15 Months

Macie Face-

I can't hardly believe you are 15 months old already. Time is just flying by right now. You grow and change everyday, and I wake up everyday wondering what you are going to do, or learn. You are funny, cute, charming, witty, stubborn, determined, quick tempered, independent, happy, sweet....I could go on and on. You demonstrate all these traits, and more every single day. Some of the traits make me sad because you are growing so incredibly fast, but the others make me look forward to you growing even more. Just don't do it too fast!!!
These are the things you have said/done/learned over the past three months:
*You wave bye bye and say "buh bye" while waving
*You blow kisses and make a smacking noise while doing it
*You give kisses (mostly just at bedtime and will only give them to me), it's so sweet.
*You have taken a few steps on your own, but don't think you are ever going to walk.
*You drink water out of a water bottle like you've been doing it for years. You never used a sippy (well maybe once for a few seconds, but that was it). You will ONLY drink water from a water bottle and milk from a bottle.
*You have tried every food that Mommy and Daddy eat. You love grilled cheese, pizza, peas, broccoli, apples, oranges, cookies (the organic ones are your fav.- I tried them and don't see the appeal), chicken, etc.
*You say "ki ki" (kitty kitty)
*You say "dog dog"
*You clap when you are done eating, and you remove your bib yourself. You sometimes say "all done"
*You give high fives
*You do "so big", but only when we say "how big is the Face".
*You give hugs, but only to Daddy. You crawl to him and wrap your arms around his neck/back and pat him on the shoulder, it's very cute and Daddy LOVES it!!!

Daddy has been home for the past month and you are loving it. He goes back to work on Monday and I think it's going to be hard on both of us. It's been fun having him around!!! You adore your Daddy, but between you and me....I think he's going to be more sad going back to work than you are!!!

You amaze us every single day! I can't imagine my life without you! You bring so much joy to my life and everyone around you.

I love you!!!

Mommy

28 Week appointment- Glucose Test

All is well. Had my glucose test today- yuck. They gave me the sugary drink and it was Fruit Punch flavor. It's not bad enough, but I HATE HATE HATE fruit punch. I won't have the results for a week since our insurance goes through a lab that is out of state! I am measuring right on the 28 week mark. Gained 2 lbs. in 3 weeks- not too bad, just hate seeing the scale go up! I'll attribute it to the fact that they weighed me before I got to pee, and I had 10 lbs. of clothes and boots on. Her heart rate was 146 and she was practicing her Karate moves during the exam thanks to the Fruit Punch flavored sugar drink. Blood pressure was good. I start going every two weeks now for check-ups. Getting closer.

Wagon Fun!!!

It's another dark video, but still funny to listen to. She loves cruisin around with Daddy in her wagon. Although, not sure which is more amusing: listening to Phil, or Macie!

Katie's Ballet/Tap Recital

We were invited to see my niece's ballet/tap recital on Monday night. It was so cute, and she did a really great job! Macie loved watching the teacher dance around next to her!!!
I have some cute videos from the recital too, but blogger won't let me download videos right now! I have been trying to process one for about 2 hours now. Will try to share those later.

Would someone please tell Macie........

That no one is going to take her food away from her? She doesn't seem to know this.

28 Weeks- The Final Stretch.....literally.

I am officially in the third trimester....wow! Not much to report except I feel soooo much larger this time around than I did with Macie. I have gained 1/2 the amount of weight compared to last time, but feel like it's double. Weird. Still feeling pretty good, just the aches and pains that go with pregnancy. My hips have really started bothering me in the middle of the night, it's hard to get comfortable. I am thankful that I am not experiencing the swelling I did with Macie....at least not yet! 82 days to go, can't believe it.
Have my glucose test tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that I pass this time! I was over by 1 point last time and had to do the 3 hour test.
And, I am pretty sure that the following picture is the only one that includes my head. I absolutely hate it, but what can ya do. I'm pregnant and huge- just have to work really hard after I have her, right?

Congratulations to the Nixon's!!! And a belated Congrats to the Weldon's!!

John and Kari Nixon welcomed Baby Boy Mason this morning around 1:45am.
He was 8 lbs. 6 oz. and 20 inches long.




Congratulations to Matt and Jessica Weldon, they are expecting sometime in June!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving and a very busy weekend. We spent Thanksgiving with Phil's family at his parents house. They cooked enough food for 10 families and everything was so good!!! Unfortunately I didn't get one single picture while we were there. We were busy visiting and watching the kids play.
Friday we just relaxed at home and ate leftovers...yum!
Saturday we joined in a new family tradition of going to cut down a Christmas Tree. My family has done it before so we decided to join in. We went to a place in Wilmington that had acres of trees to choose from. We met my brother, sister in law, niece, nephew and my mom and dad there. You pull in and they give you a saw and a map that tells you where the different kinds of trees are. We found a spot and started our hunt. My parents found one right away, but not us!!! I kept thinking I found the perfect one, Phil would get ready to cut it down and I would change my mind. It was hard to navigate the stroller through the tress, but we managed and Macie seemed to enjoy it, she loves being outside!





Sunday we went to the Downers Grove Santa parade. This is our third year going, 2nd year with Macie. Last year the weather was miserable and we didn't last long enough to actually see the parade. This year we stayed for the whole thing. Macie seemed pretty interested in most of it. She like the high school bands playing and all the commotion.




Afterwards, my parents treated us to lunch and then we went home to decorate our tree.
It was a really great weekend filled with family and fun!!! Thanks everyone.

Congratulations to the Meggetts

They welcomed baby girl Abigail Paige Meggett today, 7lbs 9 oz, and 20" long.
We can't wait to see pictures.

Did someone call a plumber?

Macie and her Cousin Joey

They are so cute together!!!

Oh my gosh......

The 100 day countdown. We are so much less prepared this time around. The room still needs painting, crib needs assembling, need new cushions for the glider, and the room is loaded with crap that we need to find a home for. I think panic mode is setting in!!!
YIKES!!!
I can't help but keep thinking if I have her the same time I had Macie, that means about 80 days left, not 100!!!
I need to stop thinking and go to bed!

14 Months

Macie Patrick

Look out Danica.....there's a new girl in town.

You're going to check what? BUTT why?

Had my 25 week appointment today and all is well. Baby's heart rate is 136. I am measuring 23 weeks, blood pressure is really good (104/60) and I gained 4 lbs. in the last 5 weeks, which puts me at 9 lbs. total.
When I got there, they do all the "normal" things: pee in a cup, step on the dreaded scale, ask if the baby is moving, taking my vitamins, any bleeding, swelling, pain? Everything was good until I mentioned that I have been having some "strange" pains (do not continue reading if you don't want to know about my "issues") in my back end region. Now let me clarify: The pain starts in my lower back, radiates around to the front and then feels like someone is sticking a broom stick in my butt. Sorry, that's the only way to describe it. It's very painful and lasts a few seconds and then goes away. It's been happening on and off for a few weeks and was at it's worst on Halloween. I was having a hard time walking around trick or treating. So, the nurse takes down this information and a student comes in to do measurements and heart rate checks, and then proceeds to tell me to undress from the waist down. I say "why would you need to do an exam today, I am only 25 weeks". She then tells me that the physician's asst. is going to check for hemorrhoids since I am having pains. I try to explain to her that it's not THAT kind of pain and that I don't have THAT issue. She basically just hands me a paper cover up and leaves the room. Ok fine, go ahead and check BUTT this is not the source of the pain. While I am waiting to be violated, Macie starts having a meltdown and I can't get her calmed down. Now keep in mind, I am without clothing from the waist down and trying to figure out how to get Macie out of the stroller without losing my paper skirt. I just get her unhooked from the stroller and the physicians asst. walks in. So, I figure I can just let Macie cry it out while she does her business in my business. I look over and Macie is sliding down in the stroller. Marissa, the physicians asst. reaches over and scoots her up so she is sitting more upright- great. So....she then has me "assume the position" and she's checking my "exit only" region. Shocker, she finds NOTHING wrong. As I am sitting up, I look over and Macie is sliding out of the bottom of the stroller onto the floor. All I can say is "oh my god, she just fell out of the stroller" and try my best to get up off this table with no pants on to pick my child up off the floor. It was very slow motion and she didn't land on the floor hard, it was quite graceful and she ended up on her hands and knees- just looking a bit shocked! She was already crying so now it just got worse. Marissa picks her up off the floor and puts her on her lap to try and calm her down all the while she is still talking about my ASS with no acknowledgement that I didn't have my child properly fastened in her stroller. So Marissa is bouncing Macie on her lap to try and get her to stop crying, while I am dying from embarrassment because my kid wasn't properly strapped in her stroller and fell on the floor, and I have no pants on!!! Oh, can't forget to mention the student that was in the room the whole time that did NOTHING to help, just stood there looking like a deer in headlights.
I WILL NOT be taking Macie to anymore of my appointments in the future. I will be making my future appointments at the Downers Grove location- it's right down the street from my parents and they have offered to watch her while I go.
I always think that the appointments are going to be nothing and really quick so there's no reason that I can't bring Macie with....WRONG!
AND after all this.....still no idea why I am having the pains. Ridiculous.
Lesson of the day: Always make sure your kid is strapped in their stroller (if you have the Chicco stroller), no matter how quick you think you might be in doing something.

