A Month with Macey Jo

In 2 days Macey Jo will be 4 weeks old. It has been such a wonderful four weeks and our family has been enjoying every single moment with our new sweetie.

Labor and Delivery

I was dreading labor and delivery with Macey Jo. My experience with Creighton was miserable. I tried to be optimistic though since this pregnancy was completely different. I hoped delivery would be completely different- in a positive way. It went so well and I have such good memories of the experience, for the most part... 

Cason and I arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am, Saturday January 5th and I was progressed far enough I was admitted. They discovered Macey Jo was posterior so they had me bounce on the labor ball for about an hour and a half in hopes that it would change her position. It did not though and it had not helped me progress any either. Contractions were painful, but between them I was able to talk and laugh, even smile... Something totally different from labor with Creighton. I was administered some pitocin to speed up labor and my water was broke. Things moved quickly from there! 

I had let my nurse know I wanted an epidural so she was contacting the anesthesiologist as soon as she could. However the pain control wasn't profound and I was beginning to feel so much pain the tears started to come... The anesthesiologist was called back twice and he was not too kind about it. My pain was never controlled and in the end my nurse discovered the catheter had come out of my back.

To try to change baby girl's position I alternated sides in the bed and eventually just before delivery she did come into perfect position. I pushed for only 8 minutes and there she was!

 During the last few weeks of my pregnancy at each appointment my doctor would comment on how big my baby was going to be. When she found out Creighton was 8 lb. 8 oz. she said, at 37 weeks, "Oh, she (Macey Jo) will be at least that big!" And the morning I arrived at the hospital the OB asked the resident doctor and the nurse how big they all thought she would be. Everyone agreed very close to 9 lbs. When they laid her on my chest right after she was born I knew she was not as big as Creighton! I could tell she was much smaller. Obviously, everyone was very surprised at our 7 lb. 7oz. baby.

Holding her just after delivery was so special. It is the most incredible feeling of true joy and pure love. I am sure that those feelings cannot be recreated by any other experience in life. Cason remarked that he is sure that is what eternal life is like- experiencing those feelings forever. 

Creighton was so excited to meet his baby sister and came into the room already talking to her. He kept telling her, "It's ok... It's ok...." And he was happy to give her kisses.

Cason is such a proud daddy. He was so excited to have a daughter. He is such a great support during labor and delivery as well. A week and a half before she was born when we were walking the hospital halls... he told me how he was excited to give her her first bath with the nurse in the nursery. He had loved doing that with Creighton.

At the Hospital

The only part of her bath that she enjoyed was getting her hair washed. Daddy said that is because she is a girl and girls love to wash their hair. The nurse even gave Macey Jo her first bow.

Oh, she is so sweet and so precious. You always forget how tiny they are. Even if she had been 9 lb or even 10 lb she would have seemed tiny. Except for when you think about them being inside of you. Outside of the womb and arms flailing, legs kicking you think, "How did you ever fit inside of me?"

 An afternoon birth was great because visitors came in the evening. My family had been at the hospital that morning and afternoon, but also came back in the evening and that is when the Chambers family arrived.

Of course everyone tried deciding who she looked like. I thought that she looked like Creighton did when he was born. And I think he is a pretty good mix of Cason and I. She has blue eyes and "brown hair with gold highlights" said her daddy. Her dad couldn't stop talking about her gold highlights. And when we sit in the sun with her the sides of her hair look red. She has lots of hair for a newborn. I took a photo of the back of her head so I would remember all that hair.

Now that she is home and a little bit older, sometimes I see a lot of Creighton in her and other times not at all. Sometimes I think she looks like I did in my baby pictures, and sometimes not at all.

I was so happy to come home less than 24 hours after she was born. Everyone was so nice and helpful at the hospital, but being home is so much better.

