First Bath

We gave Macy her first real bath tonight. Her umbilical cord finally fell off, so it was time. I wanted to give her her first real bath before my mom left because I was a little nervous. I don't know how I am going to do this by myself because it took Clark, my mom and myself to accomplish this task.

At first she wasn't quite sure about the bath, she wasn't crying, but she seemed a little concerned.

We made sure to get all that spit up out of her neck rolls.

Then the water got a little colder and she started the crying.

But in the end it was all good when she was warm and wrapped up in Daddy's arms.

First bath...success! Let's see how the next one goes.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!

Love,

Clark, Michelle, and Macy

Father Daughter Bond

When Macy was in the womb...she loved her father. No matter how inactive she was being, she would always get her wiggle on when her daddy started talking to her. You might remember the story about when we were at church and Clark gave the prayer over the microphone and Macy started kicking and wiggling in my belly. This is particularly cool because she hadn't moved all day until this point. I knew she was going to be a daddy's girl early on.

Well the other day something happened that confirmed this. Clark was holding Macy and just started talking to her, then she looked up at him. She stayed like this for a long time, rested and then looked up at him again. She hasn't done this to anyone else. She loves her daddy!

Here's the evidence:

A Baby Story

I started watching a baby story when I was in junior high...and now I have one of my own. Crazy.

It all started Tuesday night. I was having contractions for hours, so I finally decided to start timing them. They were coming every 2-3 minutes for an hour and a half and then they stopped. I was bummed because I thought it could be it. I went home and bounced on the yoga ball and watched Biggest Loser. I felt EXTREMELY tired so I hit the hay. Clark decided it was his last day of freedom, so he played WOW til 3:30 in the morning.

I was having nightmares all night (I think I was probably having contractions and that is why). All of a sudden it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach and I jolted awake. My stomach was sore, and I thought maybe my water had broken, but nothing was coming out. I decided to get up to use the restroom. When I stood up water came gushing out. I told Clark that my water had broken and at first he didn't really respond and then he was up running around saying that we needed to get the hospital.

We bundled up and headed to the hospital. I was having contractions about every 2 minutes apart and oh did they hurt. To me they felt like the same pain as period cramps, just a million times stronger and all over instead of just real low.

At the hospital, Clark dropped me off and I waited while he parked the car. He wasn't so happy about leaving me alone, but I was strong and did it. We headed up to labor and delivery and told them my water had broken. They put me in a triage room and hooked me up to the monitors. I could hear little Macy's heartbeat and it was soo precious. The monitor wasn't really picking up my contractions even though they were there. They checked to see my dilation and I was 3+ and my water had definitely broken. I'm so glad my water broke because then I was immediately admitted, if not I would have had to wait an hour. They told me I could get my epidural whenever I wanted. I decided I might as well go ahead so I could enjoy my labor experience. Before he came in to give it to me, the nurses said I was group B strep positive, so I needed penicillin. This was the worst part of the whole ordeal. The penicillin felt like someone was breaking my arm. I got hives all up my arm and I was in so much pain. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me my epidural. I didn't even know that he was doing it because my arm was in so much pain. He said he was done, and I couldn't believe it. What a blessing; I was so afraid of the epidural.

My epidural was perfect because I could still move my legs and toes, but I couldn't feel any pain. My doctor came in and said that the baby had pooped in my uterus so they were going to flush out my amniotic fluid to try and dilute the meconium. While he was putting in the tube, he said I was 5 cm dilated. This was only 1 hour after they checked and I was a 3+. The heart monitor and contraction monitors weren't working very well, so they decided to give me internal montitors for both. When the nurse was putting in the internal monitors, she said that I was 8 cm dilated. This was only 20 minutes after I was last checked. It was going so fast. They had given me the smallest dose of pitocin when I got there because the machine wasn't picking up my contractions, but they decided to stop the drip because I was progressing so quickly and I needed to get 2 doses of penicillin. I actually barely got my second dose right before I delivered.

Clark's mom came and brought Clark breakfast and then my parents came. We just had fun talking. I was so excited and nervous and anxious that I couldn't stop shaking. Clark's mom thought it was so funny that I was so happy in labor. The epidural really is a heaven send. About an hour later, my doctor came in and checked and I was fully dilated. They had me rest and descend for about an hour and 15 minutes. The nurses came in and had me start pushing. I had my mom on my left side, Clark on my right, Melissa with a video camera and Clark's mom just watching.

At first, I couldn't tell where I was supposed to be pushing and if I was doing it right, so the nurses brought in a mirror so I could tell what was going on down there. This was soooo sooo sooo helpful. I know some people might think it gross or weird, but it really helped tremendously. I could see exactly where I was pushing and if I was pushing hard enough. The nurses kept going in and out of the room, so Clark was my pushing coach. He did so well. I was so motivated. Melissa also was very motivating. She kept telling me when I was pushing good. It was the best when we started to be able to see her head. Clark was so happy to see that the hair was dark. This is when I got really motivated and pushed my guts out. The baby's head started coming really quickly and the nurses told me to stop pushing. The doctor arrived quickly and I popped the baby out. I had to get a small episiotomy which bites, but I'll deal. The pushing took about 30-40 minutes which surprised the nurses. They told me I would probably push for 2-3 hours. Well then again, they also told me I would probably deliver around 6 that evening, and I delivered at 11:51 am.

When Macy came out, I could not believe the overwhelming feelings of love I felt. All of us were crying. She cried well, but not too much. The meconium didn't get into her lungs which is a miracle and blessing beyond belief and she was perfectly healthy. They laid her on my belly and Clark cut the umbilical cord. I got to hold her and nurse her for about an hour before they took her to bathe her. She is a really good eater and that's all she wanted to do for the first two days. I had the lactation specialist help me with getting her to latch correctly, and that was really helpful. We still aren't perfect, but we are learning.

I now know why it is called the miracle of birth...because it really is. I'm crying right now just thinking about it. I can't believe that with the help of Heavenly Father and Clark, I created such a beautiful being. I love her with all my heart and I couldn't be a prouder momma.

Isn't She Lovely....

Macy has arrived

11:51 a.m.
7 lbs. 10 oz.
19.5 inches
Mother and Baby are doing fantastic...

...More to come.

Waiting

I have had so much going on lately...I really should post about them all. But...I shall not because all I can focus on is the baby coming. I have been waiting...not so patiently for her arrival now it seems like forever. The end is in sight because Thursday I am being induced, unless she decides to come on her own before then. I have been having some contractions for about the past two hours, but they are not strong enough yet for me to start timing them. I just hope they continue instead of die out like they have every other time in the past.

Yes I have been sorta grumpy lately because I do not have my baby in my arms, but really I should be grateful because it has truly worked out the best. My Grandma Lund died a little over a week ago and her funeral was last Friday. My whole family came up for that and if I had given birth, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to hang out with them. Also, all four of my nieces and nephews have been ill. I would be a paranoid wreck right now if the baby were here being exposed to the sicknesses. I am also being well entertained by my parents, sisters, niece and nephew. I have been preoccupied enough that I haven't complained TOO much about being overdue.

Well, I can't wait to show ya'll pictures of the beauty on Thursday!!!! Yippee...I really look forward to the whole experience and sharing them with you. Til then...

FINALLY!!!

I have finished my quilt...well the baby's quilt. No, I am not done being pregnant :( But finishing this quilt was something I needed to get done before she arrived. I told her that because it is finished, she can come any time...preferably NOW! I started this quilt back in September when I was asked to go to quilting club with my ward. I didn't know then how much fun quilting would be! I even went on a quilting retreat up to Brighton and sewed all these pieces together. This was my first quilting experience and my first sewing experience since maybe my freshmen year in high school, so I am pretty proud. Two women in my ward also have quilting machines, so I was able to have it quilted without doing it by hand...phew. I did hand sew on the binding though...it isn't perfect, but it has the touch of momma's love.

