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Coranelle Grace Mork!

Coranelle arrived on May 26th, 2009 at 2:25am after a 16 hour labor. She came on her due date and arrived like a beautiful, perfect doll. We still cannot believe she is ours and that we made her! She weighed 6 pounds 6 oz and was 20 3/4 inches long. She was a perfect size to come out of me. She was very similar in size to Ryan when he was born. We assumed all along that we would have a "mini Kari" since we were having a girl. But, she looks a lot like daddy! She was born with long, dark hair and dark eyes. She has Ryan's perfect lips and my nose and a little bit of chubby cheeks. She is truly beautiful!
My labor was long. We got to the hospital at 9am Monday morning after being there three hours the night before because of contractions and then sent home. Mom and Heido got here at 9am. I started having bad contractions at about 10am, but was only 1cm dilated. We walked around for a long time and I got to 3cm dilated and they decided to let me stay. By then, the contractions got really bad. I was blacking out and shaking, but not making any progress. We decided then to go for the epidural. I realized that if I had to continue for 5 + hours of contractions like this, I would have no energy left to push. It was a great decision and made me more comfortable and focused. I still hadn't made much progress by late in the afternoon, so my doctor came and broke my water. This still didn't make the contractions very regular. I was "coupling", so I wasn't dilating much. So, next the put me on pitosin to make the contractions more regular. This did eventually help, but I was getting really worn out by 10pm, so they had to give me more for the epidural. Josh, Claire, Stefan, Rachael, Bruce, and Steve all came by for visits and support. My team of mom, Heido and Ryan was amazing and they pushed through the LONG day and held my hand, encouraged and fed me jello. Finally by 1am, I was complete and they let me start pushing at about 1:30am. I was relieved to finally push and have things moving along. I pushed with all my might while Ryan counted through the pushes and supported my head and encouraged me. The moms held my legs and were troopers. The doctor was called and I pushed for under an hour. It was so excited to hear them talk about her head of black hair and how close she was getting. What a relief when I was done and she, the beautiful, perfect child, was laid upon my chest. She was very alert and awake and didn't cry much. She was an 8-9 on the apgar scale and looking healthy. Whew! Next, I delivered the placenta, got stitched up and she was weighed and cleaned. We tried breast feeding a bit and then she was taken off for a bath with Ryan. My doctors, nurses, moms and Ryan were AMAZING! I could not have done it without them and they have been so wonderful!
Now, we are getting used to the feedinds and working on the breast feeding. My milk just came in and so we hope that at the doctor's tomorrow, she will have stopped losing weight. We are getting the hang of things and finding ourselves just staring at her for hours at a time- in wonder of the blessing that she is. We are such a happy and proud family.
She is stirring, so I will write more details when I get a few free moments. Thanks for all of the visitors, e-mails, thoughts, prayers and support!

39 week blooms

My newly planted flowers in the polka dot pots that were used to decorate at the baby shower. Why is this blue and underlined?
My awesome columbine and irises. They make me smile every time I walk out the door and see them. Everything else is blooming with new life... Coranelle.... where are you?
Giving my baby a little hug.
Trying to push her out. Don't worry, I am gentle. And, she has Mork, Mullen and Munson blood in her. That means, she'll have some stubborness in her. (or lots) She's gonna come when she is ready. Not when mom is!
This is my frustrated stance. Okay, any day now, little one....


