Pure Joy!

This is my new friend Catie.

She's 5 1/2 months old and belongs to my best friends from medical school, MJ & Tarl. Catie hasn't yet met a stranger and even Michael thought she was pretty darn cute "for a baby". They were in town this weekend and we went out to dinner to visit & celebrate that long awaited court date. So after dinner when I was holding Catie while they were loading up the car, Michael snapped this picture of Catie & I chatting.

I love this photo because:

1. Who wouldn't love a photo of a cute baby laughing & smiling?
2. Because I know how long my friends have waited for this little charmer
3. Because I never thought I'd see the day that my buddy Tarl just beamed when he talked about his girl; never thought I'd see a mushy side either since he tends to be a bit reserved
4. Because it amazes me to see what a fabulous Mom MJ has become (I hope I'm half as good) and Tarl has taken to this Dad-role like a duck to water
5. Because this is one of the only pictures of me that I'm aware of, that shows me being truly antimatedly happy; Catie's happy, I'm happy, and we're sharing a bit of pure joy!

I can't wait to see her grow up. I hope she stays this happy for a very very long time.

It was a very good weekend!