Introducing...

 Macy Elizabeth Fedell

8lbs 9 oz

20 1/2 inches long

Born at 6:07 pm on September 17, 2013.

 Big brother Jack feeling how soft his baby sister's cheeks are.

Big brother Colin holding his sister for the first time.

Sleepy little lady with her daddy.

After a hard, quick labor, our little girl made her debut on Tuesday the 17th, 3 days past her due date. She is my biggest baby and has tons of black hair.

We were home within 27 hrs and she is doing just great.

Noise doesn't seem to bother her and she is nursing like a champ.

We are so in love with her.

The new and the old

As you may have noticed, I changed the blog title. Since we no longer reside in Virginia, it didn't seem appropriate to continue with the ol' Virginia Living title.

So, we are embarking on a new adventure here in The Great Lakes State of Michigan and I hope that you continue to follow along, as we navigate a new city, a new school, new job and a new baby.

Speaking of baby...

She is still hanging out...in my belly. I am 3 days past my due date at this point and I am pretty much going insane. Ugh. I feel like I will be pregnant for eternity.

So out with the old and in with the new!

 Next update will be baby. It WILL be.

Kinder-what?!

My baby started Kindergarten last week.

I didn't even cry.

He was so excited.

I was sick to my stomach.

He can't be old enough to wear a backpack, have his hair combed and wave good bye. He should still spend his mornings snuggled up with me on the couch.

I don't think he realizes that this was the first day of a whole new world for him.

He will always start school now. Alarms will be set, regardless of how tired one may feel. There will be bags to pack and homework to compile. There will be breakfast to eat, hair to comb and teeth to brush.  It is a whole new beginning.

For at least the next 12 years (hopefully more).

Here's to a successful first year of school!

 

Brother was not happy when he realized that he could not go with his Daddy and his brother to drop Jack off. Colin has done well though. He is o.k with Jack going, as long as we get to pick him up soon!

We found out our house is the bus stop for all the public school kids. Random people in the yard and driveway from 7am to around 9am and than again around 3pm. Not awkward at all.

We quickly found the brackets for our curtains and had those hung up asap.

Backpack on, art project ready and he is off! (And maybe a bit tired of all the pictures mom was taking non-stop)

The Last Scenes of Summer

The first week of September is in full swing and the mornings here in Michigan are starting to get cool, hinting of fall to come. So before I jump into the craziness that will be September (hello, new baby, new kindergartner, new blog name/design and loads of other news) I want to cherish the last few outing of the summer before the leaves fall and whisk away the thoughts of summer.

Jack and Colin spending some time at the Children's Museum in Grand Rapids with my mom. Bubbles take a lot of concentration!

The boys taking a time to play some Star Wars LEGOs while the mounds of boxes were unpacked. (Let's be honest, they are still a LOT of boxes to unpack!)

I was granted permission to go 3 hours northwest for a last weekend of travel before baby comes to where all our family lives to celebrate a very special birthday with my whole family.

My grandma turned 80! She has come through quite a lot in the last few years and still looks incredible! It was such a treat to be able to be at the big family party and not be 17hrs away!

Gigi had lots of help opening presents from her great grandchildren.

Jack showed Addy how to play Star Wars LEGO game on his aunt's iPhone while Ryan and Audrey spent some time bouncing and dancing.

Our last family of four picture. I am around 37 weeks here.

We braved the crowds and headed to the Michigan State Fair with my sister's family and her in-laws. It was a pretty small fair, but the boys enjoyed seeing all the farm animals and petting as many as they could. Here they both learned how to milk a cow!

These little piglets were my favorite, although I felt much sympathy for the tired, large momma. The boys laughed and laughed at their silly noises. We also got to see pig racing, which is hilarious and my favorite fair activity to watch.

Summer 2013 was nothing that I expected it to be. Everything did not go as planned and yet, it still all worked out. I still feel like I am recovering from a whirlwind about to head into a hurricane. But, it was a good summer, filled will good memories and leaving us excited for the great, new things ahead.

There's a lady a comin'

So there is a baby coming to our household.

Soon.

In 3 weeks or less.

I have rarely posted about this baby and pregnancy. 

(Though, I have rarely posted this summer in general)

So, in honor of our upcoming addition and to have some sort of remembrance written down, here is a brief overview of the little lady pregnancy.

~ I eat/chew almost 3 lbs of ice a day. Why? I have no idea. It is summer and I am hot and whatever, but ice is the best.

~ I crave ice cold watermelon. I have eaten more watermelon this summer than any other.
Other cravings: soft pretzels, mustard, and Penn Station subs. If you bring me any of these, I will love you forever.

~ This baby likes to wiggle and worm her way around my belly. All.The. Time

~ Midnight or later is her optimum movement time.

~ I am huge. Again. Torpedo belly in full effect.

~ The pregnancy has, hands down, been the most painful. I could ingest a steady diet of pain killers all day long. I don't, but I could. Achy everything. 

Thanks, little one.

~I am still wearing my wedding ring...regardless of the fact that I have gained more weight with this pregnancy than with my boys.

~ I moved to a new state, lived in my parent's basement with 2 boys for 7 weeks (with Ryan only around on weekends) and than moved into a new house that still needs to be unpacked and settled. All in my 3rd trimester. Apparently, that can cause stress, which causes the aches and pains. 

~I have had braxton hicks since week 17.

~ Sometimes my sciatic nerve goes out when I am walking. It's super fun.

~I am decorating the nursery in grey, yellow and white. I just need to start it...

~ Tums are my favorite midnight snack.

~ I bought an ivory lace diaper cover/bloomer and matching lace headband. Cause I am having a girl and I get to buy fun things like that for pictures.


I am sure there are more things to remember, but right now my pregnancy brain is running on empty.



So, here's to having the baby sooner rather than later and to having a smooth and easy delivery!

Pickin'

One of my favorite things about a Michigan summer is all the fresh produce that is around.

The boys were especially excited to help pick green beans from my parent's window well garden.

They carefully navigated the rows, picked enthusiastically, snipped and trimmed the beans and than  enjoyed eating them for dinner.

I did the same thing as a child and I am thankful that my boys got to experience bean picking as well.

One, Two...THREE!

This sweet face is 3 today!

THREE.

My baby.

How time flies.

The little man made his presence known in the womb, with powerhouse kicks that took my breathe away and he hasn't really stopped moving since.

Colin is full of emotion. He feels everything to to the fullest degree, happiness and sadness, laughter and tears. He is a rough and tumble little dude, doing everything that his brother does or will try till he hurts himself.

He loves his momma best, but watches everything his Daddy and brother does. He is extremely protective of anyone in his family and will fight anyone, any size, if he feels we are being wronged. While the transition from being the baby to the big brother this fall may be a little rocky at first, I know that he will fiercely protect and love his little sister, just like his loves and protects us.

What a complete and utter joy this boy has been to our lives. I can't imagine life without my sweet little full of life Colin.

Happiest 3rd Birthday, Colin. We love you SO much!