What I've learned..a month by month review of year one

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.

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!

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!

Another week down...

Mike's not the only one with a goatee in our house


So I just checked a few more days off the calendar and here we are in mid. February. I can almost hear the rhythmic tick-tocking of life's clock in my head...or maybe that's the actual clock that's hanging just above me on the wall? None-the-less, another weeks has passed! What's been going on you ask? Or maybe you're wondering if there is any amount of excitement that could top the " diaperless day" of last week? It's gonna be tough..but here's what's new:

She's such a ham!


Mackenzie and I ended up "sick". She woke up a few hours after going to bed . This is very unusual for her because she's an excellent sleeper so I knew we were in for a rough night. She " slept" with us which means none of us truly slept. The next day I was coughing and she was just fine--teething strikes again. Since then she's been fine but has a runny nose. I can see the pointy beginnings of new teeth forcing their way through the top gums.

Mike had quite a few days off in a row ( one was courtesy of "pto" since he had to take care of his " sicky sicks"). We got quite a lot done in preparation for Mackenzie's birthday party and my mom's visit. We've still got a few things to do but are nearly " ready".

I've kept up my pace at the gym, going 6 days a week for an hour and a half at a stretch. I am determined to meet my goal and I won't stop until I do. When I started back at the gym, it was with one goal in mind: be healthy for my next pregnancy. While this is STILL the goal, I am LOVING my progress and am thinking maybe I want to enjoy it a while longer before I take up the " freshly swallowed watermelon" look (also known as pregnancy) again. Anywhoo, I'm down 36 pounds and feeling great!

I enjoyed a "girls night out" with my good friend, Erin. We didn't really know what to do without tiny hands pulling us in opposite directions. We finally remembered what it was like to be Missy and Erin and banned any mention of the words diapers, sippy cups, and Fisher Price( to name a few) and quickly moved onto bras, periods and men...it was great to get out for a "mommy playdate" and we plan on doing this once a month!



We actually got out of the teens this week and today it was 58 degrees! We took advantage of the "warm" weather and took Mackenzie to the park. We have a hiking backpack that Mackenzie LOVES because it gives her a great view. She will ride in that with no complaints. We had a blast and it makes me even more excited for the fun we'll have this summer when she's walking/running and we can enjoy the park even more! It's great having such a great park so close to our home.

The beloved hiking backpack!



Some of us only have kids as an excuse to play on playground equipment




Mike's car "bit the dust" and is in the shop. It's gonna cost a pretty penny...$1025! And that's just Mike's car to say nothing of the repairs mine needs. But I am willing to pay such a price to know that we are all in safely maintained vehicles.

Mackenzie's new favorite thing is to say " Cheeeeee" when she sees the camera. This makes picture taking so much easier! So these cheesey smiles replace the " paparazzi "finger point that have graces many a picture before .

"Cheeeeee"

We had a few play dates this week . It's so much fun to see Mack interacting with other kids. She really loves them. She ranks them right up there with cats and I'm constantly reminding her to be " gentle" to both.
Mackenzie and Alex...he's 4 months younger than her and nearly outweighs her!


So that's all the excitement I have to share. If you've made it this far, you're a real trooper! Maybe something truly exciting will happen next week?!

Busy, busy!

I've never really understood the phrase " Where does the time go?" until this year. Something about watching a human being grow from a helpless, screaming , constantly hungry newborn to a " I wanna do it myself", screaming and constantly hungry toddler has that effect on someone. But really, where did it go?

The next few weeks are going to be busy ones for us as we anticipate a visit from my mom , Mackenzie's birthday and baptism all in one week! The next week is filled with doctor's appointments and play dates and when it's all said and done, I'm sure I'll still be trying to find those moments that I've somehow lost...Somewhere between newborn and one year old, I seem to have let the business of life sweep me up into it's dizziness . I miss Mackenzie as a newborn....I love her so much now as a toddler. Even when you hear a million times " Don't, blink! That newborn will be a little girl" you never believe it. Instead, you get pulled between the vacuuming and studying and before you know it, you've got a little hand on your leg, looking up at you like a starved baby bird wanting that last bite of your sting cheese! So my project this year is to stop taking life so seriously and enjoy the every day moments and the little blessings I've been given.

So what's new at our house? Are you ready for some real excitement? Mackenzie has a little diaper rash so she got to run around with no diaper most of the day. I know what you're thinking and yes, I did have to follow her around with that " pet stain remover" stuff ( kinda the same concept, right?) . It was lookin' much better at the end of the day. Her new favorite word is 'pretty', or " pw-tee" as she says. The prettiest thing to her? The chandelier over the dining room table. She tells it so at least four times a day.

Mike worked a long 12 days in a row and is now trying to help me get ready for Mackenzie's birthday. He's repainted the bathroom and even picked out new towels! We've had a lot of fun trying to give our little house some character. It's a slow process but that's ok!

