Ava Darina Letterneau...We Gotcha!

We can officially announce Ava Darina Letterneau! Make sure you have about 15 minutes free, turn on your speakers and then click the photo below to view a special video slideshow of our first few months with Ava (this is the aforementioned treat). Enjoy!

From Ava Darina Letterneau

If that doesn't work, try this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/HePb7UuPGHpvUV2gAGNTlg?authkey=Gv1sRgCLj0-K6v8Z783QE&feat=directlink


Today was the best day ever! We have so many exciting details to share and a special video slideshow that we’ve been working on. Here was the break down of the day:

9:00-11:00 – Court
We arrived at court this morning and anxiously waited as we watched each person file in. With us in court was our coordinator Sveta, our lawyer, the representative from the Child Welfare Union, a neuropathologist from the city hospital, the secretary from the Baby Home, the Judge, and the Prosecutor. This is a lot of people to coordinate in a country that is not very time oriented. The judge had already questioned us when we were in court a week and a half ago so she didn’t need us to speak again. This time she questioned the Baby House secretary, the doctor, and our Child Welfare rep. All these women said very nice things about us and about Ava. They all testified that she has made wonderful progress and that she will continue to flourish once placed with a family. The prosecutor said that she recommend James and I for adoption of Ava Darina and the Judge said that she also believes that it’s in the best interest of the child to be placed with our family. The judge then asked us to come back at 2:00 for her final verdict.


Our faithful driver Iliya, who happens to also be our coordinator's husband.

2:00-3:00 – Court Part II
We went back to court with only Sveta and our lawyer where the judge talked for about 45 minutes summarizing our case and announcing us as the official parents of Ava Darina Letterneau. There were a few scary moments as the judge was giving her final verdict. There were a few details in our case that were not handled the way she would have liked but…by 3:00 we were the happiest two people in the world and the official parents of Ava D.!



James, Sveta (our coordinator) and Kari very happy after getting good news at the court hearing.

3:00-6:00 – Our Visit
Today we brought the video camera and taped our walk up to Ava’s room. Our legs could not get us to her fast enough. When the three of us got to our visiting room Peggy, Jan, and Casper had a surprise waiting for us! There were balloons around the table spelling out the words Gotcha. Gotcha Day is kind of like a birthday for adopted children. It’s the day when the child officially becomes part of the family. They left us a sweet card with some yummy treats and a game for Ava. Now, we aren’t sure how to explain what happened in our visit today except for that it was a total miracle. Shortly after we arrived we took Ava outside to play with her sand toys. A group of children came in the same area to play. This is usually about the time that Ava asks to leave. She values her time with us alone and is a little self-conscience when she sees the other kids running and playing. Today, not only did she not ask to leave, but she asked to play! She walked around and interacted with the kids in ways we have never seen. Next, we came inside and Ava began walking very quickly, almost running, around the room. In the past Ava could pull herself up using a table or our hand but was unable to stand up completely on her own. Well, that changed today too! Ava can now stand up without needing something to pull herself up. She was walking with objects in her hand, bending down to pick things up, and isn’t needing her left arm to swing out for balance…ALL as of TODAY! We are the proudest parents on the planet!



Aren't Jan, Peggy & Casper amazing? Also thanks to Dave and Linda for the sweet card and Ava's pretty dress! We are so thankful for our friends here.



Such a sweet face... we love her!


As always, some of our favorite pictures are of her "concentration" face.



This picture sums it up! She's walking so proudly.

6:00-8:00 – Dinner Celebration
After our visit we went to dinner with Linda, Dave, Peggy, and Jan. Dave and Linda also brought us a special Gotcha day card with an adorable dress for Ava! We enjoyed the night celebrating with our friends and are now excited to share the end of this day with all of you!