First Days at Home

I was able to take it very easy the first few days at home. I mostly sat in bed or on the couch and held Macey Jo. In fact we spoiled her by holding her so much. She is definitely a snuggler and sleeps much better while being held. 

She had so many visitors and many people brought gifts and dinner to our family. 

She is such a happy and content baby. She is fussy only when she is hungry or has a messy diaper. She is very sensitive to having a messy diaper. I don't remember Creighton being that way. She is a good sleeper at night. It didn't take too long to get her on a good schedule. Her head and neck muscles are so strong. She has been lifting her head since the day she was born. Her dad calls it "doing push-ups" on his shoulder. She is so attentive and tries to wake up if she hears a new voice. She is so observant and loves to look around and take it all in. She will follow you with her eyes. She loves the light and bright colors. She loves to lay in her bed and see the bright flowers of her crib bumper and mobile. And she loves the fish swing! Laying in that cozy seat and listening to music, watching lights and fish circle around... that's the life!

 The Big Brother

What an amazing big brother Creighton has been. I received lots of advice from others about how to try and teach Creighton about his new sister and try to help him make the "transition" easily. But he has been so wonderful and has welcomed her so lovingly. It hasn't really been any work at all to help him accept her. He loves to help with his baby sister. He knows her name is Macey Jo, and will tell people that when they ask what her name is, but he prefers to call her baby sister.

 He likes to feed his baby sister and likes to hold her. He is always willing to help mommy and daddy. Help us by getting a burp cloth, blanket, bottle, pacifier and so on. He likes to check on his sister when she is sleeping and climbs on the front of the crib to have a better look at her. When she cries he will tell her "It's ok baby sister." Or he will copy what Cason and I say. My favorite was when he said, "It's ok sweetheart." He does not like her to cry and suggests ways to help her stop, like putting her in the fish swing.

One evening after changing her into pajamas and wrapping her in a new, pink blanket, Creighton ran in her room and said, "She looks like a princess!" Times like that just melt my heart. He is such a sweet boy with a good heart.

 He is also happy to share with his sister. He will hold her while we read stories so that she can see the pictures too and while he watches cartoons or movies. Of course just for a minute or two.

The hardest part for Creighton to adjust to has been staying home so much. He misses going to his grandpa's house like he does when I work. And he is not use to having mommy and daddy both home so much. Cason took off 4 weeks of work to be with us and it has been such a blessing and an enjoyable time. It will be another adjustment in a few weeks when things head towards "normal" as I go back to work. 

This big brother is so wonderful. I love my two kiddos more than words could help me express.

The Daddy

Cason is the reason I have been able to take it so easy. I only started doing laundry again the last week. He has taken on a lot of responsibilities around our house and helps so much with the kids. He loves being a dad. He is sure busy with school, his internship, his church calling, work (he goes back tomorrow) but he always makes time for us! He didn't go to one of his meetings with the planning department (City of Pocatello) yesterday because he stayed home and took care of his sick family.

 Sickness

A few days after arriving home from the hospital I got a sore throat. But that was about it. Then Creighton got a bad cold. I took him to the doctor with little sis (her two week appointment) and the doctor said there wasn't a lot he could do for Creighton, it would pass... but to keep him away from Macey Jo and hope she didn't get sick. But if she did, bring her in if her fever is 100.6 or higher. Well, she did get a cold just as Creighton was getting over his. Then daddy got sick. Then mommy got sick and daddy got over his... But Macey Jo is still sick. She is badly congested and has a cough. It is the saddest noise to hear. But she is very patient and deals well with it. She doesn't get too upset by not feeling well. She had a fever in the high 99's but never higher than that. We have debated whether or not to still take her in to the doctor though. I am grateful for prayer and priesthood blessings. It is so upsetting to have a sick child, especially an infant. But we are comforted that soon she will get over it.

Miss Arkansas and other Photos

 I have two totes of clothes/toys and other items that were mine when I was a baby and a young girl that my mom saved for me. I lived in Arkansas until I was eleven and when I was just a few weeks old I had some professional photos taken in a red dress with this Arkansas Razorback collar and booties. It was fun to recreate the picture. Unfortunately right now that picture of me is nowhere to be found. But we will find it one day and it will be even more fun to compare them side by side. This collar and booties were given to me by my grandma Betty Jo, hopefully Macey Jo will get to meet her great-grandma soon.

It is said that the more children you have the less you take pictures of them. I have found that to be true. I haven't taken quite as many pictures of Miss Macey. Mostly because I realize that when she is sleeping, which she does A LOT, she looks the same no matter what she is wearing or where she is...

Motherhood

I got a lot of advice about how to deal with two children. But I had been telling myself for several months that I was going to do whatever it took to just enjoy the time with my two children. When Creighton was born I got the baby blues. Pretty bad. It took 6 months for me to realize I had post-partum depression and to talk to my doctor about it. During that time I was super emotional and sensitive and withdrawn. I had bad anxiety and worried a lot. It inhibited me from enjoying a lot of my time with Creighton as an infant. I did not want that to happen again. So I talked to my doctor about it and she put me on an anti-depressant weeks before Macey was born to try and prevent the baby blues. I have felt great this time around. A few emotional moments in the beginning... but with all the hormone changes I think a little crying is unavoidable. And with the help of my husband around the house taking on extra responsibilities I really have been able to soak in all of the moments with my two children and not worry about anything. Just being with them has been great. 

Tomorrow Cason does have to head back to work and now he is on a 12 hour shift. I know it will be rough for me to adjust. A few times when he has been gone doing intern "stuff" I have realized why two children can be overwhelming in the beginning. One day, Creighton was throwing up and she was crying. So Macey had to be ignored while Creighton was taken care of. Then she needed attention but Creighton still wanted some, and laundry needed to be done and bathroom floors/counters wiped... It's hard sometimes to feel like you are ignoring the other child while you take care of one. But sometimes I have to tell Creighton, "No, not right now... please wait a minute." Or sometimes little miss just has to cry for a few minutes. But trying to recognize at the moment what is most important is key. Lots of things around the house have sat and not been taken care of for quite a while and I am ok with it because at the end of the day I feel so happy I decided to be with and take care of my children instead.

There have been some hours of organizing though. I didn't get very "nesty" towards the end of my pregnancy but I have had some nesting urges the past few weeks so sometimes while the kids are napping I will do some organizing. I have organized fabric, ribbon, cleaned out closets, made donation and throw away piles... I read a quote recently that said, "Celebrate the small victories in your home." I love it. Somedays the small victories are organizing my tote of ribbon or watching Creighton love on his sister or sometimes doing my hair... I try to find lots of things to celebrate.

We feel so blessed to have these two children. What a wonderful month we have had!

A Beautiful New Year

Macey Jo Chambers

Saturday January 5th 2013

12:30 pm

7 lb. 7 oz. and 20 inches

A wonderful delivery and perfectly healthy babe!

It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL new year!

Family Time

We have been having fun, being a bit too lazy and enjoying spending some time together as a family of 3 before we become a family of 4! 

Creighton has especially been enjoying playing games...

 like "Let's Go Fishing!", Chutes and Ladders, and Skip-Bo.

 But we also don't forget that there are still chores to do. Like shoveling all of the snow that has been falling!! Creighton is always so happy to help his daddy.

 And mom of course had to find a craft to make to fill up some more free time this week since I am now off for maternity leave. A burlap wreath! And Creighton was more than happy to occupy himself with watching "Finding Nemo" over and over and over again while I worked on it.

Yes, we have been enjoying this time together as a family and enjoying a bit of laziness, but I promise- we are ready to welcome baby sister!
I hate to complain too much but I have been extremely miserable the last week. I don't remember being so uncomfortable with Creighton- I was happy to let him stay in there as long as possible. Today at my doctor's appointment I let Dr. S know I was ready! So she decided to help things along and said I should go into labor within 24-48 hours. 

Hmmm... we shall see if that actually happens.

Our Merry Christmas 2012

We had a really wonderful Christmas this year!

It is getting so fun to celebrate holidays with Creighton. And this year we have a lot to be grateful for and to celebrate.

 

Christmas Eve, we spent the afternoon with the Chambers family having the traditional spilt pea soup and french dip sandwiches and a "talent show". I actually really enjoyed the split pea soup this year and finished Cason's bowl for him! All of the Chambers cousins love to get together and complain about how much they despise split pea soup and hardly anyone eats it. In fact, some even refuse to take a bowl of it. They probably only continue the tradition so the cousins have something to talk about!

Creighton liked sitting at the kid's table. He mostly liked to observe the other kids. He decided he liked Ava, the oldest one, and tried to hold her hand and snuggle with her. HE probably would have eaten his soup, he loves to eat soup! But since the other kids told him it was gross he just had chips and crackers.

 

Santa scheduled in some time on this busy day to even make it to our party! Yay!!

This year we didn't talk to Creighton at all about Santa. In years past we have taken him to visit Santa at the mall, but last year he really didn't like that so we didn't do that this year. I don't have any Santa decorations and none of our Christmas books had Santa in them. So this year we didn't bring up the topic of Santa- he doesn't quite yet understand anyway... but he was happy to take a gift from the jolly white-bearded man!

Santa knows Creighton has been a good boy this year, he got a "Jake" telescope! Creighton loves "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". It seemed to be the theme for our Christmas morning!

Creighton also received a fun plasma light from Grandma and Papa Chambers.

He has quite the obsession with all lights and has had a great time observing and touching his new plasma lamp. 

After a visit to Grandma and Grandpa Wilde's house we came home to watch some Christmas movies and off to bed we went! Creighton is still at the age where he didn't realize all the fun that would happen the next morning. In fact, him and I were both quite sick so when dad came home at 6:30, we changed our plans to get up that early and slept in! Creighton woke up about 8:45 and begged for cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Good thing those we already on the menu! Him and I went to the kitchen to prepare cinnamon rolls. He completely ignored the excitement in the living room. He didn't even notice the 5 foot pirate ship! While they were baking Creighton watched some Christmas cartoons and then we woke up daddy for the excitement. Creighton tried to take daddy in the kitchen to eat a cinnamon roll, but daddy led him to the living room where he was a bit puzzled to find Jake's pirate ship!

But it didn't take too long to start enjoying it!

After unwrapping each present Creighton wanted to take the time to play with it. It was kind of nice that he wasn't just eager to unwrap everything all at once and see what he got next. So we took our time and enjoyed all of the gifts. 

Creighton loves to pretend that he is a doctor and listen to our hearts. Now he doesn't have to use legos anymore! He has his own blood pressure cuff and stethoscope! Creighton tells us the heart says, "Ba-ba... Ba-ba..." He also has other tools he is learning to use!

 Thank goodness Big Daddy sent a huge truck for Creighton to put all of his new toys in. Creighton believes that toys should be stored in trucks and pushed around the house. So much more convenient that way. If only he would stop the truck before the wall and baseboard stop him...

 Oh, and all the other fun with gifts!! I'm sure one little boy has never had so much fun! We have read new books, watched new movies on our new bean bag, sang songs into our new microphone, played new board games, worn new clothes and pajamas, and played with lots of new "Jake" toys!

This year I wanted to try hard to teach Creighton about the real meaning of Christmas. Of course, having him sit down and listen to much of any kind of a lesson is extremely difficult. Through the month of December, we colored a picture of the nativity, showed Creighton pictures of baby Jesus and the nativity, and hung nativity ornaments on the tree. He would point to pictures and say, "baby Jesus", and he liked the wise men ornaments and would talk about them and also "baby Jesus' mommy." Although it is sometimes frustrating, it is fun to try and teach Creighton about Jesus Christ. I know he understands more than I think he does. 

