Week One

Macey is one of the best things that has ever happened to me--second only to Scott. She is beautiful! She is the perfect mix between Scott and I. She likes to cuddle, and I can handle giving up my time to cuddle with her!

Macey is learning to sleep--slowly but surely! My mom came up for about a week, and she has been a true lifesaver! The first couple of nights we took shifts with Macey. (My mom took most of the shifts :) ) She was really fussy, and it wasn't until the second night was over that we figured out that she must be gassy. We bought medicine, and I started to watch what I was eating more closely. Last night we got some sleep! It was the perfect way to celebrate her one week mark! She woke up at 2:30 with gas problems, so I got to cuddle with her on the couch, and then she woke up at 5:30 to eat. Perfect!

Macey had her first pediatrician appointment this last week. She had lost 13 ounces since leaving the hospital, so we have been working hard to get that weight back on! They also noticed that she looked a little yellow, so we were sent to the hospital for testing for jaundice. We received a call later that afternoon saying that she was okay. Her bilirubin levels were lower than they thought!

I love staying home all day with her. We usually don't get all the way ready until about 11:00 because it's a new process for all of us--getting two people bathed and ready! I get to stare at her, take pictures of her, and love her all day :) Because I am so lucky, here are some snap shots of her first week of life!

Naptime with an exhausted Dad:

Grandpa and Grandma Bagley came to visit!

Our first family picture:

Dad--Proof that your granddaughter sleeps like her mother: bum up in the air!

My favorite Mom & Macey position:

Grandma Christensen's visit!

I can hardly believe that one week has passed! Where did all this time go? Macey is such a joy, and we are looking forward to the weeks and years to come!

Macey's First Bath

Is there anything better than a good smelling, clean baby? I was so nervous to give Macey her first bath (you should have seen me cut her nails for the first time!). It was a good thing my mom was here to help out!

We pulled out the tub, Johnson and Johnsons, towel, wash cloth and clothes. We warmed up the bathroom, and then the bath began!

Her first bath was a traumatic experience for her (or that's what it seemed like!). The more baths she takes, the more she turns in to a fish! She is so fun. Bath time even becoming enjoyable! Macey warming up after her first bath:

My 3 (current) Favorite Things About Macey:

1. Her Grin--I know that she can't smile yet, but you can tell she really wants to. Her eyes light up when Scott and I talk to her. She will be smiling before we know it!

2. Her Noises--Macey purrs when she sleeps. At the hospital, the nurses commented on it. They said that all the other babies would cry and cry, and Macey would just sit there and purr. As much as I know I should sleep when she sleeps, I love sitting and listening to her purr :)

3. Laying--Macey LOVES laying on her side. I didn't think it was possible, but I'll lay her on her side, turn around, and she has turned on her side. She even tries to lay on her side when she is strapped in to the car seat!

We sure love this little girl!

Macey Claire Bagley

I am so happy. The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotion. The one thing I have learned is that I was born to be Macey Claire's mom. She came on Tuesday night, and immediately I was her mom. I don't know if I can explain it to anyone who isn't me :), but I was born to be her mother. Macey has always been a part of me--I just didn't realize it.

On Monday I was scheduled for an ultrasound and then doctors appointment. Scott was able to come to the ultrasound with me! It was fun to see her one last time before we saw her on the outside. The ultrasound technician estimated that Macey's weight was 9 pounds 7 ounces. Yikes.

I hadn't progressed at all on my own, but the doctor told me at this point they thought I was going to have a c-section. I was given an ultimatum: I could either go along with the induction--with the strong possibility of having a c-section OR I could wait another week an have a c-section.

My doctor advised me to wait another week. Scott and I talked about it...and we decided to just go ahead with the original plan and be induced the next day. (Patience is a virtue I don't possess :) )

Monday night I was admitted to the hospital! They gave me a cytotec (to help get things moving) and a sleeping pill. I slept through the night as I progressed. I was only given 2 cytotec (they thought I would need 3 rounds of it!). When they checked me in the morning I was dilated to a 3 and I was 70% effaced. Yes! I was put on pitosin at 7:00 AM. By 12:00 I was dilated to a 4, and the contractions were not the most pleasant thing in the world!

Sitting in my bed and hooked up to pitosin!

I knew beforehand I was getting an epidural. I wanted to try to hold out for as long as I could on my own. The nurse kept coming in and asking if I wanted an epidural, and I kept putting it off. Finally, the anesthesiologist came in. He was going in for a 2 hour surgery. He told me that if I thought I wanted it in the next 2 hours, get it now!

I was paranoid about the epidural more than anything else. Seriously, after having the epidural, there is no way that I wouldn't have one! By 3:00 I had progressed to 6 centimeters and 90% effaced. By 5:00 I was at 9 centimeters and effaced...I just had to get to 10!

The worst part of my labor was my nausea. I threw up 4 times while I was in labor. All 4 times were after the epidural. They gave me anti-nausea medication, but I still got sick.

By 6:45 I was ready to push! There was only 1 nurse in the room with me. She held one leg and Scott held the other. She prepped me by saying that usually with 1st time moms they push for about 2 hours. Well, I pushed for about 3 contractions, and she told me to stop. She rushed out of the room to grab the doctor. The doctor came and after 15 minutes of pushing, Macey Claire Bagley had arrived!

Look at the curls!!

Macey Claire Bagley

Born: June 14, 2011

Weight: 8 pounds 10 ounces

Height: 20 3/4 inches

Time: 7:14 PM

Getting ready to come home from the hospital!

Mom and Macey--at the beginning of our journey together!

The first night home was rough. We had chinese take out, and it didn't settle well with Macey's tummy. She only slept for an hour and a half, but it was a great bonding experience! We sang primary songs for 2 hours this morning so she could sleep. I sure love my Macey Claire :)

Preparing for D-day

I love my free time! I have been able to get things done on my "13 Days of Waiting List".

We read this quote in Relief Society, and I decided right there that I needed to get a picture of the temple in Macey's room.

In the April 2011 General Conference, President Monson quoted Spencer W. Kimball's inspired advice:

“It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so [their children] from the time [they are] infant[s] could look at the picture every day [until] it becomes a part of [their lives]. When [they reach] the age that [they need] to make [the] very important decision [concerning going to the temple], it will have already been made.”

I went to Porter's craft store and bought the materials to paint and make the plaque. I found this frame at DI, painted it, and then I talked my husband into photoshopping a picture of the Manti temple. :)
 

The other big project I finished was an outfit for Macey! I started it about 3 months ago...and I finished it today :) It is 0-3 months...but it looks like it will fit a 6 month old!

Monday night/Tuesday morning is coming very quickly! I can hardly believe that I will be a mom in 4 days. My sister Julie said something to me a while ago, and it has stayed with me. She said (hopefully I'm quoting her correctly :) ), "Once you choose to be a mom, you are a mom for eternity". Next week I'll become a mom for forever--I will be someone's mom for eternity.

I'll be the first to admit to you that I am nervous! I have known this day would come for about 9 months. Now that I know an exact day when everything is happening, it is all so real. I know that probably doesn't make that much sense! I know that I'll be feeling the most extreme pain that I have ever felt in 4 days. I also know that my life will never be the same in 4 days! I'll have someone else to look out for, lose sleep for, teach, love, and protect. How do you prepare for that? :)

If I didn't know that this is the next step--that having Macey was the right thing to do--I think I would feel so much more confused! If I didn't know that Heavenly Father was going to be there to give me peace at every crazy twist and turn, I know I wouldn't be able to make it.

In the midst of all my nervousness, I know I can handle this! Next time I write on here, I will be a mom. My life will be different, and I will have had life changing experiences! Macey will have already made me in to a better person, and I will be on to the next phase in our lives!

39 Weeks!

Confession: I love doctor appointment days! I have been looking forward to today's doctor's appointment since last Wednesday :)

I had an ultrasound appointment first! They scheduled an ultrasound because they wanted to estimate her size! Well, after measuring her femur bone, skull, and abdomen, she is measuring at 8 pounds 10 ounces as of today!

Femur: 38 weeks 0 days

Skull: 40 weeks 3 days

Abdomen: 41 weeks 4 days

My favorite part of the ultrasound was watching her breathe. The ultrasound tech told me that (obviously) she can't breathe in the womb, but she practices breathing to strengthen her lungs and diaphragm muscles! Her heart rate was good, and she was moving all around.

I went and met with the doctor after the ultrasound. He checked me, and I haven't done anything in a week. I am still on dilated to 1 centimeter, thick, and she is at -3 position. I have been walking every morning and night since my last meeting...and I haven't progressed at all. I was kind of bummed.

The doctor then turned to the nurse practitioner, and told her that we needed to schedule an appointment. He then told her that Macey probably shouldn't stay in my another complete week because she is so big! He asked her to go call the hospital and schedule an induction for either Monday or Tuesday. I sat there in shock until she came back in!

So, I have an induction scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th at 7:30 AM!!! :)

I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for Monday at 3:00. I'll have my last ultrasound and then I'll be checked. If I haven't progressed at all, then I'll be admitted Monday night, given medication to speed up the process, and then have her Tuesday morning. If I have progressed, then I'll show up Tuesday morning at 7:30 and she'll be here.

