Introducing...

Magnolia Claire "Maggie"

Born:  Monday, January 14, 2019 at 4:26 p.m.

Weight:  5 lbs. 13 oz.

Height:  18 inches

Our little princess decided to arrive about 5 weeks early in a very fast and somewhat scary delivery.  Although she is still in the hospital for some very minor feeding issues, we are so very thankful that she is here safely and cannot wait to bring her home.  Mommy and Daddy are already in love, and we know her big brothers will be in love too once they get to officially meet her.  It has been a difficult few weeks as we commute back and forth to the hospital to feed and care for Maggie while also caring for our four babies at home.  We can't wait to have them all under the same roof.  I will try to write her full birth story soon once things calm down a little around here.  Here are some of Maggie's first pictures.

Miss Maggie was immediately whisked off to NICU for help breathing and staying warm.  She had her arm bandaged because of her IV for fluids too.  Seeing your little one like this is a bit scary, but she really improved quickly.  

Sweet little face all covered in tubes and tape. 

So beautiful and perfect. 

Mommy finally got to hold her the next day. 

Mommy's girl is worth the wait for sure. 

Stealing the first kisses. 

Not a happy girl when the nurses had to move her IV to a different spot.  After numerous attempts on both arms and legs, they ended up having to put it in her head.  

Daddy finally got to hold her.  Yep, she is already a daddy's girl and gives him the best smiles. 

Daddy and his sweet baby girl melts Mommy's heart. 

As I think about my two baby girls, my heart is full of both happiness and sadness as Maggie will grow up without her sister.  I know that one day she will want to know why her sister can't be here with her.  I wonder why my baby girls had to enter the world in either the saddest or scariest ways while my pregnancies and deliveries of their brothers were relatively easy.  But mostly, I am so thankful to be the mom to two precious baby girls and to four equally precious baby boys.  I know that I have been incredibly blessed because there are so many wonderful women who long to be mothers.  We may not have answers to any of these difficult questions until we meet our Lord in heaven, but I pray for peace to be a compassionate and caring friend to those struggling with loss or infertility.  

Jacksonville Florida Zoo in January {2019}

While I cannot imagine visiting this zoo in Florida later in the year when it would be scorching hot, I think January was a perfect month for a visit.  We visited for Eddie's 41st birthday weekend.  I was hugely pregnant and didn't feel like walking too much, but this zoo has a sweet little train ride around the zoo so that helped limit the walking.  Unbeknownst to us all, this would be our last excursion before baby Maggie unexpectedly arrived one week later over a month early.  I am glad we got this trip in with the boys.

We found a Happy Birthday sign at the zoo for Daddy.  The zoo's Christmas decorations were also still displayed.  

These boys loved riding the train. 

Mattox enjoyed helping Brody read the map. 

The train takes you around the back side of the zoo so you do get a different view than when you are walking inside the zoo.  Sometimes you can see the animals closer if they are at the back of their habitats.  We got a good view of an ostrich and cheetah. 

We saw some of the African animals like the African crowned crane (I think) and impala. 

We did get a better view of the elephants because many of them were hanging out at the back of their large habitat. I do think the animals were out more in January than they would have been in the hot summer. 

The giraffes are always my favorite, and we did get a more up close view of them later. 

A carousel is always a favorite with these boys.  We love the awesome animals on this one.  Grayson got to ride on a manatee, and Mattox rode a gorilla. 

Evan chose a cheetah over his usual ostrich which he let Brody ride.  He just likes fast animals.  

I love these babies.  Daddy rode with them because of Mommy's condition. 

Mattox did get a little concerned while in motion.  

Big brother Evan sweetly helped Brody down from his ostrich. 

We also love the beautifully colored flamingos.  Apparently, flamingos in zoos are more brightly colored than in nature because they are fed more beta carotene. 

Just watching the flamingos together.  Yes, I was huge!

This zoo allows you to interact closely with giraffe and even feed them some leaves. 

They are so beautiful and graceful. 

Mattox was pretty excited to see the giraffe so close. 

It was their turn to feed the giraffe.  

They did get one giraffe who was very interested in eating their leaves. 

He showed them his very long tongue. 

Their tongues are crazy! They also have really long eyelashes so I always thought the reminded me of Brody a little. 

This lazy chimpanzee was just sunning himself and airing it all out.  Haha!  He was very close to the viewing window. 

Mr. Silverback Gorilla stayed at the back of his habitat. 

A ferocious but festive bobcat attacked Daddy.  Haha!

But this bobcat was all cuteness!

Maybe other people will enjoy it, but I am not a fan of the reptiles who are housed in the Lost Temple.  

But I am a fan of these adorable boys! 

Awe, look at those cute mer-people and manatees. 

Mattox led the way to the Winter Wonderland.  

Which way do we go, Mattox? 

We found the penguins.  It seems unnatural to see penguins in a place like Florida.  They had a large "outside" exhibit, but I guess the temperature of the air and water was regulated to be cool enough for some snow and ice as they slid on the icy rocks into the water.  

I like watching them slide on their bellies into the water. 

Grayson and Brody found a little igloo to play in. 

The cutest penguins ever. 

Brody's lovely faces he made when I wanted pictures of him with the train.  

One of the highlights of the trip was getting to pet the stingrays.  They really could have stayed here all day. 

Yep, arms in up to their elbows. 

I loved watching them because they were so happy.  

We got a good view of the cheetah in the late afternoon. 

We also felt privileged to see this sight.  The male lion got up and came down off his rock to put on a show of roaring.  We think it was his supper time, and he was telling his keepers to bring his steaks.  Haha! 

He then proceeded to roll around in the grass just like a cat.  He looked like he wanted his belly scratched. 

Daddy and Mattox pose with the birthday sign together. 

Brody wanted pictures with the Christmas decorations. 

Mommy with her three oldest babies before their baby sister arrived 5 weeks early the very next week.