Thank you, Grandma Egli!

Grandma Egli left this afternoon and we're already missing her. She has spent close to three weeks with us after the birth of each of our children, and it seems with each child, we rely on her help during the postpartum weeks more and more. She is invaluable to us. Gabe even tried to sneak into her suitcase to go home with her.

We're so grateful for her help. While she was here, besides helping with the kids, she did countless loads of laundry, swept floors, painted the trim in our kitchen, researched ways we could fix up our yard, vacuumed a lot, changed dirty diapers, put babies down to sleep, took the boys out every morning for hours at a time so I could sleep, comforted upset children when their parents were in the hospital, etc. etc. etc.

Mostly, she gave all of us the emotional support and encouragement we needed during this wonderful transition in our family.

THANK YOU, GRANDMA EGLI!!!

Gifts

Since being home, I have found Marguerite donned with Josh-gifts many times. An incomplete inventory includes: Josh's bottle, several pacifiers (This is his favorite gift. He knows the importance of some good pacifier time.), a ball, and the surgical sponges from the hospital. So sweet, especially given that this list includes most of Josh's favorite things, save the sponges.

We also had a Birth Day party for Marguerite. Gabe decorated the cake. I think the sprinkle layer was at least 1/4 inch thick. Impressive skill. Gifts were also exchanged. I think Gabe was most excited about the pink tutu skirt he picked out for Pillow. He wants his sister to be a princess in pink. Side note: The other day, I had her dressed in an old hand-me-down from the boys - something pretty gender neutral. Gabe said disapprovingly, "Mom, she looks like a boy."

Introducing Marguerite Ruth Garcia

Marguerite Ruth Garcia, aka "Pillow" joined our family on February 5th at 11:45 at 7 lbs, 7 oz and 18.5 inches. When my mom told Gabe that Pillow was here, his eyes lit up as he said, "She's here?!? That's AWESOME!"

Marguerite was named after three different grandmothers. Marguerite, her paternal Grandmother, and Ruth, the name of two of her great grandmothers. We're so grateful that all of the grandmothers in Marguerite's life, even those she is not named after, provide strong and courageous examples of goodness, kindness and love.

The name Pillow was not inspired by Michael Jackson's child, Blanket, but originated in the mind of older brother, Gabe. Gabe has been calling her Pillow for months, and when I made the mistake of referring to her as Marguerite during Gabe's first meeting with her, he looked quite confused and hurt, and said, "But I thought her name was Pillow". We determined that her name was Marguerite Ruth Pillow Garcia, so he could call her Pillow if that's what he so desired.

Proud Dad

Proud Mom

Proud Grandma

(We're very, very grateful Grandma is here already. The boys are having a great time with her while we hang out at the hospital, and we look forward to two more weeks with Grandma at the house!)

Proud Brothers

Gabe and Josh met baby sister with adoration and enthusiasm. Gabe made sure she had her eyes, nose, mouth, fingers, toes, and hair. But he was especially impressed with her ears. "Oh look at her ears! They're so cute and small!" My favorite Gabe moment though was when he sat there just looking at her with love, and said, "Oh Pillow" in the most adoring voice I've ever heard him use.

Josh also enjoyed taking inventory of body parts.

And here she is again. We're extremely grateful that Marguerite is here safely and are enjoying beyond measure our time with her!