The Early Bird Catches Your Heart

She was supposed to be here at the end of August.

She was supposed to have "North Adams" on her birth certificate, not "Springfield".

She was supposed to have followed a carefully deliberated "birth plan".

She did none of these things.

But the one major thing she was supposed to do--capture us completely and make us swear everlasting love and concern for her well-being--well, this, she has done. In spades.

Happy 0th birthday, Piper. Welcome aboard. Hold on tight.