Newborn Days

There is nothing more wonderful than a newborn in the house. The whole family gets to slow down and enjoy snuggling a baby. 

- Week 1 -

Lionel comes home and we take a ton of pictures of him! All the kids are obsessed with him, except Walter. He's a bit jealous. The second night home was rough. Not for Lionel, but for Walter who woke up frequently and just wanted mommy and daddy. 

Lionel has the most hair of any of the kids besides Hazel and Eliza. He also had lots of hair on his body, so much so that Hazel said he looked like a little peach. 

I'm not sure Lionel was set down all week. He had a solid rotation of people ready to snuggle him. 

He was so tiny and cute! He had a touch of jaundice so we soaked up some sunshine. 

- Week 2 -

We kept things pretty chill, but Lionel did get to start meeting some close friends. We also made it outside for the first time on a warm day. 

- Week 3 - 

Lionel started waking up a bit more this week. He got to meet Grandpa Tony! We also ventured to Vanguard and a decade dance this week.

A sister in our Stake offered to take newborn photos of Lionel. She was SO sweet to take the time. I love how she captured his grumpy face. 

- Week 4 - 

This week Lionel started getting pulled in to the business of life around here. He enjoyed a picnic in the park, a Regency Era family dance, church, and more Vanguard. Walter still wasn't a big fan, but he's starting to warm up. 

Teri and Tony came in to town, so we blessed Lionel on Sunday, March 2nd. We didn't take great pictures of his special day, but mostly because we were too busy with a flood of family adoring him. 

- Week 5 - 

This week poor Walter came down with a fever. Though we tried so hard, within a few days Lionel was sick too. Since he was so young, he had to been seen in the ER for his fever. But after he tested positive for the flu, they didn't need to do any further testing. He had a few rough nights when he couldn't get comfortable, but otherwise, he came through it SO well! No major coughing or eating issues. Honestly, I think I must have had the flu and passed him antibodies because he really did SO well. Prayers were answered! 

- Week 6 - 

Lionel did his best Mr. Rodgers impersonation, got to experience snow for the first time, and celebrated Walter's birthday (which of course meant his first fire). 

Then suddenly, he wasn't a newborn any more. Those precious newborn days both drag on and fly by. They are the most wonderful and the most exhausting days. But I wouldn't trade them for anything. 

Never Grow Up

It's the night before Lionel's baby blessing and I'm snuggling him on the couch,  trying to savor every second of these all-too-fast newborn days.  The way he calms the moment I pick him up or even just at the sound of my voice is priceless.  Seven kids in and I'm still not over the wonder of new souls. 

Then in to my head pops a song,  "Oh darling don't you ever grow up,  you should never grow up,  just stay this little.  Oh darling don't you ever grow up,  you should never grow up,  it could stay this simple."

Part of me longs to freeze time. If I could,  here's what I would hold on to forever...

The sound of Hazel's sweet voice constantly singing in our home, her long, beautiful hair, how she endlessly quotes from movies and books, and her fear of merging while driving. 

Eliza adding harmony to Hazel's singing, the often sweet (but sometimes squeaky) sounds of her violin floating upstairs, her confidence in herself,  and her love of Tolkein books.  

Lenora's zest for life, her excitement over even the mundane things, the way she still loves to play with the littles but how she also fits in with the older girls, and her wild, crazy, often unbrushed hair. 

Orson's tender love for Lionel, his care for me, his incredible responsibility over duties assigned to him,  his obsession with pennies, his very real need to be in bed by 8 and his subsequent early rising ready to get to work and help each morning. 

Conrad's love for all things soccer,  his joy in spending time outside,  his lego creations that he shows off to me with such pride,  and his fantastic bike shows (even though they mean plenty of mud tracked in to the house).

Walter's love of the song Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam,  his need to use scissors to open cheese sticks and bananas, his sweet cuddles when I'm tucking him in for bed,  his obsession with Bluey, and the precious way he says Baby Lionel. 

Lionel's sweet little grunts when he's hungry,  the way he snuggles in to us as he falls asleep,  his prefect tiny hands and feet,  and feelings of peace and safety he brings to all who hold him.

As much as I'd love to freeze them all,  I also know the joy of seeing your kids grow.  I love seeing them find their voice and talents.  I love seeing them grow in their knowledge of many things. I love the lessons they turn around and teach me. 

So we'll grow and learn and live and love together. I'm so happy to have all my kids here under one roof, even if it won't be that way for long.  

Lionel Craig Ballard

February 3, 2025

6:44pm

8 lbs, 0 oz

20 inches

Early on the morning of February 3rd, I woke up to contractions. The last few weeks of pregnancy had been long! So, while I was dreading labor,  I also hoped this was the real thing. 

Much like Walter's labor,  my contractions were strong, but weren't getting closer together. Michael decided to find a sub for his classes anyways and stay home for the day. I spent the morning trying to do a bit of school with the kids,  then giving up and taking Lenora on down for a walk. We'd learned you could find owl pellets at the cemetery,  so we walked down and collected some. 

The walk didn't make my labor pick up like I'd hoped it would,  but it was nice to get outside.  

I had my regularly scheduled doctor's appointment at 3pm, and since I was still having what felt like real connections every 10-15 minutes, I figured I'd have them check my progress. Shockingly, I was already 6cm dilated and was sent directly to labor and delivery.

Over the next few hours, I labored with some definite pain,  but not enough that I wanted an epidural. I've realized I prefer the recovery without one enough to justify the few hours of pain. By the time my doctor came to check in me,  I was at an 8 and asked for him to break my water.  

That didn't immediately lead to pushing like with Lionel,  but the contractions did pick up.  While it was very painful,  I felt so calm. 

Then the urge to push hit.  I literally said out loud,  "I hate this part!" My sweet nurses cheered me on as Michael held my hands encouragingly.  Within a few pushes, Lionel was here! 

Of course we were instantly smitten! Those first few moments with a sweet soul so fresh from heaven never get old.  The peace and joy and love that flood the room are unbeatable.  

Lionel has been the sweetest baby! He's nurses well from the start,  and is generally happy and content. 

And Michael has been my MVP. After 7 kids,  he knows exactly how to support me after a delivery.  Yummy food,  chocolates, taking care of me and the kids, and coming home to a spotlessly clean house and flowers were just a few of the things he did for me. This man's a keeper and the world's best dad! 

The next morning the whole crew came to meet Lionel.  Walter was not so sure what to think. Throughout my pregnancy,  he'd called my belly "Baby Lionel ball." When the kids showed him pictures at home he said,  "Baby Lionel ball come out??? No! Baby Lionel ball go back in!"

Once he got a chance to hold him though,  Walter didn't want to share.  

All lined up on the bed, our crew looks huge! 

That night we headed home to soak in the snuggles, sweet smells, and joy from this precious soul. 

I love his hair! Not nearly has long as Hazel or Eliza's, but the longest and darkest of any of the boys for sure. 

He also has the best old man face to match his old man name. 

He's full of some adorable faces too! 

This is what heaven must feel like...

Lionel, we are so glad you're here! We adore you! When we were considering adding one more child to our family I was chatting with a friend about something completely unrelated. She shared that the number 7 represents wholeness, completion, and perfection. While she wasn't talking about children, that's immediately where my mind wandered. Now that you're here though, I feel that about our family - we're whole, complete, and perfect thanks to you!