Maggie's First Bite of Food

We started Maggie on solids!
She did great.
It is always fun to get to these milestones!

Maggie

Maggie is already 5 months old. I think that most of the time I am so grateful to know that she is the last baby coming to our family. Maybe because most of the time I am sooooo tired and lose patience too quickly.
However, there are those moments that I find myself holding her just a little longer, cuddling her just a little closer, kissing her just a few more times, listening to her coo and giggle with coos and giggles of my own, and watching her just a little more intently because I know this is it.
She is such a perfect addition to our family - I just love her!!

Maggie's Blessing

On Sunday, February 21st, we were finally able to bless Maggie. She is completely RSV-free and doing great.
Maggie has been such a blessing to us. We were not planning on her, but we can't imagine our family without her. She really does belong in this crazy family.
She has such a calm, sweet personality. We love watching her react to the hugs, kisses, holding, ooohing, and aahhing, etc. She loves to be held and talked to. She is certainly happiest when she is not left alone. And, thankfully, she is much happier when there is some noise around her than when it is quiet. We all love her so much and melt when she smiles at us or tries to talk to us. It is amazing to discover that the space in your heart that you didn't even realize was empty fills up to overflowing! I love being a mom and can't wait for what life has in store for our family!
We were lucky enough to have had lots of friends and family come to share this day with us. It was special and Nick did a fantastic job giving her the blessing. He always does. We had one of those moments after he came and sat down. He turned to me - a little teary - and said, "That's the last one." There is something so sweet about these little ones and it is a little sad to think that we won't have another one to do this with again. Having said that, there is something really great about knowing that we are really living the next stage of life as we now move from giving them life to helping them live life. It is fun to be parents and we look forward to watching them all grow and become the people they will become!! Life is good!!

Here are a few of the pictures from Maggie's blessing:

One is Such a Lonely Number!

We decided that we are very thankful for Maggie's temperment. She so much prefers to be around other people than left to her own peaceful moments! It was so fun and funny to watch this little scene unfold the other day at our house. Her brothers and sisters really love her - wholeheartedly!!
Maggie started out all fed, changed, dressed, rested, and comfortable on the couch...

Then, Emma came over to give Maggie her proper morning greeting- with hugs and kisses, ooos and aaahhs, and lots of love that only Emma can give...

Of course, seeing and hearing the fun Emma was having with Maggie caused Grayce to experience an immediate drop of her toys and a quick sprint over to the couch (luckily she bounced off of the cushion and not off of Maggie when we arrived at full speed) so that she could join in the fun. That quickly started the outpouring of hugs and kisses that only older sisters can manage to give..

After a minute of that and watching the twins be a little more rough with Maggie than Tyler is comfortable with, he came over to supervise and join the fun...

Oh Maggie - we wish you luck in your perfect little role as the youngest member of our family! We hope you endure it well and know that we love you!!

All Smiles

Maggie has been getting into that fun interactive stage. She loves to smile - especially right after she eats. Everyone loves it when she smiles. it is a lot of fun. The whole day for Grayce and Emma focuses on getting Maggie to smile - I LOVE IT!!

Maggie

We were so blessed to welcome our sweet new little girl to the world.
Maggie Lisa Ball was born on Tuesday, December 8th at 5:55p.m.
She was 8 pounds and 20 inches long and perfectly healthy.
We feel so blessed to have her and so happy that she made it here safely.

Nick is doing well and is an absolutely amazing husband and father. He is so wonderful!
I (Lisa) feel really good and can't wait to get home and start getting myself back to "normal" - whatever that is!!
The kids are not able to go to the hospital due to the new policies around the H1N1 virus. But, Nick was able to work his way around the hospital's firewall/safety protocols and set-up a video chat for them from hospital to home. Thank heaven for someone who knows his was around the computer!
When Grayce and Emma were shown a picture of Maggie they were so cute and excited. They kept saying, "Oohh Baby!" I can't wait for them to meet her in person. It is going to be an interesting adjustment, but I think they will do great.
I really miss seeing the kids. It is nice not having to do the day to day stuff, but I really miss the conversations and the hugs and kisses I so took for granted every day!
It is Abby's birthday today. Hopefully I will be able to meet her down in the lobby for a few minutes tonight. i think she has been having a good day.

Well, now that Maggie has been properly introduced, here are her sweet pictures: