Today was another amazing day. We went to the hospital around 10:30 am and had such a nice visit with just T and J without all of the entourage of parents. It was just what we all needed and it was great seeing them. The visit seemed to confirm the good feeling we all had in Houston and they are just such amazing people. After the visit, we went back to the hotel and had a nice lunch with Jenny and my parents. Then we did a series of errands -- packing all of the suitcases into the car (we have so much!), going to Target to get infant formula, going to CVS, going to get Jenny new shoes, etc. That took us to the late afternoon. Then we went to the hospital around 4:30 pm. The placement was really nice -- we just had more time to visit with T and J and their families. It's hard to put in to words now so I'll try to do more later. But we just felt so close and loving with not only T and J but also T's mom and dad and J's mom. The loving family in addition to T and J was just such a special gift that we weren't expecting.
At around 6 pm, everyone but us and Simone left and we spent about 30 minutes doing paperwork with her. Also, a nurse came and gave is final tips - how to swaddle, how often to feed her, etc. The nurse gave us a bag full of baby stuff. Then the nurse made sure that our infant carrier worked properly. The nurse walked us down to the car with Simone and we loaded the baby and everyone else in. Then we headed to Houston to spend the week while we are waiting for Texas and DC to approve the necessary paperwork. It was an amazing feeling to be driving in that big boat of a car and having Ava with us as a part of our family! Rachel sat in the back with Ava and checked on her every few minutes! We were all a combination of emotionally exhausted and so happy. I hadn't given much thought to Houston but I began to think about it as we drove.
We are staying in a really nice hotel here called the Granduca (Italian theme!). I can see the pool out our window and it looks beautiful. I'm hoping my dad and Jenny will be able to swim. One really nice surprise when we got to the hotel: Greg and Jane had sent champagne and chocolate covered strawberries and David and Elana had sent a lot of snacks and food as well. We hadn't realized how hungary we were so we had a big snack as soon as we got Ava settled down. It was such a great way to end the day.
Last night was our first time on our own with Ava. We did ok but I know that I can improve on lots of aspects - how I swaddle her, how I feed her, even how I hold her. But it's good to know that we are able to do this! The other thing we figured out: we need more outfits for Ava. We went through three of them last night (I won't bother you with the details but now I know I need to cover her up when I change her!). Once we all wake up, we'll go see if there is a store nearby where we can buy more outfits. Also, we need ziplock baggies like it's nobody's business. It seems like we go through those quickly as well!
R and Jenny are asleep right now. Ava is asleep in the bassinet but she's starting to make noises so I'll finish up here and see if she wants a bottle. We are just so happy and feel blessed. A lot more later, including photos.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
One more photo I like
I just saw this photo of Ava, R, and me that we took yesterday on Ava's b-day! I really like it. It looks like she's looking at us and it really captures how happy we are at the moment the photo was taken. Ok - off to bed now. More likely from Houston Friday night or Saturday.
J.
J.
More Good Photos of Ava Elizabeth
Today we went back to the hospital and it was another amazing experience. Ava Elizabeth is just beautiful and it was amazing watching Jenny hold her and also watch her interact with T. One funny and really touching thing: Jenny refers to T as the "fairy godmother." We think it's because in a lot of her princess books, the fairy godmother is the one who grants wishes. We all liked that and so did T and her mom. So now everyone is referring to T as the fairy godmother.
It was also amazing watching Rachel interact with the baby and with T and her family. Who could ask for a better Thanksgiving? It was special celebrating it with my parents and having them get a chance to see the amazing scene at the hospital. At 1 pm, we left the hospital and had Thanksgiving lunch. Simone had given us a list of which restaurants in College Station were open and it was mostly things like IHOP, Denny's, Cracker Barrel, etc. But there was one on the list -- a winery that is also a restaurant called Messina Hof -- that Rachel had heard was good. So we called them and they had space for us. We went there and had a wonderful lunch. We are feeling so hopeful and thankful -- it's a Thanksgiving we will never forget. At one point during the meal, the winery owner came out and talked with us -- turns out he was also from NY and he had a good chat with my parents. It was really nice. Before we left, we stopped by the tasting room and bought a bottle of red wine for later.
I'll post more thoughts later but for now I'll just post a few of the good photos from today. Tomorrow we go back to the hospital in the morning and then again in the afternoon. We are remaining hopeful and humble.
Will report again later I'm sure with more photos and possibly some video.