Clean your mirror FATTY!!!

24 weeks. Nothing to report since I don't go to the Dr. until Tuesday. Guessing the next step is talking to me about weight gain, and then the glucose test. My scale only says a few lbs., but sure doesn't feel/look like it.....

On the Macie front....
Still can't get her to drink out of a sippy and she's still not walking. She did take a few unassisted steps the other night and I missed it.
She's as adorable as ever though!!!!

Kisses and Sharing

While I was getting ready to leave my parents house this morning, I went to put Macie down for her nap. I always say "give Mommy kisses", and she doesn't. Well today she actually kissed me back. It was a full out, open mouth, wet kiss and it was the sweetest thing EVER!!! It wasn't a fluke either because she has done it again. My heart melted. It's so amazing how the small things mean so much.
She has also learned a little about the rules, or should I say RULE of sharing....do not try to share your cookie with the, I will eat anything, and will sit here and eat every morsel you drop on the floor, Beagle. She has been sharing her food lately with Otis and thinks it's really funny that he licks her hand. Tonight she reached down with her cookie and he snatched it out of her hand. She had a major meltdown. I gave her another one and explained to her that she can't let Otis have her cookies (I'm sure she really understood too-yeah right). She immediately reached over the side of her highchair with the cookie and it was gone again, in 2.2 seconds. Another meltdown. The only one that learned anything here was me! Let Otis outside while Macie eats a cookie. Dumb Mommy.

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year. Last year Macie was only just over a month old and slept the whole time!!! This year she went as the cutest little cuddly bunny, and was able to trick or treat with her cousins.
Phil's parents came over to our house and then we headed over to my parents house. We all went out around their neighborhood and went trick or treating. I grew up trick or treating every single year in this neighborhood and it was so nice to have Macie experience this too! My "oldest" friend Katie and I used to go out for hours and gather as much candy as possible. Her parents still live a few houses from my parents so that's always one of our stops on Halloween. Brings back so many great memories!!!
After trick or treating we headed back to my parents house for some pizza and to hang out some more. It was like Christmas for Macie. She got a Little People Bus from Grandma and Papa Scimeca, it plays music and she loves it. Grandma and Papa Wilson got her a basket of goodies which included a new favorite toy that she can take star shaped rings off and on and it plays music. Uncle Mark, Auntie Gayle, Katie and Ryan also got her a basket of goodies with a cute cuddly bear dressed as a ghost...so cute!
Katie, Colin and Ashton stopped by for a visit. Macie got to know her future boyfriend a little better. They were so cute sitting on the couch together and then Macie had enough and started a meltdown.
Macie was beat after the long day, but she had such a good time. Can't say she was too thrilled about the head part to the costume, but it was so cute on her. Have quite a few pictures where it's not even on. She would get mad and pull it off.
Thanks for a great Halloween Mom and Dad!!!