I also had plans this year for starting some fun traditions, but unfortunately with working so much and this pregnancy I didn't do as much as I wanted. Maybe next year!

We were able to have a white Christmas and Creighton has been loving the snow! Him and daddy shoveled the sidewalks together. Creighton has his own Lightening McQueen snow shovel and loves to help! They also had a snow-ball fight!

Being little in Arkansas, I didn't grow up sledding, but Cason did and he decided this year Creighton should get to go! Creighton and daddy went to the store to buy a sled and Creighton couldn't stop talking about going sledding! I was giggling the whole way in the car listening to him, he didn't even know what sledding was! But with daddy involved he knew that he would have a fantastic time.

He sure had a blast and I am sure he will be asking to go sledding all of the time!

Cason is such a fun dad and is always coming up with fun things for him and Creighton to do together. Last night as we were walking the halls of the hospital trying to help baby sister make her way here, he let me know all of the things he can't wait to do with her!

Yes, I thought December 26th or 27th, Macey Jo was going to make her arrival. I woke up the 26th with bad contractions and horrible nausea. After several hours of contractions, we started packing up our bags. However, they subsided... So Cason went to sleep and I went about what I had planned on doing that day. I packed up all of the Christmas decor and tree, rearranged the furniture, and cleaned the carpets... Cason woke up and was not pleased to see all of the work I had been up to after such a rough morning. But I had planned on taking it all down the day after Christmas to prepare for baby and didn't want to do it any other way. I didn't want to have to do it after she was born! 

 

Well, later in the afternoon I started having contractions again but more painful and more frequent. I took a bath to try to get them to go away, I tried different positions laying and standing, they just got closer and more painful. I started drinking lots of water and decided to walk up and down my stairs. I knew if I went to the hospital they would make me walk and drink water so I decided to get it out of the way at home... Well, when they were 6 minutes apart and about 30 sec-1 minute in length I called my mom and Dennis to come and be with Creighton.

At the hospital they hooked me up and monitored my contractions to be 3-4 minutes apart (still painful) but unfortunately they were doing nothing to help Macey Jo get here. They let me stay for a little while and of course made me drink lots of water and walk the halls... but after 2 hours of no progression they sent me home with some sleeping pills so I could deal with the contractions.

So no baby for us today! But sooner rather than later at this point. It is only a little over a week away until her due date. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow... Hopefully I'll receive some good news that my body is getting ready to have a baby! We are looking forward to meeting her!!

Creighton is learning his Alphabet!

The Chambers Family 2012 in ABC'S...

A “Are You My Mother?” is a frequently read book.

B 1st movie at the theatre for little man- BRAVE!

C Creighton's favorite foods: chicken nuggets and chips.

D Due date for little sister: January 6^th, 2013.

E Every spare moment is spent together as a family!

F Creighton wants to fix it all with a screwdriver and batteries.

G Graveyard shift for daddy, but soon that will change.

H Bonding time for the boys- haircuts!

I Cason has an internship with the city of Pocatello, Planning & Development.

J Jars of Tomatoes we canned from our own garden.

K Creighton is great at helping in the kitchen.

L Lunch dates when the boys pick up mommy at work.

M Macey Jo, baby sister's name.

N Nursery class at church is one of Creighton's favorite places.

O Jumping on the trampoline or at the park- He loves to be outside.

P Mr. Potato Head parts are all over the house!

Q Our little one tries to be quiet while daddy sleeps.

R Red and blue... we are working on colors...

S Sewing Blankets and Burp cloths for baby sister.

T Our birthdays this year made us Two and Twenty-Five!

U Mommy feels uncomfortable in these last few weeks of pregnancy.

V The DVD player Creighton knows how to control!

