Gil and I were sitting in the family room when the group came back from a long trip to the grocery store. And from the looks of all the bags - there might not be much left. There were at least four bags of nothing but fresh produce.

"I'm so jealous that there is a Farmer's Market just around the corner from here." Lindsey explains.

I begin teasing that she could always transfer from UCLA to the University of Tennessee. Then we could have a built-in baby sitter, I joke. And for a moment, she looks like she's considering it -although she doesn't say anything at all.

Catherine and Lindsey are unpacking groceries, but I can't seem to find Greg or Nick. I remember seeing them come in, arms full of bags. Maybe they went back to the car - they can't be too far from the kitchen.

Gil helps me off the couch, more out of habit than need now and we walk to the kitchen to begin putting away the bounty that now fills the table and counters.

I'm putting an assortment of fresh cheese into the refrigerator when I hear a tiny cry on the baby monitor, followed by voices. For a moment, my heart is in my throat - but the voice quickly becomes familiar. I carry the monitor receiver to where Gil is standing and we both listen quietly. Catherine leans in, listening as well.

"Shhhh little Charlotte, it's okay. Your favorite uncle is here."

The tiny cry has become almost silent, and I hear the creak of the rocker as someone sits down in it and begins rocking.

"You sure are a tiny little thing. And you look just like your momma, one day you'll be even more beautiful than you are now. And you'll break boys hearts. But that's good - there won't be one that deserves you. You're a very lucky little girl - you have the best parents anyone could wish for. They're both so smart - I'm sure you're a genius already."

"Ok Greg - enough hogging her already."

There's a short silence and then a different voice quietly begins cooing to Charlotte.

"Favorite uncle - don't let him fool you, beautiful. I'll be your favorite uncle. The fun one that sneaks you candy even when your parents say you can't have any. And the one that has a shotgun ready for those boys that will come knocking. I'm sure your Daddy will take care of them though. I wonder if you know how many people love you already."

The quiet conversations that these boys are having with our newborn daughter is sincere and sweet. I doubt if they would be speaking so openly if they knew we were listening. I set the monitor down on the counter and go back to putting things away.

Some time goes by before the boys come downstairs. We don't mention that we've heard anything and they don't reveal their whereabouts for the last little bit. After everything is put away, we all congregate outside on the sun porch. Gil and I snuggle into a double rocker and listen to everyone's plans for their last couple of days here.

I excuse myself to go check on Charlotte, knowing it's been a couple of hours since her last feed. She's awake and putting her tiny fist into her mouth when I reach into the crib for her. I situate her against me and we begin to rock. I finger her tiny chin to persuade her to latch on and she finally does after several unsuccessful attempts. In several days, this will all become easier - hopefully - when I have an (somewhat) endless supply.

After we are finished, I change her diaper and we go downstairs. Gil is working in the kitchen with Lindsey looking on. He's working on a "secret" marinade for chicken for everyone, except the two of us.

Nick takes over on the grill, watching the chicken and Gil watches the eggplant and pineapple polenta.

Gil carries Charlotte around and she is very content to be embraced by his strong arms. She falls asleep, her face nuzzled against his neck.

Dinner is fairly quiet, due in part because Charlotte is still sleeping. Gil manages to eat with one hand, holding her close to him with the other. The boys have made plans for a hike tomorrow while Catherine and Lindsey are going shopping. Gil and I will have the house to ourselves, to do whatever we please. Not that I don't enjoy the company - I do, and I am very grateful to have them here while we adjust to having a newborn in the house, but secretly I'm looking forward to Wednesday when it's just the three of us.

Greg cleans the dishes from the table, placing them in the dishwasher before informing us all that since he and Nick have an early hike, he's going to get settled in upstairs Nick isn't far behind. Catherine settles onto the couch to watch an old movie and Lindsey heads upstairs to talk with the boys for a while.

Gil and I manage to give Charlotte a quick sponge bath and change her into a clean onesie for bed. We take turns rocking her, until her eyes begin to close. She's settled in the crib for the next several hours and Gil and I turn in for the night as well.

I'm awake within four hours, hearing the first hungry whine. While we sit in the rocker, I quietly laugh at the reality of "mother's intuition" that I had been told about. I debate about putting her back into the crib, since there are guests sleeping in the next room. Creeping back into the bedroom, I lay her down in the middle of the bed, climbing in and wrapping one arm around her small body. Gil stirs a little, raising his head and seeing Charlotte, he scoots over a bit. Soon, she is asleep and I can close my eyes and return to a somewhat peaceful slumber.

I'm awake just one more time before we get up for the day. Gil starts making breakfast, finding a frozen quiche and whipping up homemade French toast. I've showered and dressed and now am sitting at the breakfast bar looking through the paper until I find the crossword. We make quick work of it and move onto the word jumble, which is less of a challenge than the crossword. Just as we are finishing, everyone else is making their way to the kitchen, still clad in pajamas.

We all gather around the table, enjoying breakfast and each other, talking about the day's plans. After everyone is done, Gil and I linger in the kitchen while everyone else is getting dressed and gathering things for the day. I remind the boys to be careful on their hike, which makes them both laugh and joke before answering with "Yes, Mom." Catherine and Lindsey have planned an entire day to do nothing but shop, and invite me along. I thank them for the invitation, but pass - definitely not one of my favorite ways to spend a day and I'm still a little tired.

The house is still after everyone leaves, a welcome calm. Gil and I snuggle into the couch, satisfied watching old movies for the rest of the morning. Before lunch, we tiptoe upstairs and find Charlotte awake, eyes wide in wonder. Gil lifts her out of the crib and carries her downstairs, with me following close behind. We manage to eat lunch while taking turns holding her, not wanting to put her down for a moment.

After lunch, we set up the stroller and took a walk around the neighborhood.

We walked to the end of the cul de sac, taking time to watch as two squirrels chased each other up a tall oak tree and across the branches of another. A little neighbor boy said hello to us as we passed causing me to remark at the cute twang of his accent and Gil reminds me that if we stay here long enough, Charlotte will sound like that, too. Just as we are walking back through the front door, Gil's phone rings and Charlotte begins to cry.