Your job here is done.....

Dear Uterus;

Although you have been a warm and cozy home for my two babies, I am going to have to have you close up shop sometime around the end of February. I appreciate all your hard work and dedication, but it has come time for you to retire. Yes, this is a forced retirement, but believe me- it is for the best. If I am to remain sane, you are to remain baby free for the rest of my life. This may require a semi unpleasant experience at some point, but if everything goes as planned- you will remain "intact" after the birth of our second and last child. Phil will have to have some modifications if I am able to deliver naturally again. I feel that is only fair after housing two babies for a year and 1/2 of my life. I am very fortunate to be able to experience being pregnant and having two of my own children, but pregnancy and me do not get along very well. So again, I thank you for doing such a wonderful job in housing and caring for my babies while they grew.

Sincerely,

Michelle

Macie-13 Months and Mommy- 21 Weeks

Happy 13 months Macie. Mommy is a slacker and is going to be doing your letters/updates every 3 months now. You are growing fast, but there is just not as much to report every month.
We did find out that you are going to have a little sister. We couldn't be more excited, you two will be so close (I hope). We have already had visions of you two fighting over bathroom time and our bathrooms are just WAY too small. We need to move!!!

I had a Dr. appt. today, all is well. Heartbeat was 146, my BP was 124/70 (woo hoo), and I am only up 5 pounds total so far (I swear it's all in the girls- 2.5lbs gained in each-hate it). What a difference from my pregnancy with Macie. I know.....just wait!!!

Here is another headless belly pic of 21 weeks.

Sidenote: I have no idea what is going on with this blog. I am no longer able to move pictures around so they all end up on top. Very frustrating. If anyone knows how to fix it....please tell me. When I download the pictures, they come up in text format until I actually publish the post. Also the menu bar at the top is different....hmmmmm.

1 Year Pictures

Here are some of Macie's 1 year pictures.
As usual, Kim did an awesome job with a tough subject!!!

We are making progress

More self feeding options:

Funny of the day!!!

Phil came home from work today and told me that he had a funny incident at the gym. He left the house in a hurry this morning and grabbed a pair of work out pants out of the dryer and stuffed them in his bag. He got to the gym, got dressed, and headed out of the locker room when a rather large burly man tapped him on the shoulder and said "you dropped something out of your pants when you were putting them on", and he hands him a pink and white bib that says "I love my mommy".
Don't know why, but I can not stop laughing about it.
I was sick to my stomach while he was telling me since I figured it was a pair of my most unattractive underwear the man handed him!!!

I am amazed

at the things people say.....
I am not referring to anyone who reads this blog. The person that said this to me does not know that I "blog".
My conversation with this person (I will call them "X")Keep in mind that "X" has two boys....I thought of so many things to say AFTER this conversation! Dang it!

X- How are you feeling? How far along are you?
Me- I feel great and I am 5 months along.
X- Oh, do you know what you are having?
Me- Yes, we just found out we are having another girl.
X- Oh, sorry about that.
Me- Why are you sorry?
X- I'm sure you were hoping for a boy.
Me- No, actually we kinda wanted another girl since they will be so close in age.
X- Oh, well I'm sure Phil is really bummed.
Me- Nope, he's not at all. Have a great day!!! Jack ASS!!!

This is one of those people that does not have that mechanism in their pea brain to filter out the moronic things that you just shouldn't say out loud.

I just feel the need to say something about it since it really kind of bugged me. Phil and I have said since the moment we found out we were having another baby that it would be really cool if Macie had a sister. They will be 17-18 months apart and hopefully be great friends/playmates. Don't get me wrong, it's great having a brother, but it's not the same as having a sister. I guess maybe we don't fall into the "norm" in desperately wanting a boy AND a girl. I am not insulting anyone by saying that...promise.

The first thing that crossed our minds when we got the positive pregnancy test was...wow, another baby....what a miracle. We are so blessed to be able to have one child, let alone TWO. I know way too many people who never got that chance, some that never even got one! We never thought "oh wow, hope it's a boy".

