8.5 Months

Macy is getting bigger. Here she is at 8.5 months old. 

Macy - Day 7

His little sister's arrival sure doesn't take any cuteness away from Mack!

Previous Nights Sleep:

Another easy night with Macy! I keep thinking this is going to end, but she seems to be just fine. I fed her at 10:30pm last night and she slept until 4am. After a little nursing session, I had to grab her at 8:30am so I could feed her before going out for some coffee with a friend. Justin and I talked about whether or not it was ok for her to be sleeping this much. After looking at all the other indicators (she seems to be growing, she is for sure pooping and peeing a lot, and her wake time is increasing), we will just wait to weigh her in at her appointment next Tuesday.

Events of the Day:

Saturday was a fun day mixed with Mack and Macy time and a little adult time for me! I got to meet my dear friend Kari at Yeti's for some morning drinks and conversation. I didn't even have to take Macy with me as Kathy and Justin were sweet enough to let me leave her behind (I was only 7 minutes away though if she got fussy and needed some food). It felt weird being a mommy of two with no babies with me, even for a couple of hours - but it was nice, that is for sure! I love my time with Kari and hearing what is going on with their lives.

After I got home, we all got to play through the rest of the morning and lunch time. We got some good tummy time in with Macy on a variety of beautifully made quilts. Macy is doing very well with her tummy time. She can already move her head from one side to the other (not both ways yet, but one). She is also holding her head up longer and longer. I think it helps that she kinda has a small head. We received some fun things in the mail this morning. My grandma Sprague sent Macy her baby quilt (a family tradition, Macy is laying on it below) and we got a onesie in the mail from IWU with an acceptance letter for the class of 2028!!! I think I might just keep that for the future. It was a fun letter from the admissions office for all of the Tiny Titans! I love small schools!

After nap time we made a run to Glenwood to find the kids some sun hats and make a run through Target. It's funny how someone else can notice all the things you need to pick up! It was a very successful trip except, I have no idea how I am going to shop on my own with an infant and a toddler. It is seriously difficult . If you put the baby in the cart, you have no room for items. If you put the baby in her carseat in the top part, you have no room for your toddler. The only solution I found was getting the SUPER large cart with the buckle down seats on the front. Then put the baby in the top part with your toddler in the seat. Good luck pushing that through the store. I might just wait to go to the store until Macklin actually listens :/

We did have a lovely dinner of steak and potatoes once we got home. Look how nicely Justin set up dinner for us!

Attitude:

Super sweet!

Macy's Physical Health:

See above about sleeping. No other concerns besides that. She needs a bath though....it is hard to make that happen with Macklin around (as I want a nice, non-distracted time when she is awake-harder to find than I thought). I will keep working on that. Think I got the bath out yesterday but didn't get to it.

Mommy's Recovery:

I think the upper half of my body is finally adjusted. Blisters gone from the day one crazy feeding, milk is in and normal, I am getting used to all the weird things that happen to your body post birth. Bottom half is still sore but the bleeding is slowing up.

Visitors:

Grandma is still here and we love it! Here is a picture of us stopping in Glenwood Canyon after our Target run.

Macy - Day 6

Previous Nights Sleep:

Macy ate a bit late last night (11:15pm) and then headed to bed for the night. But, that didn't phase her, she then woke at 4am and 8:15am for her feedings. It was awesome to hear Justin up with Macklin for a while before having to get out of bed myself. I need to enjoy my help while it lasts. Things will be much different when I am up feeding from 4-5am, and then up with my toddler at 6:30am. Rest while I can is my motto!

Events of the Day:

We had a full day today! After a yummy breakfast, Jen and Trevan came over to hang out and meet Macy. Jen made these sweet "MACY" onesies for her that I just love (why didn't I take a pic of those!). The boys had a lot of fun going through all of the toys in our house! We got to spend a ton of time playing with Grandma. After our nap we took a walk to the playground (and when I mean walk, I mean Justin pushed Mack in the stroller and I drove Macy, Kathy and I. So funny! I ended up with both kids on the way home and Justin and Kathy walked back with an empty stroller!) and to get some new library books (have I mentioned that I love the library...well I do! nothing like a fresh round of books to prevent reading the same old things!) We came back to the house to meet up with Cayle and Nick who came over to ride bikes. Mack and Cayle are both getting much more adventurous on their bikes. Justin made them a little ramp and it was a blast to watch them go over it! Kathy made us some pizza for dinner (one of Justin's favorites) and we called it a night! Super fun day with lots of activities for Macklin!