I am due in 5 days! I am trying to be as patient as possible, but I am anxious for little Coranelle Grace to come! Ryan had guessed I would deliver yesterday, so he lost that bet. Although, I did have LOTS of contractions yesterday and last night. But, they weren't the real thing. We'll see how long Coranelle is comfortable in there. Meanwhile, it is lots of walks for me, weeding, planting flowers, swimming, and reading. I have enjoyed the time off, but sometimes feel guilty that I am not working but don't have a baby to take care of yet. I know I should enjoy the time while I have it!
Yesterday, I met up with a friend of mine who had a little boy in February. We were just strolling the mall together with her little son, Makana. We ran into 2 other moms who had babies in February and spent a few hours just chatting. It was fun to be around other new moms and hear about their lives and their babies. There were 2, 3 month old boys and a little 3 month old girl. Her name is Cora. Good taste in names! Hopefully I can find some more mom's groups like this to spend time with once Coranelle arrives.
The three other women in my prenatal yoga class who were due in May have already delivered. They all live in our subdivision, so it will be exciting to have park play dates with them this summer! Wow, life is going to change drastically- so soon!
I go to the doctor again tomorrow, so we will see what kind of progress I have made. Last Friday, I was still 1cm dilated. I had actually lost 2 pounds and my stomach hadn't grown any more. Like I said, I think Coranelle has run out of room to grow. My ribs cannot take any more! And, my stomach clearly doesn't have a whole lot of room in it anymore. I hope that Coranelle has dropped a little bit and that I am a little more dilated. We'll see if we make it through this weekend of HS graduation parties and momma's birthday. Maybe Coranelle will share a birthday with Grandma! We'll see. Until then, I'll be patiently (sort of) waiting.

Kari and Ryan's DAY OF FUN!

Being silly in the mall!
Eating our lunch by the river. Ryan finally got his hot dog!
Some cool cars at the car show!


Ryan and I decided that we needed one day- before Coranelle arrives- to enjoy each other. So, we had a date day today. And it was great fun. I am reading this book, called Baby Wise and something I have learned is that "great marriages produce great parents". I think that Ryan and I working on keeping up a healthy relationship will be essential to Coranelle's emotional well being. So, we took a day, just for us. We went and got bagels this morning at Big Daddy bagels. Then, we went over to Erie for their town festival. We checked out their car show and wandered around to all of the local vendors. Next, we took a beautiful drive up to Estes Park. We took a gorgeous walk around Lake Estes and visited the Mountain Shop- which we both love. Then, we found Ryan a hot dog from this place he has been eying for a long time. We wandered around town, buying delicious Haribu fruit salad gummies and sharing a smoothie from the fruit shake. It was a beautiful day. Next, we came down and went to Flatirons mall and got Ryan and me some fun, new summer t-shirts. Now, Ryan is mowing the lawn as I start some chicken quesadillas. We have a movie to watch tonight to end our wonderful day of fun. I am such a lucky wife and Coranelle is a very lucky girl to have Ryan in our lives.
Here are some pictures! I hope you all are having a great weekend.

38 week belly

Are my feet still there? Look at that huge belly!
This picture cracks me up. My stomach looks like a monster. You can see exactly where Coranelle's back is and my belly looks like a tent!
Is she a little lopsided, or what. Seeing this helps me understand why my ribs hurt on my right side!

Ryan wanted to get a few more belly shots before I might not have a belly anymore. So, here are a couple that made me giggle. Happy Wednesday!

Mother's day pictures

Before the Mother's Day Title 9 race. Looking like a swollen bumble bee.
And a pose with momma before the race in my hugely oversized jacket. The rain and clouds took me by surprise and I don't have a lot of warm clothes that fit over my belly. The race was really fun- nonetheless. And, I am proud that I did the 6 miles being almost 38 weeks pregnant!
A romantic moment with my hubby. He honored me on Mother's day with a beautiful pair of sparkling, diamond earrings. They are little and perfect for me and it was such a wonderful surprise from Ryan. He is very thoughtful and going to make an awesome dad. His gesture made me very emotional and happy. I am a lucky girl!
Momma opening her smelly, pampering body products.
Heido with her new raspberry plant and blackberry plant for her new garden in their backyard. Now, her grandbabies can come to her house and pick fruit! What fun!

We had a really fun mother's day. It will be exciting to actually have a baby to hug and hold next year as I soon join the motherhood club!

watermelon and moms

The Title9 9.9K mothers day race. Heidi, Claire, Molly, Mom and I all walked it yesterday morning. It was a bit chilly, but beautiful and fun!
We got silly hats for the race, so we had to all sport the hats.
Claire is NOT pregnant. She is just so jealous of my huge belly that she couldn't resist stuffing a watermelon up her sweatshirt to see how it felt to look like me. Mine is still bigger, and she doesn't have the growing boobs that accompany pregnancy. But, she'll make a cute pregnant lady one day!
Showing you that my belly is now bigger than our little watermelon. When we were outside taking pictures, my neighbor told me that I "looked like I had exploded" in the last week. Hmmm. I kinda feel that way too. I guess she is still growing away in there.
Matching green, round bumps!



I am currently waiting at home while we get the new Air Conditioner installed. They have been here for almost 4 hours and I am wanting to go for a walk or go run some errands. But, it will be a wonderful thing to have this summer. We had some HOT days and nights last summer with no relief (other than sleeping with bags of ice on our bodies). We thought it would be uncomfortably hot for a newborn this summer, so we broke down and are getting the AC.

It feels so surreal to not be at school today. But, I am enjoying it. I have already cleaned out our fridge and freezer, made 8 burritos to freeze and eat after Coranelle arrives. I have cleaned bathrooms, watered my garden and plants, written thank-you notes and worked on packing my bag and snacks for when we go to the hospital. It is funny to not know how long Coranelle will wait until she decides to come out. Will I have 2 days to get things done, or 11? I have yet to do much relaxing or reading, so that will have to come later. I am getting anxious for her to come!

37 weeks

Our beautiful crib from Josh, Claire, Heidi and Bruce! Ryan set it up this week and I put our fun sheet set on. It is super sturdy and we love it!
Just some of the adorable baby clothes we have received.
The changing pad and the drawer full of clothes- these are just 0-3 months! She is going to be quite the fashion queen!
Is it possible I swallowed a beach ball?
Hi baby! Here's your crib!


Yesterday was my last day at school! I don't think it will really hit me until Monday rolls around and Ryan goes to work, and I don't have to.

I will really miss my students. I went to say good bye to last years students and they were trying to convince me to be their teacher every year until they graduate. I told them I couldn't teach middle school and they were bummed. They were quite a unique crew of kids and I will never forget my first class of students.
Saying good-bye to my class was harder still. We had a big market Thursday and they got to spend their classroom dollars on lots of toys and books that I have been buying at the $1 bin at target over the year. We had snacks and shopped and just laughed a lot. I didn't make any plans for the whole afternoon, and they just ate it up. They bought tons of great things and just got to be kids. No assessments, no guided reading, no translating, just shopping, talking and drinking Mondos and eating chocolate.

Yesterday, I left for my doctors appointment mid-day and had to say good-bye. My boys wouldn't let go of me when I hugged them. They wanted me to take them with me- until I told them they would have to change baby diapers. So, as I was packing up my last bit of stuff, I had about 5 students sobbing. It was endearing. And, I realize, I have spend 8 hours a day with them for an entire school year. It is easy to get attached. I will miss them a lot, but am excited for the next chapter of my life. I am excited to spend my days with our little one! And, there are a lot of political and dramatic things going on at school right now- that I won't miss!

Now, I can maybe get in some rest, take naps, go on walks, go swimming, do some reading and finish nesting. We are having the AC installed Monday, and I meet with our new pediatrician Tuesday. Wednesday, I get the carseats checked out. And, I want to do a bit more cleaning and organizing. I will also try to make some meals (specifically burritos for Ryan) to freeze for after the baby arrives. We'll see what gets done and how long Coranelle wants to stay in there!

