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Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!

I cannot believe my baby girl is already a year old. Cory and I spent some time on Friday reflecting on the last year, and I couldn't help but get a little emotional. This is our last child, and it's bittersweet to see both of my girls grow up so quickly. Looking back on the somewhat rough start that Macy had makes me so thankful for the healthy, spunky little girl that she has become. Cory and I reflected on my water breaking at midnight the night before she was born, my horrendously long and painful labor, the uncertainty we felt not knowing if she would have to go to the NICU or not, and the long 10 day NICU stay with Madison waiting at home. What a difference a year makes!

Here is Macy's first "cleaned up" picture, before heading to the nursery
and then to the NICU. Notice how huge that newborn diaper is on her.
February 26, 2009 4:34pm
4lbs 11oz and 18" long

And on her 1st birthday
February 26, 2010
17lbs 12oz and 27.5" long

On her actual birthday, we spent the day shopping, attending her 3rd cousin, Anna's, birthday party at Bounce U, and going to the Amazing Pizza Machine for dinner and fun. It was a busy day, but Macy was a trooper and seemed to have a lot of fun.

We had her party on Saturday at grandma's house. I never did count exactly how many people came, but I'm thinking it was around 30. We had a pink, green, and blue polka dot theme. We also incorporated candy into the theme and had a candy buffet, along with the cake. I did a horrible job of taking pictures that day because I was having camera issues, but here are some of the shots from the day.

The birthday girl in the cute outfit Sarah made for her.

Daddy helping Macy pull the strings of the pinata

A shot of most of the people at the party
Happy Birthday to You!

This is yummy! She wasn't sure what to think of the cake at first,
but once we helped her a little, she dug right in.

Big sister just had to help open up the presents!

Yesterday I took Macy to Dr. Fran for her 1-year check-up. He was fairly pleased with her growth. He plotted her on the preemie chart, and her weight has caught up to her height according to the chart. She's still a little peanut, and he wants us to keep giving her formula for another 2 months. He told us to keep experimenting with more foods and to try to getting her eating more solids every day. He'd like to check her weight again in about 6 weeks, just to make sure she's still gaining. Her weight is 5% on the normal growth chart, and her height is 8%. She's closer to the 50% for both on the preemie chart.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!

I can't believe it's been almost 4 months...

since I last posted something here! I've gotten a lot of grief about it from a couple of people (you know who you are). I'm just going to do a quick re-cap of what has gone on in our lives the past 4 months. I'm sure I'll forget something, but you'll get the idea. This way I can start fresh and start posting at least weekly. So here goes:

November:
-I had gall bladder surgery
-Thanksgiving

December:
-I started a new job at Child Saving Institute
-Snow, snow and more snow
-A snowed in Christmas (for the first time in my 30 years of life, I didn't spend Christmas Eve at my grandparents' house.

January:
-Cory and I took a trip to Charlotte to see my dad and Dawn
-My 30th birthday

February:
-Cory's 30th birthday
-Macy's 1st birthday (I'll dedicate a separate post to this)

I'm sure this doesn't even begin to cover what all happened over the last 4 months, but there's a very brief re-cap. Here a few pics over the last 4 months:

Fun in the Water!

Coco Key Water Resort is having an awesome deal right now where if you get there before 5 pm you can get in for free. Yesterday Cory took off work 30 minutes early and met us there. The Davis family met us there as well.

This is Madison's favorite place in the whole world. I have to admit that it's one of my favorite places in the whole world too, and after last night, it may be one of Macy's favorite places as well. Both of my girls are fish, just like their mommy! Whenever we see the billboard or hear the commercial on the radio Madison lights up! Quite often in our house the Coco Key jingle is heard being sung by Madison and myself.

Madison sliding

Fish #1

Fish #2

As soon as I put Macy in the water like this, she started moving her arms like she was really swimming. She's a natural! Please excuse the cleavage shot. (Nice one hun!) Also I don't know how to change this so it's not sideways.

This morning I gave the girls a bath to wash off all of the yucky chlorine. I forgot I had bought some fun bath crayons forever ago so I got those out, and Madison had a blast writing on the walls.

Macy's new signature look!

Halloween Fun!

We ended up getting our fill of Halloween fun this year. We kicked off our Halloween fun at the annual Davis Halloween Party. They had a party for the kids during the day, and an adults only party at night. Cory and I wore our costumes with our kids at the kid party since our costumes all went together. I made all of our costumes, with the exception of Madison's. We were characters from Yo Gabba Gabba (a wacky cartoon show). Madison was Foofa, Macy was Muno, Cory was DJ Lance, and I was Plex.

Me as "Plex" the robot

The Yo Gabba Gabba family

Madison trying to hit the pinata
at the Davis Halloween party

We definitely ended up with enough candy to last us for the year after trick-or-treating at 6 different places. Last Sunday we started at the zoo for their annual Halloween event. We then headed to Village Point for candy and games. We ended the day at our friend's church's trunk or treat event. We had a lot of fun and got loads of candy.

In the cold at the zoo

This past Friday I babysat for Emma & Ethan, and we took all of the kids to the Westroads trick-or-treating event. It was crazy busy, and the kids were disappointed in the lack of candy they got, but I assured them they'd get plenty the next night. Halloween night we went to grandma's to trick-or-treat, and then went to Stonebridge Church's event. That was a lot of fun. We then headed over to our friends' Heath & Michelle's house so that Madison and Braeden (her future husband) could go together.

Ethan as "Thomas the Train", Madison as "Foofa"
Emma as a witch, Macy as "Muno"

Madison & Braeden before going out

Macy wasn't warm enough in her costume
so I put her in my coat to keep warm

In the end, we ended up with gobs of candy that none of us really need. Some of it has already disappeared with Cory to work, thank goodness.

Glitz & Glamour!

Saturday afternoon started out horribly with Nebraska losing badly to Texas Tech. Cory was not happy, so the phone call I received during the 3rd quarter was a relief. My friend, Kirsten, turned 30 on Friday, and her husband, Lance, surprised her with a 6 hour limo ride that evening. She called to say they wanted some company and would be picking us up in 20 minutes. Grandma was nice enough to keep the kids so we could go.

I felt so glamorous having a limo pick us up at our house. We went to the casino first and lost a couple of bucks there. We drove around the Old Market for a bit, and then had a nice dinner at Vincenzo's. Overall it was a really fun evening out with some great friends and without the girls.

Kirsten & me in the limo

Drink up, honey!

At the end of the night

Today Madison's friend, Lexi, turned 4 years old. Her mommy, Beth, couldn't decide what to do for a party for her and ended up deciding to just have Madison and Lexi play at Clara's Closet. This place is a little girl's dream come true. It's this fun little old house in Elkhorn. The girls spent about 30 minutes trying on different dress-up clothes, jewelry, tiaras, and purses. They were more into the jewelry than anything else. During the first 5 minutes there Madison said to me, "Can I have my birthday party here?" I had to explain to her that she had just had her birthday party and wouldn't be having another one for quite awhile. Bummer!

They had their nails painted and light make-up put on. Next was a photo shoot in their favorite outfit, followed by a tea party. They were taught etiquette during their "tea" (apple juice) and muffin party. Each girl got 2 pictures to take home. It was such a fun day!

Madison loved the necklaces!

Lookin' pretty!

Getting nails done

Photo shoot

Tea party

Macy wanted to play too!

A Memorable Birthday!

I'm not sure what will be more memorable about Madison's 3rd birthday - the 6 inches of snow we woke up to or her puking and having to leave her birthday party. Okay, probably the puking part.

We have talked about and looked forward to this day for months. Madison was so pumped up for her big birthday party with all of her friends. We woke up that morning, and I could tell Madison didn't feel the greatest but it seemed to just be a cold. I told her that it had snowed, and she was so excited to go see. Madison, Daddy, and Bailey spent some time playing in the cold and building 1/2 of a snowman. Not sure why they didn't finish, but oh well. She loved it!




After about an hour nap it was time to head out for the party. She was so excited!

The party was at Premier Gymnastics and was supposed to be tons of fun. 12 of her closest friends showed up and had a great time, but unfortunately the birthday girl did not. Shortly after arriving, as we were all headed into the preschool gym to play, she puked all over the floor. I was mortified, but at that point I was really hoping it was a combination of the phlegm from her cold and all of the excitement of the day. I asked Madison if she still wanted to play, and she said, "YES!" She played with her friends for a little while, but I could just tell that she still wasn't feeling the greatest. She ended up getting sick a couple more times at the gym, and while all of her friends played and bounced in the jumpy house, she spent the time in the bathroom with Cory.

Friends playing in the gym

After the fun was over, it was time for cake and presents. We got everyone set up in the party room. After singing "Happy Birthday" I decided it would be best to not let Madison blow out her big #3 candle since I didn't want her to accidentally spit on the cake. I already felt terrible about her being sick and being around the other kids. I still don't know if I should have just canceled the party as soon as she puked the first time. Her friends had a great time, so I think it was worth it for that. I just pray that no one else ends up sick.

Gorgeous Dora cake made
by Tiffani

Poor thing did not feel well

After singing, Cory ended up taking Madison home. I had to announce to everyone that the birthday girl was going home and would have to open up her presents later. Some of the kids were bummed, and Madison was so upset, but it was for the best. It was odd finishing the party without her.

At home, she got sick again and was completely miserable. She put on pajamas, and when I got home with all of her presents she immediately wanted to open them. It took her at least an hour to get through them because she just couldn't sit or stand for very long. It was hard for her to even muster up any sort of excitement about the gifts. Our friends were very generous, and she got some nice things that she was able to enjoy a bit more today.

Fun princess blanket
from Braeden

Pillowcase dress from
Christian & Noah made by
The Upper Room
(I promise that she likes it,
even though it doesn't appear so)

Snow White movie
from Makenna
(what a fake smile)

Wand & Tu-tu
from Reagan

Macy wants to open some presents too

We were supposed to go to the Amazing Pizza Machine with Grandpa Jack & Lori and Grandma today for her actual birthday, but she still wasn't feeling too good so we stayed in. She opened gifts throughout the day, and played with a lot of the toys. We put the candle back on her cake tonight and sang "Happy Birthday" again, and this time we let her blow out the candle. She finally got to eat a little bit of the cake that everyone had raved about. All in all, things didn't go exactly as planned, but when I put Madison to bed tonight I asked her if she had a good birthday and she said, "Yes!" That's all that really matters!

5 Little Monkeys game
from Grandpa Rich & Dawn

Playing the game with Daddy

Playing with doll from
Grandpa Jack & Lori

Madison and Grandpa Jack