new life is a miracle i just can’t get over. no matter how hard i try, i really can’t get my head around the idea that this gorgeous baby girl was there with us during kate and miles maternity shoot — just floating there, curled up happily on the other side of a thin wall. she could see the bright light of the sun — and of our flashes. she heard us laughing, talking excitedly about her upcoming “arrival.” yet there she was already. playing a nine month-long game of hide and seek. she came out of hiding on august sixth. more beautiful than anyone could have imagined.

equally miraculous will be how quickly this sleeping (well, most of the time..) baby turns into a curious little girl, asking questions and exploring every corner of her world. (believe us, kate and miles — we’re speaking from ongoing experience!) then — before you know it — she’ll be one of us, knowing all things about the universe. (glad we haven’t arrived at that point with jazz yet!) fortunately, we get to look forward to watch little charley as she experiences all these unimaginable changes. and so will you; just check back here on the blog once in a while.

but be patient. this first part is special. it can’t be rushed. it has to be savored. enjoy every moment, mom and dad — even the sleepless ones. they are brief and precious.

three generations of women were on-hand, helping give the fourth a lovely start! with all that love, charley grace has everything she needs. (but, as “icing,” she also gets a really nice nursery:  fun, comfortable, and professionally decorated by none other than her own grandma. now how’s that for spoiled rotten!?)

she comes from a line of horse-lovers and riders; so is it any surprise she’s so naturally comfortable in the saddle? (okay, i apologize. no more cornball jokes. i promise. it was just too hard to resist.)