Meet Baby Catelin!

Catherine Linda “Catelin” Economos

Here is how our baby girl came into this world… 

At my 37 week check up, I was 3 cm dilated and the baby was fully engaged, so my OB expected me to deliver any day.  Well, baby #3 apparently had different plans…for the next week and a half, I had contractions constantly.  One day while I was at work they were coming every 5-8 minutes, so when I was finished seeing patients I went to the OB office for a labor check.  I was still 3 cm, and after I went home, the contractions started spreading out into longer intervals.  That was my first hint that baby #3 might be a girl…she was being stubborn and couldn’t make up her mind whether to stay in or come out!!  haha :)

Around 12:45 AM on June 3rd, I started having very painful contractions- they were initially coming every 15 minutes then shortened to 8 minute intervals.  I wanted to wait until they were every 5 minutes before we went in, so I got up to take a shower  and finish packing my hospital bag.  During that time, the contractions shortened to 3-5 minute intervals and Nick came over to watch the boys so Steve and I could head to the hospital. 

It was just before 7:00 AM when we got to Northside.  The nurse checked me and I was 5 cm dilated and in full blown labor.  Shortly thereafter, I got my epidural (thank goodness for anesthesia)!  




Our families came a couple of hours later.  MJ and Ty did not like that mommy was stuck in a hospital bed hooked up to IVs, so we gave them lollipops and fruit snacks as a special treat.  Here is our last picture as a family of four! 




The labor progressed nicely.  My OB actually drove in after church to deliver the baby -- she was 20 minutes away when I was going to start pushing and asked if I was comfortable enough to wait for her.  Thankfully, the baby was not in any distress and I was able to hold off for Dr. M to arrive- she was even in her Sunday dress and heels!  After Dr. M threw on her scrubs, I pushed 3 times, and baby #3 was born!  I think Steve was in such shock that he paused a second before telling me it was a GIRL!  I couldn’t believe it – I asked them to move the umbilical cord so I could see for myself!  :)     

It’s a GIRL!

Here is a video of Steve announcing the sex of the baby to our families (Ty is running around in the background some where)!  

More pictures of our baby girl:

Right after the delivery with Dr. Middleton

Mommy and Catelin

Our first picture as a family of 5!

Sleeping beauty

MJ and his little sister

Big brothers!

We spent the standard 2 days in the hospital…by the end of our stay, I was more than ready to go home and get settled.  Here are a few more pictures of us leaving the hospital:

I still can’t believe we have a girl! The boys absolutely love their little sister- MJ wants to hold her all of the time, and Ty is constantly giving her kisses. I am surprised (and thrilled) at how quickly they have embraced her as part of our family.  We are truly blessed.