I've been busy with party preparations. While I've still got a month to go, I am a glutton for organization and so every day, I pull out my note pad and rework the menu or recreate our invite. I'm still working out 6 days a week! I'm down about 32 lbs since Nov but I've still got a ways to go before I'm a good healthy weight. I'm loving the challenge! More to come next week ( maybe it will be even more exciting..if you can imagine! ) Until then, here are a few snap shots of our week.

Here's Mackenzie on the No diaper day!
Mike's Jester hat had Mack puzzled!
Mackenzie has enough hair for "pony tail"...even if it does look dangerous.
Here's a tooth shot!
She's such a happy little girl




Mackenzie wasn't really excited about helping with laundry.

Mx3

Here we are on Christmas Eve in our new Pajamas!
I'm obviously not the best person at keeping in touch. If I were, I wouldn't need a blog! So I wanted to sort of catch everyone up to date on where we are seperately and collectively...


Mike- M # 1: Mike is a busy guy and pretty hard to keep track of ( that's why I had to buy a HUGE mom calendar to help me keep track of him). He works two jobs: He is a paramedic for Huron Valley Ambulance based out of Ann Arbor. He's worked there for a long time- dating back to high school. It's a great job for him because he is only obligated to work 72 hours in a quarter but can work as much as he wants. The shifts are either 12 or 24 hours long and he can self schedule. It's awesome even though it's pretty draining at times. His second job is as a registered nurse in the Trauma/Burn ICU at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He's been working there for about a year and a half and serves on several nursing committees. His days there are stressful ( as one can imagine) and he comes home physically and emotionally exhausted. He works 12 hour shifts there are well. Both jobs are awesome because, even with working shifts at both places, he is usually home with Mackenzie and me two days a week. He's trying to get his feet wet in a wood working ( " making saw dust") He is a great guitarist ( although he will deny it) and has lots of other hobbies that he rarely has time to fully delve into. On top of all that, he always finds time to help me out around the house. He LOVES being a daddy . He and Mackenzie are two peas in a pod and she adores him. You would never know that he didn't have much experience with kids before last year. I love listening to him talking to Mackenzie before bed time.


Missy-M # 2: That's me! I never know what to say about me...I'm fortunate enough to be a stay at home mommy. It's meant a lot of sacrifice for us and things get pretty tight but I wouldn't trade it for even the biggest piece of chocolate cake! To be able to see Mackenzie growing and watch the subtle changes that I might otherwise miss is probably one of life's biggest blessings. I love chasing her around to hear her squeal or read stories to her or just explore new things together. I am a big time clean freak so I spend my days cleaning and recleaning...organizing and reorganizing...vacuuming and revacuuming...you know the drill. I love to scrapbook although I get burnt out on it easily and need to take a few weeks off after I've done a big project. My " me" time comes in the form of a gym membership to SnapFitness which I absolutely LOVE. I go 6 days out of the week working out with weights and also on the cardio machines. I feel great and am losing weight at a very healthy and maintanable rate! I also like to read and just veg in front of the TV as well. I admit that I spend way too much time on line...

Mackenzie- M # 3: Well what can be said about Mackenzie? She's a one woman recking crew ( even when she's " helping" me unload and reload the dishwasher). She's full of spunk and always on the go- no time for cuddling! She's gone from this little squeeking newborn to a little toddler! Her first birthday is just around the corner- I can hardly believe it. She's quiet the chatterbox and will repeat anything she hears. Her favorite words are: hi!, daddy, mom, kitty, here, light, more, kids ( we live hear a school and she waves to the kids every morning and afternoon), no, yay, whoa, wow" and probably a few other's that I may have forgotten! We've recently weaned her off of the bottle. She was a champ and took right to a sippy cup. The last bottle to go was the " prebedtime" bottle and she had no troubles whatsoever! She loves brushing her two little teeth or maybe it's just the bubble gum flavored baby toothpaste that she likes? She's cruising around the furniture like a pro and clapping and dancing to any thing that resembles a song. She knows all the motions for "patty cake" and is learning the part of the body. So far she's only mastered nose and is working on mouth! I could go on forever. She's just pure joy to us and just when I think I couldn't love her any more, I do.


Mx3 ...When Mike and I got married, I started signing our wedding thank you's as M&M so the nickname Mx3 sort of evolved from that. As a family, we LOVE outtings...we miss the warm weather that allowed us so many nice walks to the park but have been to the museum several times this winter. We love to have people come to visit us but our favorite thing is to just be together. Cheesey, I know, but so true!

So that's a snap shot of us...

Stolen idea

It must be known that I have stolen this AWESOME idea from my favorite cousin, Christine! She started a blog for her family and has done such a great job with it and I realized it's a fantastic way to keep people up to date! With so many people all over the place, there really isn't a better way to keep everyone in the loop on what's going on. Often times, I forget the little things that go on in our lives. Those "little" things are sometimes the best parts of life.

So now that I have admitted that this was not my own idea, I feel so much better ( Thanks, Christine! From here on out, I promise not to steal any other works of art from you..). I'm planning on updating the blog once a week or so and I hope to not keep it super boring . But you'd better check back frequently, you never know when there may be a test!

Signing off ( I don't know why I typed that. It just seemed appropriate! )
Missy