1 MONTH

Millie turned one month a couple of weeks ago.  At her two week check up she weighed 7.94 ounces (37th percentile) and was 21.25 inches (83rd percentile) long.  She wore newborn clothes and diapers for her entire first month of life.  I have already noticed that I am taking fewer pictures...I didn't even get my act together enough to print out some monthly picture stickers...so I will just have to type in the words with Photoshop...at least I had my act together enough to take a monthly picture.

We took quite a few trips to the pediatrician during Millie's first month.  When Millie was about a week old I started to notice some white spots on her tongue.  I was worried that we might have thrush.  We walked down to my best friend Amy's house and had her look...her little guy had thrush just a few weeks before.  Amy thought it looked like it might be thrush...it is so nice to have my best friend just a few houses down to comfort me when I need some comfort.  We got into the pediatrician later that day and started the medicine for thrush.  I also had a cracked nipple which made nursing quite painful.  While we were at the appointment for thrush the nurse wanted to complete the PKU newborn screening card so Millie got her foot pricked. 

The next week we had Millie's two week appointment and by then her cord had fallen off so the doctor put some silver stuff on to help her belly button heal.  He covered it up with a band-aid so it wouldn't stain her clothing.  The doctor also said he thought she might not have thrush and may just have a geographic tongue...basically sometimes she has white stuff on her tongue that changes shape.  We left the office just to be called a couple of hours later with news that they didn't get enough blood for the PKU card so we needed to go back in the next day.  

While we were getting ready the next day I changed the band-aid on Millie's belly button and the skin around her belly button peeled off.  I freaked out.  So at the appointment for another PKU heel prick we had the doctor check her belly button.  He was worried too but just recommended Neosporin and gave me some cloth squares to help protect her from the band-aid.    

Here is a little collage of weekly pictures.  Her hair has quite a bit of red and blonde highlights. Overall, I think her hair lightens up each time we wash it.  She may end up being a Blondie after all.

Millie's first night home from the hospital was rough.  She had five poopy diapers between 10 pm and 5 am...and I had to change the sheets in her bassinet twice due to major spit-ups.  It seemed like every-time I would get ready to lay down and close my eyes I would just have to get back up.  Her sleeping improved over the first four weeks and we have settled in to more of a routine.  Phin shared a cold with her which made it hard for her to sleep on her back...so she has spent quite a bit of time tucked under my arm at night.

This picture was taken when Millie was just a week old.  I loved looking at her feet.  In the first few weeks they were often curled up close to her and crossed.  It was amazing to see just how flexible her joints were.  I could just picture those feet tucked up under my rib cage.

She had her first official bath at Nona's house.  She didn't love it at first but then she settled right in.  She has had a few baths with Phin since then as well.

We were visiting Nona one day when I realized that Nona and Millie were wearing matching outfits.

We continued to have visitors in Millie's first month.  Here she is meeting Aunt Tawnya, Uncle Jami and Cousin Jameson. 

People often asked how I was feeling and were surprised to see me out and about.  From the moment Millie was out I felt pretty great.  It is almost like the song "To be human again" in Beauty and the Beast...I finally feel human again.  Here we are at an Ultimate Frisbee game for Seth.

 

People have asked who Millie looks like.  I think she looks quite a bit like Phin.  Their coloring is different but I think they have very similar expressions.  Here she is in what was one of Phin's favorite sleeping poses.

When Millie was almost four weeks old we headed to Sacrament meeting for the first time.  We decided to all wear a little yellow.

When we aren't getting out of the house, we can often be found lounging around on the couch.  I love these baby cuddles.

And now an update on Phin...
He has been a wonderful big brother.  I have told many people that he just seems to orbit around me and Millie.  He has definitely hit the terrible twos and at times tries my patience...but at other times he just melts my heart. He is talking up a storm and can carry on quite a conversation.  Some of my favorite phrases "I did it," "play with me,"and  "I love you mommy." He has become quite a bit more opinionated...his first response is almost no followed quickly by "I want it."  He is absolutely obsessed with the show Team Umizoomi and he sings the theme song for Sponge Bob when he watches it with Seth.  He loves going to nursery and will point out pictures of Jesus in the hallway at church.  He has started to repeat words of prayers after us.  Here he is "pwaying" at my feet as I nursed Millie.

 

He is often near when Millie has tummy time.

When I tried to take her monthly picture this is what happened.

I was reading Elder Holland's talk from the October conference where he said "no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love of  devoted mother has for her child."  I am extremely grateful that I am blessed to be a mother and experience that kind of love. Thank you for coming to our family Millicent Mae.

September

I spent a lot of time nesting in September...it was an urge that I didn't feel with Phin.  I think I didn't want to jinx anything back then.  I also didn't have a toddler running around...so this time I felt like I needed to be a little more prepared.  I may have driven Seth crazy with all of my requests but he humored me.  One of the biggest projects was getting all of the unpacked boxes out of Millie's room, the crib moved in, etc.  Although Millie hasn't even slept in her room...it made me feel better to know that she could.  My mom made a beautiful quilt for Millie that will be a forever treasure.  I love the pattern and all of the colors that it contains.  I was able to find a matching crib bumper at the DownEast Clearance Center.

I also spent a day at my mom's making some burp clothes.   A friend of hers gave her bags of flannel pieces.  The pieces weren't quite big enough to make a full burp cloth but my Mom had the brilliant idea of piecing them together.  I love how they turned out.

One day Phin and I were out running errands.  We had been to Smith's, Costco and then picked up some peaches from a local stand.  On our way home we drove by this little car on the curb that had a free sign stuck to it.  Phin's face totally lit up when he saw me put it in the car.  We came home and he spent quite a bit of time cruising around our backyard.  I showed him how he could pretend to fill it up with gas using our garden hose...he was in love.

Phin got to spend some time with James and Andrew one Friday up at Nona's.  They sat this way on the couch all on their own.

We signed Phin up for a Home Depot Clinic.  They made a football toss game.  Phin got to hit with a hammer and paint...he was in heaven.

We had a BBQ down in Utah County with Seth's family over Labor Day weekend.  It was windy but not quite windy enough for the kite to stay up.  Phin had a lovely time playing with his cousins.

We found the Clemson football costume we had at my mom's house.  Phin was delighted to wear a helmet.

Seth built a box in our backyard that he jumps on to improve his vertical jump.  Phin loves to go out and "jump" with Daddy.  You can see his little boxes off to the side.

We had an amazing weekend before Millie was born.  We spent Saturday working in the yard.  I got all of the weeds in the flowerbeds pulled and Seth got the lawn mowed and edged.  Then we headed to Krispy Kreme for a dozen free doughnuts for talk like a pirate day.  It was a long line...

We probably waited for over an hour.  Seth has vowed never to return with me...so if anyone wants to come next year there is an opening!  After our long wait we headed up the canyon for a picnic and to enjoy the Fall colors.  That evening we watched the new Cinderella movie and The Age of Adeline.  

We welcomed Millie into the world on September 21st.  Seth's mom always says that she gets excited when his birthday comes...because it means Spring is on the way.  I think I will always get excited when Millie's birthday comes...because it means pumpkin season is on the way!

Seth took Phin to build a bear on Millie's birthday.  Seth said there were too many choices and Phin was quite indecisive but he ended up with a Hulk fireman bear and a Kitty Cat for Millie.

We brought Millie home on Wednesday, September 23rd.  I remember leaving with Phin and being worried about him all alone in the back of the car...I felt the same way this time.  They just so little in their big car seats.

We had a few visitors in September as family came to meet Millie.  JB brought his boys and they were so sweet with Millie.

Sarah, Joe and Kate came for a visit as well.

We took Millie on her first road trip.  Our favorite newborn photographer, Heidi of Monkeyface Photography, moved to St. George since Phin was born...so we drove down to get Millie's newborn photos taken.  Millie made it all the way to Cedar City before we had to take a break and feed her.  Once we arrived in St. George we headed to the Children's Museum to let Phin play.  He had a blast...and we wished we would have had more time to let him get his wiggles out.  He got to be a pilot in an airplane.

He was a mechanic and changed tires with Dad.

He dressed up like a Firefighter or a hirehiter as he says.

He also dressed up like a cowboy and got to see an exhibit on phones.

He loved the grocery area.

I missed the rest of the museum as I was out feeding Millie.  Seth said they didn't even make it all the way through before we had to leave.  We spent about four hours at the photography studio.  Then we had dinner at Chili's and drove home.  It was a long day...but Heidi the photographer is amazing.   I'll post more photos of the actual session soon.

Millie loved spending time with Uncle Jeff before he headed back to Arizona.

Dallin and Amy brought us dinner one night.  Here is a picture of the future best friends...Connor is just 6 weeks older than Millie.

Monday Delivery

Four weeks ago today our family officially became a family of four.  Just like Phin, our baby girl decided to throw herself a surprise birthday party...she was quite anxious to get here and arrived two weeks before her due date.  I started to have contractions on Sunday, September 20th during family dinner at my parents' house.  I hadn't had contractions all weekend and was surprised that they came on so fast.  

The contractions were so strong during dinner that I had a difficult time participating in conversation.  I laid down on the couch but the contractions continued.  We headed home early so I could rest.  I headed straight to bed and Seth took Phin to the park next door.  I watched the newest episode of Downton Abbey on my iPad and hoped that my contractions would slow down.  Around 7:15 pm I went to the restroom and passed my mucous plug or bloody show.  I started timing my contractions and they were about three minutes apart and lasted about a minute.  There was no denying at that point that our baby girl was on her way.  

When Seth and Phin got back from the park I told them we better get packed up.  We quickly packed bags for Phin, myself and a few items for Seth.  On our way to Nona and Papa's to drop Phin off, Phin asked that Seth drive over bumps...a frequent request when they go on scooter rides.   Phin fell asleep on the way to Nona's so we didn't get a final picture of our family of three.

I had planned to get some maternity pictures sometime during the week...charge my camera battery...pack a hospital bag...eat labor inducing pizza,etc.  But there are some things in life you can't plan...so this was the last picture of me pregnant.

We got to the hospital just before 9:00 pm.  It seemed to take the nurse forever to get us checked in.  She asked all sorts of questions..do you smoke, drink, do drugs, etc.  I was a little peeved that all of that wasn't already in the system.  Finally by 9:20 pm she checked and I was dilated to a 3 or 3 1/2 and 90% effaced.  At my appointment earlier in the week I was dilated to a 2 or 2 1/2 so the nurse said she wasn't sure I was in active labor since I could have progressed that far since my appointment and not just that night. She said she would check me again in an hour.  At this point I was feeling a lot of pain with contractions...I knew I was in labor and just wanted an epidural.  I was so anxious and nervous about getting our baby girl here safely.  

About 10:20 pm I felt a little pop.  By 10:35 pm the nurse had come back in to check on me and I was dilated to a 4.  She was finally convinced I was in labor and asked if I wanted an epidural...yes please.  She started an IV at 10:45 pm.  The anesthesiologist, Dr. Hall, came in around 11:15 pm for my epidural.  This epidural was very different from my epidural with Phin.  I could still move my legs and feel pressure but I had no pain.  

At midnight the baby's heart rate had dropped a little so I was put on oxygen.  The nurse checked and I was dilated to a 7...and almost immediately after she checked my water broke.  At 12:25 am I called the nurse in because I was feeling a lot of pressure.  She checked and I was dilated to a 9.  By 12:45 am I called her in again and I was at 10.  My sweet OBGYN, Dr. Laine, came in at 1:05 am to deliver our baby girl.  By 1:10 am I started pushing.  I was shocked when Dr. Laine said that our little girl had a head full of dark hair as she started to crown.  Dr. Laine was so calm and encouraging as I pushed.  By 1:17 am our little girl was born and immediately placed on my chest for some skin to skin.  I was amazed at her dark hair.  She had the chubbiest cheeks and I immediately noticed that she had Seth's ears and possibly his dimple chin.  She also had a large stork mark on her forehead and the back of her neck, like Seth did when he was baby.  It was so comforting to have her safely in my arms after months of worry.  Seth cut the cord a few minutes later.  Dr. Laine delivered the placenta and stitched me up from a episiotomy.  We got to see the placenta before they took it out of the room.  Then for the most part everyone left us alone for almost an hour.  

Our little girl weighed 7 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Around 4:00 am they moved us to another room.   They played music as we walked by the nurses desk in labor delivery and over to recovery.

We got settled in and after meeting my new nurses we were able to get some rest.

We called my mom early the next morning to deliver the news.  Nona, Papa, Jeff, Scott and Phin came to meet baby girl around 8:30 am.  I was distracted by the nurses changing shifts...but from what others told me Phin had a very positive reaction to his baby sister.  Seth asked if we should bring her home and Phin said yes.  I think he would have been ready to take her home that very moment.  He has gotten quite good at singing "Happy Birthday" and with some encouragement sang to his sister.

Our first picture as a family of four.

I was given an antibiotic during labor.   The complication from the antibiotic was that we had to stay until Wednesday for our baby girl to be observed.  During the first 12-24 hours they had to check her blood sugar before I fed her.  She caught on to nursing almost immediately.  It was so much easier than with Phin.

Seth took her down for her first bath...which she wasn't a fan of.

Seth also picked out her first hair-bow.

I was able to take a few pictures of our baby girl in the hat that her Aunt Mary made for her.

Seth left in the afternoon to take Phin to Build-a-bear.  We had baby sister bring him this is a present.  He came back with a Hulk fireman bear and a kitty cat for sister.

Nona and Papa came back to visit Monday evening.

Grandma Jo and Granddad came to visit on Tuesday just before lunch.

Jeff also came back over for another visit.

Here is a picture with Dr. Laine just before we checked out on Wednesday morning.  We are so grateful that Dr. Laine was able to deliver our baby girl safely into our arms.

We didn't officially choose a name for our sweet baby girl until the night before we headed home.  We decided on the name Millicent Mae.  Millie is named after two of her third great-grandmothers.  We first heard the name Millicent during a sealing session before we even had Phin.  At the time Seth commented how much he liked the name.  When we found out we were having a baby girl, Seth asked if this would be our little Millie.  Seth has also always loved the name Mae...it may be because that is Peter Parker's Aunt's name.  As we searched more we found out that Millicent and Mae were both family names.  I really wanted to use family names so that our children would have a constant reminder of the sacrifices their ancestors made for them.  We also like names that are unique but have common nicknames.

The name Millicent comes from Millecent Ferris Hatfield.  Millecent was born in 1862.  Just a couple of years earlier Millecent's mother Dorothy had crossed the plains on foot with her two young boys.  Her first husband disowned her when she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Once she arrived in the valley she met and fell in love with Jean Baptiste.  Not long after they were married it was discovered that Jean was robbing the graves of the Salt Lake Cemetery where he was working as a grave digger.  Jean was banished to Fremont Island and was never seen or heard from again. Dorothy was pregnant with Millie and moved to Utah county to escape the disgrace of the scandal.  Dorothy married two more times.  Her third husband died of food poisoning while away on business.  Her forth husband was someone she knew in England when she was a young girl.   Millecent's mother kept Millie's true parentage a secret until her deathbed.  Millie also kept the secret until her own deathbed.  Millie lived a full life and had 11 children.  One of her children said  "Mother never let anything keep her from attending sacrament meetings.  She said 'One never knows whether they are strong enough to withstand what comes, therefore one must partake of the sacrament and keep the Lord's commandments.' She had an abiding faith in her creator , and a strong desire to be faithful to the end."  The name Millicent also means "strong in work."  If you are interested in reading more about Millie I found this digital book that gives more details about her and her mother Dorothy.

Mae comes from Maria or May Herren.  She was born in 1865 in Switzerland.  When she was just five years old her family immigrated to Utah and finally settled in Idaho.  She had ten children, six of who preceded her in death.  The name Mae means "bitter or pearl."

May Herren second from the right.

We hope that our Millie will remember the women she is named after.  We want her to be faithful even when life doesn't turn out the way that she has hoped.  We want her to be a strong worker and to search for the pearls in life.  We are so grateful that she has come to our family and we feel blessed to be entrusted with her sweet spirit. We love you Millicent Mae.