Meet our baby girl, Ava. She is the most precious gift we have received–ever.

She was born on Superbowl Sunday. We got the call in the wee hours of the morning the birth mom was in labor, a week earlier than we expected. We spent the entire morning packing and rearranging our travel. Our flight was delayed, and the check-in agent felt so bad she didn’t charge us for our luggage. We arrived at the hospital 4 hours after she was born and spent the next three days shuffling back-and-forth to the hospital room where she stayed with her birth mom.

It was the strangest, most wonderful, most nerve-wrecking time of our life. Not only was she in her birth mom’s room most of the time, but there seemed to be a revolving door of friends coming to visit the birth mom and the baby, which left us with less time than anticipated holding our little one. But, at the same time, it was great to see that the birth mom had so much support. Her friends were a testament to her giving and loving nature, and they all congratulated us. One of her best friends and roommate stayed the entire time.

The third day, and the last day before checkout, the birth mom wanted to spend the majority of time with Ava. We visited for about an hour or so in the morning. During that time, we shared a special moment. She said, “This is going to sound strange, but I want to sit next to you.” She walked over with Ava and we sat side by side with our beautiful girl. She said she was glad it was us.

That night when we came to check out and pick up Ava, it was an emotional time for us all. I can only imagine what the birth mom was going through. Even though we only spent a few days together, I felt like we were family. We all hugged. I hugged the birth mom and told her I loved her. Her roomy gave me the biggest, longest, heartfelt hug and said, “Thank you!”

There’s more to write, but even now, I’m tearing up with emotions. Let’s just say, it’s good to be home, and it’s good to finally be a mom.