welcoming our newest niece ~ Emmaline Grace

We weren't expecting that s/he would arrive for another couple of weeks at least, but we got a surprise while in Maryland that our newest niece or nephew (Mike's brother, Will's and wife, Ashley's first child) was on the way. Emmaline Grace was born after a smooth and relatively quick homebirth on Saturday (April 12). We snatched the opportunity to swing out of our way a bit up into Michigan to meet her on her way home yesterday. What a blessing. You forget how teeny they start out. She was an absolute dear. A perfect little sleeping bundle. I'm not sure how Opal felt about the whole affair (she was also pretty sleep deprived by this point in our journey), that her Mama was loving on another baby. She's in for a rude awakening come September. I love those ever-changing newborn expressions. She was even cuter in person.

Congratulations, Will and Ashley! You done good!

See more sweet pictures on Ashley's blog.