Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Ava

Denise and I received the ultimate Valentine’s Day present: a seven-pound, healthy baby girl. Ava arrived at 10:32 in the evening, and, good lord, there was no greater moment than watching her enter the world. Everyone immediately commented on her full head of hair. A photographer snapped some marvelous shots including one of me holding her tiny feet which I hope to post as soon as the CD arrives.

Thank you all for your kind e-mails, gifts, and posts.
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48 comments:

  1. Evan LewisFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Wow. Congratulations, folks!

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  2. Chudney ThomasFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Congratulations!

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  3. ChrisFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Congratulations to you both! What better Valentine could you have asked for?

    And Ava, best wishes for a lifetime of happiness...

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  4. G. B. MillerFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Congrabulations!

    That is indeed a fantastic Valentine's day gift to have, to hold and to cherish for decades to come.

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  5. Ron ScheerFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Here's my best for the whole family. Little Ava (lovely name) picked well when she chose you for parents. Enjoy the glow...

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  6. David CranmerFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Evan/Chudney, Thank you, both.

    Chris, Funny that Little d and I have never made a big deal out of Valentine's Day in the past. That will now happily change. I will mention what you said to Ava when she wakes up.

    Amen, G. Thank you.

    Kind words, Ron.

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  7. Leah J. UtasFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Congratulations. Welcome, Ava.

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  8. David CranmerFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Thanks, Leah.

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  9. ACFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Congrats, again!

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  10. John HornorFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Congrats! Beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl!

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  11. Alyssa GoodnightFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    I've been waiting for this post!! I love the name Ava, and she is sure to be a lovely, sweet little Charmer!

    Congratulations to both of you!

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  12. Dan FlemingFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Fantastic news David! My best to you, your wife, and litte Ava. Congrats!

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  13. Garnett ElliottFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    Congratulations to you and your wife.

    And try to catch some sleep whenever you can!

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  14. David BarberFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Awesome news, David. Congratulations to Denise and yourself! Ava is a lucky little girl!

    Best wishes, my friend!

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  15. Chris RhatiganFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Fantastic news, David. Congratulations--wish you all the best and as many sleep-filled nights as possible!

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  16. David CranmerFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    Thanks again, Alec. Denise and I appreciated the post.

    John, It seems to fit her perfectly.

    Alyssa, Little Charmer she is. You should see this angel. So precious!

    Thanks, Dan.

    Garnett, No sleep tonight. I'm taking turns with Denise walking Ava around and around. I'm whispering my latest story to her that she seems to like.

    Many thanks, David.

    Chris, I've had like six hours in the last seventy-two. Ha. I'm off to a good start.

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  17. Alan GriffithsFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:14 AM

    Many congrats, folks!

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  18. Chad EagletonFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Congrats!

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  19. sandra seamansFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Congratulations!!! You've just stepped into a whole new world that will change your life forever. Give my best to your wife.

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  20. Rebekah AdkissonFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Congratulations to you and Denise! I am so happy for you and can't wait to see photos of little, beautiful Ava. Please tell Denise that I am thinking of her often and hoping that she is doing well. Love and hugs to all three of you!

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  21. David CranmerFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Alan/Chad, Thank you, gentlemen.

    Sandra, I told Denise and she said thank you with a smiley face. :)

    Rebekah, BIG! smile from Denise when I read your comment to her. She said she will send more details soon.

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  22. Glenn GrayFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Congrats!!

    I'll take that virtual cigar, thanks!

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  23. Charles GramlichFebruary 17, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Hurray! Wonderful news. Congrats to all involved!

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  24. John KenyonFebruary 17, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Congrats to you and yours, David. As others have said, sleep when you can. But have a pen at the ready, too - sleep deprivation can conjure some crazy thoughts... might be a story in it!

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  25. RebFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Congratulations! Ava is a wonderful name.

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  26. David CranmerFebruary 17, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Glenn, Yep, cigars to all! Gracias, amigo.

    Charles, In between the long moments of waiting I was reading BITTER STEEL. So many thanks.

    John, You ain't kidding. A story popped in the very following morning after complete exhaustion.

    Thanks, Reb.

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  27. Jack GetzeFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Big congratulations, David. Wonderful!!!

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  28. Sarah LaurenceFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Congratulations! Ava is a lovely name and her birthday will be easy to remember. I'm looking forward to seeing the pix.

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  29. Gary Dobbs/Jack MartinFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Congratulations to you both.

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  30. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    Congratulations! The journey begins. Maybe you can look forward to one day joining the grandparents' club!

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  31. David CranmerFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Thank you, Austin.

    Sarah, Thanks. And hopefully I will have the pic up sometime next week.

    Thanks, Gary. And Denise and I appreciate the post.

    Chap, I will as long as our little girl doesn't wait as long as we did. :)

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  32. BarrieFebruary 18, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    That is such exciting news!! Congratulations to both you and Denise. May the three of you be sleeping through the night soon! And I love the name Ava. Funny thing, David, Patti and I were talking about you when I saw her last week. We were wondering when your baby was due. And, well, here's our answer! Congrats again!!!

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  33. Randy JohnsonFebruary 18, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Happy for you guys!

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  34. Matthew P. MayoFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Felicitaciones!

    Wow, you folks have certainly made Valentine's Day more difficult for the rest of us.... That sure beats flowers, chocolate, and champagne!

    Here's wishing all manner of happiness to all three of you.

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  35. Dave KingFebruary 18, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Momentous times. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all three.

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  36. David CranmerFebruary 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Barrie, Two of my favorite people having dinner and thinking of me. That means a lot. And thank you for the well wishes from Denise and Ava as well.

    Randy/Deka, Thank you, both.

    Matt, You and Jen will get a letter later but many thanks for the Maine themed books. We have been gifted other McCloskey books and he is an early favorite of ours.

    Thank you, Dave.

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  37. Laurie PowersFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Congratulations - what a great Valentine's Day gift! Wishing the best for all of you...

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  38. David CranmerFebruary 18, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Thanks so much, Laurie.

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  39. Sarah LaurenceFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I'm looking forward to your next Ava posting and very impressed that you are managing an online presence at all. Sleep well?

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  40. David CranmerFebruary 19, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Lots of family support and a good boss who is allowing me time off to bond with my little girl. But I am tired. We are up every few hours to feed her. Of course, she sleeps just fine. :)

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  41. RickFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Congratulations! I've never even met you but I'm so happy for you! The internet is kind of weird, isn't it? Anyway, you've had the best Valentine's Day present anyone can have!

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  42. David CranmerFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Thanks, Rick. Many friends have reached out from the internet and we are very appreciative.

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  43. Travis ErwinFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    I'm late to the part but a hearty congrats my friend. May you enjoy the ride as much as I have.

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  44. David CranmerFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:02 AM

    I'm sure I will, Travis. Thank you.

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  45. Barbara MartinFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Little budnles of joy, indeed. Congratulations. I expect you'll be having some sleepness nights soon. But it's worth it.

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  46. David CranmerFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Thank you, Barbara.

    (See my most recent post for the sleepless nights.)

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  47. Cormac BrownFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    A huge congratulations to both of you! May she grow up beautiful, strong, and may she take to the pen and keyboard like her father.

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  48. David CranmerMarch 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Very kind words, Cormac. Thank you.

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