This is Kaia. She is brand new. Kaia's mommy is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We'll call her Kate...because that is her name.  I was the stand-in maid of honor at Kate's wedding because her first choice was about to have a baby at that time. I was cool with being her second choice because her first choice was her childhood bestie. But, I wasn't going to let her get off easy...I totally humiliated her during my toast. And I intend to show no mercy here.

Kate has neurotic tendencies. So when she is brewing a new life inside of her, these tendencies show their teeth. It's very important to Kate that things are planned out, she remains informed about the pregnancy and feels confident about the plan. She knows her doctor, she knows the hospital, she knows what is going to happen and, more importantly, HOW it's going to happen.

But Kaia had other ideas.

Kaia came last Sunday morning. Early. And she came fast. So fast, that Erik, Kate's husband, delivered her in their half bathroom next to their kitchen with assistance from a 911 dispatcher on a cell phone. We'll call her Master....because I don't know her name and she deserves a title appropriate for her relationship to Erik during the morning's events. He tied off her cord with his shoelace per Master's orders. From the shoe on his foot. When EMS arrived, they took Kaia to the kitchen island to get her cleaned up and warm and got Kate ready for the trip to the hospital. They returned home a day and a half later as a family of four.

I was there yesterday to meet this squishy little kid who rocked Kate's world and destroyed her birth plan. I went in the bathroom and it's even smaller than I remembered it. Not just because it's been a while, but also because the last time I was in it was after an entire bottle of cabernet. I am amazed at what happened in there. I'm trying to convince Kate to request a copy of the 911 call. So far, she's not convinced. But I'm not giving up. Ever.

So here is a preview of little Kaia. Perfect little Kaia with her olive skin and dark hair. Perfect Kaia who smells like sweet milk and baby soap. Perfect Kaia who made her way onto my "most respected people" list before I even met her. Perfect Kaia who completes this family in so many ways.

Congrats to Kate, Erik, Joseph and their respective families. Love you guys!! 

(Notice I only posted black and white photos to contrast her colorful entrance into the world.)