W Smarty-pants learns new words every day, we watch what we say!

X Excuse me, please, and thank you- Creighton is polite.

Y “You Are My Sunshine” little one likes mommy to sing.

Z Zzzz...Zzzz... We love nap time!

We hope you had a very merry Christmas!

Lots of Baby at 37 Weeks

I have neglected posting about our baby girl due to lack of pictures, time and energy. But now we are feeling prepared and I have pictures and lots of news and stories to share. Still not a lot of energy or extra time to spare... but taking a few moments to write about this pregnancy!

Here is the happy, healthy, and slightly uncomfortable mommy at 35 weeks (but currently 37 weeks):

There is something about having a picture taken that makes you realize how pregnant you actually look. I have been so happy this pregnancy to not gain as much weight as I did with Creighton. In fact, so far I've only gained 1/3 the weight I did with him. But unfortunately I started out this pregnancy still hanging on to quite a bit of that weight... 

At 28 weeks I finally traded in my regular jeans for some maternity ones and just last week bought some new scrub bottoms. I probably should have gotten new scrub bottoms about 3 weeks ago though. This last week was much more pleasant at work. Sundays have become difficult because I feel like with all of my knee length dresses/skirts and the fact that it is winter I should wear panty hose. But panty hose are seriously impossible at this point. And I am not ordering any maternity hose online to wear for just a few weeks. So maxi dresses it is on Sundays. I feel under-dressed for the Sabbath, but it is comfortable and I feel so happy to not expose my white legs to all.

Beginning in the middle of my 2nd trimester I started walking funny. REALLY funny. I was so uncomfortable, almost in pain. I was worried that baby girl was already extremely low or in a dangerous position but my doctor assured me she was just fine. I have learned to deal with it and I think I have straightened out my walking to be more normal. However the girls at work are still teasing me about my almost constant waddle. I am carrying her much lower than I did with Creighton. I always felt as though he was kicking me in the ribs, but she doesn't get me that high up. 

At 30 weeks I had this amazing moment. I realized, "Wow! I feel awesome!! This is such a great pregnancy. I haven't been too tired, I haven't had an increased appetite, I have been hardly nauseous, I haven't been very moody..." Silly me. That's because it was only 30 WEEKS. Things have really changed. 

Now at 36-37 weeks I am feeling more tired. But I contribute that to the fact that I don't sleep more than 2 hours at once during the night because I am constantly going pee. And then it takes a while to fall back asleep. I am also working 3-4 days a week and it is exhausting. I use to work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In September, I picked up Fridays until the end of December. Also in September, a hygienist at my office found out she was expecting twins and fell extremely ill. So I worked a lot of Thursdays for her. And with our office being closed for the holidays, we have been open Monday and I have worked several of those. I am totally DONE working. Mentally. Unfortunately, I must continue on... My last day is December 28th and I don't return until February 19th.  Hooray for maternity leave!

I have also had an increased appetite as of late. Due mostly to the fact that it's hard to eat much in one sitting. So 2 hours after a small meal it's time for another. Or constant snacking throughout the day... I was shocked to see at my last appointment that I hadn't gained any weight in 2 weeks because I feel like I have been eating so much more. But I have really been getting a workout at the office, I am constantly going!
At the beginning of the pregnancy I was nauseated just a bit and overall felt good. In the third trimester I have been the most sick of all! Strange. When I get sick (throw-up), Creighton comes in the bathroom and says, "Yay!! Mommy go in the potty!" He is so supportive.
As far as my mood, I feel much more stable than when pregnant with Creighton! But I wouldn't recommend buying a house when 32 weeks pregnant, boxing up all of your stuff and then moving into a new home when 37 weeks pregnant. It can do a number on your sanity.

Cason has really been a sweetheart at home picking up the slack. He makes dinner several times a week and has gone grocery shopping, cleaned the house, ran errands, etc. He makes it easy for me to come home and relax after many exhausting days. And he himself is busy with full-time work, full-time school, and now an internship! Over his Thanksgiving break he painted sister's room. He did such a great job and I was so happy and surprised to come home on lunch break and see it!

