Welcome Macey Joy

It's taken me nearly 3 weeks to write this post, but I've been enjoying a lot of snuggles, constant feedings, changing diapers, and taking care of a sick Micah while Kyle has been busy working. My house is a complete mess, and dinner has been either from the crockpot or left overs most nights, but I'm not complaining. Life is so good!! Our family has been blessed and obviously busier since we welcomed Macey Joy Raadt into our lives on December 28th.

Macey's birth story is relatively uneventful compared to Micah's arrival into the world. She was a planned c-section. Aside from my blood pressure tanking into the low 50's for a few minutes after receiving the spinal block, the c-section itself went really well. Macey Joy was born at 8:33 AM and she came out emptying her bladder on our doctor before opening her little mouth to exercise her lungs. I was so thankful that we waited to find out her gender. Our doctor showed her to Kyle, and he was the one who announced "It's a baby girl." We couldn't have been more surprised, as I was certain that we were having another boy based on the way that I carried her throughout this pregnancy.

Unlike Micah's delivery, I was able to stay with Macey throughout the entire recovery process. It was so nice to be able to hold her immediately following her birth. As mentioned above, she came out crying but once hearing our voices and feeling our touch, she immediately calmed down. Macey topped the scales at 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. She was absolutely perfect!

Ironically, I was in the same hospital room as I was when I had Micah. I also had the same labor and delivery nurse during Macey's delivery. Although room 200 is probably the nicest labor and delivery room of the five at Winona Health, I was ready to check out a day early to get back to the comforts of home and my little Micah man. My parents and brother were generous enough to stay with Micah while were were in the hospital, and they stayed busy. We came home to a house that was cleaned, unpacked and decorated. Macey's nursery was painted and her crib assembled. Of course the laundry was done and a few days of groceries were purchased.

All hooked up and ready to meet Baby Raadt

I love these pictures!!

First time holding Macey while in recovery

Meeting big brother Micah. His reaction - neither positive nor negative. He was more interested in all of the labor and delivery equipment in the room and playing hide-and-go-seek behind the curtain

Meeting Grandpa Larry. We skyped with Grandma Dawn who was hospitalized with some health problems at Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Proud Grandma and Grandpa. When my mom received the phone call from Kyle about having a Baby Girl, she cried!

Getting ready to watch the Vikings Game!

Getting ready to be discharged on Sunday night

So, how have the past 3 weeks been going?! They've gradually gotten better. Macey's bilirubin level was at an "8" when we left the hospital on Sunday, which was a little high. Her weight was also down about 8% to 7 lbs, 10oz, which was a little concerning as well; however, knowing that my milk had yet to come in and we were supplementing, we were allowed to go home with the understanding that we needed to have a weight check/bilirubin check the next day. Macey dealt with jaundice the first week of her life, resulting in daily trips to the hospital for heel sticks and a lethargic baby that we were struggling to wake up every 2 hours for feeds. Fortunately, her jaundice did not require any additional treatment. Three weeks later, her jaundice is well behind her and she is now up to 8 lbs, 11 ounces.

Watch for monthly updates on our little Macey. She has already changed so much in the past 3 weeks. I am enjoying my time home with her!