Take It Easy: Introducing Katharine Lea

Our sweet little Kate the Great, or Miss Kate, was born May 1, 2015 just as we had planned through a c-section. The delivery and recovery couldn't have gone smoother and I was very happy that I did not go into labor early with Kate, like I did with Drew and Cissa.

Katharine was born weighing 8 lbs 7 oz and measuring 21.25 inches. She felt big inside of me so I was not surprised with her size. I don't think the nurses measured her right though, because she has not measured that tall again until several weeks later.

I remember delivering Christopher and having Dr. Desanto putting him on my belly as soon as he came out. Since the other 3 kids have been c-sections I have not been able to experience this most sacred and special moment post delivery. I usually barely get a glimpse of them as I try my hardest to peek over the curtain. This time, my doctor lifted Katharine over the curtain for me to see her right away. I think I will forever have the image of her fat round face just resting on her body as he held her up for me to see. I love this first memory I have of her.

After taking me back to the post-op room the nurse handed me Kate and a bottle so I could feed her. Cory usually does the first feeding, as I'm still very numbed up and can't really move well to handle a baby. I wish I had insisted on this. Cory was gone getting our stuff from triage, and I couldn't hold the baby well. Next thing I know I have a nurse panicking that the baby was turning blue because she stopped breathing during feeding. They call this a “dusk-spell” and Kate ended up being just fine, but it was a little scary at first.

When Katharine was only 2 weeks old she had to have tongue surgery. She was born with her tongue tied and it was so bad that the doctors recommended doing the surgery as soon as possible. Poor little Kate had a terrible sore under her tongue for a couple weeks, she was in pretty bad pain the first few days and it slowly got better. The worst part was having to do the post surgery tongue exercises.

The kids are in complete love with their new baby sister. They love holding and touching her. I just hope she survives all their germs. They have been pretty good about making sure they wash their hands before touching Kate.

My family came in for her baby blessing. I love having my brother and his family in town. My boys love playing with their cousins and Debora and the girls were a HUGE help with the baby. We have definitely felt their absence now that they’re gone. Katharine has had bad reflux and some sort of reaction to breast milk and regular formula. She’s needed to be held a lot these first weeks and I’ve had to switch her to Similac Allimentum, which is a super hypo-allergenic formula for very sensitive babies. She takes the pre-made liquid formula. It smells HORRIBLE, and her spit-up of it is even worst, but at least she is no longer projectile vomiting.