To paraphrase a Welsh proverb, perfect love comes with grandchildren. I've heard this over my lifetime, but nothing really prepared me for my love affair with Lucy, and now with my second granddaughter, Penny Lane.

I've been thinking a lot about my grandparents lately. I realize some of my most vivid memories involve them. I can place myself in my yiayia's (grandmother's) kitchen and see her work, feel the humidity, hear her melodious voice, smell the seductive aroma of baking bread. I can recall the kitchen at the Coney, see my papou (grandfather) methodically slicing buns while Watson stirred an enormous flat pot of chili with a big wooden paddle. Mostly, I recall the spice room, padlocked, a sliver of a room with spices stacked in built-in wooden bins to the ceiling. My grandfather would sometimes take me in with him to mix spices. I came to know the spices by their deep, rich colors and pungent smells. I'd take teeny-tiny tastes of them from my tentative pinky, crinkling my nose, which made my grandfather smile. Now I know exactly what that smile was all about. There's just nothing better than being a yiayia.  ~sophia

There's just nothing better than a tiny baby.  I love the way they feel in your arms. I love the way they smell (most of the time). I love the way they seem to just be soaking it all in. I love just the tininess of them - their little hands, their little feet, their little ears...just their blessed littleness. This tiny boy belongs to two very young, teenage parents who love him so very very much. They may be young but they are both committed to their son and have tons of support from their families.  Bryceton is getting TONS of love!  He was only 3 weeks old here but I have never seen a baby that was more focused on his parents! He never went to sleep, little stinker! No matter how hard we tried we couldn't get him to close his eyes for a minute.  And he has the biggest, brown eyes ever! Three weeks old and he was looking right at my camera. Amazing! You guys are one of the sweetest families!  I just know you're going to make it work!

There's NOTHING better than a first time mom and a newborn.  That wonder mixed with a little fear and total exhiliration at this beautiful little thing that belongs to her now.  Fear is the key.   It's just there for that first one. You're much too "smart" after that. :)   I will never forget that feeling.  No mother ever does.  The thought "they just gave it to me and sent me home" is pretty unnerving.   I can spot it right away and am at once empathetic and envious because it is truly a life affirming time and makes you feel so alive and important, doesn't it? It's GREAT! It was this way here in the studio last week.    A tiny girl in a BIG red tutu. That's Cruz. She's the newest addition to this wonderful family. Welcomed by a mom and dad, who are clearly crazy about each other and her, and her double-digit, twin siblings, Gage and Lila, she is the center of their universe.  She's got everyone jumpin' too! She'd kept them up all night before her session and then got here and had a few rocky moments but for the most part, slept like a baby.  Oh, wait, she IS a baby.   I don't really  like it when they sleep the ENTIRE session.  I actually love it when they cry and kick and make everyone jump to attention trying to figure out what's wrong.  Well, you know how I love to watch!  The Mama was exhausted and wanted something for a Christmas card and a nap. I tried to help her with the card. It was fun! Here's tiny Cruz.  (How cute is that name?)

There is just something about babies. I just get drawn into their little faces and hypnotized.  This baby is so darn sweet, I could just eat him with a spoon! He has so many little expressions and is so clearly loved to pieces by his parents that he is very comfortable in new surroundings.  Wasn't too sure about sitting in a chair by himself at first but at 6 months it's all happy-sad-happy again in a matter of minutes.  I LOVE that about babies. I can't wait to post the card I created for this little family.  They are so darling! His parents are a past bride & groom and we're so happy they're sharing this little guy with us!  (They have  Allen's Gourmet Grocery at 43rd & Peoria.  It has the BEST cheese, custom gift baskets and gourmet cooking things. I love it!)   Here's a few of little Liam - almost 6 months old.