Four hours old
Grace
Born December 30, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. Photographed at 12:15 p.m.
7 pounds, 13.8 ounces
19 inches
Dear Grace,
After all these months, what a joy it was to meet you today!
You are as beautiful as I suspected you would be, and so advanced, too. I can hardly believe the gorgeous eyelashes you are already sporting, and you actually found your thumb and put it in your mouth when you were just a few hours old! (You’ll be dining out on that story for YEARS, kid.)
Your loving family was agog with your beauty and brilliance and the amazing miracle of new life, right there in their arms. You are awfully lucky to have them all around, as your brother Tommy already knows. I heard some future adventures being planned when you were nestled in your auntie’s arms—stick with her, kid, and you will be outfitted in STYLE and have fun doing it.
Your loving and eager grandparents passed you around the room while your proud and exhausted parents beamed. Your mom and dad—well, they are both pretty much dynamos.
You may have trouble keeping up with them, but you’ll have youth on your side. Use it to your advantage, but remember, your mom will always be able to survive on fewer hours of sleep than you.
And you didn’t hear it from me, but I think you’ve already got your father weak in the knees. I’m just saying.
And as for me, sorry about the big black thing. It’s called a camera, and I wish I could tell you I won’t have it the next time I see you but, well, you probably just ought to get used to it. Because if it isn’t me, it will be your mom and your dad, and your grandparents—I am pretty sure you will be a heavily photographed young lady. There are worse things.
I also apologize for the long and chatty phone calls I will have with your mother while you cling to her ankles, citing Important Needs.
Instead of trying to get her attention while she is on the phone, use that time wisely—she’ll be distracted, so it would be a perfect time to try unrolling some toilet paper all over the house or something equally interesting. Check with your brother on this one—he may have some ideas.
Sweet baby Grace, I hope you are sleeping soundly right now while your mom and dad hold you and gaze at the absolute wonder of you. Welcome to this world–we’re so glad you’re here.
Love,
Anna
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Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.
so beautiful!!!
Beautiful post Anna!! You are a lucky lady to be a part of something so amazing!!
ohhh… I think I might cry…
Grace Rose! Welcome!
Oh my. Beautiful, beautiful Grace. Rest, Maria… the craziness of pregnancy is far behind you and just look at how wonderfully it all turned out. Congratulations!
Anna, you are equally talented with words as you are the camera. What a beautiful letter to Grace and what moving portraits. You truly are an artist in every sense of the word!
So beautiful, Anna, and making me anticipate our little one’s arrival even more! (and wish that you were going to be there to take photos – these are just amazing!)
Dear Anna,
There ARE no words to adequately express all that I feel… My heart is so full. This celebration of Grace Rose is exquisite.
Thank you again and again.
Love,
Lorraine
We are so thrilled that we are blessed with a new
little cousin today!Grace is blessed to be born into
such a wonderful family! May God Always Bless Grace
and May He Continue to Bless All You! Enjoy every minute!
Happy 1st New Years Grace!
love,
Pat and Joe Mastrorilli xo
Congratulations to the family of Grace Rose, her mom and dad and brother Tommy. Her grandparents Lorraine and Anthony are just beaming with pride and love as well as Auntie and Uncles. Grace Rose is a very fortunate little girl to have so many people welcome her and love her.
Love,
Maureen and Jack
Anna,
What a wonderful gift you have given Grace and Maria! You captured the moment perfectly!
Thank you.
love
anne
Congratulations Maria! She is beautiful. Enjoy.
Grace is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures and eloquent letter. Baby Grace is so blessed to be born into this loving family.
Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing.
Love,
Valerie
Oh, my. Two of my friends had a baby girl named Grace on the 29th – what a lovely way to greet the new year!
Swooning. At the pictures, the words, and the love.
Welcome to beautiful Grace Rose,what a beautiful addition to your family,congrats to Bob And Maria and her lucky brother Tommy,we can’t wait to see her in person.Love Auntie Kath Uncle Paul
Ahhhh, what a happy new year! Congrats Maria and family, and thanks, Anna, for sharing Grace, she is just perfect!
Congrats Maria and Bob. Grace is so beautiful and is lucky to have you both as her parents!!
Love,
Pete & Kim Luizzi
Beautiful,beautiful Grace Rose. Born to such a warm and loving family. May you have a long happy healthy life together. Big brother Tommy will soon be sharing his trains with you. One special train is named Rosie just for you. Happy new Year to you and all your family.
Judy and Fred
These images are so beautiful Anna. Love the letter.
I’m not sure which I love more, the photos or the letter! Your family is so lucky to have you!
oh my god she is so beautiful Bob & Maria the pictures are great and the narrative from Anna was amazing she knows how to tug on the mothers heart strings making me cry cant wait to meet grace
these pictures give me the shivers!
anyway, i’m here at h&w looking for a roasted salmon brown sugar thing. i never remember how to do it and i think it is here somewhere.
[…] baby Grace, who we met on her first day of life, is now one month old and more than ten pounds! How quickly the time does […]