And she's off.......

I have been such a slacker lately with the posts. Macie is so busy now which means I am busy!!!

She is officially crawling now. Before it was kind of scooting, and she was confused how to do it since she really is trying to figure out how to bypass crawling and just walk. There is something wrong with my camera right now so I am unable to get a video of it, but I do have some pictures of her that are pretty darn cute!

I think I can, I think I can....

Already up to no good!!!

The mischievous look.

She LOVES when Daddy stacks her blocks so she can knock them down.

Happy First Father's Day!

Phil-

Macie and I want to wish you a very happy first Father's Day. You are the best husband and Daddy we could ever ask for.

9 Months

My Sweet Macie Face,

You are going to be 9 months old tomorrow and I think I am in denial! You have officially graced us with your presence for a bit longer than you were in my tummy. I said it before and I will say it again- the almost 9 months that I carried you seemed like 9 years and it's because your Daddy and I were so anxious to meet you and study you! The nine months that you have been on the outside have gone so fast in comparison. We still study you, it never gets old! I know every roll, every crevice, every mark, every hair and every cute feature on your adorable little body. You change on a daily basis and I often find myself just starring at you in amazement that you can actually get cuter everyday.

This last month has been very busy for you. You finally said "Mama" for the first time. I definitely don't hear it as often as "Dada", but you do muster one out occasionally just to appease me. It works. You got two more teeth this past month too. You got the two top middle ones, and seems they are giving you a bit of a hard time. You are a bit more cranky than normal, but nothing some Tylenol and a teether can't fix. OK.....Backyardigans works too. If Mommy and Daddy can't entertain you enough to keep your mind off the pain, we resort to Pablo and you are all smiles as soon as he starts singing and dancing.

I thought for sure you would be crawling by the time I wrote this letter. You are so close and you get so frustrated. Daddy even gets down on the floor to show you how it's done. You do watch him and study his moves, but just can't quite get it. I would not be at all surprised if you just started walking and never crawled. You get up on your hands and your tiptoes and you try to kick one of your legs up.

You had your first and second overnight trips with both sets of Grandparents, and all in the same week. You're Daddy surprised me with an overnight trip, and then that weekend we went to Matt and Jessica's wedding. We missed you terribly, but knew you were in great hands.

You sure had a busy month and this is only the beginning of what's to come this summer.

I still start everyday with your beautiful smile, and it is a daily reminder of just how sweet and cute you are, and your Daddy and I are the luckiest parents on earth.

I love you my sweet face,

Mommy

Congratulations to Matt and Jessica

Matt and Jessica got hitched this past weekend. We went to Michigan for the wedding and they had an outdoor ceremony at a place called Castle Farms. It was really beautiful, and the weather was perfect. We had a great hotel room that overlooked the lake we're just sad we didn't get to enjoy it a little more.

We had a blast at the wedding and Jessica looked beautiful. Matt looked very handsome too!

Thanks for the great time!

A big thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Scimeca and Mary for coming to our house for the weekend to watch Macie while we were gone. We really appreciate it!

The new Mr. and Mrs. Weldon

The view from our room

Congratulations to the Nixons

We found out this weekend that they are expecting their first child!

Congratulations John and Kari, we are so happy for you.

They are due sometime in early December.

Congratulations to the Kaisers

Katie and Colin welcomed their first child on Friday, June 12rh.

Ashton John Kaiser

8lbs. 9oz.

21 inches long

Congratulations, we can not wait to meet him.

My 36th (ugh) Birthday!!!

For some reason I am having a really hard time with being 36. I was fine with 35, 36 is just CLOSER to 40......I guess it gets me thinking about how old I will be when Macie graduates High School and College. I wonder if I still have it "in me" to have another. I would love to but MY GOD, I am 36 and can my body handle another "difficult" pregnancy? Anyway, I do think about these things and they bother me more as I approach 40. I know many women have children at, or after 40, but it's just something that's on my mind lately.
Sorry, got off track there for a moment.
My absolutely amazing husband surprised me with a mini getaway on my birthday. He booked us a room at the Blue Chip Hotel and Spa in Indiana. We dropped Macie off at my parents (even under the circumstances, and much to my hesitation- not hesitant about leaving Macie there) for the night and headed to Indiana. The room was beautiful and we had a really great time. We had a very nice dinner, some drinks and we did a bit of gambling. I am a penny slots kinda girl and was not having the best luck so decided to give Blackjack a try. Much to my surprise I did very well!! Phil not so much.
I have ZERO pictures from the night out and I am really upset with myself for not getting any. It isn't really the kind of place that you carry a camera around and I am not really sure if they even let you. BUT, we had a great time!
Thank you Phil. It was so thoughtful of you to plan that. I love you so much!
Thank you Mom for watching Macie. I know she loved the one on one time that she got with you. Dad, sorry you didn't get to hang out with Macie. We are so glad you are out of the hospital and feeling a little better. Thank you both for allowing us a night out.
This was, by the way, our first time leaving Macie overnight anywhere. I know, she's almost 9 months! We did just fine and that's a good thing since we will be 6 hours away from her this weekend!!!
Thank you again!!!
XOXO

Ta Da.........

The reverse psychology worked, Macie said "Mama" for the first time today (sniff sniff). She has no clue yet that I am actually "Mama", but it's still cute to hear it!

You will have to endure this lengthy video and my obnoxious and annoying voice if you want to hear her actually say it. It's around a minute and a half before she actually says it- handy to know if you want to fast forward.

The Quest for "Mama"

Me: Macie, say "Mama"

Macie: Baaaaa Bo!

Me: No Macie, say "Maaaaaa Ma"

Macie: Dada

Me: Ok Macie, one more time (I lie) "Maaaa Ma"

Macie: La La

Me: Oh forget it.....close enough

Maybe if I say "Macie, say Baaa Bo La La" she'll say "Mama"........reverse psychology. I'll be back.

Humoring Daddy

Macie is very serious when she is watching Backyardigans. You just know not to stand in front of her, talk to her, change her, etc. when she is watching it. Here is a video of Daddy trying to have a conversation with Macie while she's VERY much into her show!!! She's definitely giving him the brush off/the courtesy glance.

Great Day

It was BEAUTIFUL out today and we took full advantage of it. We went for a long walk this morning, then we gathered up a bunch of things for Macie and brought them outside. She played outside most of the day and got to splash around in the pool for a bit. We even brought the pack and play outside thinking she might sleep in it, but she wasn't having it.

Here are some pictures from the day.

Macie and Daddy relaxing after a long day....too cute.

Some more cute pictures

We went to Susie and Nelson's last night to hang out and had a very nice time. Thanks again for dinner and for cutting my ratty hair!!! Macie had a great time with Jaden. He read her Goodnight Moon before she went to bed. He knows EVERY single word and it was so cute. I tried to get a video of it, but it turned out dark and I was too late....Jaden had read it once already by the the time I got the camera out and he wanted to "Rock" so I missed the opportunity.

Cuteness

Just some random pictures.

It looks like she took this one herself.
Phil says she looks exactly like me in this one, what do you think? I don't see it.....I see Daddy.

Catch up time

I am definitely not posting as often as I used to and I don't really have an excuse so I apologize to those who look forward to seeing updates on Macie. We had a busy Memorial Day Weekend. We got to spend time with both sides of the family. On Sunday we went to Phil's parents and had a BBQ. On Monday we met up with my family at Arlington Park. They had "family day" and it was really a lot of fun, despite the weather.

Pool Party for One

I felt a little silly buying this teeny tiny pool for Macie, but am glad I did. She LOVED playing in it and it's the perfect size for her right now. I have to say the maintenance on it is wonderful!

8 Months

My Sweet Macie Face,

Is it true that you are 8 months old already? My eyes are getting a little teary while I am typing this because I can not believe that I gave birth to you 8 months ago. It seems like I blinked and you grew overnight. I love watching you grow and learn new things, but it goes so quick that I am afraid I might forget what happened and when. That is why I am so glad that I decided to do this blog and document your life. I have a calendar in the kitchen and every time you do something new, I write it on the calendar. I have to admit that I have been terrible about updating your baby book, but this is so much more fun. So many family members and friends check this blog to see how and what you are doing, and they can't believe how fast time is flying.

This past month was so exciting. I only work two days a week now, and can't say that I am too upset about that since I get to spend another day with you, and have you all to myself. You are trying so hard to crawl. You have mastered going backwards and getting stuck under things, but you can't quite coordinate you arms and legs. I have been working with you and encouraging you to crawl, but I am not so sure that I won't regret that very soon. You don't seem to have a fear of much so that concerns me a bit as you become mobile.

Speaking of not fearing anything, you are not scared of water at all. I have been taking you out of your bath seat after you are all clean and let you sit in the tub. You splash around like crazy, and dive for the duckies swimming around in the tub. Tonight you tried to put your face in the water and were a bit surprised, but it didn't stop you from trying again. I think you are going to be quite the little fishy. You think the splashing is so fun and so hilarious, but I have to change my clothes when you are done.

My favorite part of the day is going in to get you in the morning. I think you would sit in there forever and "talk" and play if we didn't come in and get you. I LOVE my new alarm clock, and it's you. I hear your sweet little voice and it makes waking that early not so bad. When we go in to get you, you are always peeking over the top of the crib with an enormous smile on your face. It's priceless and my heart aches with happiness when you flash that smile at me.

