Practicing Rolling :)

According to daddy, Macayla rolled from her belly to back twice when he had her. I have yet to see it. She is starting to roll her body to her side when on her back, but from when I've been with her she needs a little nudge to roll from her belly to her back.

Memorial Weekend

Jason, Macayla and I spent the weekend in Minocqua. It was such a gorgeous weekend. We really lucked out on wonderful weather! Friday morning Jason got up bright and early to go fishing with his dad (his parents have a permanent campsite in Lake Tomahawk). They had a very successful morning catching tons of crappies and northerns. Macayla and I spent the day hanging out with my mom and sister Melissa and went shopping. Saturday night Jason and I went out to celebrate my birthday. We had a blast! We actually stayed out till 1:00 in the morning. I know that probably doesn't sound like a big deal...but for us that is huge! Sunday evening we went over by Jason's parents for dinner and a campfire. Dinner consisted of the fish that Jason and his dad caught the day before. All went well until I got a fish bone stuck in one of my tonsils! It took over 30 minutes for Jason to take long skinny pliers and extract it out! It was not a fun experience! :( As you can tell by the pictures, Macayla enjoyed her first campfire :). Monday, on my birthday, Jason and I went to the driving range and later we went for ice cream and went go-carting. It was a GREAT weekend!

Today was Jason's first day at home with Macayla. Over all it went well...but Jason now understands how busy a newborn can keep you all day long!

Baptism Weekend

On Sunday Macayla was baptized at Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua. I was actually the first baby baptized at the church so it was kind of neat to go full circle. Tricia and Jeremy stood as Macayla's sponsors and are honored to be her God Parents. In addition, Macayla was surrounded by many who love and care for her deeply. In addition to my parents, Tricia & Jeremy, and Melissa...my Grandma Jean, Grandma Mary, Jason's parents, and Jason's Grandma & Grandpa Starke were all at that baptism. Jason's sister, her husband and son came up for the baptism but Angie and Collin got sick and they had to go home early. We also missed Jason's Grandma Skurulsky on that day, who was unable to make it up. It is really neat that all of Macayla's great-grandma's are alive...it is very seldom the case.

Macayla did an outstanding job at the baptism. She was awake and content while we took pictures the half hour before church. As soon as church started she fell asleep and slept through the whole baptism...even when the water was poured and the oil was put on her forehead.

What is really cool is that Macayla wore the baptismal gown that has been in Jason's family for over 100 years! To Jason's Grandma Starke's best recollection, Macayla was the 44th person to be baptized in this gown.

Back to work...

Well I have survived my first week back at work. Last Wednesday-Friday was very overwhelming. It was very difficult to jump back in the MIDDLE of everything. I was very blessed to have an outstanding long-term sub, but coming back was very overwhelming. As difficult as it was to be away from Macayla, it was the school work that got to me the most. A good thing is that my days are so crazy busy (world of special education :) ) that I don't have a whole lot of time to think about the fact that I'm not at home with Macayla. I've been very lucky to have family members watch her...it has made it easier to go back. Melissa has had a great time this week and gives me a full update every time I call her during the day and again when I get home.

Some exciting news...as of last week, I'm officially the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at Bay Port High School. It took a lot of contemplating. Jason was all for it when we knew that the past head coach was stepping down. I explained to Jason the amount of responsibility that would fall onto him if I were to accept the position, and he told me that he understood and that there is no way I should pass up this opportunity. So after talking to my sitter for next fall, and family members I decided that with all the help and support that I could take on this incredible adventure! It helps that the season is only during 6 weeks of the school year. As most of you know, I'm extremely passionate about volleyball and am thrilled that I am taking on this challenge!

Sad Day :(

Today was my last day of maternity leave :(. The past 2 1/2 months have been an amazing journey. I have been so blessed to be with Macayla all that time watching her grow and change. My mom is on her way to Green Bay as I write this to watch Macayla these next few days. On Friday my mom is going to drive down to Dubuque and Moline to pick up my grandma's and bring them back to Minocqua for Macayla's baptism. So on Friday Jason's mom will watch Macayla.

We had Macayla's 2 month doctor's appointment yesterday. She got 5 immunization through 2 shots (1 in each leg) and 1 oral immunization. I had learned from last time and made sure to close my eyes when she got the shots. This helped some, but it still was hard to hear her cry so hard after the shots :(. Although the rest of yesterday was rough...she woke up smiling this morning.

Stats:

weight--> 11lbs 5 ounces (52%tile)

Height--> 23 1/4 inches (74%tile)

The pictures are from Macayla's 2 month "photo shoot" :)

Mother's Day

Macayla did an outstanding job of helping me celebrate my first Mother's Day. On Saturday night she took me out to dinner at Red Lobster. On Sunday Morning she let dad feed her at 7:30 so I could sleep a little bit longer. A little later, I was the woken up by a knock on my bedroom door. When I opened the door I saw Macayla sitting in her carseat (sleeping) with 3 red roses draped across her lap with a card and a candle. Macayla even scribbled a little on the card! Later on in the day we went over to Jason's sister's house to have dinner with Jason's family.

For Grandpa John....

First Trip to the Zoo

On Sunday my parents came down to visit for the day. It was such a beautiful day and we wanted to be outsided so we decided to venture off to the zoo. It was a day of first for Macayla...First trip to the zoo...first outside diaper change...first outside feeding...first outside family picture.

Enjoy :)

2 months cont.

2 Months Old!

I think month 2 went even faster than month 1! Macayla is growing and changing everyday. I'm very sad that in a week and a half I won't be able to be with her all day long. I start back to work on May 13 :(. Luckily Macayla will not have to go to child care. My mom is taking the first week (3 days), my sister Melissa is coming for the second week, Jason is going to take to third week, my mom is coming back for the fourth week, and Jason's mom is taking the last few days. I did meet with a potential sitter this week and loved her. It will be easier for me next fall knowing Macayla is being taken care of by such a kind woman.

During month 2 Macayla has...

• grown stronger in her neck and back
• has "found" her tongue...she is constantly sticking it out!
• has "found" her hand...she sucks on it when ever she can manage to get it to her mouth
• likes sitting like a "big girl"...with support of course
• has been sleeping from about 10:30pm-between 6:30 & 7:30am fir the past 2 weeks!
• started smiling
• coos more and more
• at times seems like she lets out a small giggle
• tracks us with her eyes
• loves looking at her self in the mirror