Macy's Arizona Christmas has begun!

Arizona is Wild!


After a long day of traveling and worrying about the crazy weather, we made it to Phoenix to begin our Arizona Christmas. Grandpa and Grandma had toys for Macy to play with, a great bed to sleep in, and a stroller that they had collected from the cousins-- Macy is right at home!

Macy bonded instantly with Grandpa Keith and Grandma Cindy, a match made in heaven!

Macy and Grandpa play and play, they are fast friends.

Macy wanted to stay up all night playing with Grandma and Grandpa, then in the morning she was all tuckered out and took a nice nap. We are so happy to be here safe. Now that little Macy has met her Grandparents, Christmas can begin!

Macy is 4 months old!

We went to two doctors appointments yesterday, YIKES! But happily there is little to report.

Macyn's hips are staying in their sockets, but the sockets aren't forming as tight as her orthopedist would like. If they stay in place, the sockets should form just fine. We go back in four more months to get another X-ray to see how they are doing.

On a lighter note, Macy's wonderful pediatrician says she is strong and healthy. She weighed in at 14 lb. 5 oz. (65 %tile) and 24 1/4 inches long (55 %tile).


These appointments are pretty traumatic, because they end with shots. So Papa came with us and we tried to make it a positive experience. Macy especially loved playing with the paper on the exam table.

This picture was, of course, taken before the dreaded shots. They were still hard, but Papa at least didn't cry with her (I still teared up). Gerald was awesome, he helped us both calm down!

We loved having Aunt Lacy here!

It was so awesome to have Gerald's sister, Lacy, come spend a few days with us for Thanksgiving! We loved spending time with her!

She and Macy were very fast friends, they have a lot in common!


Lacy was here for Macy's First Thanksgiving, we all had a great time with Aunt Sheron, Uncle Jesse and their family. The food was wonderful, the company was great, and we all played Rook late into the night! (Lacy and I beat Gerald and Uncle Jesse soundly :))



We stopped by the Portland Temple on our way to the Airport as Lacy was leaving. When they were kids Gerald and Lacy were sealed to their parents there. So this picture is pretty special-- we are an eternal family!



So thank you for coming Lacy, and we cannot wait to see you in just 2 weeks!

Frog Legs Anyone?

I've heard that they are a delicacy in France, and Macy sure loves them-- Frog legs anyone?

Truly, that is Macy's best playmate "Smoochy". He got the job because of his wonderfully grasp-able long legs and bright colors. At first Macy was indifferent, but now she finds him quite handy, especially when there isn't a binky nearby. Macy is grasping objects, and Mama's hair, all the time now. Another milestone bites the dust. They really do grow up too fast!

Prior to smooching her Smoochy, Macy had a wonderful photoshoot-- here are her best shots.




Congratulations Macy, you are still in the running to become America's Next Top Model!

Codependency

I am not an independent person. I like to think I am but I am not.

Gerald is out of town this week, he left yesterday early in the morning and will get back after dinner on Friday. I miss him like crazy. I can't sleep. I forget to eat. The silliest things make me crazy. Macy misses him too and she is very needy and whiny about it-- she must get that from me.

The worst of it is that we got the best news yesterday and I have no one to celebrate with me. We put a low-ball offer in on a townhouse in Tualatin and we got it! We are officially going to own a home here in Oregon. Technically we are already homeowners because we still own and rent out the condo in Orem, but we have been renting for almost a year now and I am so excited to get into a place that is our own. One thing I am really looking forward to is fixing it up a little. It needs new carpet and paint before we can move in and I am really jazzed because it will be like moving into a brand new home! But even with this news I can't really get super excited because Ger isn't here to share it with me.

I know that a 24 year old woman should be able to take care of herself and one baby for 4 days on her own just fine. But, it is harder than it looks. Loneliness slows time.

Hurry home Ger! We need to celebrate!

