Lots of Love!

Since baby Macey came home, our house has been quite chaotic! We're trying to have as many laughs (and as few tears) as possible while adjusting to life with 3 under 3! There are amazing moments and disastrous moments. There are times when I feel so overwhelmed with love that it makes me cry (so the hormones haven't completely gone away!)

Here's a glimpse of "Life at the Gorsch house" at this moment in time...

It's pretty near impossible to get a picture of all three of them (especially while keeping Macey safe!) I was expecting a little dark-haired baby, but I'm hoping that she'll go blond this summer so my kids "match"! (For now, Macey can just match Mom & Dad!)

When I brought this little chair out for Macey, Sadie immediately got hers out and of course Kinnick soon followed by dragging his out also. They love to sit with their baby sister!

SADIE:

Sadie loves the roll of "Big Sister"! She constantly wants to hold Macey, play with Macey, lay with Macey, change her diaper, get her dressed, even feed her! We've already had to have some serious discussions about carrying Macey around (Sadie got her out of her swing and carried her to the couch) and giving her medicine (Sadie tried to give Macey some gas drops that she found on our bedroom dresser). We've also had some funny comments by big sis:

• The day we brought Macey home from the hospital, we had this conversation: S: "Mom & Dad, are you going to the store?" Me: "No, not right now. S: "Oh. Does Macey need to wear diapers?" Me: "Yes." S: "Oh. Is she just gonna borrow some from Kinnick until you go to the store?" Good thing we have Sadie to think of everything we forget!
• After helping me change Macey the first time, Sadie inquired about her umbilical cord. I told her what it was called and explained why babies have them. A few hours later she asked "Mom, can we check if Macey's credit card fell off yet?"
• And my favorite... The day we brought Macey home, Sadie wanted to put Kinnick to bed with me. She loves to help sing him his song. When we were done, we came out of his room and she said to me "Mom, Kinnick is my special boy and Macey is my special girl." I just love my sweet Sadie!

KINNICK:

The day that Macey was born the kids came to visit us at the hospital. The following day we went home and they joined us that evening. Unfortunately, both of these days Kinnick was not feeling well and was very crabby. My poor baby was stuffed up and just wanted Daddy and Mommy. By Wednesday he was feeling better and starting to become more interested in this new little person in our house.

Some of his favorite things to do:

• He loves to just watch her. Granted, he usually tries to touch her. He seems pretty fascinated.
• He always wanted to grab her paci. He has actually done very well not putting them in his mouth, but he always wants to put them into Macey's mouth and he doesn't have the most gentle touch.
• He loves to give her kisses and "snuggle" her. He lays his head down on top of her head and rubs it back and forth. He sits up looking at me with the cutest little grin you've ever seen!
• Unfortunately, he also likes to hit her. Sometimes he hits with his hand, other times he hits with toys or books. I have to watch him very carefully... Needless to say, he's had a few time-outs because of this!

MACEY:
Macey is doing very well. She's surviving big brother and sister. She's sleeping and eating well. We went to the office today to check her weight and she's gained 4 oz. since Monday (she's back up to 7 lbs. 14 oz.) I'm sure that she will be a tough little girl. I can't wait to see her first smiles and watch her little personality emerge...

1st Sunday at Church (2/21)

1st Bath at Home (2/20)

I need to include my favorite quote of Marc's also... On Monday, he took off work and we went to visit the bank and get Macey's 1-week pictures taken. As we were getting ready to leave, Macey pooped in her picture outfit, Kinnick dumped the dog's water all over the floor and himself, and Sadie peed on the bathroom floor (while sitting on the toilet!) This all happened in a matter of about 5 minutes. He looked at me and said "Our kids are fired."

Sadie's Snowman

Today we made it outside to play in the snow! It was pretty warm which made it a great morning to be outside! Sadie had never made a snowman before, so we made one! She had fun finding sticks for the arms and decorating her snowman. Kinnick even helped us pat the snowballs together.

Sadie's 1st Snowman!

Sitting on top of the snow pile from our driveway...

Kinnick wasn't a huge fan of walking in the snow, but he enjoyed riding in his sled. Sadie had fun pulling him around.

Macey was snug as bug, napping while we played!

After we got inside I gave Sadie this book called Sadie and the Snowman. I had this book when I was little (and I still have my copy!) I always enjoy reading it to my Kindergarten classes. I was very excited when they had in the book order two years ago--I've been saving it to give to Sadie!

More Hospital Pics

Our Family!

Big sister meeting Macey for the 1st time...

Sisters

Kinnick--not so sure

Checking out little sister

Mommy & Macey in matching p.j.'s

Our Little Princess

Two cute little feet

Ready to go home

Proud Daddy

A Night (and Morning) to Remember

This time around was similar and different to our other experiences... The biggest difference--much faster! I finished typing my Valentine Blog (I really wasn't in labor yet!) and went to bed around 10:30. I had my alarm set for work in the morning and was fully planning on going! As I was laying there trying to fall asleep I started having some small contractions. I didn't pay too much attention b/c it felt similar to what I'd been experiencing over the last few weeks. Eventually I noticed that they were continuing to come. I tried not to get too excited in case it wasn't time yet.

I tried to relax and fall asleep, but I couldn't help watching the clock. I noticed they were 4-5 minutes apart. This was really unexpected b/c my other two labors started w/ contractions that were 20-4o minutes apart. I decided to go downstairs and get my bathroom bag ready. At that point, I was pretty sure that this was the real deal, but I didn't wake Marc up yet. I wanted him to get as much sleep as he could and I wanted to try and time the contractions for an hour or so. As I was getting things ready they started coming 2-3 minutes apart. At one point Wrigley started barking and Marc got up to check. He saw me on the computer and said "What are you doing?" I answered "Not going to work today!" He replied "Really?!? In that case I'm going back to bed to try and get some more sleep."

