The Evolution of Sleep

Macey TOTALLY likes sleeping on her stomach more than her back. I have to watch her because if she can, she'll use her legs to help roll her body to her stomach! She is also still getting used to sleep patterns. One day this week she slept all day and night (we paid for it the next day and night :) ). On the day she slept all day, this was her evolution of sleep :)

Miss Independent

Macey was DEFINITELY born with a personality! She has held her own pacifier in from day 1 (What can I say? My daughter is a genius :) ). Well, last night she decided she was going to hold her bottle in herself too! Macey is our little Miss Independent.

So Proud

Scott continually amazes me. I don't think I knew what a great man I was marrying June 26, 2010. He is the most patient and understanding person I know. He is usually the rational one, and when I have a break down, he is there is to assure me that everything really is okay. If it's not okay, he will do anything he can to make it that way. He is entirely too good to me! His mother raised an great man, and I will forever be grateful.

We both knew that this past semester would be difficult. In March, we found a major glitch in Scott's graduation plan. Because of this glitch, Scott would have to take 3 additional Spanish courses and 2 additional Communication courses. This put off his graduation plan by a whole semester. Scott didn't want to do that. He decided to just take a heavier work load every semester so he could accomplish it. Solution? First, take 21 credits last semester.

21 credits. As someone who as graduated with their Bachelors, I can't even imagine taking a workload that large. Oh, but 21 credits is not all. With that credit load, Scott worked 2 part time jobs, completed an internship, and we had Macey.

I watched him wake up at 4:30 to complete last minute homework and head out for seminary training before 6:00 AM. He completed classes everyday by 12:30 (classes back to back everyday). He would hurry home, grab lunch, play with Macey for a quick minute, and then head off to work until 5:00. He would come home at 5:00, eat dinner, and start homework. Homework generally lasted until abut 1:30 or 2:30 every morning, and then he would wake up at 4:30 the next morning.

Sounds like fun, huh?

Classes ended on July 22nd (thank goodness). The grades are in, and he did extremely well in his classes! He survived, and I am once again proud to call him mine. He is enjoying his break from school, and we are so grateful for the help we received. This semester we were reassured that prayers are answered, and that this is the path Scott is supposed to take.

With that gratitude for the help and answers we both received, I am (once again) entirely grateful that Scott is mine (and Macey is mine) for forever.

Sleep

Any moment when we can find to sleep these days--we take it!

Dad and Mom with passed out Macey:

I love the way Macey sleeps! She hates to be swaddled (trust me, I've tried). The minute I unswaddle her, she passes out! Most mornings I come in to find this: Nightgown hiked up, blanket unwrapped from around her, pacifier flung above her head, and one happy, passed out girl!

Oh, did I mention that her dad will do anything to keep her happy/help her fall asleep? Yes, that is her tutu on his head!

I knew there was a reason why I married this man. :)

Formula

Even before Macey was born, her weight was a concern for me! The day before I was induced, the ultrasound tech told me that she was averaging 9 pounds 7 ounces. Macey was born at 8 pounds 10 ounces (phew!).

Honestly, I thought it was the perfect size (especially after being told she was going to be a 9 or 10 pound baby!). My experience at Madison Memorial hospital was great! I only had one complaint the whole time I was there...and I guess it evolved into a pretty big one :) No one taught me how to feed Macey. They had a lactation consultant--which I asked to come in on day 2. She never came! At 8:00 PM a nurse came in and said she was swamped and had left for the day. She asked if I had any questions.

The nurse helped me with the basics, but I battled with feeding the first couple of weeks. I battled with blood and tears--it was a really hard time in our lives!

One week after Macey's birth we went to the pediatrician. She had dropped from 8 pounds 10 ounces to 7 pounds 14 ounces. The first month we went to the doctor every week. Her birth weight was coming back, but it wasn't fast enough. At a month old, when they should be at least a pound over their birthweight, Macey weighed 8 pounds 14 ounces.

The doctor told me his concern, and asked what I thought about formula and supplementing. He did think I was making enough to keep Macey full. He tried to talk me in to using formula, but I quickly assured him that I didn't have a problem with doing it. (I just felt horrible knowing she was never full...for a whole month of her life!) He gave me a bunch of free samples, and I went to work.

I immediately saw a difference. Macey wasn't as fussy, and she slept more. I thought she was growing, but I didn't want to get my hopes up!

One week later, I had a follow up appointment! After one week of supplementing, my girl weighed 9 pounds 9 ounces. Talk about one proud mom!

I never suspected that I would need to use formula, but the first thing I learned about being a mom is to expect the unexpected :) Our feeding journey has been a learning process, but I'm glad to have emerged with a happy, growing girl!

Sunday Evenings

It's official. Sunday Evenings are my new favorite time of the week!

Picture Update

We aren't a very exciting bunch around here! Scott finishes up his summer classes this next week, and we are anxious to get out and do some fun summer activities/vacations! Until life picks up, here are some pictures of the girl from this last week :)

From day one of my pregnancy I told everyone that it was so much more fun buying clothes for Macey than buying clothes for me. Well, I still hold true to that--dressing Macey is ten times more fun than dressing mom!