Good news, right?

I can hardly believe that I'll be having a baby in less than a week! Everything is hitting a lot closer to home for Scott and I. Ready or not, here she comes! Hopefully, she can be patient with us as parents--I'm sure we have a lot to learn! :)

38 Weeks

Well, we made it to another week of pregnancy! Phew. On Wednesday, I was 38 weeks exactly. I had my doctor's appointment that same day. I had such hopes of having Macey early...and that appointment dashed my dreams. I went to my appointment and then spent the rest of the day wallowing in disappointment. I sound pathetic, right?

Let me tell you about my doctor's appointment! I was checked, and I am only dilated 1 centimeter, thick cervix, and Macey is at -3 position...which means she hasn't dropped at all. (TMI, sorry.)

I felt a little rushed at this appointment. The girl who went in before me had to be rushed to the hospital, and the other doctor who was working the clinic had to go assist. My doctor had to cover all the appointments, so he was running all over the place. Anyway, being rushed didn't help my emotions :)

After my exam we talked about the future. I asked about weight and size. I was originally told that if she was over 9 pounds at 39 weeks that they would take her. He told me the only way they would take her early was if she weighed 9.5-10 pounds and I was dialated to a 3 or 4. Yeah, I' m thinking that isn't going to happen in a week! Especially with this being my first pregnancy...not going to happen. He said they were too afraid that her lungs wouldn't be developed enough if they took her early.

Well, depressed Lisa went home, sat on the couch, and watched TV the rest of the day. After dinner I decided something needed to change. I couldn't just sit around and feel sorry for myself for the next 2 weeks. So, I do what Lisa does best--I made lists:

Things to be Grateful For:

1. My body--I haven't been grateful for this in a while. I should be grateful that my body is able to carry a baby to full term. Now, if only that body will be willing to give up the baby :)

2. Macey's health--she is the most active little girl! Her heartbeat is strong--the doctor comments on it every time. My active daughter loves music. She dances to Katy Perry's "Firework" every time it comes on--no joke.

3. Time--I have time to get everything done! I don't have work to worry about any more. I have time to get my house cleaned and have all my errands run before she comes.

4. Macey's Room--I have time to organize her room. I love going and sorting through the clothes! I've washed them in baby detergent, and I could sit and smell them for hours :)

5. Time to be Selfish--Let's face it: life as I know it is about to do a complete turn! I won't have time to be selfish anymore. So I am taking advantage of dressing up, putting on make up, doing my hair, and taking care of my selfish self :)

6. Chunky Baby--Who doesn't want a chunky baby? The longer she cooks, the chunkier she will get! I love little baby rolls. At this point, she'll be above 8 pounds for sure...bring on the chunk!

7. Ultrasound--I get to have another ultrasound in 5 days. I will get to see her one more time before I see her in real life. Not only that, but they'll measure her femur bone, skull, and abdomen again to assess her weight. I'll know about how big she'll be when she's born. Exciting, right?

Keep-Mom-Busy List (only 13 days to do it in!)

1.Finish Deep Cleaning the Apartment

2. Make Dinner Every Night

3. Make Bread

4. Make Cookies

5. Go Walking Every Night

6. Go Walking Every Morning

7. Create Temple Craft for Macey's Room

8. Read "Hunger Games" series again

9. Explore Ross in Idaho Falls

10. Set up Pack-n-Play

11. Finish Packing Hospital Bag

12. Figure out a Father's Day Present for Scott

13. Explore the DI in Rexburg

There is light at the end of the tunnel! That light may be 13 days away...but 13 days is nothing! That light will be here before we know it :)

Work

I can hardly believe that it is June 1st! Where does the time go?!

My official last day of work at Stone Brook Apartments was yesterday, May 31st. It seems so surreal to be done working! All I have known since I was 16 was work and school. When I finished school a year and a half ago, I was able to absorb time with work. Now work is gone, and I am in a totally different ballpark!

Yesterday I walked away from work--leaving my keys on the desk for my replacement. As I walked home, I just had a feeling of peace. It felt like this was the next step--I was making the right decision. I still feel at peace about it today (thank goodness), so this is right!

To celebrate my last day of work, Scott and I went and hit up Cold Stone! We sat and talked at Cold Stone for a good hour. It was the perfect way to end this phase in my life (with ice cream? of course!) and begin a new phase!

Now we play the waiting game! I woke up at 7:00 this morning and couldn't fall back asleep, so I have been cleaning and packing hospital bags all morning. I just don't know what I am going to do once everything is cleaned and ready to go. Any suggestions??