Dear Ava,

Welcome to the Hassell family! You and Lily have arrived so close together that I can't help but wonder if you were pals before coming here, and if you got some good coaching from your great grandparents and aunts. The announcement of your birth was unique in that your father posted your arrival on Facebook instead of calling me! That was a first and though I must day I would have preferred the phone call, it will be something you can tell your children and grandchildren someday. The first Hassell baby to be announced on Facebook!

Right now you probably know how fortunate you are to be born to two such loving and devoted parents. Not every baby is that fortunate, so we feel very blessed that it is true for each of our grandchildren. Your father was our fifth baby, just like you are his fifth child. That means you will have lots of love and attention from your older siblings, and also that you might have to speak up and be noticed at times. Big families are so much fun. There is always something going on! We love it when all our children and grandchildren get together for a reunion. The older cousins take such good care of the younger ones and it is wonderful to see. That will probably be the first time I get to see you, and hopefully you won't be too wiggly to hold. It is always hard for me not to be able to help when a new baby is born, but then I remind myself of how fortunate I am to have so many beautiful grandchildren and then I feel better. Thank you for keeping your first estate and choosing to come to this big, noisy, loving family. Along with your parents and siblings, Grampa and I, and all your aunts, uncles and cousins will do their best to give you all the love and help you need so that we can be together forever!

We already love you so much and are so happy that you are here.

Gramma