The rest of the story...

I know I have been rather mum on the topic of my pregnancy. I had my reasons, and now that Macey has arrived here safely I'll share her story.

My other two pregnancies went into preterm labor so this third one was labeled as high risk. This means that I had shots every Friday for 18 weeks to try to prevent the contractions from coming. The amniotic fluid has been low with each child and when this was discovered with Macey I started having an ultrasound weekly and non-stress tests twice weekly. I had 8 ultrasounds with this pregnancy! The placenta had calcium deposits that made it look like a 40 week placenta rather than the 30 week one it was supposed to be. This can prevent the flow of nutrients and therefore I started taking a low dose aspirin everyday. She has always been breech and with so low fluid there was little chance that she would flip on her own and there was no way the doctors could try to turn her.

Friday before last I went in for my regular tests and the Dr. suggested I go to the hospital triage to have my contractions monitored. I didn't feel like that was necessary and so I waited until my contractions changed and on Sunday morning Dan and I headed to the hospital. I really went so that I could face the Dr. on Tuesday! I wasn't in labor when I dropped off the boys and headed to Banner. However, I did go into labor while I was hooked up to the monitors.

Once it was established that I was in labor the doctor said it was time to prep for my c-section. I had about 30 minutes to prepare! I was 35 weeks, which means for those who don't know, that she was 5 weeks too early. Alex was also 5 weeks early, but because he was a boy his respiratory system wasn't developed and he had to be put in intensive care. Girls develop earlier so it was hoped that she would be fine. Also, the Dr. said that that once you reach 34 weeks and you go into labor they do not stop you because the environment outside of the womb is just as safe as inside.

The story behind the c-section is too long and bizarre for me to include here. All I can say is that a person really ought to be put under when they are being disemboweled! Macey came into the world with her feet in her face and sucking her fingers. Everyone in the operating room got a kick out of her legs being straight up!
She was born at 2:37pm and we were finally put into our recovery room at 6:30pm. Grandma June and the boys came that night. Alex was so excited to hold Macey! Ryan was so excited to explore the hospital room!
We were there until Wednesday afternoon. In the mean time I got my pain management under control (I can't take narcotics!), Macey lost very little weight, and we had a few visitors.


Well, I have wore myself out sitting here and typing this up. I'll only mention thanks to June for coming and helping last week. Dan will be working from home as much as he can to help out. To my friends here in Goodyear, be assured I'll be calling to help with entertaining Ryan. We won't be taking our preemie out much for the next 2 weeks. I want her to put on a little weight. It is hard on her to ride in the car seat because she is so tiny. Soon we'll have her out for all to see. She is too beautiful to keep to ourselves!

Macey Jane Black

Macey Jane Black was born by cesarean on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 2:37pm at Banner Estrella Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

Macey was 5 pounds 2 ounces and 18 3/4 inches long. She was carried frank breech for her whole gestation and came out with her feet in her face. It will take about a month for her legs to lay flat.

Macey looks like Ryan more, but she certainly looks like her brother Alex too.

Macey is a beautiful, petite princess and we are so happy to be home with her. Alex adores her and Ryan likes her well enough!

All by myself

This has been a special week for Ryan. Here he is cooking brownies for FHE on Monday.

And yesterday morning he got up and said, 'I'm going to go to preschool today all by myself.' He is so proud to be a big boy. He had a wonderful first day (I didn't get to chat with the teacher, but I hope he was good for her.) He learned the 'Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?" song and how to say 'I love you' in sign language. He brought home a picture of a monster he drew with markers. He really wanted to share his special day with Alex, but Alex didn't really act too interested. Maybe Alex was a little jealous.

Ryan took this picture of us. Go ahead, compare it to the engagement picture on the side. We have gotten old! But I love life the way it is and am so lucky to be growing old with my hubby.

What's up?

The first week of school Dan went off to Dallas for a few days. Grandma June came and stayed with us and helped me rearrange the boys room. The disaster that was called the toy room is now shoved uncomfortably into their closet. I know layout and design and what have you don't matter in any eternal way, but it grieves me that I can't have a pottery barn perfect room! I hope they love being in there with all their treasures and things. The picture above is the two of them asleep. Their beds are side by side. I'm guessing Alex was trying to keep Ryan quiet here.

Dad came home carrying Bakugan surprises. Did I mention that I just cleaned out toys?
This week Alyssa and her friend Morgan stayed overnight. They took the boys to see 'GForce'. They really enjoyed it. Ryan starts preschool on Tuesday. He is ready for it. I hope his teacher is ready! Other than that, we've just been trying to stay cool and are getting ready for our little girl to come.

1st Grade

These pictures are backwards because I can't get the pictures to cut and paste, but you get the idea. Alex was up and ready this morning for the first grade. His new teacher is Mrs. English. Ryan and I are going to miss him, but we'll find new routines to fill the void. This is Alex waiting for his teacher to escort his class to their room.Here is us on the walk from the car. I mostly put this picture on because it is the only picture I've had taken lately of this tummy. From my perspective looking down my tummy has Presence. But I can see how from another perspective it may not seem to be a 7 1/2 month bump.
Dad and Alex wanted to match on the first day of school. Alex is one loved little boy!

Cute, Pink and Tiny

That sums up my Saturday morning. Amie and Lacie threw me a baby shower. I'm so thankful for these ladies who hosted such a nice party. It was so fun to have girl time with all my ladies! There were about 20 of us. Macey recieved a nice stash of cute, pink and tiny clothes, bows, and even a bracelet. I told Dan that I was just going to dress her up and watch her and he can take care of everything else! Now it is time to get to work on the nursery!

End of July

The end of July can be summed up with the word BUSY! OK, I realize that some of you thrive on an over loaded schedule and have busy everyday and yearn for a break. I am lucky enough to have it the other way and on a lot of days I think, 'Hmm, what should we do today?' This week left no room for thinking; mostly I just drove!
Alex started Space Camp in Peoria on Monday. Ryan and I spent a few afternoons with the Barons, we came home one day to give an art lesson, and we journeyed to the mall once. Would you look at this outfit? Ryan's two favorite pieces of clothing: baby swim shorts (they have a diaper lining) and his new Bakugan shirt. Yes, I was embarrassed, but there are some things that kids should be allowed to do and one is to dress themselves. I put my foot down when we will be in a formal setting (he will not be dressing like this for preschool!) or church, but most other days I give him and Alex free reign. I give more suggestions to Alex in the hopes that he'll learn what good taste is.

Space Camp was fun. There was some learning. Alex complained one day about having to stay in the classroom most of the day. I asked what they did, 'Mr. D. talked about nebulas.' Ah, well, I sent him to Space Camp to learn and have fun, not just to have fun, so I think it worked out!

He came home with a few cute crafts that I'll be tossing once school starts. Crafts are great for kids, but once they have enjoyed the construction and showed them off they just become dust collectors!

The boys in the museum part of the Space Center.

This week I had my last 2 art classes and had the art show last night. I put everything up in the primary room and the families came for an open house. They took home their drawings when they left. I had a good turnout and it was a nice time to chat with friends and show off what the kids did.

I've been asked if I would do the lessons again. Yes, I really enjoyed doing it. It kept our summer on a schedule, I felt like I did something productive with the boys at least one day a week, and I enjoyed learning about child education. I also feel more confident about teaching. So, keep an eye and ear out for next summer's class schedule if you want to do it again or want to give it a try. I know the kids all loved it!