Landry Kathleen Hicklin

We added a new member to our family today! Miss Landry Kathleen Hicklin was born in Rogers, Ark., this afternoon to my cousin, Casey, and her husband, Josh.
This sweet little nugget weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and we were surprised she wasn't bigger since the doctor told Casey two days ago that Landry was measuring at about 9 pounds, 8 ounces.

She's such a pretty little girl. Just like her mom, born with a head full of hair and that deep olive complexion. It's more or less killing me that I'm not up there to meet my sweet new friend, but my cousin made me promise to stay put until I had someone who could make the trip with me. Apparently it is not wise to embark on a 6-hour solo journey when you're pregnant!

We'll be there to visit Landry very soon!

This day makes me think of lots of things, but mostly, it reminds me of all the joyful things to come. I hope our daughters, Landry and Tilly, enjoy each other's company as much as Casey and I have enjoyed being together over the years. We were inseparable throughout our childhood, and have remained close even when we weren't geographically very close.

We saw each other every Sunday at Nana's house for lunch, but that just wasn't enough. So for many years, we wrote to each other during the week. If we were quick to respond, we could get two letters back and forth from Shreveport to Bossier City before we saw each other the next Sunday. This gives me a good laugh now! We had such urgent things to tell each other.

When Casey got married, I was honored to be her maid of honor. I have such fun memories romping around in Dallas on the quest for her perfect wedding dress. Between me, Casey and my Aunt Robbie, we could always end up somewhere interesting.

When I got married, I was honored to have Casey as my matron of honor. Who else would have helped me take my shoes on and off about six times in one evening?!

My cousin has always been more like a sister to me than a cousin. I hope our girls have the same relationship because there's truly no greater bond than family.

We're so happy for sweet Landry's arrival, and in some crazy way (mostly just me being crazy), I think Tilly knew what was going on. Since last night, she's been non-stop wiggling and rolling and kicking, and once Landry arrived, my little girl has settled down tremendously!

What can we say for ourselves, we just can't contain our excitement!