A motherly instinct is developed early in a little girl's heart.
In a pinch, a dryer sheet works quite well for a baby doll's blanket.
You are never to young to be "dolled up" with a smidgen of lip gloss.
A daughter's heart belongs to her daddy... forever.
Trucks, cars, and balls are not "boy" toys.
There's nothing as exciting as Daddy coming home.
There is always time to read. I have not once regretted letting Mackenna jump into my lap with a book and enjoying the story with her.
I throw just as many temper tantrums as my daughter, I just have slightly more self-control so they aren't as obvious.
Switching laundry, dusting, and emptying the dishwasher can be fun when my little helper is with me!
Just because there was no nap to be had doesn't mean the day is ruined. Sometimes the no-nap days are the most special because we end up snuggling up on the couch with a sippy cup of milk watching "Elmo" (aka Sesame Street).
Laughter is the best medicine and boy, do I have a little girl that likes to make her mommy laugh!
Dipping sauces make meal times more fun... and messy!
If I clap or cheer once, I better be ready to clap and cheer every time she does whatever it is I clapped and cheered for!
Just because she says, "OBEY!" with a smile and giggle doesn't mean she is actually excited about obeying. But, we're getting there!
It's the simple things in life that bring the most joy. Puppies, butterflies, flowers, and the wind sweeping across her face bring a bigger smile and wider eyes than any new toy ever would. Hands down!
And most importantly, love grows. Love grows every day. Little by little it grows. And some days your heart is so full that tears well up in your eyes and you find yourself in awe that God loves us even more than we could ever love our own children. And you marvel at the fact that He would willingingly send His Son, whom He loves more than we love our own children, to suffer and die for such wicked sinners as ourselves. And you are humbled, speechless, and overwhelmed with thanksgiving.
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenthood. Show all posts
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Creating Order in the Chaos
I don't know about you, but I am a very organized, schedule oriented, planning type of person. Before having a child the life I led was quite simple to organize, schedule, and plan. Enter Mackenna Grace Folden. My precious daughter is a lot like me in many ways. She is stubborn, knows how to charm her daddy, smiles at all the right times, likes to make people laugh... but organized, scheduled, or planned - she is not.
For the first four months of her life I skated by with the "new mommy adrenaline" and an excitement to finally be a stay-at-home working mom. :-) Then the chaos began to get to me. At first I noticed a slight anxiety creeping up inside me. Anxiety quickly turned into anger and annoyance, which are neither very attractive character traits. Then came the realization that my life would never be the same and God wanted it that way. The balance between trusting God and making choices to "create" order in my life was a tough concept for me to grasp. While it's true that God is a God of order, He has allowed this amazing little life to create some chaos in my life. What was He teaching me?
Through much thought, I believe that God is teaching me that I am NEVER in control of my life, no matter how orderly, neat, and scheduled it may look like from the outside. He is also teaching me how to become more like Him in spite of chaos. What choices can I make to "create" order out of chaos, while still behaving Christ-like when life happens and my plans are blown out of the water. How am I doing with this, you might ask? Well, not so great on most days, but I am ever-so-slowly learning. I can have a schedule but I must always remember that people are infinitely more important than following a schedule. I can discipline according to God's word, knowing that, like me, Mackenna is a slow learner and I need to be patient, not frustrated if it's taking her a while to learn a concept. I can be consistent, by God's grace alone, to provide a stable, secure, and loving household for my children and husband. I can spend time in God's Word and in prayer, gleaning wisdom and counsel from the perfect example of a parent who creates order out of His children's chaos. And for this, I am so thankful and humbled. Praise God!
For the first four months of her life I skated by with the "new mommy adrenaline" and an excitement to finally be a stay-at-home working mom. :-) Then the chaos began to get to me. At first I noticed a slight anxiety creeping up inside me. Anxiety quickly turned into anger and annoyance, which are neither very attractive character traits. Then came the realization that my life would never be the same and God wanted it that way. The balance between trusting God and making choices to "create" order in my life was a tough concept for me to grasp. While it's true that God is a God of order, He has allowed this amazing little life to create some chaos in my life. What was He teaching me?
Through much thought, I believe that God is teaching me that I am NEVER in control of my life, no matter how orderly, neat, and scheduled it may look like from the outside. He is also teaching me how to become more like Him in spite of chaos. What choices can I make to "create" order out of chaos, while still behaving Christ-like when life happens and my plans are blown out of the water. How am I doing with this, you might ask? Well, not so great on most days, but I am ever-so-slowly learning. I can have a schedule but I must always remember that people are infinitely more important than following a schedule. I can discipline according to God's word, knowing that, like me, Mackenna is a slow learner and I need to be patient, not frustrated if it's taking her a while to learn a concept. I can be consistent, by God's grace alone, to provide a stable, secure, and loving household for my children and husband. I can spend time in God's Word and in prayer, gleaning wisdom and counsel from the perfect example of a parent who creates order out of His children's chaos. And for this, I am so thankful and humbled. Praise God!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Sleep, Anyone?
There has been little sleep going on this week in the Folden household. Wednesday evening, Dustin and I painted our kitchen and two walls in our living room. What I foolishly thought would take two hours ended up taking close to five! When we finished painting at midnight we were starving and had to have a snack and unwind. So we got to bed close to 1:00 AM but I slept like a rock!
Thursday night, one molar and one incisor tooth are to blame for a second sleepless night. I fell to sleep around 9:30 (on the couch while watching a movie with Dustin). After being woken up and settling back to sleep in bed, Mackenna awoke at 12:30 AM with what I can only guess was tooth pain. Her gums have been really swollen this week and I can almost feel the teeth... come on, already! From 12:30 AM to 2:30 AM there were a few thirty minute increments of sleep, but nothing truly restfull. Combine that with a mind full of thoughts and I am awake. I am exhausted, my eyelids are heavy, but I am awake. And I am planning to stay awake instead of tossing and turning in bed wondering why I can't fall to sleep. It's Friday. Maybe I can talk Dustin into letting me sleep in a bit tomorrow. ;-)
Thursday night, one molar and one incisor tooth are to blame for a second sleepless night. I fell to sleep around 9:30 (on the couch while watching a movie with Dustin). After being woken up and settling back to sleep in bed, Mackenna awoke at 12:30 AM with what I can only guess was tooth pain. Her gums have been really swollen this week and I can almost feel the teeth... come on, already! From 12:30 AM to 2:30 AM there were a few thirty minute increments of sleep, but nothing truly restfull. Combine that with a mind full of thoughts and I am awake. I am exhausted, my eyelids are heavy, but I am awake. And I am planning to stay awake instead of tossing and turning in bed wondering why I can't fall to sleep. It's Friday. Maybe I can talk Dustin into letting me sleep in a bit tomorrow. ;-)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Bye bye, Pacifier!
