Can’t Get Enough

I just can’t get enough of this little girl.

Some More Pics of Lovely Kharis

Katie got a little sleep last night.  We finally got to bed around 12:30.  The nurses brought Kharis to our room at 2:00 for a feeding.  At 4:00 they took her back to the nursery and then brought her back at 6:00 for another feeding.  I guess we better get used to those kind of nights :). 

Here are some pictures of her after the nurses gave her her first bath. 

Worth All the Work and Wait

Kharis Grace Parrish entered the world today at 4:50 PM.  She weighed in at 7 lbs, 13 oz. and is 20 inches long.  Baby and mother are both healthy but very tired.  Thank the Lord of grace and mercy for His infinite goodness in the protection of Kharis and Katie and for blessing us with this beautiful little baby girl.  The first moment I held my little girl in my arms and looked at her beautiful face, I understood, more than I ever have before, why our loving heavenly Father would go to such great lengths through the giving up of His own son to reconcile us to Himself.  The love of a parent for a child is truly like nothing else.  Thank you, Father, that you love us, your children, infinitely more than I could ever love my daughter, and I love her a lot.

Thank you to everyone for all your prayers.

Here are some pictures of our little girl.  Isn’t she cute?!

2:00 PM and All is Well

Well, as “prophesied” in the last post, Katie’s contractions did get worse.  Coming into this whole thing Katie wanted to attempt to do this naturally without any drugs, but as the contractions got worse and after the doctor told her it would make everything go faster and smoother she decided to get the epidural.  I am glad she did because she is feeling so much better and this whole experience will be a lot more enjoyable for her. 

We are still on schedule to have a baby sometime this afternoon.  The nurses are actually in the room right now and they are very optimistic about how Katie is doing and how far along she is in the delivery process.   They said it could even be within a couple of hours that this baby comes.  YEA!!!!!  Thank you to everyone who has been and continues to pray for us through this whole thing.  We are greatly appreciative.

Here is a picture of Katie with all the cords, tubes, and machines attached to her.  She looks like she’s in the Matrix.

Is that an epidural or is she taking the blue pill?

Just Checkin’ In – 9:40 AM

Well, we got to the hospital this morning about 6:20 and are checked in, settled into our room, and Katie is being induced at this very moment.  The process took a little longer to get started because they couldn’t get the I.V. to go into Katie’s arm.  Finally, they had to bring in an anesthesiologist to get it going. 

The Pitocin, the drug that induces the labor, is now coursing through Katie and is doing its job.  She is having contractions, but so far she says they’re not too bad.  It just feels like minor cramps in her back.  Unfortunately, I’m sure they will get worse. 

All in all, though, mom is well, baby is well, and dad is just so anxious to meet that little girl.  SHE’S ALMOST HERE!  Can’t wait to meet you, Kharis Grace.

Katie checking into the hospital and getting her armband