On the other hand...I am getting so impatient for this little one to arrive! Everyone told me the last couple of weeks are the hardest...and boy were they correct. I am going mad! I will start having contractions and then they will just stop...how annoying is that? It's not that I feel uncomfortable or that I don't enjoy her little body moving around in me...I am just ready to meet her. It's also annoying that I am dilated enough that she could come any day, but she isn't.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he stripped my membranes. It wasn't as bad as I thought...just a lot of pressure. Anyway, he said he thinks I have a good chance of going into labor on my own in the next couple of days. Let's hope he's right. He also said that after he did that, I was dilated to 3 cm. Oh please come little love.

Here is a little photo shoot from last week when I was 39 weeks. I wanted to have a maternity shoot with Clark at some point in my pregnancy, but it never happened, so this is what we got.

My mom is in town now. This is helpful because she keeps me somewhat busy during the days. I have lost my desire to clean or pretty much do anything for that matter. All I think about is going into labor. People keep calling and texting to see if anything is happening, and I feel so lame that nothing has. Oh and 3 people that I knew who were due AFTER me have already had their babies...so not fair! Ok, ok I know I am complaining, but I am allowed some spoiled brat time now right?

I dont really think that I have dropped, but the doctor told me that her head is really low. I was getting so nervous that there was some reason that her head wouldn't drop and that I wouldn't be able to have her naturally. I guess that still could happen, but I will pray that it doesn't.


So this weekend would be a good and bad time to have the little one. Here are the many reasons why. First, Clark doesn't have class from Thursday til Monday, so it would be good there, and he doesn't have any homework. Second, all of my family is going to be in town and I want them to be able to meet her while they are here. The bad part is that they are coming to town for my Grandma Lund's funeral on Friday. So if I did have here any time after today, I wouldn't be able to go to the funeral. Why oh Why??? I really wanted to have her by today so that they could see her and I could make it to the funeral. Now it seems like it will be one or the other.

Oh well. I know it will work out the way that it is supposed to...I am not in control, but the Heavenly Father is and He knows what's best. I will trust in Him.

Miracle

Every Monday-Thursday I tutor my little 8 year old cousin Danielle. She has been so excited about my pregnancy the whole time. Every day I am there, she tries to feel the baby move and kick. Before I leave, she makes sure to give me and the baby a hug and kiss goodbye. She is so excited about this baby.

Today as I was leaving, she kissed my belly and gave it a hug. She then exclaimed how incredible it was that there was a living being inside a living being. I told her that I completely agreed. It is so weird to think that I have a human inside me with legs and arms and a face... Naturally she went on to ask how it got in there and how that all worked. Uh...I told her it is a miracle. She said "NO, mom how does a baby get inside you?" I told her mom that I said it was a miracle and I was out of there.

Well it definitely is a miracle. How my body knows how to grow a human with all it's intricacies floors me. It is so incredible!!! I still can't believe I have a human being inside of me. It blows my mind.

In other news, I went to the doc's yesterday. I am 2 1/2 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Again he said I could go into labor today or a week late. All I know is that I am excited to be completely thinned out cuz now all my body has to do is open up...it's like half the work. I'm hoping this means that labor will go more quickly...and I wouldn't mind more smoothly either.

My momma is coming up either tomorrow or Friday. I am so excited! I just hope she gets here before I go into labor so that we can do some girly things together first like go shopping and out to lunch...it will be my last chance for a LONG time. I am not planning on taking the babe out for at least 3 months after she's born. It might sound drastic, but I would rather be stuck in my house with a healthy baby than in a hospital room with a sick baby and Utah is notorious for getting babies sick in the winter.

Well here's to wishing I go into labor sooner rather than later...send some good labor vibes my way.

Cast Your Vote

I want to know when ya'll think I am gonna give birth (date and time). At my last doc appointment I was 2 cm dilated and 90% effaced, if that helps. I have another tomorrow and hopefully I have progressed even further.

I also want to know how much you think she will weigh and how long she will be.

AND what color hair do you think she will have...you can guess on eye color too, but we wont know that for at least a couple of months when they change.

I'm thinking I will give a prize to the person who is closest on all of these...even if it is just something little. So go ahead...guess away!

Rounding out the 37th Week

I officially only have 2 weeks and 1 day til my due date!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY! It is getting so close, I can't believe it. People are still amazed at how little I look, but I went to the doctor today and I am measuring right on schedule. I am still feeling really good and the little one is moving like CRAZY. She officially takes up my ENTIRE abdomen. Everywhere I push, I can feel her...so fun.

