February 2008:
Due date month...or so we thought. In February, we learned that due dates are just an " estimation". February 27th came and went fairly uneventfully, not a contraction to be felt.
March 2008:
We took the attitude that " if she won't come out on her own, we'll go in and GET her!"...or so we thought! On March 1st we were admitted to the University of Michigan floor of Obstetrics and Gynecology to be induced. On March 3rd we left the hospital empty handed and still " full bellied" worrying about the character and temperament of the baby I had lugged around for the last 41 weeks.
March 5...with no proof that our baby had any plans of coming out, we made an essential pre-dinner chocolate run. We were rounding the aisle, headed for those beloved Cadbury eggs when I felt a tiny trickle. Oh, great. Not only was I enormous, but now I was a pants-pee-r!Aye! But soon after that came another trickle...and two more, right there at the grocery store! Make that TWO bags of eggs. FAST.
When we got home and called the hospital, the OB nurses said that my water had most likely broken but I was OK to wait things out at home until labor was too painful to stand.
March 6th ...early. So early that I couldn't even grasp the fact that I was in labor. LABOR! ....But it's only 1:20 am. Those contractions were mild and I went back to sleep . By 3:30, I couldn't ignore them any longer. I rolled over and began timing them. 3: 40......3:50......4:00..... Every ten minutes...4:20....but soon were gaining in intensity, coming faster and lasting long JUST like that annoyingly cheerful labor coach said they would! 5:30....5:35.....5:39....Four MINUTES...5: 43. By now, Mike was awake and brushing his teeth. I was trying to reach around my enormous belly between contractions to tie my shoes. By 6 a.m, we had called the nurses to tell them we were coming. I could have probably lasted a little longer at home but I , the ever practical one, didn't want to run into morning traffic around campus. We checked into the hospital at 6:20 am . I could hardly believe the nurse when she told me I was only three centimeters dilated.
Due date month...or so we thought. In February, we learned that due dates are just an " estimation". February 27th came and went fairly uneventfully, not a contraction to be felt.
March 2008:
We took the attitude that " if she won't come out on her own, we'll go in and GET her!"...or so we thought! On March 1st we were admitted to the University of Michigan floor of Obstetrics and Gynecology to be induced. On March 3rd we left the hospital empty handed and still " full bellied" worrying about the character and temperament of the baby I had lugged around for the last 41 weeks.
March 5...with no proof that our baby had any plans of coming out, we made an essential pre-dinner chocolate run. We were rounding the aisle, headed for those beloved Cadbury eggs when I felt a tiny trickle. Oh, great. Not only was I enormous, but now I was a pants-pee-r!Aye! But soon after that came another trickle...and two more, right there at the grocery store! Make that TWO bags of eggs. FAST.
When we got home and called the hospital, the OB nurses said that my water had most likely broken but I was OK to wait things out at home until labor was too painful to stand.
March 6th ...early. So early that I couldn't even grasp the fact that I was in labor. LABOR! ....But it's only 1:20 am. Those contractions were mild and I went back to sleep . By 3:30, I couldn't ignore them any longer. I rolled over and began timing them. 3: 40......3:50......4:00..... Every ten minutes...4:20....but soon were gaining in intensity, coming faster and lasting long JUST like that annoyingly cheerful labor coach said they would! 5:30....5:35.....5:39....Four MINUTES...5: 43. By now, Mike was awake and brushing his teeth. I was trying to reach around my enormous belly between contractions to tie my shoes. By 6 a.m, we had called the nurses to tell them we were coming. I could have probably lasted a little longer at home but I , the ever practical one, didn't want to run into morning traffic around campus. We checked into the hospital at 6:20 am . I could hardly believe the nurse when she told me I was only three centimeters dilated.
We waiting for a long time...4, 5, 6 centimeters...only 6? By 7 centimeters I was tired and the "fun" of labor had worn off. " Epidural please"? It was 1:30 am. Holly, my favorite nurse midwife, was standing at my feet. " Missy, I can give you one more hour to try to have a natural delivery. But her heart rate is showing distress and you've got a low grade fever. A c-section might be best". Mike and I looked at each other, a look of agreement exchanged, " Ok. Let's go for it". Like the flip of a switch, the room was full of people with O2 masks and something I needed to drink, something to sign, you know " Just in case" ..oh that can't be good.
By 3:07 Mackenzie made her presence known with the loud , raspy cry of a freshly removed human child. She was a " big girl" they said- 8lbs 6 ounces. The hospital room was ours for another two days. Two days that wore on..and on. Finally, on March 9th, we got to go home...As we waddled to our car, pink newborn in hand, we couldn't remember why we were so excited about going home.
In March we learned the value of a good nights rest!
