Katie Lynn Beverley
October 17, 1998

She is 11 years old now and will not appreciate this picture, but I love it and she is my princess. She is my little girl, and will be the only little girl I get to watch grow up. She can be a spit fire and she has an attitude like no other, but I would not trade her for the world. Her birth was not to eventful, but here is her story.

I was about 37 weeks pregnant and was always on the go, so I took the two boys (David and Michael) to a harvest festival held by a local school in the area. It was free and we were so broke at this time. I packed a lunch for us and off we went, the boys played on the playground and did some activities. My doctor's children attended this school so I ran into her at the festival, ironic don't you think? I took the boys home and decided to lay on the couch for a bit to rest. I decided that I did not want to rest, the house was messy, so I went into the boys room to make their beds. As I went to make Michael's bed my water broke...big huge GUSH!

I calmly called downstairs to my husband and told him my water broke and I was calling the doctor. I called the doctor (who I only saw a few hours ago) and she said that I needed to go to the hospital even though I was having no contractions, because this was baby number 3.

We had our neighbors lined up to take the boys, but they were not home. We called my good friend Tracy and she had to drive about an hour, so we packed the boys up and got ready to head to the hospital where she would pick them up. More fun, as we prepared to leave, husband was mad, he could find no clean socks and when we went to the ATM machine to take out money we were overdrawn. Funny now, not so funny then.

On to the hospital we went, St. Agnus Hospital in Baltimore, about 35 minutes from our house. Everything was calm, I was having no contractions. We arrived at the hospital and Tracy arrived very soon after we did and took the boys home with her. They decided to start Pitocin since I was full term and having no contractions. I went about 2 hours with nothing and then the contractions started. Of course as soon as they started my in-laws arrived to check in. My mother in law was carrying on conversation with me as I breathed through my contractions, telling me about her labor and I was thinking "I am in pain, go away". I of course just kept smiling and gripping the side rail of the hospital bed.

They decided to leave and said they would not be far from the hospital and to call when the baby arrived. I started to have some very painful contractions and told my husband to call the nurse. She came in and I told her the pain was getting really bad and I thought maybe I should have some medication. (Remember Corinne, when you think you can't take it, it is almost time). The nurse checked me and I was about 7cm and she called the anesthesiologist. I had a few more contractions and started to cry and told the nurse I had to push. Of course I got the usual "No honey, you don't have to push yet" Okay staff, this is number three, I know when to push! She checked and said, hold on you are crowning, she called the doctor and as he was walking in, nurse caught the baby girl! Cancel the anesthesiologist, we don't need him!

My husband called his parents, and they were just getting in their car in the parking lot, they just missed her being born. My little girl was perfect, 6lbs 14oz and nursed right away, and then never stopped nursing, because that is all she ever wanted to do. Everything was perfect!

Katie was an easy pregnancy and an easy delivery. I was in the hospital for one day and released, the boys were excited to meet their baby sister. Then it was back to life as usual, when she started to crawl and become a little more active, the boys enjoyed playing with her. My neighbors, put a stork and balloons in our yard too when I got home, which was a nice surprise.

Such an exciting time. Note to my pregnant friends, remember when your body can't take the pain anymore...baby is on the way out! These memories will last forever.

I love you Katie Girl!!! (even when you are mean to your mom!)

Doctor Appointment Update, I saw the doctor on Monday, Feb 8th and the report was unchanged, which is good. Cervix is the same and back in two weeks, Feb 22nd. I am now 30 weeks, so when I see the doctor again I will be 32 weeks.

I am gaining confidence now, but still not doing anything that I should not be. Even if I was not on bed rest, this is the time when pregnancy becomes drawn out. I am ready to meet my little guy, but he needs to bake just a bit longer.

He moves so much now and sometimes he will poke me with his foot or hand. This is the fun time because I laugh or smile when he pokes out an extremity and I put my hand on it. He is most active at night, from about 11pm to 2am, I sure hope he changes that pattern. The good thing is that I can't sleep during those hours, so at least I am awake anyway.

I am having a hard time picking a name, I keep changing my mind. I think I will come up with a few and post them and see what everyone thinks.

Please continue to pray for "little man", as much as I am frustrated and DO NOT want to be on bed rest anymore, I want what is best for him and that is 36 to 37 weeks. So 6 or 7 more weeks to go.

Thanks for reading. Next I am going to post Katie's birth story. I am late, and I know I have one good friend who is waiting on it. After that I will do Bryan and Patrick and I look forward to printing them and making a little keepsake for them.

Oh just a note! My brother P.J. is finally a Daddy! Victoria Nicole LaMonica is here and I am finally an AUNT! (to all my nieces and nephews through marriage, I love you too) and my cousin Kathy is soon to be a Mommy she is due at the end of this month. My brother and I will have babies about 2 1/2 months apart which will be nice for the cousins!

Talk to you all soon!