So all in all, we are more than excited to be having a healthy baby girl, that Macie is getting a little sister, and not at all "bummed" that we aren't having a boy. We have 4 nephews....it's about time for more girls, right???!!!

FINALLY!!!!

Macie is almost 13 months old and she REFUSES to hold her own bottle. I have tried letting it dangle from her mouth, just sitting it in front of her (she just turns it upside down and chews on the bottom), laying her down (she just wants to get up and play) and begging....nothing has worked. Tonight Phil gave her a bath and was getting her in her jammies and I walked in with her bottle and she was clearly wanting the bottle bad so.....I handed it to her, and she popped it right into her mouth and drank the WHOLE thing with no assistance!!!!! I guess we shouldn't get too excited since she was on her changing table, or she was just extremely tired from her Dr's visit. It may never happen again, but I got a picture to prove that she really can hold her own bottle. Next stop.....sippy cup (having same issues with those)!!!

It's a.......................

GIRL!!!!!!!!
We went for our Level II Ultrasound today and got the "money shot" right away! She's definitely not a shy one.
Everything is great, she's very healthy and right on track. They estimated her weight to be about 14 ounces right now. They check everything; the umbilical cord, the brain, the four chambers of the heart, measure the head, bones, etc. Everything measured around 20 weeks.
We are over the top with excitement that Macie is going to have a little sister. Many of us (including myself) were sure it was a boy since this pregnancy is so different.
Here are some new pics of our little girl (at the top obviously....blogger is giving me some trouble tonight).

Pumpkin Farm/Petting Zoo Visit

Despite the not so great weather today, we went to a Pumpkin Farm/Petting Zoo near our house. We missed out on the annual apple picking/pumpkin patch trip this year so we wanted to take Macie to pick out a pumpkin. They have a huge petting zoo at this place, it was really cute. The weather wasn't that great, but we still had fun. The goats apparently don't get fed enough since they were head butting Kate and Ryan, not so fun!!!

03.jpg">Macie picking the perfect pumpkin

Papa brought over a chick for Macie to pet, she LOVED it.

Grandma took a silly picture of us! CHEESE!

A ride on the train.

Oh....just a few more things

12 more days until we find out PINK or BLUE!!!!
Get your predictions in now!!!
We will be so excited if it's a girl since Macie will only be about 18 months old when #2 is born, but will also be excited for a boy and having one of each. I just feel like we can't plan anything until we know. I will be having my Level II Ultrasound on the 13th and just praying for healthy baby news!!!
During Macie's tough week, she got her first molar too! Poor thing. She now has 7 teeth. We think she is pretty close to walking too. She has been sliding her feet from one item to another instead of sitting and then crawling to the next destination. She is also standing alone for quite a while....think it surprises her too every time she does it!

What a week!

The song "Burning Ring of Fire" has been playing in my head all week and it's dedicated to Macie's buttocks........

After days of antibiotics and the poops, we had to take Macie back to the Dr. because she had a horrible rash. It looked like she was put in scalding hot water, like 1st degree burns- ouchie! They prescribed her something that has the feel of sand mixed in Vaseline. I felt like I was rubbing sandpaper on her raw skin, but it's working. This lovely rash appeared the same day she fell and must have bit her lip. I picked her up and there was blood coming from her little mouth. She had a little bruise/red mark on the outside of her mouth from the incident and also had a small bruise on her forehead from a minor bump a few days prior. When we took her to the Dr. she had leaked poop through her PJ's and we left the house in such a hurry that I didn't pack an extra change of clothes (of course). The Mother of the Year was in the waiting room with her two very well behaved children, and she felt the need to inform me that her diaper leaked. I was already worked up since Macie was in so much pain and she was still screaming from the pain, I just looked at the lady and said "that's why we're here, thank you" and proceeded to take Macie to change her and try to clean her up. I was sure DCFS was going to be knocking on our door that night!!!

Anyway, it seems her rough week is coming to an end (I hope) and we're all going to make it. It was just tough since this was her first REAL illness and I just felt helpless through it!!

Here are a few pictures I took of our little trooper!

Very odd looking picture (bad angle) but she was yelling at me while I took it so I had to post it!