The pacifier. For some parents, it's a must-have baby item. For others, it's the biggest parenting "no-no." For us, it was somewhere in between. During my pregnancy, we were set on not introducing Mackenna to a pacifier. I didn't register for any and I gave Dustin strict instructions to make sure that the well meaning neonatal nurses did not give one to Mackenna.
And then Mackenna was born. And she was admitted to NICU. And she wasn't really "sick," but she would cry at times (like all babies do) and her nurses had no other choice but to give her a pacifier so that she would be pacified so that they could pay attention to all the tiny babies who really needed their help. One problem, Mackenna didn't like the pacifier. You know, those green soothies that they give to every baby in the hospital. She hated them. But her strong dislike for the pacifier was quickly forgotten when those same nurses dunked the green soothie into sugar water. She loved sugar water. And so, her love for a pacifier began.
After bringing her home from the hospital and, shortly there after, discovering the world of a colicky baby, the pacifier brought us moments of peace amidst the crying and chaos. But we, of course, replaced the awkward green soothie for a more traditional pacifier, the Nuk. We limited her pacifier use to her most fussy time of the day and car rides (for my sanity). Months later, when the colic resolved, we found a more optimal time for pacifier use was for naps and bed time. And since then, her pacifier use was strictly before naps and bed time, and while in the car.
Well, for some reason, for the past two weeks, Mackenna has decided that playing and crawling around is much more fun then sleeping. So she's been fighting her naps. She rebelliously stands up in her crib, rips her pacifier out of her mouth, and throws it on the floor. During her first week of rebellion I would come in her room after 20 (OK, probably more like 5) minutes of crying, pick up her pacifier, stick it in her mouth, lay her back down, and we'd repeat this cycle about three times until she finally cried herself to sleep. One week of that was enough.
Week two's strategy is dramatically different. At nap time, I take her to her room, turn on her noise maker, give her a hug and a kiss, lay her down, walk out, and shut the door. We don't offer the pacifier since she's just been throwing it on the floor anyway. I don't look back after I start walking out and I shut the door. Shutting the door helps me resist the temptation to go back in to rescue her or even to check on her during her naps (which usually wakes her up). And then, I usually find something to keep me occupied. The house is very clean this week and I am almost caught up on all my chores!
"So," you ask, "how is she doing?" She's doing great! Day one was rough. She cried for 45 minutes, but then slept for an hour. Today, day five, she's cried for ten minutes! And bed time has had little to no tears all week! It will be nice to have this behind us. We've heard so many horror stories about getting rid of the pacifier. We are so thankful that Mackenna has made this a bit easier by initiating the pacifier elimination! Now we can focus on the next parenting hurdle... bottle to sippy cup... let's hope it's as easy to clear as eliminating the pacifier has been!
And then Mackenna was born. And she was admitted to NICU. And she wasn't really "sick," but she would cry at times (like all babies do) and her nurses had no other choice but to give her a pacifier so that she would be pacified so that they could pay attention to all the tiny babies who really needed their help. One problem, Mackenna didn't like the pacifier. You know, those green soothies that they give to every baby in the hospital. She hated them. But her strong dislike for the pacifier was quickly forgotten when those same nurses dunked the green soothie into sugar water. She loved sugar water. And so, her love for a pacifier began.
After bringing her home from the hospital and, shortly there after, discovering the world of a colicky baby, the pacifier brought us moments of peace amidst the crying and chaos. But we, of course, replaced the awkward green soothie for a more traditional pacifier, the Nuk. We limited her pacifier use to her most fussy time of the day and car rides (for my sanity). Months later, when the colic resolved, we found a more optimal time for pacifier use was for naps and bed time. And since then, her pacifier use was strictly before naps and bed time, and while in the car.
Well, for some reason, for the past two weeks, Mackenna has decided that playing and crawling around is much more fun then sleeping. So she's been fighting her naps. She rebelliously stands up in her crib, rips her pacifier out of her mouth, and throws it on the floor. During her first week of rebellion I would come in her room after 20 (OK, probably more like 5) minutes of crying, pick up her pacifier, stick it in her mouth, lay her back down, and we'd repeat this cycle about three times until she finally cried herself to sleep. One week of that was enough.
Week two's strategy is dramatically different. At nap time, I take her to her room, turn on her noise maker, give her a hug and a kiss, lay her down, walk out, and shut the door. We don't offer the pacifier since she's just been throwing it on the floor anyway. I don't look back after I start walking out and I shut the door. Shutting the door helps me resist the temptation to go back in to rescue her or even to check on her during her naps (which usually wakes her up). And then, I usually find something to keep me occupied. The house is very clean this week and I am almost caught up on all my chores!
"So," you ask, "how is she doing?" She's doing great! Day one was rough. She cried for 45 minutes, but then slept for an hour. Today, day five, she's cried for ten minutes! And bed time has had little to no tears all week! It will be nice to have this behind us. We've heard so many horror stories about getting rid of the pacifier. We are so thankful that Mackenna has made this a bit easier by initiating the pacifier elimination! Now we can focus on the next parenting hurdle... bottle to sippy cup... let's hope it's as easy to clear as eliminating the pacifier has been!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Not Temper Tantrums already?!?
Mackenna has started to share her opinion in a more, ahem, defiant manner. She's started throwing the dreaded temper tantrum, or as we call them in our house, angry fits. We knew they would show up someday, but they came on suddenly without any warning. No "mini" fits to get us warmed up to handling a full blown angry fit. But, here we are, learning to parent and train a child with heart that is bent toward getting her own way. All the time. Without question.
