MARGARET HEATHER
NOVEMBER 4, 2006
8 LBS., 21 IN.
A play date for Kellie Martin's newborn daughter, Margaret Heather Christian, looks a lot like a meeting of the Former Child Stars Club. Baby Maggie, as she's known, regularly frolics with Mason Wilkerson, the 1-year-old son of Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch); she also plays with Oliver Savage, the 6-month-old progeny of Fred Savage (The Wonder Years). Unfortunately, the star pedigree gets lost on the little one. "She's very lucky to have all these cute boys to play with," says her mom, the ex-ER and Life Goes On actress. "It's just that she doesn't notice other babies yet!"
But the L.A.-based Martin, 31, loves the camaraderie she gets from the group. "The other day Maggie didn't want to eat, and it freaked me out," she says. "I was crying, and I called Melissa. She said, 'Don't worry. Maggie will eat when she's hungry.' It was a simple answer that just never occurred to me.'"
But other answers came naturally, like the decision to put acting on hold. Martin takes full-time care of Maggie—not a nanny in sight!—while dad Keith Christian, 32, a lawyer, is away at the office. "I don't plan my day anymore," says Martin. "I now have about 12 voice mails I just haven't dealt with. When Maggie is awake and playing, I want to give her my full attention. We watch the Food Channel together—I'm obsessed with The Barefoot Contessa. I'm sure by the time Maggie turns 5, she'll be making soufflés."
And no doubt she'll be asking about her aunt, Martin's younger sister Heather, who died at age 19 of lupus, an autoimmune disease. "[Maggie's middle name] is my way of keeping the name alive," says Martin. "I can't wait to tell Maggie about her aunt."
Until then, mom and daughter will be maxing out on quality bonding time. "I didn't think I could love anything so much," says Martin. "Babies give you so much unconditional love, and you can't help but give it back because it's so pure. She has also taught me how to change a diaper—I've become pretty awesome at that."
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