The First Week Home

Life at home is getting back to normal. After working out some minor kinks, we are all settling in nicely.

Macie still isn't doing much, although she isn't crying much either, and Mom tells me I should be grateful. Aunt Hayley has sure been a big help. She sits with Macie while Mom is tending to me, and she plays in the yard with me when Macie is requiring Mom's attention (which, I might add, is quite often). Grandma Judy says that her personality reminds her a lot of Aunt Hayley, she eats well, sleeps well, and is silent and content when awake.

I guess I was more like Mom when she was a baby; loud, needy, and impatient. Some things will never change...

My impatience has forced me to feed myself more often because I DO NOT want to wait for Mom to feed me. I am doing quite well, and don't make too much of a mess!

Little Macie isn't impatient at all, in fact, the only time Macie really cries is when Mom changes her diaper and gives her a bath.

Here is a picture of Macie's first bath time experience.

I must say that I do understand her dislike for water, it took me months to enjoy the bath. Macie cried subtle sobs while Mom was bathing her, but as soon as she was out and dressed she calmed down and became silent and content once again.

Mom is having me practice helping out around the house. I have learned to feed, change, and rock my dolls with the utmost care. My favorite task was learning how to strap my buddies into the car seat so that they can go for a ride.

The weather in Ohio has been pleasant since Mom and Macie arrived home from the hospital and we have been enjoying the back yard. Some days Macie stays inside in her swing, but every now and then Mom lets Macie watch me play on the deck. I love to cook for her in my kitchen, but most of all I love to show off for her.

Apparently I am boring because she can't seem to stay awake, though I must say, I can't understand how she doesn't find me absolutely fascinating...

My first few days with Macie at home was lots of fun, but I was looking forward to Pa coming to visit so that we could get out of the house. He arrived late on Friday evening, and was the first thing I asked for the following morning! We were both SO excited to see each other, and I had tons of fun showing him all around my house and yard. We spent the afternoon with Dad, Hayley, and Pa touring downtown Ohio and getting to know the area Hayley will hopefully be going to school in the winter.

Pa wasn't feeling well on Sunday so we spent the remainder of the weekend at home. That evening Aunt Hayley's boyfriend Jon drove down from Canada to see me. Can you believe he traveled from a whole other country to spend time with me??? On Monday morning the whole crew went to the zoo. It was Macie's first trip, but she didn't seem interested as she slept the WHOLE time. I spent most of the trip being silly for everyone.

I have recently discovered how COOL pockets are, and love to put my hands in them. Check out the four cool dudes at the Zoo.

One of my favorite exhibits this visit were the Kangaroos. They were wide awake and friendly, and I go to get really close to them.

I had to take my routine ride on the carousel and wanted everyone to join me, but Pa, Mom, Macie, and Jon all claimed that they get"motion sickness" and bowed out. Good thing Aunt Hayley stepped up cause it was sure fun!

Before Pa went home to California Macie and I got to sit on his lap and spend some time with him. Now poor Pa has 4 screaming girls to deal with...

Aunt Hayley and Jon spent the next day touring more of Ohio and Mom and I spent the day at home with Macie. I had fun, but wanted to go back to the Zoo. Jon and Hayley couldn't say no to my powers of persuasion, and the next morning took me on a special Zoo trip. After Mom got me dressed, she asked me to go downstairs and put on my shoes. She couldn't figure out why it was taking me so long, and upon inspection found that I had put hers on instead. I am working on the "loop, swoop, and pull", but as of yet have been unsuccessful.

Good thing I am cute and can get away with flashing my smile and batting my eyelashes...

Macie decided to stay home with Mom and rest while Hayley, Jon, Holly and I all went to the Zoo. Mom took some picture of me before my FIRST trip out and about without her (I think she was sad and nervous), but my excited smile made her feel a little better...

I think she is finally coming to terms with the fact that I am growing up. Don't I look like such a BIG GIRL?!?!?!

I had an incredible time at the Zoo with Hayley and Jon. Mom had a rough morning, and missed me a lot, but she "manned up" and only called Aunt Hayley 3 times. When we got home we found Macie doing the same thing she had been when we left; sleeping. Talk about a party pooper...

Jon left that next morning and Aunt Hayley's friend Will came in that afternoon. We had had a house full of visitors for over a month and I love it!!! Will and I had lots of fun playing together, but we nicknamed him the baby whisperer because Macie enjoyed him so much!


Between Will and Mom Macie was well taken care of, and I got Aunt Hayley all to myself! I am glad that we share a similar sense of humor, because we sure had fun acting like kids together.


Macie's first week home was full of laughing, playing, staring, and sleeping. I have decided that having a new sister is really cool and can't wait until she is big enough for me to hold, feed, change, and play with. Until then I plan on being a good role model and showing her how things are done in the Frankwick household (since Mom runs the joint like a captain on a pirate ship).

As the end of Hayley's visit, and Will's too, came to an end I was sad. I had become accustom to having buddies on call for me to play with.


Before bed that night we all spent some time together saying our goodbyes, and I told Aunt Hayley how excited I was that she would soon be living with us (keep your fingers crossed)!

The next morning I woke up to an empty house (Dad was away on business for 3 days). I looked everywhere, hoping to find someone to come play with me, but found only Jackson whom I find is tolerable for only a short time. This was Mom's first experience being alone with Macie and I for more than a few hours. While she was on the couch feeding Macie her breakfast I took advantage of my freedom to explore the house. When Macie was finished eating Mom got up to find me and laughed as I had managed to climb on the bike all by myself.

She was a little angry (sense the bike is a "no no"), but she couldn't resist laughing at my silly smile.

Mom is quickly learning that she needs to keep an extra close eye on me while she is feeding Macie because I am quite sly and precocious. Good thing for her that Grandma Joanie is coming to visit and lend her a helping hand. I am looking forward to seeing Grandma Joanie, as it has been 9 months since I saw her in California. Mom says she is looking forward to seeing how much I have grown, and eager to meet my new baby sister.

Macie is growing a little bit everyday, with subtle features continually changing. Mom thinks she looks a lot like Daddy, and a little bit like me when I was a baby. I will continue to keep you posted on all the fun we have with Grandma Joanie, and will put up some new pictures and video of Macie when she decides to stay awake for more than a feeding...

Our family is grateful to all of our friends and family whom have been there to support us at home, on the phone, and through letters and emails. We are sure blessed to such amazing people in our lives, THANKS EVERYONE!!

I have a NEW baby sister, Macie Renee Frankwick

After weeks of worry and panic that Macie was going to come early (thanks to the doctor), Mom ended up having the opposite problem. Mom's doctor decided that we needed to help encourage Macie to join us, so she made an appointment for Mommy to come into the hospital for an induction. Her appointment was scheduled for noon on Tuesday the 25th.

Aunt Hayley arrived in Ohio that week and was relieved that she made it in time to see Macie come into this world. I was really excited to have my family with me, but Mom was becoming irritated as she was ready to have a baby.

On Monday Mom had a really rough day, and was hurting a lot. I felt bad for her and kept asking if she was OK. She assured me that she would be fine and we spent our afternoon together enjoying my FINAL day as the "only Child"- I made sure I got ALL the attention.

On Tuesday morning Mom woke me up and got me ready for the day. She was moving A LOT slower than normal, and I overheard her tell Daddy that she may have to go into the hospital earlier than planned. By the time she cleaned the house, finished the laundry, and made breakfast, it was time for her to hit the road regardless. I said my goodbyes to Mom, Dad, and Aunt Hayley, and told Macie I couldn't wait to meet her.

I was relieved that I got to stay at home with Grandma Judy playing Play Doh instead of sitting in a hospital . By the time Mom had reached the hospital she was already in active labor. Dad tells me that it all happened very fast (55 minutes), and before they knew it Macie was born. Mom was relieved that she didn't have to be induced, and Dad tells me that she managed to deliver naturally (without drugs), and was really tough. I was sure proud of my Mommy. The doctors were teasing Mommy that had she not come in for her scheduled induction she probably would have given birth in the car considering her very quick labor. Here is a picture of Macie when she was 20 minutes old.

Our little family of 3 finally became 4!

After Mom and Dad held Macie Aunt Hayley got to hold onto her while, and the two of them became quick buddies.

Macie was born weighing 6lbs 1oz, and she measured 18.25 inches long. She was bigger than I was when I was born, though not by much. Mom tells me that she looks a lot different than I did- she has very long and lean features, including very LONG fingers and toes. Maybe she will get the height in the family because we all know I am pretty small. Here is a picture of here right after her first bath (about 1 hour old).

After my nap Grandma and I went to the hospital to visit my new sister. I was SO excited that I ran into the hospital room shrieking. I couldn't believe it when I saw her; there she was, after ALL that time! I waited patiently while Mom picked her up and got her ready to meet me. I crawled up on the bed and peered down at her with wide eyes.

I spent lots of time talking with her, and telling her about all the fun things we were going to do with each other. I even gave her some tickies...

After a while I let Grandma Judy spend some time with Macie before she had to leave. Poor Grandma came here early in the month because we were all prepared for Macie to come weeks before, and was at the end of her 3 week trip when Macie finally arrived. At least she got to hold her before going home.

Grandma Judy, Dad, and I spent a a few hours with Mom and Macie before it was time to head home for the night. Mom and Macie had to stay in the hospital for 24hours, so they couldn't come home with us (though Mom said she was ready), and I was sure MAD! I did NOT want to leave my Mom or new baby sister! I was persuaded to leave with promises of sushi, but couldn't wait to get back in the morning.

Mom and Macie had a nice, and surprisingly peaceful, first evening together. In the morning I spent some time with Dad and Aunt Hayley, and after my nap went to the hospital to pick up Mom and Macie and bring them home. They both received two thumbs up from the doctors, so we dressed Macie in her new uniform and prepared her for the trip home.

Mom LOVED seeing both her girls in tutus and can't wait to show us off to the world!

I have to say, that the months of anticipation we worth the wait, because Macie is AWESOME and I love her lots.

I wont lie, I was worried that I wouldn't get attention anymore, but come on, how could you resist me???

Before leaving we took a new family picture.

My ONE request when we brought Macie home was that we have a birthday party for her. Mom and Dad held true to their promise, and on the way home from the hospital we stopped at the store to buy our party food and supplies. When we got home Mom made dinner and afterwards we all sang Happy Birthday to Macie, blew out the candles, and ate cake.

My favorite part, of course, was getting to stick my finger in the cake!

A new sister, a party with cake- I wish we could do this everyday!!!

The second day Macie was home we celebrated her 3 day birthday and are more cake. Macie didn't do a whole lot besides, eat, sleep, and stare, but she required a LOT of Mommy and Daddies time.

I like to hang out with her, but so far she doesn't respond to any of my silly antics. In fact, I think she is a little unsure about me as evident in this picture of her giving me the "hairy eyeball." It took me 2 years to perfect it, and apparently it only took 2 days for Macie.

By day 3 Macie was happy and content at her new home. She still sleeps a lot, but is very peaceful and happy.


By Saturday Macie was 5 days old and Mom finally let me take her into the back yard to play. I showed her how high I can jump on the trampoline, and think I really impressed her.

So far being a big sister has been pretty cool. This weekend my Pa is coming to Ohio to visit Macie and me, so check back soon for an update on all our new adventures.



2 MORE WEEKS... August 8, 2009

Two more weeks have passed since the Doctor told Mommy to prepare for Macie's early arrival. It has been an anxiety filled couple of weeks as Mom was worried she would give birth before the family was here to help. We tried as best we could to stay calm and relaxed, but both Mom and I were starting to go a little crazy.

Afraid to go too far from the house, Mom and I found neighborhood activities to keep us occupied. I spent a lot of time playing in the front culdesac. Lucky for Mom I can make anything fun.

On the weekends when Daddy was home we would do fun things like go to the zoo. I have that place wired now, and am able to plan my agenda accordingly. I LOVE to see the reptiles, and love the snakes and the unguana ( sounds like oon-gua-na).


We treated everyday as though it would be the "last" before the baby, so dad took a picture of Mom and I together- just in case.

When Monday came around again I wasn't looking forward to playing at home. Just when I thought that I was going to go crazy at home, I received a package from my Aunt Connie...Inside were princess dresses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had SO much fun wearing them around and posing for the camera!

Mom is grateful, as they have, and will continue to, occupy lots of time!

The anxiety of Macie's unknown arrival eased up when Grandma Judy arrived on the 10th. Mom relaxed knowing that she would have someone there to help watch me while she was at the hospital with Dad.

Now that we had help at home Mom was more willing to venture back out into the real world. We showed Grandma all around the town we live in, and spent lots of time playing together. When another weekend rolled around we went back to the ZOO!!!

I showed Grandma Judy all of my favorite exhibits and, of course, showed her the snakes.

We also spent some time in the aquarium looking at all the Nemo's and Dori's.

Grandma and I had fun showing Dad and Mom how silly we could be.


Mom even managed to lighten up and have a laugh with Daddy!

As each new day passes Mom gets more and more frustrated as she was ready for Macie to come back when the doctor advised her to be prepared at any time. Aunt Hayley arrives at the end of the week, so if Mom can hold off until then all of our original plans will have come to fruition. We will see...