular, not too hard to say/spell or too much of a mouthful..lots of conditions, I know! We decided that using a meaningful family name was the way to go. We both love double names...yes, we are true Southerners. So we decided on Kathryn for my dear mama, and Ross for my grandmother who was born, Elizabeth Ross, and was so special to me. I have always liked girly names paired with boyish names. So there ya go, Kate Ross!

Doctor Udate: (38 Weeks on Friday)
I am 3 cm and 80% effaced. The doctor does not think I will hold off for our original induction date (10/30) since my cervix is changing so much. After considering how fast my labors have been in the past and the peace of mind that Eason and Hayes are settled with family, we have decided to induce on Saturday (10/25)...if I make it! I can certainly tell that I am in early labor. While I am not in pain (just uncomfortable at times), contractions seem to be increasing in frequency and getting stronger but nothing I can time yet. Please keep us in your prayers!

Doctor update from today (37 weeks tomorrow):
I am still making some progress..2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. He put me on the schedule to induce on October 30. However, if my cervix is even more favorable at next Thursday's appointment, he will induce sooner...that is if I don't go before then! Looks like we better be deciding on a name SOON!

I wanted to give an update from my doctor's appointment this week. We had an ultrasound and they said that from what they can tell, the baby is doing great! She is head down and weighs about 6.2 lbs. I am 1 cm dilated and 75% effaced. Of course I could stay this way for weeks, but it is nice to know that I am making progress. Doctor does not think I will make my due date. I go back again Thursday.

Most of you already know this, but it occured to me that I have not updated our news....Well, so much for waiting to find out what kind of baby we are having in the delivery room. My curiosity quickly turned to obsession after my 16 week ultrasound. I was nothing like that with Eason and Hayes! I was actually pretty content not knowing with them. However, after watching and pausing the DVD from my u/s more times than I would like to admit, Justin and I agreed we needed to just find out and move on. So, we all traveled to Millport, Al to the video store for an u/s....yes, the video store (another story all together). We found out that Eason and Hayes will be having a SISTER! I was in such disbelief that we went back a couple of weeks later to check again and still saw GIRL parts! The Murphree home will now have something pink. We are all very excited about meeting our baby girl and watching how she and our boys interact.

Well we had our big ultrasound this week, and everything looks perfect! The baby was very active and had those hands and legs just a going. We decided not to find out the sex for a couple of reasons... First, I really like the guessing game too much and it keeps me excited during the pregnancy. Also, if they were to tell me it was a girl, I think I would be way too skeptical to go out and shop pink. However, if it is a boy there still is no need for shopping because between our 2 boys and my sister's 3 boys, he will need nothing! With all that being said, Justin and I *think* we saw boy parts! =) We shall see in the fall!

We are so excited about having another baby!! I went to the doctor today and saw a hearbeat. I am about 9 weeks along. Estimated due date is Nov. 8. However, given our past track record... Eason due in December--born in November & Hayes due in May--born in April... I would say this is going to be our pumpkin baby!

Eason lost another tooth this week! But, this time he really lost it! It had been very loose or "wobbly" as Eason calls it. He had a snack, then later realized it was gone. He must have swallowed it. He cried because he thought the tooth-fairy would be mad at him. We left a note for the tooth-fairy under his pillow, and she understood and left him $1 under his pillow.

Eason lost his 1st tooth a couple of weeks ago. He was SO excited! I was SO shocked!