Today at the doctor's office, I found out that I am 2 cm dilated and 90% effaced! I'm pretty excited about that. The more I progress now, the less I will have to progress when I am in pain. Clark wants me to go into labor tonight because then we will have a long weekend to spend together, but the doctor said she will probably come at the worst possible time, which is my due date and Clark's finals. We shall see.

Here is my bare belly at 37 weeks and 5 days. After taking these pictures, I realized that I kinda still have a waist...cool.

Sorry to blind you, but I think my belly is cute. I still haven't gotten stretch marks (hallelujah) and let's hope it stays that way.

In other news:

Clark and I set up our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I really want the house to be decorated for Christmas when the baby gets home, so we did it a little early. It is so fun to get into the Christmas spirit. We still have to put up our garland, stockings, and make our wreath.

Clark gave me one of my Christmas presents early...tickets to the midnight showing of NEW MOON! It was a sacrifice for Clark to be in a theater with a bunch of teeny bopper girls, but he pulled through. I did really well and didn't even get tired, but I was pretty swollen when I woke up the next afternoon. Clark is team Jacob, but I am and will always be team Edward...even if I did marry a man who looks like he could be in the quillette tribe.

Baby Shower Dos

This past Saturday, my visiting teachers in my ward threw me a baby shower. It was so fun!!! Everyone was so generous and thoughtful. There were a lot of people that couldn't make it, but so many brought over gifts anyway...how sweet is that. I got a lot of stuff that I needed. One thing in particular was a baby carrier, which Clark has been dying for because he wants to take the baby hiking as soon as the weather gets warm again.

The shower was really laid back. We ate and talked and I opened presents. It took me almost the whole 2 hours just to open presents because I am so OCD about keeping the wrapping paper nice and folding all of the tissue paper.

The food was soooo good...let me tell you. A couple different people made breads. We had plain zuccini bread, chocolate chip zuccini bread, and cherry bread. YUM!! They also had cupcakes, cookies and veggies. The drink was spectacular; it was sprite mixed with crystal light. I loved how everything was baby pink.

We played a game where we guessed how many m&m's were in a bottle. I actually was one of the closest guessers, but I didn't get to win since it was my baby shower. I got to have the bottle with the m&m's though...so much better than any other prize ;)

Here are some of the wonderful ladies in my ward. I wish I had a picture of everyone that came. Especially Gentry and Sara who threw the shower...darn them.

I had so much fun...I wish I could do it again. Well, maybe I will get another shower when I have another baby...we shall see. Thanks Hillside Ward!!!!!

36 week Doc Appointment

I went to the doctor's on Tuesday, when I was still 36 weeks. I was so nervous because it was going to be my first internal exam. I really wanted to hear that I was starting to dilate, and it is just uncomfortable being under that paper towel. Well, the doctor checked the heartbeat and said that it sounded fantastic, he said I was growing well, did the group B strep test (yuck!), and then said that I was 1 1/2 to 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced!!! Yay! I was so excited to hear this. He said he thinks that she will come early if anything, but he also said we could be surprised and she could be a week late. I'm hoping more for the week early thing, but I guess I'm not really in control of that.

Now I am 37 weeks and FULL TERM!!! I was always so nervous that I wouldn't ever carry a baby to full term, but here I am. She is definitely getting big and taking up every inch of space in my abdomen, but I LOVE it! I love being able to feel her body and know which parts are what. Her head is down and the doc said it is getting low...yay yay yay!!! I just can't wait to meet the little girl that's been living inside of me for the past almost 9 months.

Oh and Clark just loves to tease me and say that the baby is gonna come out a boy. Not that I wouldn't love to have a son, but I just have EVERYTHING for a girl and would not know what to do if a male came out...so let's hope that doesn't happen.

Shower

This last Tuesday, my cousin Emily, cousin Mandy and Aunt Linda threw me a baby shower. It was so fun! I have been looking forward to it for weeks and weeks. They are always so sweet and giving and thoughtful. It's nice to have such great family.

I will start off by telling about my wonderful guests, because it wouldn't be much of a shower without these great folks.