At the doctor yesterday, I found out that I am positive for Strep B. I guess we all have that bacteria inside us, but sometimes during pregnancy, it colonizes. If left untreated, once your water breaks, the baby could be exposed to it during birth. So, to remedy that, I have to be hooked up to antibiotics during birth so that Coranelle doesn't get it on her way out. Apparently it is not uncommon or a big deal, so I won't worry about it too much. My blood pressure was a bit higher (for me 115/60) yesterday. I think it was the ordeal of leaving school and running around doing errands in the hot wind. But, nothing too concerning. My tummy has still grown 2 cm, so she is still plumping up. And so am I! The doctor days there is still lots of fluid inside me, especially up higher. So, that is what is pushing on my ribs. And, all the fluid is preventing her from fully dropping yet, because she is just floating. But, she did say that my cervix was softening and I am dialted one cm! Who knows how long I will be dialted 1 cm, but it is at least a change and a start. It doesn't surprise me with all of these braxton hicks contractions I have been having. Some of them are really intense and I have to really breathe through them. They are not painful, except that they squeeze my ribs and make it difficult to breathe. Still, the doctor doesn't think I will go into labor this early. And that's good, because we are walking the Title 9k mothers day walk tomorrow at Boulder Res. I am really looking forward to that.
I think Coranelle knows I am typing about her right now. She says hi to everyone- in the loving way she is kicking my ribs and squeezing my bladder at the same time. She is excited to meet all of you soon! Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!

More baby shower

Jessica and me. Jessica works with Ryan and has two adorable kiddos of her own. She is loaning me all of her maternity clothes and has offered to answer many of my mom questions once I have a newborn and realize how truly clueless I am!
Aunt Sally, Cheryl, Marianne and Michelle admiring the adorable dancing ladybug music box from Sally and my cousin Gibby. I love it so much! I got so many wonderful, thoughtful gifts!
The sisters. Rachael is really wanting to feel the baby kick, but my stomach just kept getting all tight and contracting.
The moms. They are so excited to be grandmas. They showered little Coranelle with wonderful blankets and wardrobes of adorable clothes. She is going to be a stylish little one!

I got so many cute things. We got practical things, awesome books to read, cute outfits, soft blankets, handmade picture frames, toys, stuffed animals, etc. We feel so loved, spoiled and blessed. Coranelle has tons of great women in her life that have been very supportive for me. Claire, Rebecca, Rachael, Mom and Heido threw an amazing shower. The decorations were adorable, the food was beautiful and delicious, and everyone had a good time. I know a lot of time went in to planning the event, shopping, creating games, trying out cake recipes, and buying cute decorations. I cannot thank them enough for such a great shower. And I had people take the time to drive all the way from Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins and Estes. Some of my High School girls even showed up in the midst of preparing for Prom! I feel so lucky and know that Coranelle is going to have a great network of people surrounding her and us, loving us and taking care of us. Thanks to all of you!

As far as the pregnancy goes, things are going along well. I was worried last week that she might come early and I panicked a bit. I still have a week of school left and I knew I had a baby shower. But, I was having contractions every 5 minutes for an hour, and they lasted a minute or so. That is one of the things they tell you indicates labor. But, they didn't hurt. They just made my stomach super tight. So, I waited and talked to my doctor about it Friday. She said that they were just braxton-hicks contractions and that they were caused by stress and dehydration. I had my first cervical check and I am not dialated or thinning. The doctor said she didn't predict I would come early- so that was nice to hear. That means I can still walk the Title 9 mothers day 9k next Sunday and enjoy a little time off before Coranelle arrives. Hopefully. But, she'll come when she is ready. And, she will come to open and welcoming arms- whenever that is! I am getting so anxious to hold her and love her and interact with her (not by just poking my belly). Keep her in your prayers as the time comes closer- that she will be healthy.

On another note, Ryan's grandpa Art passed away this past Friday morning. Bruce got out to Atlanta to be with his dad on Wednesday night, and we are so glad that he made it out there to be with his dad and sister. But, Heidi didn't make it out- she was planning on going Saturday after the shower, and that is sad and hard. All 6 of us Morks are very glad that we went out to see him this past November. But, any death is painful to all who knew the person. Even if they did make it to see 90! Keep the Morks in your prayers as well.

Okay, this is a really long post. Thanks for reading and thanks for all of your concern and care for baby Coranelle, Ryan and me.

Baby shower

Me and Momma, before the gift opening. Mom never had a chance to actually eat her plate of snacks.
Rebecca and Rachael watching as I open lots of gifts. They were great party planners!
Claire and Kara, keeping track of all of the gifts. I have great friends and family around. Claire is going to have a little niece soon!
The lovely ladies from Estes Park. They came a long way to celebrate with me. Thanks so much for being here!
Opening presents!