Lori's Family Blog

This year, Ava celebrated her birthday three times. First, we celebrated in Hilton Head with the Cate family. Then, on her actual birthday, Ava enjoyed cupcakes with her classmates. And finally, Ava celebrated her birthday with the Riegle family on the Fourth of July.

We took lots of pictures and video. Here's a video of Hilton Head Chris put together.

As some of you may know, my husband, Chris, has been an extra in several movies...Big Fish, We Were Soldiers, and Talladega Nights...so I knew it would only be a matter of time before my sweet baby would be in a movie if he had anything to do with it! Last year a couple of directors started what could be described as a "world project"...they wanted people to video record the happenings in their lives on July 24, 2010 to put together a documentary to show life in the world in a single day. So that is what Chris did with Ava that day. He video recorded her from the moment she got up until she went to sleep that night. I was working at the hospital that Saturday in July and really didn't know too much of his plan to record my baby's life to turn in for a movie project. That news came later on. He told me a couple of months later, seriously! But I was fine with it, it sounded kind of cool. And really, what were the chances that Ava's video would be chosen to be in a documentary right? Well, how wrong was I! Chris got an e-mail about a month ago that told us part of his video made the final cut into their documentary. Out of the over 80,000 videos they received from all over the world, they chose Ava! Wow! The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2011, they streamed the first viewing of the film live on youtube, so we got to watch it too!!! Ava made it into the film twice, in 2 different clips in the first 30 minutes of the film. So cool! I couldn't believe it. They weren't long clips, but it was long enough to see her and know it was her! Chris and I can't wait to buy the DVD when it comes out. Supposedly National Geographic bought the documentary and it may actually make it into movie theaters. And I have to say it really is a neat portrayal of birth, life, death and everything in between that could happen in 1 day. Chris was pretty proud of himself and was even named as a co-director in the end credits of the documentary (along with a bunch of other people.) We really enjoyed watching it. So you should watch it too when it comes out to theaters or on DVD. And make sure you look for our little movie star, Ava!

We ended 2010 on a sad note. Last Thursday I miscarried our baby. It was such a shock for Chris and I because we thought everything was going so well for this pregnancy. I noticed some very minor bleeding the previous week and called my doctor. They sent me immediately to triage, when we got to the hospital they we unable to find a heartbeat and the ultrasound confirmed that the baby had passed away. The doctor gave us no answers as to "why" this happened. Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy I'm sure is devastating but I was over 18 weeks along, so I thought I was out of the risk stage for miscarriage. It was especially hard to grasp this, and Chris and I are filled with tremendous sorrow and loss. Thankfully we received such great care from the doctor and nurses at the hospital and they were able to guide us through the process of losing a baby at a later stage in pregnancy. I truly believed God knew exactly what we needed to get through that night, because the doctor on call and delivery nurse were so consoling and made me as comfortable as possible. I was given medicine to deliver the fetus. I delivered at 4am that morning, the baby was girl, weighing only 2.5 ounces. As heartbroken as we are, I have found great comfort in my faith. It's so hard to understand God's purpose in this, but Chris and I believe that God has a perfect plan and will for our lives and he will carry us through our loss and sadness.

So as I ended 2010 with a great burden for the life that could have been, I'm so grateful for the many blessings in my life...Such a supportive, loving husband who is a man of great faith and strength, and a beautiful daughter who is so full of life and love. I'm also so grateful for my family and friends who have been there for us and lifted us up in prayer and given us encouragement. As we look ahead to 2011 we are filled with the hope that joy lies ahead as we continue to walk with the Lord.

Now is the time for Year in Review videos, but I've got one better. Ava's going to be a year and a half in two days, so it's about time I post her first year montage video. Enjoy!