Meeting Aunt Allie

Today was a very special day in Macie's life. She got to meet her Aunt Allie for the first time. My sister is home for good from Iraq...yay!! My parents called all of our family and many of them were able to meet her at the armory when she came in the van. It was awesome and very exciting to think that we never have to do this again! At first, Allie didn't know what to do with Macie, but she warmed up to her as the night went on. Allie is great with kids, but once they are mobile...she doesn't do babies.

My cousin's son, Chase, was decked out waiting for her to get there.

Of course my mom was the first of many to give Allie a hug.

Allie had to peek under the blanket to check out Macie.
After a big group of us went out to eat, we headed back to my parents house so that it could be just out immediate family. Allie actually held Macie for a long time. This was a big deal. People were taking bets as to how long it would be before she held Macie, but it didn't take long! She kept staring at her and checking her out. It was an awesome moment. Our whole family was in the same room and that hasn't happened in a long time!
When Allie was in Iraq, she sent Macie a birthday card letting her know that she was the "fun" aunt. The one who would let her jump on the furniture, eat ice cream for breakfast and stay up all night as long as she didn't tell her parents. I am sure that they will do all of the above and much more once Macie is mobile!

A lot to be thankful for...

This Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be thankful for:

• A successful surgery to remove my gallbladder on Tuesday and no more attacks!
• Allie officially made it into the states on Tuesday morning and will be coming to Evansville very soon!
• A happy healthy baby who now weighs over 9 pounds
• Lots of family and friends who love us and took care of Macie and me when I had my surgery.
• A nice home, good food in our bellies, and heat to keep us warm this winter.

Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for!

Even though I had just had surgery two days before, I was determined to go to Thanksgiving and visit with people and eat lots of yummy food!!
My cousin, Kaylee bought Macie this bib so she wore in when she ate her Thanksgiving dinner.

Four Generations: Grams B, my dad, me and Macie

Grams B with all of her great-grandchildren: Tanner, Luke, Tyler, Kaylee and Macie

Kaylee just loves Macie. When it was time for her to eat she said, "No thanks, I think I will just feed the baby." She cracks me up!

Brian and I just couldn't resist this adorable sweater dress. Towards the end of the night, Annie had Macie laying on a table and she was so happy to be able to stretch out and move a little bit.

Reflections from a soldier...

After I posted about my sister coming home, I checked me email and realized that I had one from Allie. She was letting everyone know that she was heading home and she reflected a little about her journey. It really put things into perspective for me. I thought it was really powerful and I was crying by the end. I think the last one is especially moving.

Goodbye hot, dusty, brown days, hello cold, snowy, all the colors of the rainbow days;
Goodbye 20 hour missions, hello 20 hours of fun;
Goodbye being on the road for hours and not being able to pee, hello rest stops all down the highway;
Goodbye same old chow for 9 months, hello culinary variety;
Goodbye not getting to eat for 10 or so hours b/c of missions, hello food at my fingertips;
Goodbye walking over 100 yards to the bathroom; hello bathroom about 5 steps away;
Goodbye boring people who are too good for everything but not good at anything, hello people of interest;
Goodbye flies buzzing around and landing on my lips; hello...uh no flies on my lips?;
Goodbye potentially deadly liesmaniasis (sp?) mosquitoes, hello bug spray that works;
Goodbye small quarters I share with someone, hello small quarters in a small house, but it's mine;
Goodbye faded uniforms with velcro that doesn't stick and holes in my butt, hello sweats and jeans and T-shirts and sweaters and tennis shoes;
Goodbye electricity that fades in and out, hello lights and heat and air;
Goodbye clothes that are stiff b/c they are only boiled not washed, hello Downy and Cheer;
Goodbye every where you go smells like a fart or some other foul body odor, hello scented candles and perfume;
Goodbye wearing 70 lbs of gear to leave the gate, hello jeans and a jacket in my Jeep;
Goodbye hardest thing I have ever done, hello freedom!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

Today my family got some great news! My sister Allie, who is currently serving our country in Iraq, called to let my parents know that she was sitting at the airport waiting to come home. We don't know what day or time it will happen, but my sister is coming home for good!! My mom and dad were walking at the mall when she called and they said they were tempted to stand up on a bench and yell, "My daughter just called from Iraq and she is coming home!". I am sure that would have been a sight to see! Please pray for her safe arrival. My family will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!!

Our little Polar Bear

When we were in the hospital, Rachel and Eric brought Macie this adorable polar bear suit to keep her nice and warm this winter. We had a busy day planned traveling to Owensboro to help Beth and Wil move into their new house and visiting my mom and dad, so we wanted to make sure Macie stayed warm in this cold weather. We went to the mall tonight to pick up a few Christmas gifts and everyone who saw her kept saying, "aww". I know that she is my child, and I am a little partial, but she is freaking adorable!!!

It's getting cold outside...

It is getting colder and colder outside and today was Macie's first snow (well at least flurries). Brian and I bought Macie a hat. All of them were way to big, so this is the closest we got. It is huge on her and a little rediculous, but adorable at the same time!

The worst pain of my life...

Last night we had Rachel and Eric over for chili. We had a great night overall, but while they were here, my back started to cramp up and the pain started getting worse and worse. After they left, the pain was all over my back and moved around to my stomache and under my right ribs. The pain was unbearable and before long I was throwing up too. I got very scared when nothing seemed to help and we called my mom to come and watch Macie so that Brian could take me to the ER. It was the first time I had to leave her and that was the worst part because I didn't know when I was going to get to come back home. I also had a fear that I would go to the hospital and they would look at me like I was stupid or something and tell me it was just indigestion from the chili.
Long story short, after being poked and prodded and having an ultrasound, they found out that I have gallstones and will need my gallbladder taken out. I have to call a surgeon Monday and set it up. I am pretty bummed about having another surgery but I definitly don't want to have to go through that again. Hopefully, all will work out and it will be a same day surgery so I won't have to be away from my baby for too long. I'll keep you posted....

My Daddy and I

Today when I was busy cleaning up from the shower, Brian read Macie the book, My Daddy and I. It was the cutest thing because she was wide awake and looking at him and the book. I am sure that Brian will read her many more stories over the next few years!

Jamie's Shower

Today was my cousin, Jamie's, baby shower. She is the last one of my cousins that is pregnant to have her baby. There were five of us at the same time and we have had four baby showers since July! Jamie looked great, as always!

Jamie, the mommy-to-be, with a scrapbook one of her friends made for her. It has the pages done for her inside. All she has to do is fill them in. What an awesome idea!

It was a "full circle moment" to see my cousin, Kaitlyn, holding Macie. I babysat for her a lot when she was little and now she is old enough to babysit for my child!
Macie with both Great-Grandma (aka Grams B) and Grandma Boyles

My baby is 1 month old!

I can hardly believe that Macie Lu is 1 month old today! The last month has been one of the most exciting, exhausting, rewarding, and emotionally draining months of my life.

A look back:

• After losing almost a pound due to jaundice, Macie finally started gaining again and returned to her birth weight at 3 weeks old. Now, she is gaining everyday and I can't believe how big she is getting.
• At 4 weeks old, Macie rolled over for the first time. She was on her belly and got mad enough to flip herself over. I am sure that it was a fluke, but I think that she will be doing it on a regular basis soon. When we do tummy time, she gets so close!
• Macie is sleeping in her crib now and often sleeps 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time. Doesn't sound like much, but I will take it!
• My favorite time of day with her is in the morning....she is wide awake from about 9 to 11 and we do tummy time, play on the floor and read books.
  

I am going to take a picture of Macie next to this duck every month to see her growth. I saw this idea on both TLC and another blog. Here are the first pics...

My sweet angel!

Look how big I'm getting!

Where did you come from?

Are you done mom? I need to fill my pants!

Madisonville, Here we come!

Today, we packed up again and headed to Madisonville, KY where most of Brian's extended family lives. Most of them hadn't seen Macie so she was the star of the day. Our first stop was at Brian's Mamaw and Papaw's house where most of his dad's family was waiting to meet Macie. Then we went to the nursing home to see Brian's Nanny and Papaw. Once again, there was a crowd just to see our precious little girl. The last stop before heading home was China Jade where we had delicious crab legs. A packed trip but one well worth it!

A four generation picture on Brian's side
Aunt Pam and Uncle Dewey

Pops showing off his little angel

Papaw cried tears of joy when Nanny held up Macie for him to see

Aunt Darlene
Aunt Jackie

Road Trip

Today we loaded up and headed to Sturgis. It was Macie's first road trip and she did pretty well. We only had to stop once for me to move to the back to feed her. When we were at Grammie and Pops' house, a lot of visitors came just to see Macie. She also got many presents. What a great day!

Brian's Aunt Monica (aka Aunt Poggy) drove over an hour to meet her great niece
Pops couldn't wait to snuggle with Macie

Our first family photo....maybe we should have propped up her head!

Aunt Beth spent some time with Macie before heading back to Owensboro

Mary's Shower

Yesterday was my cousin, Mary's, baby shower. There was a great turnout and she got a lot of awesome stuff! She looked great and was even sporting her red high heels! When I was looking through the pictures that were taken at the shower, I realized that there wasn't even one of Mary. I guess I am focusing too much on Macie! I am sure that I will learn to balance my time more!

At my shower, we were all pregnant...now we have the babies...

Katie and Dylan, Me and Macie, Amy and Olivia

A four generation picture
Aunt Nancy (Mary's Mom) with Macie
Wiped out....