Staci Swedeen

Here's the thing about not having kids - I can pretend that time has stopped. Or at least slowed waaaaay down. This kind of denial is impossible when I am staring into the eyes of a baby born and delivered by someone I vividly remember as a baby himself. I was recently in San Diego where my youngest nephew Troy and his wife Brittany are currently living. Three weeks ago they had their second child, a little girl, who made an easy if rather dramatic entrance into the world at their home. Troy tied off the umbilical cord with a shoelace. As far as I'm concerned this couple is ready to live off the grid by that simple act alone. But my point is - I remember looking into Troy's eyes when he was about the age that their young daughter is now. Time stops, skips, rushes forward, catches up. Then it catches you by the throat. This is Madilyn Swedeen. She's ready for her closeup.