Pink! Of course! I was a hard decision to decide how to paint it and how much, but I'm glad I decided to do just one wall. It certainly could of become overwhelming had we done the whole room. In the picture above you can see the wall well, but now the changing table is attached and it covers up most of the bottom portion.

That's right! Baby sister has a name, Macey Jo! She has been Macey Jo for a long time. I considered several other names and there are many that I like, but Macey Jo is my favorite and even though she's not here yet it is just perfect! I thought for a while that she couldn't be named Macey Jo if she had red hair, it just couldn't fit... but that is silly! However, I do imagine her with brown hair and blue eyes, like me. Cason loves to wonder about what she will look like. On the way to the doctor's office one afternoon he looked over at me while driving and without any warning said, "Our daughter will be beautiful." He is such a great husband and daddy. He is so anxious for her to arrive! I am sure I will probably always call her Macey Jo, but others can call her just Macey. And it will be okay with me if she wants to go by Macey or Macey Jo. Some people call me Katie, and to others I am Katie Jo. 

It was so fun to pick out her bedding set. At first it was frustrating, I couldn't find anything that I liked at all, and then all of the sudden I had three that I loved. I am so happy with this bright and happy flower bedding. I just love the mobile! The flower picture is cut from her cloth toy bag and the frame I covered in the fabric that was the back of the cloth toy bag. Those cloth toy bags are useless so I re-purposed it! Creighton is very happy to show visitors his little sister's room.

He is also very happy to keep her car seat/carrier warm until she arrives!

We washed it and put it all back together and Creighton thought it was a funny little chair. Boy how time flies... Amazing that he was ever so tiny. He sure has grown! I explained to Creighton that it was his chair when he was a baby and now that he is a big boy he gets to share with baby sister. He is very happy to share! 

When we were buying baby items while expecting Creighton I wanted to try to buy gender neutral things so they could be used for boys and girls. But that is kind of difficult. I think unless it is pink it looks like a boy! So I wanted to make a carrier cover that would incorporate the green and brown with pink. I was lucky enough to find the perfect fabric! And with some direction from Pinterest and a lot of help from my mom and several hours on a Saturday morning, this is what we made! 

I have had a lot of fun sewing for Macey Jo. I have only sewn this and some burp cloths. But by some I mean 20+... Macey Jo's room use to be the craft room, so we moved it all downstairs into the spare bedroom but put the sewing table in front of the TV and I found it very relaxing to sew while Creighton watched cartoons! I am glad to be having a niece in March so I can share all of these burp cloths!

From what we know she is just as healthy as can be and we feel so blessed. It can be hard sometimes to go to the appointments, wait in the reception area for 30+ minutes, then in the patient room 15+ minutes for the doctor to finally come in and measure, listen to the heartbeat and then say, "Sounds good! See you back in 2 weeks!" I'm thinking, "Really? That's it?!" But I try to be grateful that I don't have to go in more often or have long talks with the doctor about complications. 

Around Thanksgiving I started having contractions and I was concerned. I didn't have a contraction with Creighton until the day before he was born! So at my next visit I asked the doctor to check for any "progression"... NOPE! No early baby for me! Which is totally fine. I am happy to stay pregnant for a few more weeks.
When I first learned her due date was January 6th I was concerned about the date being so close to Christmas. I know so many who have birthdays within a couple of weeks of Christmas and most dislike it because they don't feel their birthday is as special. For that reason I hoped she wouldn't come too early and at least wait until January. I have been writing notes to her in a journal since the summer and recently wrote her about her birthday. I told her I would always try to make her birthday as special as possible no matter how close to Christmas it is.

I am getting anxious for her to arrive. Our whole family is excited to meet our new sweetheart!!