View From Above

My five week old bundle

I've been using the Sling that Shelly sent me and am getting the hang of it more and more. Ava usually loves it and I love it because I've got free hands. I was working at my office desk when I took this picture. This is what I see when I look down. Ava was fast asleep.

Here is the view from the front.

3 Weeks And Counting

Ava went to the Doctor today and she weights 7lbs 8ozs and is 21 inches long. She is doing great and life is starting to settle into a fun but sleep deprived routine. We're still learning about the baby timetable and how a simple task can now take a lot longer or not get done at all.

Ava loves to sleep with her hands above her head. I love it as it reminds me of our sweet foster daughter Caroline. One of my favorite pictures was when I caught Caroline sleeping this way. Even though your foster children leave your home, they never leave your hearts.

Sierra - No Going Back

We've received gifts with Ava Sierra Morris on them, so I guess Sierra is a keeper. My office sent this cute rocking horse basket along with a pink blanket and both of them had her name. I'm so glad. I really like the name and would be sad if we changed it.

Ava still has lots of hair and it goes all crazy after I wash it. I'll need to start hunting for cute baby bows and head bands.



Yes, the cats still rule the house and have loved investigating all the new baby stuff. Ok, taking over the new baby stuff.


It was Ameya's 4th birthday just recently, so we picked her up for some play time at the park and a visit with Ava.

A Week Already

Ava is a week old and it seems like we just brought her home. Our bodies are slowly adjusting to the change in sleep but all seems to be going well. My arm, which I thought was going to fall off after the first day is now holding Ava with no problem. Too bad the "tone" part is going to take longer, as my arm muscle (or lack of one) looks the same.

On Wednesday my office reminded me what Sierra means in Spanish - they said Saw Tooth but after looking it up, it's really Mountain Range, usually a jagged one. This is funny to me because I love the name for what is means to me - the outdoors and the overwhelming feelings of majesty and beauty I feel when I look at the Mountains. Have you ever driven into Estes Park and seen the Rocky Mountains open up in front of you? It takes my breath away every time. The California girl that I am, I love the ocean but the mountains are in a whole different league for me.

Ok so I'm telling this because Scott has never been that crazy for the name Sierra. He only let me use it because it was the middle name. After I told him what my office said - saw tooth, he wasn't laughing like me. After looking it up, I told him the correct meaning but that didn't help too much.

So we already have nicknames for Ava, Indigo Girl (the name on her records instead of a simple Jane Doe) and Saw Tooth. I guess we'll have to be prepared for lots of dentist visits when she get's older. Maybe I shouldn't tease too much about the name otherwise Scott might what it changed.

Thank you to everyone that has helped and supported us this last week. We are overwhelmed by all the kindness and love shown to us and Ava. Thank you! And Jen - I saw your blog :)

You guys know I'm reading them all and yes, I know I've been "tagged" twice. I'm working on it.

And I'm looking forward to "Ede's Art Blog - Go Mom!

Ava is home

We brought Ava home on Monday afternoon and are quickly learning about sleep deprivation. This was our favorite chair to rest and sleep when Caroline was with us. We have a feeling that we'll be sending lots of pictures from this same spot.

The pets seem to be as excited as we are with Ava's arrival home. Dakota is already very protective and concerned whenever she makes a noise. He likes to come and check on her often.

AVA SIERRA MORRIS

What a surprise we received yesterday!

A baby was born between 5:00am and 7:00am, then placed in a box and left at the police station. This is called the Safe Haven Law - where a birth parent is allowed to give -up their baby within the first 72 hours.

This little girl was rushed to the hospital and the Department of Human Services called. They in turn called our agency, who then called us about this unique and wonderful placement.

She arrived at the hospital a bit cold but that was quickly taken care of, along with lots of tests. Of course, she is beautiful and seems to be very health and happy. The staff at the hospital were so excited for us as we came to meet our new little girl for the first time.

We named her Ava Sierra Morris. She is 6lbs 6 ozs and 19 1/2 inches long. She is very fair and has lots of light brown/sandy blond hair and blue eyes.

For now, she is a famous little girl as all the local news crews did special stories on her during the evening broadcasts. We were hiding inside and the hospital kept us protected. We hope that we can stay hiding and enjoy this miracle. We feel very blessed and are so grateful to her birth mother and the brave choice she made so that Ava could come into our home!

The First Feeding and the joy of looking forward to many more "First"... and seconds, and thirds and forever.

Please keep us and her in your prayers. I don't think we'll really believe it until we hear the Judge tell us so and we have all the papers in our hands.

The Garden

The Garden

I love working in the garden. I work from home in an office that Scott built for me in one of our bedrooms upstairs. I spend most of my working day there but during lunch I walk outside and visit the garden. It is a great break and I love watching the veggies and flowers grow along with the birds and bumble bees flying around.

I love coming out at dusk to watch all the different colors as the day changes to night.

This is a view of the parsnip patch with a couple of carrots growing close by. As I watered this section one night, I dreamt of writing a children's book where Marty the mouse lived, passed the carrots, under the parsnip patch.