She arrived!

Ava Mackenzie arrived at 2:01pm on December 18th. Weighing 7lbs 5oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. She has a head full of brown hair, chubby cheeks, and a big nose. She's beautiful!!!!!

First let me say that I forgot the USB cord, so I can't upload pics - sorry!!!!!

The next few days will be stressful and emotional. Wanting so much to call her our daughter, we must wait until the papers are signed, which will hopefully be Monday afternoon. We'll know today more about the timing.

We are hoping that the meeting to sign the papers can be Monday and that the right people are not on vacation for the holidays. This would mean we could return directly to Cincinnati. If they are not available we would maybe have to travel to Akron to let the baby stay in the agency's temp care home. The family who would care for Ava have asked us to also stay with them so we can be with her and care for her during that time. BUT we hope so much to take her to be with Carson and the rest of our family for Christmas!!!!!

Ava's mommy (called A) did wonderful during delivery (c-section) and I was able to also be in the room. It was beautiful. I held her (since A couldn't due to her hands being busy with tubes and monitors for the c-section) close to both of us. We wer able to talk to her and of corse many tears were shed in those first minutes. Tears of joy - Ava was healthy, crying, and beautiful with a wonderful life ahead with a new mommy and daddy. Tears of sadness - A would have to say goodbye in a few days but she's so confident that this is the right decision for Ava, her son E, and her. She knows that she will be a better mother to both of them by making this decision.

A asked me to call her dad for her while she was in recovery. I was nervous since I've never talked to him. He was SO nice. He was glad to know that A and Ava were healthy. He thanked us for being with A and for offering a "wonderful" (his word) home to Ava. He told me that A is making the right decision and he is supportive of her. He does know that he will miss his grandauther and is very happy that he will get to see her grow through letters, pictures, and visits with us. He thinks we are such great people for agreeing to do that....I thought "Us, great? Your daughter is giving us the greatest blessing...something most people cannot understand....something we can't give ourselves....She's GREAT!" God is GREAT!

A talks about how we are a blessing to her, how she cannot imagine what she would do without us, about how we are her answered prayer. Funny isn't it....she's our answered prayer. I know that her heart aches right now and that the next few days will be so very hard for her as she says goodbye. We hope and pray that she remains confident in her decision, because she has every right to decide to parent Ava and she still could choose that path.

Pray for us and for A!