Macey has really small feet! We have a couple pairs of 0-3 month shoes, but her feet will not fit! I finally bought her a pair of newborn shoes this week, and she still has a ways to grow in to them! Macey modeling her new kicks:

Macey was having really bad gas pains one day, and she was really fussy. It was about 2:00, and I was starving. She didn't act like she would feel better anytime soon. I apologetically sat her down in the boppy, screaming, and ran to grab something to eat in the kitchen. Five seconds after I sat her down I heard silence. I crept in to the family room to find this--the girl was passed out! She stayed like this for a few hours.

Since Macey was born, every time she eats or sleeps on me, her little hand finds its way in to my shirt. I guess there is something comforting about having it there...?

It's official...she is a hand holder, and we love it!

Working on homework with dad!

We realized this week how much she likes the boppy pillow! She sits up/lounges in it all the time!

Last night we were watching "Monsters, Inc.". We didn't realize how much she was in to it! I went to change her diaper, and she wouldn't take her eyes off the TV! We better get rid of this habit early on :)

Humming

Macey has hummed since day one. It's one of my favorite things about her. You know she is sleeping well when she begins to hum! Dr. Allred, who delivered her, commented on it at the hospital. He said he has a daughter that used to do that, and she still hums everywhere she goes today!

Here is proof that she is the most musically talented person in our family :) (You might have to turn up your volume to hear her!)

Happy Girl

In the back of my mind I know that it's probably just gas, but honestly, if you ask me, Macey already knows I am pretty funny :) The other day I was talking to her, and she couldn't stop smiling! It's good to know that she likes me. What a happy girl!

What I've Learned

4 weeks ago today, I was in the hospital having you, Macey. Where has a month gone? We have had so many good times together, and we continually learn more about one another! Each day is a learning experience. I learn patience and how to love you more each day. In return, thank you for learning how to be patient with me :)

Macey, this is what I've learned the last two weeks:

You like to give big bear hugs :)

You think my pillow is as comfortable as I think it is... :)

You always have to stretch just after waking up--which is several times a day! I love it :)

Sleeping in an infant gown is, evidently, like sleeping in the womb. You immediately curled up into a little ball!

We pulled out the bouncer early on, and this is the only way you will sit in it! We straighten you up and sit you up, and you always wiggle down to where you want to be. We have learned not to fight it unless you get a little too low.

You were born with curly black hair, but I swear every day it grows, lightens, and gets curlier! We finally put a little gel in it the other day to hold the curl :)

Getting ready to go out with curly hair and headband :)

Dad put you down for a few seconds. We turned around and you were giving him the "L"...I guess dad could be considered a loser for putting you down!

You have brought more happiness and growth in to the past month of our lives! Hopefully, we can repay this happiness to you a hundred fold! We sure love you, little girl!

Pillow Talk

My Macey is growing up! We stayed at my parent's house 4th of July weekend. They have a crib set up which Macey slept in. Since coming home from the hospital, she has been sleeping in a bassinet beside our bed, but she did so well with the crib that I thought maybe she ought to upgrade! When we got back to Rexburg, we moved her to her new room and in to her new crib. It was such a natural move, and she does so well on her own!

The only problem is...I'm not sure that I am ready for her to grow up so quickly!

This is a typical Macey position! Don't worry, I swaddled her, but Houdini TOTALLY escaped again. Oh, and she likes her pacifier, but when she is done with it she spits it out. This is the girl passed out in her new bachelorette pad :)

Where Our Story Began!

Scott got lucky--our first date anniversary is July 4, 2007. How can you forget the 4th of July? Now if only we were married on some kind of holiday... :)

On our way down to Utah, we realized that this year marked our 5th anniversary of our first date at Wheelers!! We were down in Sanpete, so we had to bring Macey and celebrate the last 5 years. Time has gone so quickly, and I wouldn't give up those 5 years for anything!

Year 1 (2007). We didn't take a picture together that day (probably because it would have been creepy to pose for one on our first date...), but this picture was taken right before he picked me up at my Uncle Jim's house!

Year 2 (2008). Scott was on his mission in Peru, but his siblings took me out for Wheelers! They decided they should carry on the tradition even though Scott was gone :)

Year 3 (2009). Scott was in the last months of his mission, but we still needed to celebrate! Amy took me out for shakes at Wheelers. (I promise we are really there...neither of us wanted to take pictures inside the restaurant. If you look really closely, you can see Wheelers through the back windshield :) )

Year 4 (2010). Scott and I had only been married for about a week. We were living in Ephraim, UT. We left the family celebration to go celebrate on our own. I mean, it's tradition, right? :)

Year 5 (2011). On our year 5 mark, we were able to bring a new addition to the tradition! Macey accompanied us this year.

I don't know what the next 5 years will bring, or if we will even be able to celebrate at Wheelers in the years to come. I am just grateful for good ice cream and that first date 5 years ago :)

Macey's Blessing Day

Macey was blessed on July 3rd, 2011. I was really looking forward to this day! She was only 2 1/2 weeks old, but we wanted to do it while all our family could be together. She received a beautiful blessing. Scott administered, and My dad, Lynn (Scott's dad), Kevin (Scott's brother), and Travis (Scott's best friend) were all in the circle. We were reassured how grateful we were that such a special light is now a part of our family!

To read more about Baby Blessings, click here.

Macey in her blessing dress:

Macey with Grandpa Christensen, Macey with Grandpa Bagley, and Macey with Aunt Amy:

Aunt Amy and I:

Our new family:

After a long day of being held: