Day 4: Accepting My Hidden Love of Baby Girl Clothing

Interesting title, you might think. Here's the explanation. Having had a boy for three years almost, and always thinking that I would have all boys....it was a little hard for me to accept the fact that I might actually like pink. Granted, I'm not a girly-girl by any means, but having a boy had solidified that pretty much. But by day #4 of my daughter's life, I told my Mom, "Okay. I'm really getting into this 'girl' thing. I am officially obsessed with their clothing and accessories." This was after I saw all the things she had to wear in her closet after this next bath.

The Setup

The Pro Helper

My Sweet Pea (Maddox told me the other day that I call her that...I didn't realize it.)

Me and my daughter. And the first of many cute outfits that I fit her squirmy body into. 

Nana admiring her granddaughter in the outfit that she bought her.

A Nana and her babies

"Floppyhead" Maggie - so little still!

I took this picture to remember how tiny she looked. This did NOT last long. She grows so fast, but I love looking back at this one and trying to remember how small she felt.

If only I could let her sleep like this all night. She loved sleeping on her belly until she got used to sleeping on her back.

Sweet dreams, baby girl.

Getting Acquainted

After Maddox's birth, Chad was very adamant about it just being us for the first night or two. This time around, he realized how it would be a much more relaxing time for Maddox to get acquainted with his new sister if we had an extra set of hands. Mom was only too happy for this. We were able to have some sweet times in those first few days, and pictures as well. 

This was the first time that Maddox said "yes" to wanting to hold Maggie. You can see him holding her fingers in this one. He has been totally intrigued by her hands this entire time. It's so adorable to hear him say in a baby talk voice: "And see your tiny fingers, Maggie?"

Hands of my three loves.

So proud to be a big brother. He had no idea what the next few weeks would hold for him. =( But things get better, so it's all worth it. 

Cracking himself up and giddy that he's holding her. 

He loves her soooo much.

I'm amazed at how the 2nd child can sleep through anything. Maddox can be screaming at the top of his lungs - mad or playing - and she can just doze right through it. So handy.

Following tradition, Mom helped me give Maggie her first sponge bath. I'm always too nervous to do the first one by myself. Why? I don't know! It's not like I was a first time mom, you know? I think I like her there so someone can take pictures while I make sure I don't drop the baby. =)

Cleaned up and ready for more new clothes. Using her new giraffe towel from Sarah B. Thanks!!! It's our only girly towel.

Maggie and her Nana bonding after cleanup. What a proud Nana she is!

And the best picture of the day (maybe even the week)! Cross-Eyed Maggie. It cracks me up every time I see it. Poor girl had enough flashes for the day, I guess.

So glad to be home, as a family!

Going Home...

On the morning of January 2nd, I realized that I was READY to go home from the hospital. Hospitals are not comfortable. The foods stinks, and I like to eat. Plus, Mom and Chad each got to spend a night on the hospital fold-out sofa "bed", and I decided that was plenty for them. If we were going to get spurts of sleep, it would be better spent in our own comfy beds. 

Maggie and I were both deemed healthy enough to go home and we were out of there! I felt so much better since I was in normal clothing again, but looking back I still looked a little rough. =)

First kisses from her big brother.

Such a little entertainer.

Chad and Maddox had just gotten there from home, so Chad was holding her again. 

Maddox and my Mom relaxing in the hospital bed while we waited for Maggie's birth certificate. They made an error, so we had to wait for the mistake to be fixed. 

Miss Maggie waiting patiently.

It took a long time. She was out like a light. That outfit fit her for about a week, by the way. 

Chad, Maddox, Maggie and I took our first car ride as a family that day. We went straight home and got settled, while Mom drove by Panera Bread and got some yummy yummy normal food for us. It was so delicious, to me especially. =)

Maggie - One Day Old

Enjoying a quiet moment among all the chaos. Chad & Maddox.

Daddy's Girl.

Enjoying my peace, while still in the hospital. 

Mommy & Baby finally all cleaned up. Thanks to my mom for always helping me with the basics. 

Lots of sleeping from this girl, compared to Maddox. 

While Maddox has had Chad's hands since birth, Maggie has my hands. It's just so amazing to see. 

We stayed at the hospital until the next day around noon. She was less than 2 days old when we arrived home with her. I was ready to leave the hospital as soon as they said I was able. Couldn't wait to get her home and get things back to "normal" for Maddox. =)

Maggie's Hospital Visitors

Poor Steve was the only one of my parents that didn't get to see her the night she was born. But, we were so thankful that he volunteered to stay at the house with Maddox. Chad went home the next morning while Mom helped me and got Maddox himself. Steve came down at that time. 

Steve's first look at the baby girl.

Proud grandparents of their first granddaughter.

I love watching guys hold newborns. They look like they are afraid they're going to break them! 

Baby Maggie awake to meet everyone again. With the pacifier as big as her head.

Josh & Becky stopped back by on their way back home. Dad & Donna had reserved 2 rooms at a nearby hotel in advance and Josh & Becky used one of them. 

Meeting their first niece. Maddox has them wrapped around his finger. I wonder how Maggie will do?

The only non-family member that had a chance to come to the hospital was my good friend, Kajsa D. She was kind enough to bring me a paperback book, sparkling apple juice to celebrate, and the cutest owl notecards. (Maggie's room is done in an outdoors theme with owls/birds, etc.) She knew I would love those!!!! Thanks Kajsa. 

Dad & Donna also had to head home that same day so they stopped in for a little while to say goodbye to us. I love this shot of Dad & Maggie. =)

About 14-15 hours old.

Also the first granddaughter for Dad & Donna.

Thanks everyone, for your support, love, and help with Maddox and many other things. We truly appreciate it and are glad you got to share in this special time with us. 

Maddox Meets Maggie - Happy New Year 2009!

When Maddox arrived at the hospital on New Year's Day to meet his baby sister, Dad & Donna had this balloon waiting for him. I wasn't aware of it until later, but they eventually had to take it away because he was hitting Mickey Mouse around the room and getting a "little" wild in there. =) I think this is before he came in to see me. 

Maddox and Chad on their way to see me & Maggie.

Baby Sister peacefully sleeping while Big Brother was checking her out.

I made sure that I wasn't holding Maggie when Maddox first came into the room. I worked out well. He was a little timid about climbing up in the bed with me. I think he thought I was sick or hurt. But once I coaxed him up, he was so happy. 

After he and I spent some time together, Mom lifted him up to get his first glimpse of Maggie. He was extremely intrigued by her and how little her fingers were. He was also giving her Maggie-Bunny to her. He has a bunny named Bunny (go figure) and we found one in a different color, but identical other than that, for Maggie. He kept talking about giving "Maggie-Bunny" to his sister. So sweet. 

Maggie meets Maggie-Bunny.

Giving her the pink blanket (just like his blue "Blanket") that he picked out for her months before.

Making sure that she has Pink Blanket.

Onto snacks. Maggie got boring after awhile. =)

The most precious brother I've ever seen in my life. He is so amazing with her and totally adores her. Just what I've always dreamed of. Thanks to God for these two amazing blessings.