Attitude:

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Just as fun as the last five days! She is doing awesome! It is Macklin's attitude that we might be worried about! He is for sure noticing that mommy has to spend time elsewhere. I felt like today was all about him (Trevan coming to play and Cayle coming over to ride bikes in addition to a trip to the park) but at dinner he was acting really out of character. He was being very ornery. I am not sure if that is because he is a 2-year-old boy, because he has a new sister and there are lots of transitions (hence him wanting to sit in the bouncer, pic above), or because he isn't feeling well physically. Oh, I forgot to mention with all of the Macy hoop-la, Mack got a nasty stomach virus on Tuesday. He puked twice (which he has never done before) and had a fever. We are hoping that is over with but it could always linger. Just another challenge in mommy life - how to love my 2-year-old and teach him what is right!

Macy's Physical Health:

Eating about the same but we are starting to see some noticeable weight gain, so that is good! Next doctors appt. is Tuesday.

Mommy's Recovery:

Trying to walk less....is that even possible? I just don't understand this rest deal!

Good thing I drove to the park today!

Visitors:

Jen and Trevan, thanks for coming to see us!

Macy - Day 5

Previous Nights Sleep:

Two nights in a row....no way!!?? Miss Macy ate at 10pm last night and then woke up at 3:30am and not again until 8am to eat!!!! It was crazy. I think this is kinda weird, but I am going to enjoy it while it lasts. Not super tired after that, but should probably still work in a nap today :)

Events of the Day:

Today was a big day for me as a momma of two. I had my YL breakfast girls come over this morning...meaning 8 high school friends at my house at 8:15am for a hot breakfast (I was going to do doughnuts, but I had doughnuts yesterday and didn't want them again) and Bible study. I, of course, need to be showered by this time and ready to roll. It was a big undertaking, but by the Lord's grace, it all got done and our time together was full of the Spirit. Justin was super in helping me pull this off too (he went to the grocery for me at 7:15am to pick up something that I had forgotten and he hung with Macklin so we could actually talk without pulling out coloring books.)

Our friend Amy came over to meet Macy just before we headed to the airport to pick up Grandma!!!! Grandma was so excited to meet Macy that she didn't move for a full 10 minutes as she held her and stared at her (we were unable to document this moment, sad, because I left my phone and camera in the car). It was pretty sweet. We grabbed some Heidi's (Macy's first real venture out) and then headed home for naptime.

It was about then that I realized that I had pushed a bit too hard with the mornings events. I took a nap for about 2.5 hours. The Colloms brought over a yummy meal and I missed their visit because I was out! Good relaxing night with Grandma in town!

Attitude:

Still just happy as ever!

Macy's Physical Health:

Snoozing, Eating, Pooping = Life for Macy

Mommy's Recovery:

Naps are awesome!

Visitors:

Amy

Breakfast Group

Macy - Day 4

(Pretty sure this was a "milk coma" smile!)

Previous Nights Sleep:

Macy's third night of sleep was surprising easy. She nursed well yesterday (as my milk is starting to come in) and I think it filled her up for the night time. She ate before bed at 10ish and then woke up at 2:30am and then 5:30am. I felt so good at 5:30 that I just stayed up for the day! What a crazy deal! I will for sure not expect that every night, but it was a treat for the third night of baby life.

Events of the Day:

Most of the morning was spent getting Mimi and Papa ready to head off. Macklin finally got his Easter basket (the most high tech and battery powered one I might add). It was a blast to watch him play with each item. His attention span is definitely increasing. We had to make him open another egg in order to get through them all. Speaking of that, I should go eat some Easter candy ;)

After they took off, Justin got to enjoy some noon-ball (basketball that local guys play on M-W-F during their lunch break) so I had my first couple hours as a mother of two on my own. It was slightly challenging but I felt accomplished after both were sleeping! Glad it was only a couple of hours though. We did go for our first walk before lunch. It only took us like 15 minutes to get ready for a 10 minute walk. Hopefully that will change as I get adjusted. It also helped that while I was juggling both through lunch and nursing a big box of beautiful tulips came from my sweet friend Jessica in Missouri. A very thoughtful gift that came at just the right time to remind me of all the support that we have - praise God!

We were blessed to have a meal provided for us from the Dodds family. What a joy it is to have other moms look out for you when you have a new little one! I feel like we have been blessed more with meals on baby #2 than baby #1....think they are trying to tell me something (#2 is a harder addition than #1).

After dinner Justin took off for Young Life. We decided not to cancel this week since we had been home for a couple of days. It will be a new balance as I figure out what events I can attend and which I cannot with Macy and her schedule. Only time will tell on that one.

Attitude:

Still just as cute as a button! No complaints from mommy and daddy here!

Macy's Physical Health:

I am kinda wondering if she is eating enough, as she only eats every 3-4-5 hours, not every 2-3 hours like Macklin did. We will just have to wait to see how things progress. She doesn't seem unhappy, how could a face like this be unhappy??

Mommy's Recovery:

I did go for a walk today, but then had to rest during the evening. I think I will just keep reminding myself to take things slowly.

Visitors:

Mimi and Papa said goodbye but they were super happy to have hung with two of their four grandchildren!

Macy - Day 3

Previous Nights Sleep:

The second night of sleep for little Miss Macy was a typical newborn night like the first. Lots of getting up and lots of confusion as to what time it was. I think I feel asleep on the couch a couple of times making my time out of bed a bit much. I realize that I think she really only nurses for like 15 minutes or so but I am out of bed for an hour or more. Why is that? After a diaper change (or multiple), nursing, burping, re-swaddling, rocking, using the bathroom myself, and falling asleep nursing, it adds up. I think I will learn to be more efficient as time goes along.

Events of the Day:

At the hospital, they scheduled our doctors appointment for today at 9:50am...I think that is a bit early for a new family, don't you? No worries though, we were troopers and made it, on time even! All was well with Macy's first appointment. Dr. Engle said Macy looks great and to come back in a week. Mimi and Papa were still here so that was nice to not have to take Macklin. I think those appointments will get a little trickier when I have to have him tag along. Time to get more creative as a momma!

For the rest of the day, we just enjoyed being home. I wanted to clean and put things away but had to convince myself to rest a bit. Mimi and Papa have been INCREDIBLE to have around as they are helping with everything from cleaning to cooking to hanging with Macklin.

We finished up our day with some yummy BBQ chicken and potatoes and tried to go to bed at a reasonable time :)

Attitude:

Macy has been a champ! She is really chill for the most part. She fusses when she has gas or needs to eat. But other than that, she sleeps a ton!

Macy's Physical Health:

All was good at the doc!

Mommy's Recovery:

Oh the toll that nursing takes on your body...I forgot! Lansinoh cream has been my best friend lately! I think my milk is coming in so that will be nice for Macy! Oh to get through the transition time though!

Visitors:

My sweet friend Kiah came to visit on her off period today!

So glad she made the effort to come over and see Macy!

New Beginnings

The Story of Macy Elizabeth

Born Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012

6:58am in Vail, CO

6lb 4oz, 19 inch

Favorite Pictures of Macy

Pre-Labor

While Macy was born on Easter Sunday, she started to make herself known starting on Thursday night around 9pm. I started having contractions that seemed to be anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes apart. I went to bed hoping that they would intensify but instead kinda faded off as I got a disturbed 5 hours of sleep. I woke up Friday and they began again and continued all day between 10 and 15 minutes apart. I kept thinking things would pick up. I packed my toiletries thinking that I would for sure not be getting dressed at home again. I canceled a play date for us in Eagle thinking that I didn't want to be far away from Justin when the time came to jet to the hospital. We continued on with our normal day and I headed to practice and then to our Easter party with the Brummers. I was tracking my contractions all day hoping to see some progression...but no. I tried to sleep Friday night, again thinking I would wake up to head to the hospital. I slept horrible and ended up just getting out of bed at 3:45am, but still no pick up in the contractions. I read my Bible for a few hours and then wondered how the rest of my day would go. I texted my head coach to tell him I wouldn't be at the meet and called my doctor. She said they needed to get closer before I came in. I woke Justin up and asked, "Do you think I am crazy if I want to go to the track meet?" He said to do whatever I was feeling. After saying that I was not coming to the meet, I re-texted and said I was coming! I needed to take my mind off of the contractions...what better way than to coach at a track meet! I didn't plan to stay very long, hoping that my water would literally break or figured I would just get tired. 10.5 hours later, after a GREAT meet full of fun, I headed home. Tracked all my contractions right along with the kids splits and was so glad that I went to the meet! I called the maternity floor before going to bed, trying to figure out how long this could go on (I was up to 48 hours at this point). The nurses gave me some great advice (spotting during pre-labor is good because that means your cervix is actually changing...also to come in when I hit more than six contractions in an hour). I headed to bed for another unknown night of sleep. "Night of sleep" turned out to be the opposite of what I did. The contractions kept me from sleeping and at about 12:45am/1ish, I decided the intensity had increased enough and I was finally on track to hit seven in an hour. I woke Justin up and off we went. Even though all of our stuff was ready to go, there was one thing that we had forgotten....gas in our cars! Both cars were on E and we just didn't want to make it to West Vail and not Vail! So, while I am breathing through contractions, we stopped in Edwards to fill up :)

