What's in a Name?

Almost immediately after our ultrasound on Friday, Travis and I had to quickly decide if were going to share our "girl" name or not.  We knew after we shared the news that we were having a girl, the next obvious question would be, "so what's her name?"  We talked about it for a little bit and then made the decision to share :)  We LOVE her name and we have loved it for awhile.  I'm very happy to tell you that in April we will be welcoming our sweet little daughter, 

Ava Page Armstrong.

Ava is a name that I have liked for a long time and when I mentioned it to Travis awhile ago, he loved it too.  It means "like a bird" which has no incredible spiritual meaning to it, but as Ava's Mom, I do picture her as a little baby bird, whom we get to love and raise until she's ready to spread her wings and fly someday :)  Page is a family name on my side of the family.  It was my Grandma Ferguson's maiden name and it is also my Dad's middle name.  Several of my cousins have used Page as a middle name and I love carrying on the tradition.  It isn't spelled with an "i" like Paige, but without an "i" like Page.  If my Grandma were still alive, she would love that we chose it.  It's already been fun for us to talk so specifically about her and to be able to start praying for her by name.  The Lord has blessed us immensely and we are thrilled at the gift of little Ava.  

When we went in for our ultrasound on Friday, I was so ready and prepared for something to be wrong.  I got such little sleep the night before and I was very anxious for a good outcome.  The Lord gave us the sweetest ultrasound tech, Laurie, who was obviously a believer.  She was able to get so many great views of Ava and she showed us all the things she was looking for.  All of her little organs were exactly where they were supposed to be and her measurements were all perfect.  When we first saw her, she was laying on her side with her little hands resting under her head.  Our hearts were immediately melted, it was so sweet!  We got to see her move around, putting her hands in front of her face and covering her eyes.  Then she did the best thing and she yawned!  Oh it was adorable.  Laurie even got a picture of it for us!  It was at that point that she went looking, trying to determine if we had a son or daughter.  When she showed us the "evidence" she was very convinced that we had a little girl, not a little boy!  Obviously we would be just as thrilled with news that we were having a boy, but it was incredibly special to hear that we were looking at our little girl!  I just layed there and watched Travis fall in love with his daughter with tears in my eyes and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  Our God is so good and we all agreed it seems impossible not to believe in Him as creator when you see those tiny hands and feet and those perfect organs.  Her spine was like a work of art and we got to see all four chambers of her heart beating and pumping.  I can't even express the deep love that I have for her already and all I've seen is a grainy image.  I can't wait for the day we meet in person and I'm holding her in my arms.  Being a mother has taken such a sharp turn of reality now that I've been able to see my daughter and watch and feel her move around inside me.  I'm so thankful for the healthy report we received and for the weight of worry off my shoulders.  Ava is fearfully and wonderfully made by her creator and already I'm learning to release her days and her future to Him.  I amazes me to be a part of this miracle and to witness it firsthand.  The Lord is good indeed to all those who call Him by name!