You made your Daddy the happiest man on the face of the earth on May 14th. You said "Dada" finally. We both knew that was going to be first, we just didn't know when it would happen. You said it out of the blue when I walked in the room. I looked at you and said "what did you say?", and you looked up at me and said "Dada". Total coincidence, I know, but I about peed myself in excitement. You kept repeating it so of course I picked up the phone and called Daddy, and then you wouldn't say it again. When you first started saying it, I am pretty sure you had no clue what it really meant. After about a day or two you definitely knew who "Dada" was and you used it properly. Way to go Macie. Next stop....."Mama".

You also adore my necklace and are constantly looking for it. You yank on it and try desperately to put it in your mouth. Just today I was holding you and I could tell you were looking for it (it was tucked in my shirt). I said "where is Mommy's necklace" and you pulled my shirt out and grabbed it. I think you said "it's right here, dummy". You're so smart.

This past month you had your first trip to the zoo. Daddy and I had more fun than you did, but I know you will enjoy it very soon. We can't wait for the Butterfly exhibit to be open again so we can see your reaction to them. Hope you won't be freaked out. I think we will be going there a lot since you LOVE LOVE LOVE being outside. We have gone for so many walks lately and you can't get enough. We stop at the park and put you in the swing and I swear you would stay there all night if we let you.

I decided to stop using you as an excuse to get to the gym. They have childcare there so Daddy and I went together and took you with us. It's a very nice little set up, they have tons of toys and things to do. When we dropped you off in there the first time, I was a little nervous. I worked in day cares and I know that things don't get "Mommy clean", but I had to get over it. There are two very young girls that work there in the evenings, but they seemed sweet. We worked out and it went fine. I went the next day and there was an older lady there and she just held you and loved you the whole time you were there. Fine by me. The last time we brought you didn't go so well. As Daddy and I are working out I hear "Rachelle, please come to the kids room". For a second I thought "do they mean me"....."No, there's other kids in there, can't be me". I glance around for Daddy and can't find him and then hear you screaming in the kids room. I go in there and Daddy is holding you, and there is blood coming from your mouth. Supposedly, you must have bit down too hard on your toy (thank god they had gotten her toy out of the diaper bag). I think that they weren't paying attention and you fell over and that's how it happened. BUT....I have no proof, and you're fine so I will be going back. Not sure why I shared that. Guess it was two "firsts" for you.....childcare and a boo boo.

Two more of your teeth just popped through your gums. You got the bottom two a long time ago, I thought they would be here a lot sooner. I also thought your next two would be the two top middle ones.....nope, you got your two eye teeth in. You are going to look like a vampire. The look will go well with the new noises you are making, they are a bit strange I must say.

I love when you act like you are being shy and you wrap your little arms around my neck and squeeze me with everything you have. I melt every time, and almost squeeze you back until your little eyeballs pop out. I can't get enough of that. I never knew that my heart could get bigger and be filled with so much love and contentment. You make everyday so special and I hope that you know how much I love you. I may not always do the right things, and I worry a lot that I am not being a good enough Mommy, but no one is good enough for you my sweet baby!

All My Love,

Mommy

Happy 62nd Anniversary!

Happy 62nd Anniversary Great Grandma and Great Grandpa!

What is going on down there?

I was upstairs putting on my make up and doing my hair the other day, and all of a sudden I hear all kinds of noise. I am pretty much hearing sounds from every single toy that Macie has downstairs. There is some banging, shouts and screams of excitement and "Dada dada dada".


I come downstairs and this is what I see.....

Daddy had her hat on, and they literally had every single toy out and making noise. Isn't this how kids develop ADD? I was overwhelmed with all the noise! Guess you had to be there, but it was pretty amusing!

Lions, Tigers, and Elephant Asses....OH MY!

We took Macie to the zoo for the first time. I don't think we expected much as far as excitement from her, but she really couldn't have cared less about being there. There were a lot of animals out and we tried pointing to them, but she would just look at the ground and the other people around. Really, sometimes the people at the zoo are more entertaining to watch than the animals!!! I took a ton of pictures of all the animals we saw, but I won't bore you with them. I will just post some that I thought we good....or funny!

This lion was mad about something and was roaring so loud, I thought it was "staged" and coming over a speaker system.


This is really how close we were (there was plexiglass between us) and she was stalking a boy behind us. It was really quite creepy. She would follow him with her eyes where ever he went.

This was our greeting from the Elephant. One of these elephants died two days after we were there.....how sad. Now they only have one.

Macie got a great nap in at the Zoo!

Macie and Daddy. Do you see the Baboon in the back? Don't worry, Macie didn't either.