By April, we were feeling like " seasoned" parents. We'd been pooped on, peed on, barfed on...what else was there, dare we ask? Annie came to visit. We took daily walks and spent the days " figuring each other out". We guessed we must have been doing a passable job, since we were being rewarded with the sweetest smiles! Mackenzie still woke up three times a night to eat and in April, I learned that the Ann Arbor train came through town every morning at 4:20 am.
May...The return of nice weather! We took daily trips to the nature reserve that was just behind our apartment complex. There we could watch new ducklings toddle their way to the water side. Mackenzie was starting to stay awake for longer periods of time and her personality was showing through her perpetual sleepiness. She was a crowd pleaser- always looking for a smile! And in May, we learned the importance of fresh air and experiencing nature!
June brought those warm summer days. We loved our daily walks even more! Mackenzie would sleep through most of the trail, leaving me a chance to chat with my mom or friends. I was feeling comfortable in my role as a mom! Mike was working long hours but, thankfully, he was able to spends three or so days a week at home. He was feeling antsy in our little apartment. On a whim, he began looking at houses. 
July and it's humidity ruined our days of " pleasurable " walks. Mackenzie still liked to get out so we'd wait until the day cooled into evening and headed for our trail. Mackenzie was able to sit up on her own now and had mastered rolling over. Even better, she was sleeping through the nights- 12 hours straight! Her " clown" personality was hard to miss now.
Mike contacted our Realtor about a cute little place in South Lyon that was " just our style". Before the end of the day on July 4th, we had a closing date for our new OWNED home! In July, we learned that persistence pays off.
August...oh August with it's wilting heat. We found ourselves with out AC for a few days . Mackenzie takes after her mommy and turns into a total grouch in the discomfort of heat. But the hope of a new Michigan football season kept us going during those dog days of summer! Even if the hope was later drenched in the disbelief of a horrible , horrible season.
We closed on our house on August 14th and by the first of Sept. ( with the help of MANY ) we were settled in. In August, we learned that the love our daughter has for our cats does not match the disdain our cats have for our daughter.
September flew by as we looked to October and all it's excitement( we were driving cross country to visit my family in Colorado!). Cass came for a visit and we continued to find our way in our new house.
October finally arrived and we were on the road! The destination was 10487 WCR 39 and I couldn't be more excited to get there. Mackenzie did famously over the miles, only crying when she needed a new diaper or to stretch her legs. We were able to push ourselves and made the trip in one day!
After two whole weeks soaking up time with our family in Colorado, we headed back home. Mackenzie's first Halloween was a WARM one and we enjoyed handing out candy to the neighbor kids at Grandma Mary's. In October we learned that distance isn't such a big deal between families!
October finally arrived and we were on the road! The destination was 10487 WCR 39 and I couldn't be more excited to get there. Mackenzie did famously over the miles, only crying when she needed a new diaper or to stretch her legs. We were able to push ourselves and made the trip in one day!
After two whole weeks soaking up time with our family in Colorado, we headed back home. Mackenzie's first Halloween was a WARM one and we enjoyed handing out candy to the neighbor kids at Grandma Mary's. In October we learned that distance isn't such a big deal between families!
November? Already? We weren't sure where the time was going but we were glad it was bringing yummy food to us! Thanksgiving morning was spent putting up our Christmas tree ( fake, of course) and later that day, Mackenzie got to try lots of yummy food at Aunt Meg's. In November we learned that an 8 month old can pack away unexplainable amounts of turkey and potatoes if left to her own devices.
December...There's something very magical about the Christmas season when you've got a little one to share it with! We started lots of new traditions this year and am looking forward to the years to come when Mackenzie will understand the season and what it means to us. Oh, and it will be fun when the contents of the box is more exciting than the box itself! This December we learned that God's best blessings don't come wrapped under a tree but in the family around that tree.
January , with it's new beginning, was a little sad for me. 2008 was so great that I can hardly imagine a better year. Mackenzie had lots of changes in January. She drank her last bottle and was weaned from her night time bottle all at the same time! She loves her sippy cup , especially those with handles ( better to fling at you, my dear).The development that we've noticed in the last few months is astounding. Seeing her memory improve and being able to answer our questions is just mind boggling. She also placed her first crank call. Sorry, Annie! In January we learned to use the key lock on our cell phones.
And now February again....my little valentine is nearly a year old and it won't be long before she's walking. No longer a baby, but a little girl, she's picking up the mannerisms of those around her. Every day is something new. Today she found the keys to the entertainment center and tried to unlock it herself...I think we're all in trouble. In February, I am learning to never let the chance to cuddle crawl past you...snatch her up and enjoy it. Because before long, that little chance will be running , too busy to stop.
That's our year in a nutshell. I know I've left out so many things....the wonderful joy I have in watching my little family grow is a blessing that I can never explain. And while 2008 was AWESOME, we're set to make 2009 even better...Because this time next year, I'll have a two year old at my side wanting to play dolls and build a snow man. Imagine that! 