Delivery

Oh the joy of second babies!!!

Here was our timeline of events once we got to the hospital:

1:45am - Arrived

2am - Got checked in and changed

2:15am - Was dilated to 3cm (woohoo, took all day to get that far with Mack)

2:30am - Epidural please!

4am - Epidural in, first restful time in the last 3 days, dilated to 6cm (holy smokes!)

5:45am - Doctor called in, dilated to 9.5cm (oh my gosh, so speedy!)

6:10ish - Dr. Bock breaks my water, we let Macy drop a bit more

6:40am - Do a round of practice pushes

6:45am - Start pushing (ended up pushing only 3 times)

6:58am - Macy takes her first breaths!

She came out looking quite purple but after some good deep breaths, she pink-ed up and we had a healthy delivery the whole way through - Praise God!

Post-Delivery

After she arrived, Justin cut her cord and she was put on my chest within a minute. She came out hungry as she latched on with no problem and ate from 7:10-9:15am - seriously! It was crazy. She ate so long that she peeped and pooped in the receiving blankets thus warranting her first bath much sooner than her older brother. After getting weighed and measured, the nurse gave her a bath, head in the sink first and then a sweet little bubble bath :) She complained a bit but then seemed to enjoy it! Justin got to hold her for the first time after she was all cleaned up....he was quite the patient daddy (letting us have our nursing time and then allowing the nurse to wisk her away). She pretty much slept the rest of the day except when they were taking her temperature or doing other little evaluations on her. I tried to nurse her more but the morning feeding seemed to hold her off for most of the day! What a perfect little miracle Macy is!

Meeting Macklin

Having Macklin meet Macy was a much anticipated event in my mind. I wanted everything to be perfect and him to have a positive experience. I snagged some cute Etsy shirts for him (and one for Macy for later). I got some new trains for Mack (as a gift from Macy) and had Macklin bring Macy her lovey as a gift. We waited for him to be well rested (post nap time instead of trying to squeeze it in earlier). I made sure to shower and look fresh so mommy didn't look weird. The result - I think all of that stuff paid off! It did seem to be a positive experience for him. He seemed really in tune with what was happening. He was still working on the fact that Baby Cheese was now Macy and that mommy's belly wasn't quite as large any more.

First Brandt Family of Four Picture

Holding Macy for the First Time

Yah for Popsciles (like Sibling Class)

Holding Macy By Himself

(one of my favorite pictures)

Kisses for Macy

Gift Exchange

Who does she look like?

When I first saw her head (yes I peeked early), I couldn't believe that she actually had dark hair. I mean, Justin and I had joked that she would look nothing like our blonde haried, blue eyed son, but I didn't really believe it. When she arrived, I was in shock! This sweet little thing bared no resemblence to my son or me...but boy did she match Justin! After the day went by, we started to see other charactistics that matched Macklin, but not really either Justin or myself yet (we think that is hard to do). I took a similar pic of each of them to see. (For more pictures of Macklin when he was first born, click here.) What do you think? I think she looks like Macy!

Day 1 Visitors

We were so blessed to have many friends come by, even in Macy's first day with us! Daniel clearly visited as he brought Macklin to meet his new sister. The Smileys were close by already :) The Rittmillers stopped by after Easter lunch. Then Mindy (who we got to hold Macy!) and Devyn (creator of all of Macy's cute new hats) brought us an incredible Easter dinner complete with prime rib, grilled veggies, potatoes, bread, and dessert (thank you so much!). Finally, just before midnight (but still on the day of her birth), Mimi and Papa made it to Vail! What a great day all around and such a blessing to have so much support!