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.