One Month with Maggie

Maggie Joan has been part of our family for a little over a month now and with a face like that, we're definitely keeping her! I must say she's a fantastic baby...she doesn't really need much, just feed her, change her, cuddle her and let her sleep and she's happy!

We've kept her pretty busy in the first month...no surprise there really. She attended her first parade at less than one week, has frequented the local farmers market on two different occasions, and was even part of our first 'ladies lunch' with Grandma, Auntie Michelle, Lily, Auntie Kathleen, her big sister, Kit and Mommy (an excuse to get dolled up and drink wine).

And she's been introduced to her big brother, Fionn. He's quite happy to be her big brother and insists that we call her by her proper name. You'll often hear him say, "her name's Maggie" when we call her "Mags". And he likes to call her by her full name, Maggie Joan. Just the other day I heard him chatting her up saying, "hi Maggie Joan, how are you Maggie Joan, I love you Maggie Joanie!" I didn't realize that he even knew her full name...that one's full of surprises.

And of course it didn't take long for Maggie to become one of 'daddy's girls'!

And Kit is delighted to be a big sister! She asks for Maggie pretty much every hour on the hour and is very helpful when it comes time to find Maggie's pacifier (she has a favorite one - already), retrieving burpclothes, and Maggie's nappies at changing time.

This One's for You Aunt Marge...

It's safe to say that in my family the summer months = fun times! One of our family's summer constants is the annual family reunions, which give us the time to catch up with family that we haven't seen in weeks, months, days, or hours - sometimes since the last reunion.

The first of our annual family reunion takes place every year on Father's Day weekend at my Aunt Margie's house in Coal City! It's the ideal setting and allows for all the things that remind me of summertime from my childhood, like camping under the stars...

and frolicking in the water...

hangin' with my cousins...both young and old - oh the memories that were made. and of course, showing off our stuff, as we all do from time to time!

And inevitably, showing everyone else at the reunion and on the lake what you're made of...the roof may not look that high off the water in the pictures...but take my word for it, it's HIGH!

But once you get the first jump in - it becomes addicting. I'm told that my cousins pictured here (Patrick, Sean, Bobby, Kim, Kelsey, & Nicole) jumped off the roof at least 100 times!

And the IrishKids made sure they were right up front to see their big cousins take the leap. I can just hear the little voices in their heads..."just a few more years and it's my turn!"

The reunion is a great time and the whole family gets the chance to catch up, have a few laughs, share lots of memories and make new ones. Unfortunately, this reunion happens before Margie arrives for the summer. Thanks Aunt Margie and Uncle Ray for the use of the house. We had a great time and wish you could have been there celebrating the family with us!

Our Hero - Emily & The State Champs!

As you all know, last week was a momentous week for the Gormley family with Maggie's arrival. It was also an exciting week for my Uncle Mike and his family, as his youngest daughter, Emily, helped "pitch" her high school softball team to the State Championship game and WIN!!!!

This is the first State Softball title for Oak Forest High School, the last state title was won by the boys baseball team in 1985!!! Not only is Emily a State Champ, she is also the Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinios and she's only a SOPHOMORE! Needless to say, we are one proud family.

The Oak Forest community is extremely supportive and proud of their Lady Bengals and on Sunday there was a parade congratulating and celebrating the state champs! This was one parade I was not going to miss and made sure the whole family was their to cheer Em and her teammates on!

The IrishKids had a ball. Not only did they fill up on LOADS of sweets gathered during the parade, but they also got a chance to hang with the girls they look up to Emily (holding the IrishKids) and her big sis Carly (with Lily). Incidentally, Carly was also a Lady Bengal (she graduated last year) and is now playing softball for NIU. From what I hear she made sure to remind her sister and former teammates that she helped pave the way for this state title! That sounds like Carly to me :)

As the mother of two girls, I cannot tell you how excited and proud I am to have these strong, athletic, outstanding young women for my children to look up to! It's hard to describe the pride I have for my cousins. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the years to come.

So, congratulations to the Lady Bengals of Oak Forest, to Emily, and to Carly too! You did it!

Well i finally got the hang to attach the pictures the details went in the last one .
Maggie has finally arrived all safe and sound.


She was born app. 8.51am 9th June 2009

Proud daddy.

Weight 7lb 9ozs and 21 and a half inches.

Mother and baby both doing well.

And she has a fine pair of lungs.....

The waiting is finally over... The Gormley Family would like to introduce you to its newest member Maggie Gormley who was born at app 8.51am this morning 9th June 2009.

She was 7lb-9ozs and 21 +half inches long. Mother and Baby doing well in need of a good sleep. look forward to introducing her to all.

In Just a Few Hours...

In just a few hours I'll go from the mother of two to the mother of three children. Simply amazing.
And while I don't think the IrishKids fully understand what is about to occur, they definitely know that change is coming. They've been sweet and loving all day and have told me about a hundred times..."I love you Mommy".

Both of my sister-in-laws (Michelle & Kathleen) are extremely talented when it comes to photography and helped capture the last few hours before their newest sibling arrives.

Preparing for Number 3

As mentioned in the previous post, Tuesday = Delivery Day (D-Day of a different sort)! We've been working feverishly in the Gormley household to get things ready for Baby G's arrival! I guess the nesting instinct has finally kicked in...with A LOT of help from my wonderful sister-in-law...she's a godsend.

As you can see - the nesting hasn't been without its rewards. Kit is seen here enjoying the Smartie bar that her Auntie Neecie sent over with Alan and Kathleen. Oh by the way, what do you think of our "new" couch?

And as promised - a picture of the burgeoning belly...Fionn wanted to make sure that he measured it! Apparently the "fat max" was the only thing that could be used!

And here's Fionn cuddled up to his daddy watching "Into the West". A movie both the children enjoyed immensely.

And finally...Auntie Kathleen has arrived from Ireland. Celebrations to be had by everyone. The children are thrilled to have their auntie visiting for the summer...but not as thrilled as their Mommy! She's accomplished more in 3 days time than I have in the past nine months! We're looking forward to having a great summer!

And so that's where we are at this point and anticipating the roller coaster ride that we are about to embark upon. We'll be posting soon.