It's like instantly having a newborn in the house again--without the nine months of preparation, doctor visits, showers, blurry ultrasound pictures tacked to your refrigerator.

On Saturday, Emma and I snuck out of the house well before normal waking time to make a two hour road-trip west to pick up a special furry package.

Meet Ruby, the newest member of the mommycoddle household.

We've been waiting patiently for this day for quite awhile. Passing up on puppies that "just didn't feel right". But this time it all came together perfectly.

For now, she's learning the ropes. Getting her ears boxed by fluffy black cats, finding her favorite spot under the red bench in the mudroom hallway, learning there are appropriate times to play with a large (and very patient) yellow lab--but not at three o'clock in the morning, discovering that the girls are okay when they're splashing in the pool and you don't have to jump in after them.

And she's learning who her people are.

After a walk around the farm this morning, practically tripping me with every step as she galloped to keep up with my big black boots, she's now asleep under the kitchen table--body sprawled out under the chair, chin firmly planted across Emma's little toes.

(photo by katie pertiet)