Any time your friend calls you and invites you to come take photos of his newborn daughter, you haul ass. Or at least you do if you’re me. I was feeling pretty crappy when I left work today, so I was dozing a little after five when Stephen called. I had my phone on my nightstand, as I’ve had it all week in anticipation of Liza’s arrival, but this time, it was on vibrate. It registered, though, and when I checked the voicemail, it was the message I wanted to hear—they were ready for visitors.

I’m just plain happy for them, y’all. This has been such a screwball year in my life [and the life of my family], but … this makes it feel a whole lot more right. And the great joy is that we’ll be doing much the same thing again in a couple of weeks with baby Emily and in a few more months with the Kings’ baby.

Welcome, Liza.