The ER and Being a Single Dad

The past week has been crazy! It all started last week on Monday, November 3. Mary went to the doctor for a bladder infection. We got an ultrasound and everything looked fine, so the doctor gave her a prescription to clear it up. All seemed well until Friday morning at 3am when Mary started vomiting. At about 8am, the pain in her side was so bad that she was on the floor crying. We called the doctor's office, but of course, our doctor was out of the office that day. Then as a last resort, we called the Rachel, Mary's wise older sister. She told us that it was a kidney stone and that we needed to get to the hospital right away. Thanks Rachel! So we were off, but not until I had 20 minutes of running around the house packing stuff for the baby, Mary, and me. Mary was useless because she was carrying around a barf bucket hardly able to walk, so I had to get the baby changed, packed with milk from the freezer, and buckled into the car. Seems easy, but when you have a miserable wife who is now in the car honking the horn, things get a little confusing, especially at 8am.

We pulled into the emergency room and got the drugs for the pain, and Mary went to sleep. She said that the pain was worse than childbirth! Long story short, we had surgery at 6pm that same day with Dr. McCoy, one of the urologists that I work with. He basically stuck a laser in her and blasted the kidney stone apart. Fun, aye? She's in a lot of pain still, but the worst is over. I never want to be in an ER waiting room again! Those are scary places!

I have been a fulltime dad for almost three days now, and it's tough work. Mary is lucky though to get to spend so much time with my Macy. She is the most wonderful little girl in the world. I am just grateful that this fulltime job is just temporary. I couldn't live without my Mary.

As a full time dad, I have taken a few pictures to record our time together. Here they are:

It must run in the family!

Swimming in Fun! and Hand-me downs!

Macy has got to be one of the most lucky girls in the world! She just turned 3 months and she just moved into her second full wardrobe! We just opened up the 3 full garbage sacks of 3-6 months size hand-me downs from Gracie and Emma-- here is a picture of Macy literally swimming in her new clothes!


We took the swimming pictures because we were so excited that there were 2 different swimming suits in her new size. It is good that she has such fun new clothes-- Auntie Ruthie was absolutely right that having new clothes makes it easier to deal with the fact that Macy is growing up.

So what amazing combinations will we put together with this treasure trove of couture? Well, Gerald could hardly wait to get to work-- he came up with this:

Really, dad? This is the best you could do? Actually Daddy hit the nail right on the head. After all we lead a pretty low-key life and fashion for Macy (and her daddy) is really all about comfort!

Happy Halloween!

Thank you so much Camille Gifford for lending us this adorable outfit! We love our "lil' Punkin"!

We put Macy into her costume the evening she got it and had to take pictures (because I am obsessive like that!). She made so many funny, "scary" faces I wanted to put them all together. Gerald chose the cute ones, and Macy's first Halloween card was born. We are excited to go to the ward Trunk-or-Treat and show off.

Favorites!

So, I am so grateful that Gerald posted with a few pictures of our wonderful trip-- but I had put all of my favorite pictures into a folder he couldn't find.











I cannot say enough about this wonderful trip! Gerald, Macy and I flew to Boise on October 11thand Grandma Cherie and Grandpa Kirk picked us up at the airport, introduced us to chocolate caramel apples at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, and brought us safely to Blackfoot in a crazy snow storm! Macy traveled so well~she was wonderful on the plane and in the car-- she just lost her patience about 10 minutes outside of Pocatello. She had had enough of eating from bottles and sitting in her chair. After a nice break she did great the rest of the way to Blackfoot.

We loved going to church in Mom and Kirk's ward and seeing all of our friends. Then Grandma Willa came to meet Macy-- they were fast friends! Macy loves Grandma Willa and we got to spend lots of time with her on this trip. Macy also got to meet Grandma and Grandpa Harper and Grandma and Grandpa Clawson. I was not as good as I should have been at taking pictures-- but Macy loved meeting all of her Great Grandparents! She is so lucky to have 6 Great Grandparents! We still need to get to Illinois to meet Grandma Rich.

This trip was so much fun! Thank you Grandma Cherie and Grandpa Kirk for making it happen! We love you so much!

Macy's Photoshoot at Grandma's

Hey bloggers, this is Gerald:

Momma has been busy lately with her travels back from Idaho, so I didn't want to keep our Macy watchers from her newest poses! Here she is in her photo shoot at Grandma's. I took all the pictures, and I am pretty proud of the results. When you have such a beautiful little model, though, you don't need that much skill to get a good shot.











Does this remind you of anything Lacy? Mom always forced us to practice piano, but you were the one who really got upset about it like this! Like Lacy, like Macy. Auntie Martha will show you how to play, Macy!!




This picture was taken after a blow-out in the bathtub. Macy liked being crammed in the sink!



Here are the Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins! We had a nice time showing Macy off to the family!







This is with Macyn Cherie and Grandma Cherie:

Reading List

I LOVE to read! Since Macy was born I have enjoyed stealing moments to myself to read good books-- and I have read some really great ones lately!

My mom bought me The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright (The Christmas Jars) when Macy was born. I loved it. It made me want to be better than I am, and it made me cry. Also it made me want to write a novel. This book reminded me of growing up in a small town where everyone knows everyone and news travels fast. It reminded me that there are some people who are just good and generous. It reminded me of losing a parent, and getting to know them better after they are gone. It was not just sad, it was sweet, romantic, funny, and tragic. This is a great book.


I picked up The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice on the "staff picks" table at our library. It took me back in time to 1950s England. It reminded me of one of my best friends. It made me want to go back to England and it made me want to talk to my Grandma about Johnny Ray. This book took me back to the time when I had to figure out the difference between loving rock stars, loving unattainable older men, and being in love for real. Mostly though, it made me want to dress up and go to fancy parties!


Gerald read The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly for work. As soon as he finished it he said I had to read it. This book was not what I thought it would be. It is a story about teaching people how to dream again-- because reality has usually squashed that out of us by adulthood. It teaches that in order to get what you need from people you must help them to fulfill their dreams. And in order to get what you want from your own life you have to identify your dreams. Because of this book I am dreaming again-- in real, concrete, make-a-plan kinds of ways. If you manage people, or teach them, or interact with people at all, you must read this book. It will change your perspective on motivation!



My Book Club is reading Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray for their October meeting. I won't make it to the party, but I loved the book. It is not what I expected, it was not fluffy. It was a great read, and it made me want to bake, and eat.

Best Quote:

"Cakes have gotten a bad rap. People equate virtue with turning down dessert. There is always one person at the table who holds up her hand when I serve the cake. No, really, I couldn't, she says, and then gives her flat stomach a conspiratorial pat. Everyone who is pressing a fork into that first tender layer looks at the person who declined the plate, and they all think, 'That person is better than I am. That person has discipline.' But that isn't a person with discipline, that is a person who has completely lost touch with joy. A slice of cake never made anybody fat. You don't eat the whole cake. You don't eat a cake every day of your life. You take the cake when it is offered because the cake is delicious. You have a slice of cake and what it reminds you of is someplace that's safe, uncomplicated, without stress. A cake is a party, a birthday, a wedding. A cake is what is served on the happiest day of your life.

"This is a story of how my life was saved by cake, so, of course, if sides are to be taken, I will always take the side of cake."

I am going to post about the books I read now because every time I read a good book I want to tell people about it. Good books are best when shared with friends; when they are picked apart and related to. I hope you get a chance to read these ones, they are worth every word. And let me know what you are reading, I am looking for recommendations!

Call the 90s! Macy is ready to audition with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch!

So, Papa dressed Macy, sort of... Isn't she a cute little thug?

Lots and Lots of Questions!

1. Do you like blue cheese? No, moldy cheese should always be thrown away.
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? No, and second hand smoke makes me sick—seriously sick.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Oceanwater—Coconut (but not really coconut)
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointment? Always
6. What do you think of hot dogs? There was nothing wrong with a good hot dog, when I was 6 months pregnant.
7. Favorite Christmas Song? I love them all, but “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” jumped into my head.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Carnation Instant Breakfast, Chocolate
9. Can you do push-ups? I could at one time…probably...
10. What is your favorite movie? Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast—most classic Disney.
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring, and the entire Brighton Collection.
12. Favorite hobby? Taking pictures of my baby.
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? Maybe, but she can’t talk yet to tell me.
14. Do you have ADD? Probably, doesn’t everyone?
15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? I like ice cream too much.
16. What’s your middle name? Harper, it was my maiden name.
17. Name three thoughts at this moment: 1. Is the baby asleep? 2. Cheap ice cream is worse than no ice cream. 3. I should never have gotten bangs.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Only 1, cheap ice cream—big mistake.
19. Current worry right now? Who should I vote for?
21. Current hate right now? My body.
22. Favorite place to be? Home—more specifically my bathtub.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? At my Aunt Becky’s with my family—Super fun!
24. Where would you like to go? Vienna waits for me!
25. Name three people who will complete this? Uhm, I don’t know—I am doing it because Rachel did.
26. Whose answer do you want to read the most? Anyone’s
27. What color shirt are you wearing? Red
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Yep, but my favorite are crisp cotton.
29. Can you whistle? Kinda, not on tune, and not very loud.
30. Favorite color? Red.
31. Would you be a pirate? Maybe, it looks sorta fun, plus I just read “Voyage of the Dawntreader” so now is a good time to ask.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t, but I sing pretty much anything everywhere else.
33. Favorite girl’s name? Grace
34. Favorite boy’s name? Dallin
35. What’s in your pocket right now? My phone, a dollar.
36. Last thing (Person) that made you laugh? My baby girl, she makes the funniest faces.
37. Best bed sheets as a child? I don’t remember any of mine, but I remember a purple silky pillowcase of my Dad’s.
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Torn ACL.
39. What is your favorite snack? Puffy Cheetoes and Dr. Pepper
40. Favorite thing to do on Sundays? Nap
41. Who is your loudest friend? Gerald, no contest!
42. How many dogs do you have? None, I will never have any dogs—But I love visiting them at Charlene’s.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Gerald does… but I am crushing on him too so it is fair.
45. What is your favorite book? I always like best what I’ve read most recently. I just read “The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets”, and “Eat Cake” and they are both awesome!
46. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate and Caramel in pretty much any combination.
47. What is your favorite sports team? Team USA, I’ve only really watched the Olympics lately.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? “I Hope There’ll Be Pine Trees in Heaven.”
49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Feeding Macyn
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? I wish I had blackout curtains.

What Separates Us From The Animals

In the words of Miss Clairee "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize ." For Macy's 2 month birthday we went all out!


Our thanks to Aunt Michelle for the killer polo and mini-skirt, Aunties Rachel and Ruth for the hot headband and Ballerina socks, and Bonita for the beautiful bracelets! Is she fierce or what?


But Steel Magnolias is not the fountain of all fashion wisdom-- Orphan Annie had it right when she said, "You're never fully dressed without a smile!"

Macy is 2 Months Old!

Today is Macy's 2 months old-- lets start with a couple comparisons.

Macy at 7 pounds 8 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, 10 minutes old.

Macy at 10 pounds 15 ounces, 24 inches long, 2 months old.

Macy at 1 month.

Macy at 2 months.

Pretty impressive growth, eh? We went to the doctor's office today and Macy is in the 95 %tile for height, 50 %tile for weight, and her head circumference is in the 75 %tile.

She also had her first shots. She has never cried so hard-- so hard that it made me cry. The nurse gave her the shot while I held her and she looked at me as if to ask "Why are you letting this happen?" I had let someone hurt her-- and then I let it happen again! She cried, but it didn't seem like it was because of the pain. It felt like she was crying because I had betrayed her. This might have been my hardest day as a mom so far. It took a little time, but she did stop crying and I think we will be able to work through the residual trust issues. I guess only time will tell. But I think we already agree that being 2 months old is not easy.