J.
It was also amazing watching Rachel interact with the baby and with T and her family. Who could ask for a better Thanksgiving? It was special celebrating it with my parents and having them get a chance to see the amazing scene at the hospital. At 1 pm, we left the hospital and had Thanksgiving lunch. Simone had given us a list of which restaurants in College Station were open and it was mostly things like IHOP, Denny's, Cracker Barrel, etc. But there was one on the list -- a winery that is also a restaurant called Messina Hof -- that Rachel had heard was good. So we called them and they had space for us. We went there and had a wonderful lunch. We are feeling so hopeful and thankful -- it's a Thanksgiving we will never forget. At one point during the meal, the winery owner came out and talked with us -- turns out he was also from NY and he had a good chat with my parents. It was really nice. Before we left, we stopped by the tasting room and bought a bottle of red wine for later.
I'll post more thoughts later but for now I'll just post a few of the good photos from today. Tomorrow we go back to the hospital in the morning and then again in the afternoon. We are remaining hopeful and humble.
Will report again later I'm sure with more photos and possibly some video.
J.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Arrival of Ava Elizabeth
Today was amazing. I don't even know where to begin in describing it. T's family was amazing at the hospital and we felt really close to everyone all day. Ava arrived around 4:30 pm (R has the exact time). She was 7 pounds, 3 ounces. R was in the delivery room along with T's mom and J's mom. When R finally texted me to come in to the room (I was in the waiting room), everyone was crying and hugging each other! R looked beautiful and Ava was beautiful. It was such a beautiful scene. We all took turns holding Ava and just hugging each other! The Gladney caseworker (Simone) told me that this is not how it normally works!
After a while, the nurse came and took Ava to the nursery and we all made our way down to the nursery. T's dad had ordered a bunch of pizzas and they went and picked them up. We sat just outside the nursery and visited and had some pizza. R and I finally left the hospital around 6:30 pm. We stopped at an Italian restaurant on the way back to the hotel to have dinner together. My parents had a very long day with Jenny but she had a great time with them. We got a text late at dinner from Simone saying we should plan on meeting everyone back at the hospital tomorrow at 10 am and we can bring Jenny and grandma and grandpa.
R and Jenny just went to bed and I'll do the same myself. But first, I have posted below a few photos from today. Will post more later.
After a while, the nurse came and took Ava to the nursery and we all made our way down to the nursery. T's dad had ordered a bunch of pizzas and they went and picked them up. We sat just outside the nursery and visited and had some pizza. R and I finally left the hospital around 6:30 pm. We stopped at an Italian restaurant on the way back to the hotel to have dinner together. My parents had a very long day with Jenny but she had a great time with them. We got a text late at dinner from Simone saying we should plan on meeting everyone back at the hospital tomorrow at 10 am and we can bring Jenny and grandma and grandpa.
R and Jenny just went to bed and I'll do the same myself. But first, I have posted below a few photos from today. Will post more later.
At the Hospital
We have been at the hospital since 7:30 am. For the first few hours, we all crowded into T's room along with members of her family. She is in good spirits and everyone has been great. Such nice people and everything has felt so normal and right. At about 10:30 am, the doctor came in and said he needed most of us to leave the room so he can begin the process (he didn't get into the details and I didn't ask). So R stayed in the room along with the two moms. I moved to the hospital waiting room with T's dad and younger sister. We had a nice time talking and just waiting (and drinking sweet tea).
At lunchtime, R came out and said that they were going to administer an epidural and only one person could be in the room for that so we grabbed some lunch in the hospital cafeteria. R seemed good -- happy to get some time to get to know the family and I've been feeling the same way.
Now R is back in with T and her mom and I'm in the waiting room by myself. It's all good. I'm listening to Bruce (Springsteen, that is) on the playlist and getting completely amped up on sweet tea (the hospital cafeteria has a free sweet tea dispenser along with the free coffee). That may come back to haunt me later when I'm still bouncing off the ceiling at bedtime but for now it feels right. Sweet tea is a really positive invention.
I have checked in with my parents a few times and they have been doing fine with Jenny today. The first time I spoke with them, they were with Jenny at the hotel fitness room and Jenny was playing on the equipment. Then they went to a children's museum in College Station. R and I called just after lunchtime and they were at a pizza place. Hopefully, Jenny won't tire them out too much but I know they are happy to help out and get so much Jenny time. I'm sure Jenny is loving it as well.
Will check in again later once we have more news. But for now, we are just keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with the birth later this afternoon. And I can stay in this waiting room for hours listening to my music.
At lunchtime, R came out and said that they were going to administer an epidural and only one person could be in the room for that so we grabbed some lunch in the hospital cafeteria. R seemed good -- happy to get some time to get to know the family and I've been feeling the same way.
Now R is back in with T and her mom and I'm in the waiting room by myself. It's all good. I'm listening to Bruce (Springsteen, that is) on the playlist and getting completely amped up on sweet tea (the hospital cafeteria has a free sweet tea dispenser along with the free coffee). That may come back to haunt me later when I'm still bouncing off the ceiling at bedtime but for now it feels right. Sweet tea is a really positive invention.
I have checked in with my parents a few times and they have been doing fine with Jenny today. The first time I spoke with them, they were with Jenny at the hotel fitness room and Jenny was playing on the equipment. Then they went to a children's museum in College Station. R and I called just after lunchtime and they were at a pizza place. Hopefully, Jenny won't tire them out too much but I know they are happy to help out and get so much Jenny time. I'm sure Jenny is loving it as well.
Will check in again later once we have more news. But for now, we are just keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with the birth later this afternoon. And I can stay in this waiting room for hours listening to my music.
Day Two In TX
Was so tired last night that I went to bed at 9 pm! I slept pretty well except that we couldn't get the hotel room temperature right. First it was freezing so we cranked up the heat. Then it was way too hot. Even though I slept well, there was one indication that I didn't get the best sleep in the world: I remember that I had a dream that I had to take the math SAT and was trying to study for it! In some ways, I was relieved when I woke up and realized that was just a dream.
R and Jenny are still asleep but we all get up in about 30 minutes so we can get ready. We will have breakfast as a family before R and I head over to the hospital. We hope to be there around 7:30 am. T is getting there at 6 am. Grandpa Oscar and Grandma Theda will watch J today and they'll see if they can find something fun to do other then swim in the hotel pool.
Overall, I'm feeling pretty good except for that SAT math thing. Once I shake off that memory and get a cup or two of coffee, I'll feel better. Am reminded about the fact that this process requires both physical and mental toughness. In the case of the China adoption, the travel was more brutal and exhausting. In this case, the travel hasn't been too bad but there are other challenges. It's good that I got a lot of sleep last night although there's a chance that today could be a lot of sitting around the hospital. Still, I'd rather feel rested. Heading off to start the day. More later.
R and Jenny are still asleep but we all get up in about 30 minutes so we can get ready. We will have breakfast as a family before R and I head over to the hospital. We hope to be there around 7:30 am. T is getting there at 6 am. Grandpa Oscar and Grandma Theda will watch J today and they'll see if they can find something fun to do other then swim in the hotel pool.
Overall, I'm feeling pretty good except for that SAT math thing. Once I shake off that memory and get a cup or two of coffee, I'll feel better. Am reminded about the fact that this process requires both physical and mental toughness. In the case of the China adoption, the travel was more brutal and exhausting. In this case, the travel hasn't been too bad but there are other challenges. It's good that I got a lot of sleep last night although there's a chance that today could be a lot of sitting around the hospital. Still, I'd rather feel rested. Heading off to start the day. More later.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
In Texas
We are in College Station after a good but long travel day. Things went as smooth as we could have hoped. We seemed to have a lot of luggage but it all fit in the taxi (we got a minivan taxi) and we curbside checked all of the luggage -- 3 large suitcases, 1 small suitcase, the base of the infant carrier (that gets installed in the car), and the travel pack n play. Jenny was great on the airplane (she has always been a great traveler). We met my parents in Houston and got the rental car. R had reserved a huge rental car so it fit all of the luggage and all of us. The drive from Houston to College Station wasn't bad -- under 2 hours and nothing to complicated. We are staying at a Marriott Residence Inn in College Station and it's just what we needed -- comfortable, walking distance to restaurants, and supposedly not too far from the hospital. We are heading over the hospital pretty early tomorrow a.m. -- likely around 7:30 am. We are excited and feeling good. Here are a few photos I took recently -- one of R and Jenny at National Airport before we left for TX and one of Jenny, Alex, and Ella-Ann on Sunday night at Jane and Greg's house (we helped them decorate their Christmas tree, had a nice dinner, and they gave us a nice send off to TX). More tomorrow.
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