reason to believe: Lucy Mae

I was beginning to wonder if this day would ever come, but I finally got to meet Lucy Mae Rischling, our new Royal Baby (more Royal Babies here). Her early arrival, the uncooperative weather, and some annoying hip pain delayed our first meeting, but the four-month wait was worth every frustrating hitch that got in the way.

So happy to meet you, Lucy!

Lucy, my 2nd great niece and the 5th member of "the next generation," was born on November 7, 2014, to my niece Jill and her husband Todd, their first baby.

Jill Emily, Todd, and Lucy Mae

The beginning of Lucy's life has been sprinkled with miracles and kisses from angels above, beginning with

her early arrival

Born six weeks early and weighing in at 3 pounds, 8 ounces, Lucy amazed us all with her strength and tenacity. We knew that she would most likely arrive before her December 16th due date, but I don't think any of us were prepared for November 7th. We were hoping for maybe her Grandpa Mark's November 23rd birthday or her cousin Micki's November 26th birthday, especially since Drake was born on Jill's birthday. Only one date was written in the stars, though, and that has everything to do with

her name

Lucy Mae's middle name is also her great grandma's (my mom) middle name. Jill Emily also shares the name of her great grandma, my Grandma Emily. It just so happens that Grandma Emily's birthday is November 7. December 16? November 23? November 26? They never stood a chance--Lucy was destined to be born on November 7th!

and if that's not enough

A few weeks after Lucy was born, my Uncle Larry sent me an email with copies of my grandparents' baptismal certificates. He had been going through boxes when he came across them and thought Mom and I would want copies. I had been feeling my grandparents' presence strongly the whole month of November, especially Grandma Emily's, and so this email made me smile so much. As I read the names and dates and places, I felt such a sense of warmth, almost like a hug. I poured over these certificates several times, and as I looked for the name of Grandma's godparents, a name stood out bold and bright. Grandma's godmother? LUCY. Jill and Todd certainly didn't know this when they chose this name. Even my mom didn't know, but she did recognize that Lucy Dolezal was Grandma's aunt.

What's in a name? For Lucy Mae . . . the beauty and strength of generations of women surrounding her. Always.

Grandma Emily's baptismal certificate

Lucy will always be surrounded by so much love. She has amazing parents who also have amazing parents and are the absolute greatest grandparents. She has great grandparents and lots of aunts and uncles and cousins and cousin cousins and great aunts and great uncles and friends and friends of friends who already have fallen in love with her.

We all love Lucy!

Lucy is already growing so fast. From that tiny three pound girl who got lost in her car seat, she shows her strong-willed personality in so many ways.