Happy 2nd Gotcha Day!

July 1-July 4, 2007


Ava and her foster-mother, Blanca
Our first moments with Ava



And now, July 2009...my Mayan Princess!









Happy second Gotcha Day! I cannot believe that it was two years ago that my dad and I went to get Ava. What is really difficult this year is that my dad is no longer with us. It is hard to wrap my head around how much can change in such a short time. It seems like yesterday that we made the journey to Guatemala together and yet nothing is even merely the same. While I still celebrate today for the miracle of my child, my heart is heavy for the loss of the only other person who was there on the pick up trip. I am so thankful that he came with me and we had the time together that we did. I will remember the look on his face when he held Ava, he would light up. He was so proud and pretty convinced that there was not another baby anywhere in the world that was as pretty or smart as his Ava.

Ava, you have grown so much this year! You will always be my baby but you are no longer a baby. You are a little girl. You are so funny and so bright. You are still so snuggly and affectionate. My favorite line is when you say "I want to nuggle you". You are social and love your little friends. You are compassionate and you get sad when others are crying or hurt. You only had a brief time with the "terrible twos". You are just such an easy and pleasant child. You make everyone smile.

You learned to ride a tri-cycle this year and a scooter. You got the scooter once you agreed to stay in your big girl bed--yes your crib is gone now too! You became potty trained this winter beginning in November. You were so fast, you basically trained yourself! You gave up bottles without a problem and refuse to use a highchair or booster seat. You remain the indepedent force that you have always been repeatedly telling us "Me do it myself!". The one saving grace for me this year is you finally learned to like the car! You continue to be my dancing queen and speaking of Abba, you love "mama mia" and sing every song.

We have had a tough year Ava and without you it would have been unbearable. We all know that. Your happy little spirit got us through some of the darkest and hardest days of our lives. When your grandfather died so suddenly and without warning we were lost. But you kept us grounded and focused. He died shortly after your second birthday and he was so cheated to only have you for a year. I can only hope and pray that he gets to see you. He would get such a kick out of you now! He thought everything that you did was amazing...and you are by the way, very amazing!

We had to keep moving forward for you. I know that everything was pre-planned, God moved you into our lives for a reason. The timing of it all amazes me. Your grandpa always said that life goes on, that babies prove that. It is not always easy but you make it manageable. I am so glad that you see his pictures and wave up to the sky and say "Hi Grandpa". I promise that you will always know how much he loved you and what a big part of my adopting you had to do with him. You would not be here with me if it were not for Grandma and Grandpa.

He will always be part of your story. Happy Gotcha Day Ava--you are by far the best thing that has ever happened to us!