Favorite Moments

Some of my favorite moments with Macie are stress free times at home when we have no agenda. They happen few and far between the chaos that is our life. I just try to cherish each and every moment with her because she is growing up way to fast. Her first birthday is quickly approaching and my little girl is changing from a baby to a toddler in front of my eyes!!

Macie loves my water bottles. She thinks she is such hot stuff when she gets to drink water out of it. The bottle is about as big as she is!

Macie LOVES books! She is always picking up a book and bringing it up to us to read to her. Her favorite book is a Sesame Street Shape book that she got at Kyle's birthday party last year. I think we have already read it a million times!!
Daddy and Macie reading a book before he has to go to work. A picture perfect moment!

UCHS Alumni Football Game

Tonight, we headed to the Union County High School Alumni Football Game. It was a wet, cold, and nasty evening, but we had a good time anyway. When Brian was asked to play, he was a little hesitant, but I know that he is glad that he did. He considers high school football his "glory days", so this was a good opportunity for him to relive that. He did realize that "he ain't as good as he once was" because we have only been home for an hour and he is already grumbling about his aches and pains! The game resulted in a tie and there were no major injuries, so I call it a success!!

Our family before the game
Grammie and Pops came too

Cheering Daddy on

It got pretty chilly so we bundled Macie up. Thankfully, a group of people let us sit under their tent so we stayed pretty dry. Macie was so good considering it was way past her bedtime!

They took a group shot after the game, but Allie didn't catch it until they were heading back to the stands. I think there were 35 guys who showed up. The oldest one graduated in '73!
Brian is #31 on the sidelines waiting to get in the game. He mainly played defense.

Way to go Brian...we are proud of you! I'm just glad you didn't get hurt!!

Macie Hop

Macie loves to dance to music and when she gets really excited, she starts doing a hop on the ground. She pushes up on her feet and ankles and propels her bottom into the air. This is virtually impossible to do (many of us have tried and don't even budge!). My sisters tease that she looks like a primordial dwarf. I just call it the "Macie Hop".

STRESSED!!

What a week! It is only Wednesday and I can't wait for this week to end! I hate wishing my life away, but I'm ready for a "do over"! The worst part....I can't have a drink!
We started the week with Macie running a fever around 100. We think it is just from teething because it has been coming and going all week and is back again tonight. She is cranky, fighting eating some (which never happens) and a bear to put to bed at night.
On top of that, I have an appointment or meeting every day this week so that always adds extra stress.
Plus....our poor dog Max is very sick. He has been vomiting and had diarrhea everywhere! We have disinfected the crate many times, been giving dog baths, and shampooing carpets more than once already this week. We took him to the vet and they can't really figure out what is wrong. They think it is a like a hernia and the flu. They sent him home after fluids, meds, and a bill! Now he has a huge "growth" hanging down from his chest and we will be calling the vet again tomorrow...fun!

Yes, this is all part of life.....but I need a break! The good news is, tomorrow is a new day!

Emmy Jane Sills

Yesterday morning, my friend, Renee', gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! Emmy Jane Sills came into the world at 6 pounds 11 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Renee' didn't find out if she was having a boy or a girl, so little Emmy was a surprise! Now, Macie has another playmate! I told her that she is going to be a big sister like Keelin, but I know that she has no clue what I am talking about! Congrats to Renee', Drew, and Keelin! We are so happy for you!!

Emmy Jane

I just love the name!!
At first Macie was just staring at Emmy not quite knowing what to think. Then she was reaching and grabbing for her, but we realized she just wanted her blanket!

After we went to visit Renee' and Emmy at the hospital, we met my parents and Allie at Sams. Macie was picking out some pretty expensive cheese. Aunt Allie says she has good taste!

Go Colts!

The Colts played the first game of the season today. We had my parents and Allie over to watch the game and eat yummy food! We had quite a spread: mini pizzas, veggie tray, cookies, cinnamon pizza, chicken cups, potato wedges, and a veggie dish my mom made. The Colts won, so it was a great start to the season!!

Macie digging into her toy basket
She would hold up a book and look around the room to see who wanted to read it to her

The spread

Grandma helping Macie to fly

Rusty and Macie hanging out with Daddy to watch more football

Save-the-Date!!!

Macie Lu's First Birthday Party will be on Saturday, October 1oth at 12:30!!

11 Months Old!

Today our little Macie Lu is 11 months old! She is a bundle of energy and seems to be doing new things every day! I love rediscovering the world through her eyes! Here are some highlights of the last month:

• Macie now has four teeth! Two on top and two on bottom. She likes to grind them together to hear the sound. When she eats cheerios, she tries to chew them with her teeth. It is too funny!
• She has a smile that lights up her whole face and the entire room. She just looks at you with that big grin and bright blue eyes and melts our hearts!
• She is officially crawling; no more army crawl! She is also pulling up and walking along the couch and anything she can reach. We had to redo our living room to accommodate her new found freedom!
• She finally discovered her toy basket in the living room. Until now, Brian and I would get toys out for her, but she never would go over to the basket and get toys out herself. This week, she started digging through the basket and pulling stuff out. It makes a big mess, but I'm just glad she finally plays with some of her toys!
• She laughs out loud when we tickle her and it is the most contagious laugh!
• We started a NEW daycare routine. Hopefully, this will be the last! She still goes to my mom's house on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but now she goes to Sturgis to visit Grammie and Pops on Thursday and Friday. She spends the night with them. It's hard on Mommy, but she likes the break too. We are just so relieved that she is finally being taken care of and we don't have to worry one bit when we go to work!

She leaned in to give the duck a kiss without us telling her to!