Here's my sis-in-law Tami, Aunt Vicky, and Aunt Angie.

My cousin Emily, cousin/aunt Lisa, cousin Maryann, and Aunt Linda.

Two of my best friends Emily and Noelle. I love how excited they are for the little one. They are the best...and they are giving good lovin to the little bug.

My Aunt Anita, cousin Katie, and Great-Aunt Nancy.

I am so grateful to everyone who came and supported me and my babe. I felt so loved!

And then there were gifts. Everyone was so thoughtful and generous. My favorite gift had to be the blessing dress that my Mother-in-law made for the little one. It is GORGEOUS!!! This picture doesn't do it justice, but oh man! She got the material in L.A. and then sewed it so perfectly. I love the little bonnet. I totally cried when I opened it, so sweet and the little one will always be grateful to her Grandma Tutu.



Here are some other guests. In the back: cousins Jamie and Mandy
In the front: an extatic me, Aunt Denise, cousin Danielle, Momma Varner.


One of my favorite parts of my family baby showers are the games. The memory game has got to be a fav. There are all sorts of different pregnancy and birth related words and phrases, and we had to find the ones that matched. If you found a match, you get a candy bar that relates to the word or phrase. I won two! I got breastfeeding (Milky way) and bottle feeding (Milk Duds). I'm hoping I am more of a Milky way...we don't want no duds!

The guests also guessed :) how big my belly was. I was excited to see what they guessed because everyone tells me how small I look. Almost everyone's string was way too big, but my Aunt Angie guessed right on! I am proud.


Here I am showing off her string skills.

Measured perfect!!!


Sorry about the duplicate picture...they are just so cute.

Here is Lisa guessing her string size. They had to do it before they could see me and the belly.

Here is my beautiful cousin Emily...the hostess with the mostess. She seriously is the most thoughtful girl I know.

Loved the cute pink balloons. Bring on the PINK!!!!! This baby better not come out a boy.

Mmmmmm...I loved the chocolate covered strawberries. My cousin Mandy made all of these by hand!


I wasn't expecting food because the shower was at 7 pm, but I was oh so pleasantly surprised. I was starving...so it was perfect!!!

Oh how I love baby showers. Stay tuned because I am having one with my ward on Saturday.

I am the Biggest Loser!!!

Ok so that probably isn't a true statement...in fact it is for sure a false statement! I am probably the biggest gainer at the moment. But I am supposed to be right? Re assure me people...it's ok that I gain like a pound a day...right? Well it probably doesn't help that I am obsessed with Halloween candy, this will have to stop. Anyway, here a picture of me at 35 weeks and 1 day. Don't you love the Betty Boop pjs...my grandma has a matching pair. :)

Oh and about the biggest loser...I LOVE THAT SHOW!!! I watched it online last week cuz I didn't feel the greatest and became obsessed. It is so inspirational. I actually picked up our weights and lifted them while watching the episode...something I have not done in far too long. Today I watched another episode and drank a whole 44 ounces of water cuz they said to make sure to drink enough water. I definitely need like the seasons or something for after I have the baby when I can really get down to business. Oh, and I cry at least 2 times each episode. This season is so touching...are they all like this?

Farewell all my losers!

Pumpkin Carving

Clark and I had fun carving our pumpkin this year. It was our first Halloween as a married couple and our first time carving a pumpkin together, so it was quite an occasion! We bought one big pumpkin that we could carve together...it only cost a little over a buck! This made for a fun Family Home Evening.

Here I am digging out the goop. Since one of Clark's favorite treats is pumpkin seeds...I decided I would try my hand at making them. I carefully separated all goop from seeds. I burned the first batch, but did better on the second. Clark ate them all anyway :)

Since Clark is the artist in the family, I had him come up with the design and draw it on. I am ok with a normal ol Jack-O-Lantern face, but Clark is much more creative.

Clark started out the carving while I worked on the pumpkin seeds. I did carve though...the whole right side...and I kept the design mostly intact...Clark had a little more mishaps than myself. I am proud.


And here is our scary Jack-O-Lantern....

I thought we did a mighty good job for our first go around. We shall see what next year brings.