Hava is here!!!
We praise the name of our wonderful Creator for being so faithful in bringing our healthy little girl into our world. Momma Rachel had a C-Section on Jan. 25 and Hava was officially born at 1:14 pm. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 11.2 oz. and measured 19 inches long.

She swallowed quite a bit of amniotic fluid and was not crying properly. She was sent to the NICU for a couple of hours to make sure she got it out of her system. Papa Al was able to be present in the C-section and also stay with Hava in the NICU. Momma Rachel got to see her for a minute and then hold her about 4 hours later after she was discharged to the regular nursery. Rachel recouperated over the next 2 days and all went home together on Saturday, Jan. 27. We had already decided that Hava has been a blessing to us even before she was born and we prayed that she would be a blessing to all who meet her. As we prepared to leave the hospital, we set up a meeting with a pediatrician for Hava who we had not yet met. He seems to be a very nice man....he is Portuguese and speaks Portuguese AND he is Jewish. Al first saw him in the nursery and he noticed Al's kippa. Al noticed he had a pin on his lapel with the American and Israeli flags joined together. We do not think he is a believer, but when he asked us her name, he immediately said "Wow, you guys really are biblical." Later he told us that when we bring her to the office, he really wants to find out our story. Also, as we were being discharged from the hospital, we went to the nursery for them to remove Hava's security tag. The nurse, Sarah, came in and asked Rachel's last name...when she heard it she quickly turned with a gasp towards Rachel (holding Hava), pointed and asked "Hava???" Rachel said yes. She came over and asked if she could please hold her and kiss her one last time. She was the nurse with Hava in the NICU and said that she became especially attached to her. She commented on Hava's loving Daddy and said that even though Hava was the noisiest baby in the NICU that day, she was the one that captured her heart. We are so blessed to know that her precious new life is bringing blessing to others besides us.

Rachel is still healing and feeling much better, Al has gone back to work after a week's vacation to spend with his new baby and Hava is spending each day looking more and more beautiful. Yes, she does have a tan and seems to be getting a little darker every day. She has a cute way of sucking on her index finger between the knuckles, sticking her tongue out in 1000 different ways and most nights have been pretty easy with her waking only to eat. Rachel's parents and grandmother were all present for the event. We are so blessed to have a truly loving and caring family as well as all of you, our precious friends who continue to hold us up in prayer. Our L-rd is wonderful and we testify to His presence, His love and His faithfulness. May His blessed name be glorified forever!!!