Olivia 1st Birthday Party

Olivia Grace celebrated her first birthday today! She will officially be one on the 15th. There is four weeks between Macie and Olivia....so that means my baby is next! Olivia had a princess themed party and she even wore a tutu! There were several little girls Macie's age for her to play with. This was the fourth birthday party we went to in the last 3 weeks, so Macie is now a pro. All she cares about are the toys and the ice cream!

Our angel before the party
The princess of the party

Macie and Olivia playing together

Olivia checking out all of her cool new toys

Allie went in with us on a gift. We got her a ride on pony and a baby doll.

Olivia wasn't too sure about the cake at first. Big brother, Noah, had to show her what to do!

It didn't take her long to figure it out though!

Libby's 3rd Birthday Party

Tonight we went to my friend, Julie's, daughter's birthday party. Alivia, or Libby, turns 3 on September 13th. She celebrated tonight with a Little People themed party. Macie wasn't too sure when we first got there, but she warmed up quickly. We go to visit Skylar, Libby, and she loves to play with them and the other kids Julie watches. It was a nice time and Macie loved the ice cream as always!

There was a hammock swing there and Macie wasn't too sure about it
Macie putting everything in her mouth as usual

Libby with her cake. Her mom made this cake. There is a house and a picnic table with little people on it. Too cute!

Libby loved the Dora movies we got her!

Drum Roll Please...

Well, the verdict is in....it's a BOY!! Brian literally jumped out of his seat and yelled "YES!" when the tech told us. She asked if we wanted to know and within seconds she said, I know what it is. I guess my hunch and the voters were right! Our little guy will be named Gavin William. Gavin is quite the mover. We thought Macie was bad, but the tech was chasing him around with the ultrasound wand and still couldn't get most of what she needed. In fact, they scheduled me for another ultrasound during the next visit to get all of the important stuff (find the other kidney, recheck the heart and find the 4 chambers, measure the belly, check for clef pallet, etc). We got lots of pictures, but none of them are very clear because he was moving so much and I'm carrying him low just like Macie. I have already been feeling him move for a couple of weeks now and my doctor said, "Just wait!". It's going to get a lot worse I'm sure. I didn't post any ultrasound pics because they are kind of fuzzy, but here are updated pics of me. I am officially 18 weeks. I am almost half way there because I will have Gavin around 38 weeks. I'm glad we will have time to stock up on "boy stuff".

18 Weeks

Last Chance to Vote!

Tomorrow is my ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. Tonight is your last chance to vote on your choice. I was thinking boy, but now I am second guessing myself. I am just praying that the baby cooperates! I'll let you know what happens tomorrow!

Caged Beasts

In an effort to keep Macie out of the kitchen, we put up a gate. The dogs were in the kitchen eating and Max was going crazy because he wanted to get to Macie. She kept going to the gate the play with him. How cute!

" Hi Max"
" You caught me!"

Macie loves Max kisses!

A good day for a party

Today we had two parties to go to: Hannah's 3rd Birthday Party and Rachel and Eric's Labor Day Pool Party (the weather was crappy so we just had a party and no one was able to swim, but whatever). First we went to Hannah's princess themed birthday party. She was wearing her Cinderella dress for the party that her Mommy and Daddy got her. Our gift matched perfectly because we got her four pairs of princess shoes. Now she will have a pair for every outfit! Hannah was so sweet and would go and thank each person after opening a gift. Macie had a great time at the party playing with all of the kids and eating ice cream and cake. After a quick pit stop at home, we went to Rachel and Eric's. Macie had so much fun playing with all of the kids there she hardly wanted to stop! She was so exhausted that she fell asleep before we even pulled out from their house!

Mommy and Macie
Hannah while we were singing to her

Hannah loved the shoes we got her. She said "Open Now!!"

Hannah was showing off her new shoes....she really was thrilled even though she looks so serious here!

We attempted the impossible....7 kids in the same picture!
Macie was way more interested in Hannah's new shoes!

Macie helped me take this picture at Rachel and Eric's house

Boyles Family Cookout

This afternoon we went to my parents' house for a cookout. It was pretty humid and then rained so we stayed inside most of the time, but otherwise, it was a great afternoon and evening. It is very rare that my whole immediate family is together in the same place anymore. Annie was home from Purdue for the weekend and my Aunt Dawn also came over to join in on the fun. Macie had a chance to meet Annie's guinea pig, Reno. She was so busy visiting and playing with everyone she didn't want to nap. She fell asleep in her highchair while drinking her bottle. It was quite entertaining! I forgot my camera, but my mom had hers and I was able to get some pictures of the day.

Macie loved Reno and wanted to pet him
Aunt Annie and Macie

Going...

going...

GONE!

Friday Night Fun

Macie had a lot of visitors last night! Yesterday was Uncle John's birthday, so he and Uncle Kenny came up. Brian, Kenny, and John went to eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise and headed to Showme's so John could get a fish bowl of Long Island Ice Tea. Then, they came back to our house to hang out and crash. John was supposed to help Brian with a little home improvement project this morning, but lets just say that didn't work out too well. While the guys went out, I had my sisters over. Annie is in town and I thought it would be fun to make some finger foods and hang out. Allie also brought over her wii which provided lots of laughs and entertainment! I was so exhausted and I am a little sore this morning. Pathetic I know, but its a lot of work for a pregnant woman!! Macie didn't know what to think seeing all these people at the same time! Overall, it was a great night and I hope we can all hang out again soon!

Uncle Kenny snuggling with Macie
Happy Birthday Uncle John!

Allie got so into the wii it was hilarious!!

Kenny trying out baseball

Since Brian works at Arc, he thinks he is a great bowler, but we all know the truth that I am the best bowler!!