Glad to be ...

We've started a new blog after the move, trying out Wordpress to see if we like that any better than Blogger.

Check it out at www.gladtobe.wordpress.com

In Love,

Sophia, Alison and Daniel

And on the seventh day ...

These pictures have been a long time coming, but we've been busy relocating to Oxford, MS and getting settled in. Below are just a few from Sophia's first week of life with us. Lots of sleeping, mixed occasionally with food either coming in one end or going out the other. She's been a blessing and, naturally, we think she's the most beautiful thing we've ever seen.

A mother's love ...

We sleep, just to dream her ...

Making friends already!

Story time

.

Zzzz....

Hear my roarrr!

We love our Moby!

More than words ...

Our Birth Story

Early afternoon on Wednesday, Alison is just getting back from the pool with Alicia and excited that something is finally happening ...

"I think I've been feeling contractions for about an hour now.

This is it!"

And these two mutts did not leave Alison's side from Tuesday until we left late Wednesday evening, Dylan especially. They knew something was going on.

After roughly 15 hours of early labor contractions, during which time we ran errands, went to the Yacht Club where Alison had dinner with her parents and Daniel's mother as he worked and watched from close by, and then went back home to labor through the evening before transitioning around 4:00 AM and heading to the cottage in Long Beach around 5:00. We arrived around 6:00 and within 30 minutes Alison was ready to start pushing, about the same time her sister Stephanie walked through the door ...

Exactly an hour later (one intense hour), at 7:30 in the morning just after the sun started shining in through the window, following an incredibly quick, positive and completely natural labor, we met our baby girl ... Sophia Irene Marie Doyle. She was a big one, 10 lbs, 3 oz. and 21 inches long, but Alison was able to crack jokes between contractions and at one point just a few pushes from delivery laughed and told us "piece of cake". She definitely was an inspiration and a testament to the power of mind over body.

... meet Sophia!

Not yet a minute old ... and all three of us are crying.

Sophia Irene Marie Doyle

10 lbs, 3 oz & 21 inches long

Born 7:30 AM on 9/17/09

Getting all checked out by our incredible midwife ...

both mother and daughter are healthy and happy!

"I lay smiling like our sleeping children
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came."

Proud aunt and sister - Thanks Steph!

(See our candle and beads? You were all there with us, too.)

... and then there was rest

Thanks to all of those who sent words of encouragement and congratulations ... every person we touch in our lives leaves footprints, some little some large, that color the people we become. I love all of you and am so fortunate to know you, have known you or am just getting to know you ... We apologize if we have not been able to respond to everyone's calls and messages, but will do our best once things settle down.

Those who live nearby and would like to visit, we are asking that you please wait until the end of next week before coming by and even then call first to make sure it is a good time. Alison is feeling great, albeit exhausted, but we'd like some time as a family first and time also to give Sophia a chance to grow a little stronger before introducing her to all of you - which we are looking forward to doing very much! We trust you will understand and respect our wishes.

Pascagoula Beach Con Queso

An early morning a few weekends ago with Karly Mansfield-Richardson and without enough sleep the night before ... but the sun was out, the sky was breathing, we're wide awake and dreaming.

... just in case you haven't had enough.

Playing in the sandbox.

There's a baby in your belly!

Love loves laughter.

"If the mountains should crumble to the sea ..."

Sending some good vibes within.

Four mutts and a miracle.

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Rub the buddha!

And the rest is history ...

Why so serious!?

"No, I did not take a nap

The nap took me

off the bed and out the window

far beyond the sea ..."

Peace, love & happiness ... and

knockin' on heaven's door

It begins about five centuries ago in the fishing village of Claddagh,

just outside the city of Galway ...

Thanks Karly!

"She lives on love street ..."

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to participate in our Blessing Way, in person or from afar. Lot of laughs, a little dancing, some tear-filled memories and countless reasons to feel blessed. We had a henna artist come who gave everyone ink, a belly-dancer, games, good food and good company. The prayers, lyrics, stories, poems and blessings were all beautiful and the beads have made an incredibly unique necklace. Wish we could have had everyone with us and that we could be with you, but hearts know no distance or time and you all have ours and we're thankful to have yours. Put your candles in your Blessing Way bottle and keep it somewhere ready to light ...

More than one belly was dancing ...

Dancing while designing ... and the finished product.

So blessed ...

"I see you live on love street

There's this store where the creatures meet

I wonder what they do in there

Summer sunday and a year

I guess I like it fine, so far ..."

... and some sailing later in the weekend on Labor Day

(the day before the due date!) though no labor for us, just leisure ...