Teaching a nine month old that we don't always get what we want has humbled me. As Mackenna throws a very loud, very irrational, very real, angry fit when I take away a beloved toy and lay her down for a nap, I am vividly aware of the times throughout my day that I throw an equally loud, irrational, and real, angry fit inside my heart. I may not get on the floor, flail my arms and legs, and scream at the top of my lungs, but every time that I get impatient, every time that I wish for something that I don't have and then get angry because I don't have it- I am doing the exact same thing as Mackenna. Wow. I'm humbled. And thankful. Thankful that God uses Mackenna to help me grow closer to Him. When I see my weaknesses and sins, I am once again amazed at His grace and humbled by the fact that He would save me. As I meditate on His grace and mercy, it helps me patiently correct and train Mackenna. Instead of getting angry at the inconvenience of her angry fits, I become more concerned with the fact that she is disobeying God and will be held accountable for that disobedience. God gives me wisdom in each situation to know what Scripture to teach her, how to keep my tone firm, yet loving, and how to remember that I am doing all this to be a good steward of the life that He's given me to train and love.
Isn't it amazing how God uses every detail of our lives to teach us and help us grow? If only I could keep that perspective more consistently!
Teaching a nine month old that we don't always get what we want has humbled me. As Mackenna throws a very loud, very irrational, very real, angry fit when I take away a beloved toy and lay her down for a nap, I am vividly aware of the times throughout my day that I throw an equally loud, irrational, and real, angry fit inside my heart. I may not get on the floor, flail my arms and legs, and scream at the top of my lungs, but every time that I get impatient, every time that I wish for something that I don't have and then get angry because I don't have it- I am doing the exact same thing as Mackenna. Wow. I'm humbled. And thankful. Thankful that God uses Mackenna to help me grow closer to Him. When I see my weaknesses and sins, I am once again amazed at His grace and humbled by the fact that He would save me. As I meditate on His grace and mercy, it helps me patiently correct and train Mackenna. Instead of getting angry at the inconvenience of her angry fits, I become more concerned with the fact that she is disobeying God and will be held accountable for that disobedience. God gives me wisdom in each situation to know what Scripture to teach her, how to keep my tone firm, yet loving, and how to remember that I am doing all this to be a good steward of the life that He's given me to train and love.
Isn't it amazing how God uses every detail of our lives to teach us and help us grow? If only I could keep that perspective more consistently!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
A Trip to the Doctor
Today was a good day. Mackenna had a doctor appointment... but it wasn't because she was sick! It was her nine month well-baby visit. That's all! No diaper rash, no respiratory infection, and no stomach bug! When we got to the waiting room, Mackenna immediately began waving at everyone and every thing. It's her new thing. She loves to wave. And after she waves, she'll usually clap, because Dustin and I clap when she waves. It melts my heart, every time! She was in such a good mood and did a great job during her appointment. She's growing more proportionately now and is in the 25th percentile for height and weight. She weighs 18 pounds and 3 ounces and is 25.5 inches. She's sweet and petite! She's right on track developmentally. She's crawling, clapping, waving, and pointing. She's becoming more and more verbal every day. Her favorite words... "da-da" of course! She'll throw in a "mmmmmma-mmmmma" every now and again, but "da-da" and "ba-ba" are her favorites. The past few days she has been in such a good mood. Lots of giggles and little girl squeals. I love her!
Besides her flu shot and being measured and weighed, her appointment was relatively tear-free! Way to go, Mackenna! Her next well-baby visit, she will be a year old. No way! That freaks me out! Between now and then, our goal is to get her to eat a bit more table foods. I bought a manual food grinder and am looking forward to start grinding whatever we're eating for dinner and see if she enjoys "real" food more than she likes "baby" food. She's pretty much only a fan of pears, bananas, and sweet potatoes right now. We'd also like to get her weaned from Nutramigen (a special formula for milk/soy protein intolerance) to a milk-based formula. We're praying that she has grown out of her milk & soy protein intolerance. Most babies grow out of it by one or two years old, but there are people who have the intolerance their entire lives. I'm not going to lie- that would be tough! Hopefully she'll do good being weaned off Nutramigen, but if not, we'll try again in a few months!
We are so thankful that God has brought Mackenna into our family! She is a blessing beyond anything that we deserve. As we watch her grow and see her personality emerge, we are reminded that she is a small person who was knit together by God. When she throws an angry fit, we are reminded that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We pray daily for her salvation and are learning ways to share the gospel with her, even now, at nine months old. As she continues to grow, we pray that God would soften her heart and bring her to accept Christ as her Savior. Then, Lord willing, we will have a great time watching her grow in the Lord, becoming a godly young lady, with a tender and loving heart.
Besides her flu shot and being measured and weighed, her appointment was relatively tear-free! Way to go, Mackenna! Her next well-baby visit, she will be a year old. No way! That freaks me out! Between now and then, our goal is to get her to eat a bit more table foods. I bought a manual food grinder and am looking forward to start grinding whatever we're eating for dinner and see if she enjoys "real" food more than she likes "baby" food. She's pretty much only a fan of pears, bananas, and sweet potatoes right now. We'd also like to get her weaned from Nutramigen (a special formula for milk/soy protein intolerance) to a milk-based formula. We're praying that she has grown out of her milk & soy protein intolerance. Most babies grow out of it by one or two years old, but there are people who have the intolerance their entire lives. I'm not going to lie- that would be tough! Hopefully she'll do good being weaned off Nutramigen, but if not, we'll try again in a few months!
We are so thankful that God has brought Mackenna into our family! She is a blessing beyond anything that we deserve. As we watch her grow and see her personality emerge, we are reminded that she is a small person who was knit together by God. When she throws an angry fit, we are reminded that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We pray daily for her salvation and are learning ways to share the gospel with her, even now, at nine months old. As she continues to grow, we pray that God would soften her heart and bring her to accept Christ as her Savior. Then, Lord willing, we will have a great time watching her grow in the Lord, becoming a godly young lady, with a tender and loving heart.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Green Beans anyone?
My newest adventure in motherhood is getting Mackenna to eat a variety of fruits and veggies. I am not a baby food making mommy, but I still try to choose wholesome, organic, and healthy jarred baby food. My favorite is Earth's Best, but I will also grab some Gerber Organics when there's a sale. Anywho, getting Mackenna to eat solids is a battle on it's own. Getting her to eat green vegetables and any other fruit besides pears or bananas has proven to be a battle that I was not fully prepared to fight.
Pre-motherhood I did lots of reading on how to get your baby to eat good food. But, like I have learned many other times in these nine months, what the book says and what your baby does is often times two different things. "Feed green veggies first and your baby will grow to love green beans, peas, and broccoli," the books would say. So, being the health concious mommy that I am, I followed the formula to get my baby to love green vegetables. Only, my baby didn't... and still doesn't. Wanting so badly to see Mackenna enjoy some solids, I whipped out the pureed sweet potatoes (a baby favorite, I had heard), and rather than gagging and funny faces I was met with smiles and an open mouth bidding for more. "That's more like it!" I thought to myself. So, we got stuck in the rut of sweet potatoes, pears, and bananas. Bo-ring!
So, after much research and a newfound determiniation, I am at it again. Re-introducing green beans and following a new technique that makes sense to me. Although, I am not a doctor, scientist, or dietician. I read this article and have decided to try it. Basically, I give Mackenna a bite of green beans for every first bite of a meal for eight days. After she refuses three times, I finish feeding her something that she enjoys. By the eighth day, she should "enjoy" green beans more. We'll see. Today she actually took two bites of green beans... the second bite she wouldn't swallow until I snuck a spoonful of pears in her mouth. I added a little trick to my experiment though. I am going to mix up whatever green beans that she didn't eat in with her pears/sweet potatoes/or bananas so that she still gets the vitamins. My goal for this challenge is for Mackenna to be able to eat one tablespoon of green beans all on their own. I'll let you know how it goes in eight days!
Pre-motherhood I did lots of reading on how to get your baby to eat good food. But, like I have learned many other times in these nine months, what the book says and what your baby does is often times two different things. "Feed green veggies first and your baby will grow to love green beans, peas, and broccoli," the books would say. So, being the health concious mommy that I am, I followed the formula to get my baby to love green vegetables. Only, my baby didn't... and still doesn't. Wanting so badly to see Mackenna enjoy some solids, I whipped out the pureed sweet potatoes (a baby favorite, I had heard), and rather than gagging and funny faces I was met with smiles and an open mouth bidding for more. "That's more like it!" I thought to myself. So, we got stuck in the rut of sweet potatoes, pears, and bananas. Bo-ring!
So, after much research and a newfound determiniation, I am at it again. Re-introducing green beans and following a new technique that makes sense to me. Although, I am not a doctor, scientist, or dietician. I read this article and have decided to try it. Basically, I give Mackenna a bite of green beans for every first bite of a meal for eight days. After she refuses three times, I finish feeding her something that she enjoys. By the eighth day, she should "enjoy" green beans more. We'll see. Today she actually took two bites of green beans... the second bite she wouldn't swallow until I snuck a spoonful of pears in her mouth. I added a little trick to my experiment though. I am going to mix up whatever green beans that she didn't eat in with her pears/sweet potatoes/or bananas so that she still gets the vitamins. My goal for this challenge is for Mackenna to be able to eat one tablespoon of green beans all on their own. I'll let you know how it goes in eight days!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Christmas Adventure
Ah, Christmas 2010, a day (or should I say, week) that will forever live in infamy in the Folden household. Gearing up for our trip back home, I had not fully prepared myself for what would unfold. I was preoccupied with excitement about Mackenna's very first Christmas. I had no time to really worry about possible teething and all that ensues with that developmental milestone. That was the beginning of my demise. Oh sure, I had noticed that in the past two weeks, Mackenna's chewing and drooling had increased dramatically and her gums were red and swollen, but I never thought we'd be traveling when that cute little first tooth popped through.
We left for our 12+ hour drive back home on Monday afternoon. As I was making last minute preparations on Monday, I noticed that Mackenna's bottom left tooth looked like it was nearly through and as the excitment set in, so did the anxiety. "Oh no! Will she be cutting this first tooth as we're driving? This could be a long, and stressful drive!" But, I quickly put those thoughts out of my mind, made sure I had packed Infant Tylenol, and continued my preparations. The drive back home went perfectly. Mackenna napped, played, talked, and actually enjoyed the ride. The only time she was fussy was the last 45 minutes or so. And to be honest, we all were a little fussy those last 45 minutes. Then, on Wednesday morning, there was a tooth. No drama, no extra fussiness, no night wakings, nothing. Just a cute little white tooth that made my darling baby girl look a little more grown up than she had the day before. *Mommy Tear*
The second bottom tooth looked like it was making quick progress towards popping through and everyone (including myself) thought for sure it would cut before we left. But, it didn't. What it did do, was cause every teething symptom to the fullest degree possible for the next five days (well, it's still going on, but we've made some progress). Thursday afternoon and evening, Mackenna started having a diaper rash. Not uncommon. So, I followed all the steps to treat a diaper rash. Friday morning it looked a little better. By Friday night, it was a full blown diaper rash. Each diaper change Mackenna would scream, sweat, and squirm. We began the "bathe at every diaper change" routine and applied Desitin liberally. Two days, and two Desitin tubes later, NO PROGRESS! In fact, it kept getting worse. I called my nurse, three times, tried some new tricks, and still no healing. Mackenna wasn't sleeping at night, wasn't smiling during the day, and her voice was hoarse from crying every two hours during her diaper changes.
Dustin and I were exhausted and were stretched more than we'd ever been stretched before. With little sleep, a screaming baby with a diaper rash that was getting worse, not better, and being home for the holidays, God taught us how to communicate even more as a couple. We failed. A lot. But over the course of the week, we had learned how to be more like Christ in the situation. We became better team mates. Each diaper change became a chance for us to work together to help our baby girl by doing everything the nurses were telling us to do. Dustin held Mackenna. I cleaned her up. Dustin tried to occupy her as she soaked in her baking soda baths. I applied ointments, creams, and powders. Dustin closed up her diaper and got her PJ's back on. And I laid her down with her pacifier and her new Glo Worm from Grandpa Dennis. And then we got about an hour and a half of sleep before the next round of diaper changes. Finally, after discovering that it had turned from a diaper rash to a yeast diaper rash, we found the right cream (Lotriman, for all you mommies out there)!
We had applied Lotriman a couple of times before we left for our trek back home, but had seen little progress. My anxiety about the trip home was raising my heart rate! "How am I supposed to change diapers without wipes in a truck stop? How am I going to do these diaper changes alone if there isn't a family bathroom? What if we have to stop every hour for a diaper change and it takes us 24 hours to get home?" But, here again, God was in control. Mackenna was SO exhausted from being up the past two nights, that for the majority of the trip, she slept. We had six diaper changes the first day of the trip, which was 7 hours. Yes, that's about three more than usual, but by the end of the day, I was a pro at "truck stop diaper rash diaper changes." Day two we had five diaper changes, but three of those were in family bathrooms, so I had my team mate back to help me. :-)
So, overall, although Mackenna may have not enjoyed her first Christmas very much, God used her teething ailments to help Dustin and I grow stronger together. She'll probably never remember her first Christmas, but she's stuck with us, so if we needed this trial to grow in Christ and in turn, be better parents and a better example of a godly marriage, then that's exciting in my books. Mackenna's first Christmas will forever be known as the Christmas Adventure and while I hope that she doesn't remember all the pain and tears, I do hope that we share this story with her often so that she will see how God works in our lives to change us to be more like His Son.
I'll leave you with some pictures. Enjoy!
We left for our 12+ hour drive back home on Monday afternoon. As I was making last minute preparations on Monday, I noticed that Mackenna's bottom left tooth looked like it was nearly through and as the excitment set in, so did the anxiety. "Oh no! Will she be cutting this first tooth as we're driving? This could be a long, and stressful drive!" But, I quickly put those thoughts out of my mind, made sure I had packed Infant Tylenol, and continued my preparations. The drive back home went perfectly. Mackenna napped, played, talked, and actually enjoyed the ride. The only time she was fussy was the last 45 minutes or so. And to be honest, we all were a little fussy those last 45 minutes. Then, on Wednesday morning, there was a tooth. No drama, no extra fussiness, no night wakings, nothing. Just a cute little white tooth that made my darling baby girl look a little more grown up than she had the day before. *Mommy Tear*
The second bottom tooth looked like it was making quick progress towards popping through and everyone (including myself) thought for sure it would cut before we left. But, it didn't. What it did do, was cause every teething symptom to the fullest degree possible for the next five days (well, it's still going on, but we've made some progress). Thursday afternoon and evening, Mackenna started having a diaper rash. Not uncommon. So, I followed all the steps to treat a diaper rash. Friday morning it looked a little better. By Friday night, it was a full blown diaper rash. Each diaper change Mackenna would scream, sweat, and squirm. We began the "bathe at every diaper change" routine and applied Desitin liberally. Two days, and two Desitin tubes later, NO PROGRESS! In fact, it kept getting worse. I called my nurse, three times, tried some new tricks, and still no healing. Mackenna wasn't sleeping at night, wasn't smiling during the day, and her voice was hoarse from crying every two hours during her diaper changes.
Dustin and I were exhausted and were stretched more than we'd ever been stretched before. With little sleep, a screaming baby with a diaper rash that was getting worse, not better, and being home for the holidays, God taught us how to communicate even more as a couple. We failed. A lot. But over the course of the week, we had learned how to be more like Christ in the situation. We became better team mates. Each diaper change became a chance for us to work together to help our baby girl by doing everything the nurses were telling us to do. Dustin held Mackenna. I cleaned her up. Dustin tried to occupy her as she soaked in her baking soda baths. I applied ointments, creams, and powders. Dustin closed up her diaper and got her PJ's back on. And I laid her down with her pacifier and her new Glo Worm from Grandpa Dennis. And then we got about an hour and a half of sleep before the next round of diaper changes. Finally, after discovering that it had turned from a diaper rash to a yeast diaper rash, we found the right cream (Lotriman, for all you mommies out there)!
We had applied Lotriman a couple of times before we left for our trek back home, but had seen little progress. My anxiety about the trip home was raising my heart rate! "How am I supposed to change diapers without wipes in a truck stop? How am I going to do these diaper changes alone if there isn't a family bathroom? What if we have to stop every hour for a diaper change and it takes us 24 hours to get home?" But, here again, God was in control. Mackenna was SO exhausted from being up the past two nights, that for the majority of the trip, she slept. We had six diaper changes the first day of the trip, which was 7 hours. Yes, that's about three more than usual, but by the end of the day, I was a pro at "truck stop diaper rash diaper changes." Day two we had five diaper changes, but three of those were in family bathrooms, so I had my team mate back to help me. :-)
So, overall, although Mackenna may have not enjoyed her first Christmas very much, God used her teething ailments to help Dustin and I grow stronger together. She'll probably never remember her first Christmas, but she's stuck with us, so if we needed this trial to grow in Christ and in turn, be better parents and a better example of a godly marriage, then that's exciting in my books. Mackenna's first Christmas will forever be known as the Christmas Adventure and while I hope that she doesn't remember all the pain and tears, I do hope that we share this story with her often so that she will see how God works in our lives to change us to be more like His Son.
I'll leave you with some pictures. Enjoy!
Reading with Grandma Lee Ann!
She loved the bows on presents!
Second cousins, or is it first cousin once removed?
Mackenna and her Pillow Pal from Uncle TJ!
Reading her favorite book with Auntie!
Four Generations: Great Grandpa Warren, Grandpa Dennis, Mommy, and Mackenna!
She wanted to eat the tissue paper...
... and the wrapping paper!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
"The Great Baby Clean-up"
Today I had to stop by Dustin's work to make some copies and get our home mortgage application ready to be sent back to the bank. While we were there, Mackenna got hungry. While she was eating, she filled her pants. And, her diaper leaked... BIG time! So, I scrounged around in my diaper bag, got her changing pad out, got the wipes out, felt around for a diaper... felt around some more... dug in some pockets... NO DIAPER! Yikes! I had a package of size 1 diapers in the car (Mackenna wears size 2)... So, Dustin, so graciously offered to go out and get a diaper while I began the "Great Baby Clean-up." While very carefully removing Mackenna's onesie, I grabbed the wipes to begin cleaning her off and discovered... that was the last wipe! Double YIKES! Dustin brought in the diaper and I just looked at him and said, "I'm outta wipes!" Luckily I keep my car fully stocked with Wet Ones... they were better than paper towels. So, long story short... Mackenna cleaned up nicely... small diaper and all... and I learned, once again, to always check and make sure my diaper bag is fully loaded. :-) I love being a mommy! Even on the "poopy" days!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child... and Happy Mama!
So, one of the biggest challenges I have faced as a new mother is having a beautiful baby girl who doesn't like to nap. Over the past four months I have been so overwhelmed because I have almost no time to get anything done around the house. Mackenna is what some call a catnapper. Well, I did a lot of research and most things I read said, "Just get used to it. Some babies nap well, other babies don't." One thing I am is a problem solver and that answer just did not give me any hope. I kept thinking to myself, "There's got to be something out there that can help me teach my daughter to nap well!" And thus, I discovered, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth M.D. His advice is so practical and he offers a variety of solutions based on your child's temperment, prior sleep patterns, and age. Mackenna was a mildly colicky baby and he explains that colicky children don't nap well at an early age so they actually become generally overtired so the sleep that they do get is not as restorative as the sleep of a well-rested infant. He gives great tips on how to handle an overtired, post-colicky baby and after applying his advice... Mackenna's become a napper. A great napper, at that!
So all this to say, this is my new book recommendation for all pregnant women and new moms! I am thankful to God who has given us all good things, including minds like Marc Weissbluth's that can study and write and help sleep deprived new mothers!
So all this to say, this is my new book recommendation for all pregnant women and new moms! I am thankful to God who has given us all good things, including minds like Marc Weissbluth's that can study and write and help sleep deprived new mothers!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
08.10.10
The past few days, Mackenna has been a little more irritable than usual and has not been napping well at all. She had finally gotten into a good napping schedule and I could pretty much count on a 2.5 hour nap every morning and an hour nap in the afternoon. Well, she must be growing or something because her internal clock has changed once again and I am left to figure out her new biological rhythm. But, I am so thankful that I am able to be home with her and learn how to take care of her at each new stage.
So, today we're trying a longer wake time with lots of exercise! Dustin put together her Fisher Price Jumperoo on Sunday evening and she loves playing in it. She'll keep herself content for about 10-15 minutes. That's pretty good! She doesn't particularly like it when we turn on the lights and sound though. She's content just jumping and playing with the colorful toys that shake, rattle, and roll!
Learning how to effectively take care of an infant and keep a household running has been quite a challenge for me. In my mind I envisioned that once I was at home I would have oodles of time to cook, clean, coupon, grocery shop, do laundry, and maybe even bake some bread! Reality is that it's a good day if the toys are cleaned up and the bottles are sanitized before I go to bed. I am faced with the truth that I thought WAY too highly of myself, thinking that I would be able to perfectly execute being a stay-at-home wife and mother. One thing I will admit is that I have been guilty of laziness but I cleverly mask it by saying, "I am so tired and Mackenna's a high-maintenance baby... I deserve to just relax!" There is some truth there. I am very tired. And Mackenna is a relatively high-maintenance baby and also has some pain issues with Acid Reflux which makes her slightly more fussy. But, I still am called to be a godly wife and mother. I am very thankful for a husband who is so understanding and encourages me daily. He doesn't expect me to be perfect and he is very quick to remind me that he thinks I am doing a great job. Nevertheless, this is an area I need to grow in. If I know that Mackenna will nap for two hours, I need to be vigilant to make the most of those two hours!
Speaking of naps... the monitor has just indicated that my precious Mackenna has decided to wake up earlier than usual. Until next time!
So, today we're trying a longer wake time with lots of exercise! Dustin put together her Fisher Price Jumperoo on Sunday evening and she loves playing in it. She'll keep herself content for about 10-15 minutes. That's pretty good! She doesn't particularly like it when we turn on the lights and sound though. She's content just jumping and playing with the colorful toys that shake, rattle, and roll!
Learning how to effectively take care of an infant and keep a household running has been quite a challenge for me. In my mind I envisioned that once I was at home I would have oodles of time to cook, clean, coupon, grocery shop, do laundry, and maybe even bake some bread! Reality is that it's a good day if the toys are cleaned up and the bottles are sanitized before I go to bed. I am faced with the truth that I thought WAY too highly of myself, thinking that I would be able to perfectly execute being a stay-at-home wife and mother. One thing I will admit is that I have been guilty of laziness but I cleverly mask it by saying, "I am so tired and Mackenna's a high-maintenance baby... I deserve to just relax!" There is some truth there. I am very tired. And Mackenna is a relatively high-maintenance baby and also has some pain issues with Acid Reflux which makes her slightly more fussy. But, I still am called to be a godly wife and mother. I am very thankful for a husband who is so understanding and encourages me daily. He doesn't expect me to be perfect and he is very quick to remind me that he thinks I am doing a great job. Nevertheless, this is an area I need to grow in. If I know that Mackenna will nap for two hours, I need to be vigilant to make the most of those two hours!
Speaking of naps... the monitor has just indicated that my precious Mackenna has decided to wake up earlier than usual. Until next time!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
05.13.10
So, one month into motherhood and oh, what lessons I am learning! It was one month ago today that God began teaching me about expectations. All throughout my pregnancy I looked forward to meeting our daughter. I wanted to have a completely natural labor and delivery, but understood that in an emergency, a Cesarean section may be required. But, I never expected there to be an emergency. Sure, my worry-prone mind feared the worst, but I never really thought that anything would go wrong. I also never expected four days of "pre-labor." It's called pre-labor because you get all the pain of real contractions without any progress towards having a baby. What joy! But, I was excited because my body was doing something. Not what I expected, but still, something! I also didn't expect to be sent home twice from the hospital with "false" labor. Again, not false labor, just pre-labor. All the pain, NO gain! I didn't expect to have to be induced before my due date. My wonderful doctor understood that all the "pre-labor" was wearing me out and wanted to help me along! He's a great doctor!
So, in the wee hours of Tuesday, April 13th I was admitted into the hospital with the plan of inducing labor at 7:00am. To make a long story short, Mackenna's heart rate stayed down between the "real" and "strong" contractions that were induced by Pitocin. So, I was wheeled into the O.R. for a Cesarean section. Nothing what I was expecting. Then Mackenna had a fever right away after she was born, so she was taken immediately to the NICU for observation. I always pictured nursing her immediately after birth in our hospital room, having her "room-in" with us and being pleasantly awoken by all of her newborn baby sleep sounds. Another expectation bites the dust! After confirming that she had an infection, we were told she'd need to stay in the NICU for 10 days. Wait! Wasn't I supposed to be bringing my beautiful daughter home after our standard 48-hour hospital stay? If you haven't guessed it already... another expectation down the drain!
Now, I may sound slightly sarcastic, but please don't mistake that for bitterness. God truly gave me the grace that I needed to handle these circumstances in a way that, I think, overall, brought Him glory. There were moments of tears, simply because of disappointment. But through it all, I was reminded of God's amazing wisdom and love and His complete sovereignty over every situation.
Since being home, God has shown me that I need to grow tremendously in trusting Him. Newborns do so many weird, albeit normal, things. Well, for a worrier, that leads to questions like, "Is that normal?" I've also found my mind is full of anxious, fearful, irrational thoughts. That's a noisy mind that is not focused on Christ and the joy of my salvation. **Enter wonderful, amazing, godly husband** My husband gave me an assignment after I had gotten my stomach tied up in knots searching the Internet to learn about newborn emergencies/diseases. He told me, "Trisha, do not go on the Internet. When we get off the phone, find a couple of Bible verse, memorize them, and be ready to talk to me about them when I get home." So, I'll admit. I looked at one more website after my phone call with my husband, but immediately after that, I began meditating on the following verses.
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:3-4
"From the end of the earth I cry out to you when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2
From this I learned the following:
So, in the wee hours of Tuesday, April 13th I was admitted into the hospital with the plan of inducing labor at 7:00am. To make a long story short, Mackenna's heart rate stayed down between the "real" and "strong" contractions that were induced by Pitocin. So, I was wheeled into the O.R. for a Cesarean section. Nothing what I was expecting. Then Mackenna had a fever right away after she was born, so she was taken immediately to the NICU for observation. I always pictured nursing her immediately after birth in our hospital room, having her "room-in" with us and being pleasantly awoken by all of her newborn baby sleep sounds. Another expectation bites the dust! After confirming that she had an infection, we were told she'd need to stay in the NICU for 10 days. Wait! Wasn't I supposed to be bringing my beautiful daughter home after our standard 48-hour hospital stay? If you haven't guessed it already... another expectation down the drain!
Now, I may sound slightly sarcastic, but please don't mistake that for bitterness. God truly gave me the grace that I needed to handle these circumstances in a way that, I think, overall, brought Him glory. There were moments of tears, simply because of disappointment. But through it all, I was reminded of God's amazing wisdom and love and His complete sovereignty over every situation.
Since being home, God has shown me that I need to grow tremendously in trusting Him. Newborns do so many weird, albeit normal, things. Well, for a worrier, that leads to questions like, "Is that normal?" I've also found my mind is full of anxious, fearful, irrational thoughts. That's a noisy mind that is not focused on Christ and the joy of my salvation. **Enter wonderful, amazing, godly husband** My husband gave me an assignment after I had gotten my stomach tied up in knots searching the Internet to learn about newborn emergencies/diseases. He told me, "Trisha, do not go on the Internet. When we get off the phone, find a couple of Bible verse, memorize them, and be ready to talk to me about them when I get home." So, I'll admit. I looked at one more website after my phone call with my husband, but immediately after that, I began meditating on the following verses.
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:3-4
"From the end of the earth I cry out to you when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2
From this I learned the following:
- God is the only everlasting Rock. I cannot depend on anything else to stabilize and sustain me. Mackenna cannot be my rock. I can't be dependent on her for my happiness and peace. God is everlasting and constant. He is dependable and never-changing. He is always there, will always be there, and has always been there.
- I am not an expert. There is a rock that is higher than I. I am a weak & finite and my thinking is sometimes, shall I say, irrational. I need to humble myself, admit my need, and cry out to the rock that is higher than I, my Lord, and Savior, Christ.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
04.21.10
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I have been spending the days here in the NICU with Mackenna and learning her schedule (or should I say lack-of a schedule). I help the nurses take her temperature and change her diaper before feedings and have learned how to effectively swaddle her to keep her calm between feedings. One other thing that I have learned about our little girl... she LOVES being sung to. It doesn't matter what you sing to her, she just loves it! I made up my own little song for her... I'd like to think it's her favorite, but she also is happy when mommy sings her hymns or just hums a little tune. She's even smiled a couple of times while I was singing to her (ok, maybe it was gas, but still). I have also had a great time reading to her and rocking with her. While the time here in NICU has been special I am looking forward to her homecoming.
We have been so blessed by all of the NICU nurses. We have learned so many practical tips and wise pieces of advice... it's priceless! We've enjoyed spending time getting to know each of our nurses and visiting with them while we feed and care for Mackenna. They are truly special women in our hearts. We will always remember them and be thankful for the thorough and tender way that they have cared for Mackenna Grace. It will be hard to say goodbye to our new friends. They've told me already to make sure to bring Mackenna by from time-to-time for a visit. I think that she has a special place in their hearts as well.
Well, I think I have about an hour that I can sneak in a quick nap before Mackenna is hungry again. One thing everyone has told me is, "Sleep when the baby sleeps!" So, I guess I should listen to their advice!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Welcome Mackenna Grace!
Introducing Mackenna Grace
Born on April 13, 2010 at 10:14 A.M.
7 pounds 1 ounce and 19 1/2 inches long
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I went into "pre-labor" on Friday, April 9th and we were sent home from the hospital on April 9th and April 10th for lack of progress. On April 12th around 1:00 AM we came to the hospital due to contractions that were closer together and were admitted! Praise the Lord! The plan was to be given Pitocin at 7:00 AM because my contractions still were not strong enough. At about 6:00 AM we were woken with a room full of nurses due to a serious deceleration of Mackenna's heartbeat. After finding baby's heartbeat again via an internal monitor, we were both watched very closely by our amazing nurses! Around 9:35 AM after another concerning deceleration of Mackenna's heartbeat the doctor called and said that the labor was causing too much stress on baby and ordered an imminent (but not emergency) C-section. At 10:14 AM, Mackenna Grace, was born! She is beautiful!
When she was born, she had a fever and was sent to observation in the NICU. Thankfully, I was allowed to nurse her and they would bring her to our room to feed. Her first round of blood work came back borderline, so the did another round later in the day, which showed an increase in a protein that indicated an infection. She was immediately put on antibiotics and was admitted to the NICU. Now, we are going to her for her feedings due to an IV in her umbilical cord and to decrease the risk of a secondary infection. She is doing great! Her temperature is staying around normal and when it is "high" it only hangs out around 99 degrees. She is eating well, responding well, and is known by the nurses as a "happy and alert baby."What joy that brings to a mother's heart! I have also been informed that she's won the "Cute Baby Girl" award. :-)
The plan is to keep her in the NICU and on antibiotics for 10 days. We are waiting for results back from a 48 hour blood culture that will tell us what type of infection we're fighting. We'll find that out on Friday morning. Her initial lumbar puncture screening came back normal, which is a HUGE praise! That means that the infection hasn't reached her brain. Right now, they only see infection in her lungs.
God's sovereignty has been so evident to us over the past few days. First, our doctor arrived to check on us right as Mackenna's first heart deceleration occurred and in the scariness of those few moments, it was a blessing to know that our doctor was there. I was on penicillin during labor due to a positive Group B Strep test and Mackenna's doctor said that she received both doses and that probably helped her start fighting the infection sooner. There was no way that we could have planned that, but God knew, and we are thankful. Also, the fact that I am able to breast feed and that Mackenna is eating so well. The colostrum will give her lots of nutrients to help fight the infection. Then, the Lactation Consultant said that my colostrum was very thick and rich, which is GREAT! Again, another blessing from God. Obviously I have no control over the quality of my colostrum! Another thing is that Mackenna was just assigned a hospital pediatrician because the pediatrician that we chose works with a different medical group. Well, the doctor that was assigned to care for Mackenna is so caring, compassionate, and thorough. She does not want to leave anything unknown. So, she's been taking extra steps to check every possible problem and to get Mackenna healthy. She wisely decided to do a second round of blood work, even though Mackenna's first round was only "borderline." We are so overwhelmed by God's obvious hand in this situation. Praise the Lord!
Dustin and I have already started growing together as parents and it such a huge blessing to see our relationship deepen in Christ as we care for our daughter!
I will be posting lots of pictures and updates as we continue on this journey of parenthood. To God be the glory!
Born on April 13, 2010 at 10:14 A.M.
7 pounds 1 ounce and 19 1/2 inches long
.JPG)
I went into "pre-labor" on Friday, April 9th and we were sent home from the hospital on April 9th and April 10th for lack of progress. On April 12th around 1:00 AM we came to the hospital due to contractions that were closer together and were admitted! Praise the Lord! The plan was to be given Pitocin at 7:00 AM because my contractions still were not strong enough. At about 6:00 AM we were woken with a room full of nurses due to a serious deceleration of Mackenna's heartbeat. After finding baby's heartbeat again via an internal monitor, we were both watched very closely by our amazing nurses! Around 9:35 AM after another concerning deceleration of Mackenna's heartbeat the doctor called and said that the labor was causing too much stress on baby and ordered an imminent (but not emergency) C-section. At 10:14 AM, Mackenna Grace, was born! She is beautiful!
When she was born, she had a fever and was sent to observation in the NICU. Thankfully, I was allowed to nurse her and they would bring her to our room to feed. Her first round of blood work came back borderline, so the did another round later in the day, which showed an increase in a protein that indicated an infection. She was immediately put on antibiotics and was admitted to the NICU. Now, we are going to her for her feedings due to an IV in her umbilical cord and to decrease the risk of a secondary infection. She is doing great! Her temperature is staying around normal and when it is "high" it only hangs out around 99 degrees. She is eating well, responding well, and is known by the nurses as a "happy and alert baby."What joy that brings to a mother's heart! I have also been informed that she's won the "Cute Baby Girl" award. :-)
The plan is to keep her in the NICU and on antibiotics for 10 days. We are waiting for results back from a 48 hour blood culture that will tell us what type of infection we're fighting. We'll find that out on Friday morning. Her initial lumbar puncture screening came back normal, which is a HUGE praise! That means that the infection hasn't reached her brain. Right now, they only see infection in her lungs.
God's sovereignty has been so evident to us over the past few days. First, our doctor arrived to check on us right as Mackenna's first heart deceleration occurred and in the scariness of those few moments, it was a blessing to know that our doctor was there. I was on penicillin during labor due to a positive Group B Strep test and Mackenna's doctor said that she received both doses and that probably helped her start fighting the infection sooner. There was no way that we could have planned that, but God knew, and we are thankful. Also, the fact that I am able to breast feed and that Mackenna is eating so well. The colostrum will give her lots of nutrients to help fight the infection. Then, the Lactation Consultant said that my colostrum was very thick and rich, which is GREAT! Again, another blessing from God. Obviously I have no control over the quality of my colostrum! Another thing is that Mackenna was just assigned a hospital pediatrician because the pediatrician that we chose works with a different medical group. Well, the doctor that was assigned to care for Mackenna is so caring, compassionate, and thorough. She does not want to leave anything unknown. So, she's been taking extra steps to check every possible problem and to get Mackenna healthy. She wisely decided to do a second round of blood work, even though Mackenna's first round was only "borderline." We are so overwhelmed by God's obvious hand in this situation. Praise the Lord!
Dustin and I have already started growing together as parents and it such a huge blessing to see our relationship deepen in Christ as we care for our daughter!
I will be posting lots of pictures and updates as we continue on this journey of parenthood. To God be the glory!
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