I decided to lay back down and see if they slowed at all. When I lay down in bed they slowed to about 5 minutes, but became pretty painful. By 2:30 I was waking Marc up and ready to get going! I didn't think I could last until 5 or 6 to wake the kids up, so we called our sitter and she came over to stay with them until morning. By 4:00 we were out the door to the hospital.

We had to enter through the emergency room; therefore, I had to be escorted up in a wheelchair, which I thought was ridiculous (the lady did ask us if it was our 1st.) When we got up to L&D we found out they were pretty busy. They put us right into a delivery room and once I got checked found out I was almost a 7. After that I had to negotiate with my nurse to put my regular clothes back on to walk around (she ended up letting me!) We walked for awhile and then I sat on the ball (I was predicting 8:30--9:00 baby would be here). By 6 I was ready to get in the jacuzzi tub--my favorite part!
This was my last pregnant picture--just a few hours before meeting my baby girl!
I stayed in the tub for at least an hour and could tell that I was fully dialated. At that point I changed my time prediction to 7:30--8:00. I didn't want to get out of the tub because I was dreading the next part... Really REALLY dreading it! I got out and asked my nurse if I could walk a little more, she said yes, but told me not to have the baby in the hallway! Walking was pretty painful at that point, so I sat on the ball some more.

Finally I agreed to get ready to push. My nurse said I was very ready to go, but I had a hard time motivating myself (even though I REALLY wanted to know if it was a boy or girl. Dr. Tieman and my nurse were both very calm and patient as I sat in bed for 30 minutes breathing through all of my contractions. (Dr. Tieman was crocheting a hat.) Finally I decided to try a push. My first push broke my water and it shot across the room. I remembered looking at the clock--it was 8:36 and I was really hoping the baby would be here well before 9! I breathed through a few more contractions and then finally decided to push this baby out. I once again did not get to be one of these women who push their babies out in 2 or 3 pushes, but it wasn't too long. When I could feel the head coming out, I reached down to touch it and I could feel my whole baby turn toward my touch--it was pretty cool. Dr. Tieman said "She's looking for you!" Once her head was out I was thinking I was pretty much done and I was surprised at how hard I had to push to get her shoulders out. Our Dr. held her up right away for me to look and I smiled at Marc and said "It's a girl!" (8:44) I was very relieved it was done and super excited to snuggle my little girl!

I looked at Marc and said "Is her name Macey?" He shook his head yes and we had a bit more discussion on the middle name...

I held her for awhile, but was also eager for them to weigh her because she was the hardest to push out. The nurse picked her up and guessed 7lb. 4 oz.--she put her on the scale and laughed saying "I was only off a pound!"

Macey was very quiet when she came out (just like her big sister.) She snuggled on my chest. When they took her to get weighed and measured she decided to test out her lungs!

Marc got to hold her and then she nursed for awhile. At this point I was beginning to realize that I was exhausted and very hungry, I was also ready to get cleaned up! I ate some breakfast in the delivery room while I was nursing Macey. Once they took her for her bath, I was really ready to get to my regular room. As soon as I got there I kept bugging Marc, "Go get Macey. Will you please go check if she's done yet. I'm ready to see her again!"

My little princess... I am so thankful that God allowed me to have this amazing experience three times! Sadie loves hearing her birth story (as well as Kinnick's and now Macey's!) I am looking forward to sharing Macey's story with her!

Macey Kay Gorsch

Introducing... Macey Kay Gorsch

February 15, 2010

8:44 AM

8 lbs. 4 oz.

20 inches

More pictures coming soon...

Happy Valentine's Day

When I woke up today, I was initially bummed that I was having no signs of a baby coming (I really didn't want to go back to work tomorrow and had pretty much convinced myself that it would be today!) However, I'm very glad that I got to spend today with my family! God is showing me contentment and reminding me to cherish all the memories we are making before this little guy or girl arrives. I'm trying to take advantage of all the extra energy I have right now (which includes not being able to sleep in in the mornings!) I cleaned all day yesterday and today I got up early to make a special Valentine breakfast. When we were getting ready for church, Sadie requested swimming at the Y; so after naps she and I went for a swim and had a great time. I'm glad I got to really enjoy my family this weekend... and for now I am patiently waiting to meet this little baby!

My two little valentines...

Our breakfast--red heart shaped pancakes (w/ valentine m&m's and sprinkles!) and a special raspberry drink. Sadie was very excited to use fancy glasses. (Marc sent me these tulips at school a week and a half ago--he wanted to make sure I got to enjoy them just in case!)

Sadie loves to take pictures with my camera--she's becoming quite the little photographer!

Kinnick has recently discovered suckers and is a HUGE fan!

Sadie was very excited about her Fancy "Dancy" book (as she calls them).

Sadie enjoying a cupcake at my school party... It was a little sad and exciting to know that this was my last Kindergarten party until I get to do it as a room mom!

We had fun making valentines together. We made cards for Sadie's friends at church and her friends at Miss. Jennifer's. We also had to make cards for her "friends" Madison & Carson. After that she thought we needed to use up the rest of the cards and wanted to make them for Elyma and Eba (sp?) Thankfully, I convinced her that we didn't have to use all of the cards!

We invited Mikenna to my classroom one day and made cards to mail... The girls had a blast and Kinnick made a huge mess!

Belly Pics

Last weekend we did some belly pics (38 weeks). I was very happy with them! Here are some of my favorites: