I was dumbfounded at how many of you responded to my last post. Friends and strangers from 5 countries sent cards and gifts welcoming this little babe into the world. All this in the midst of the bustle of Christmas dinners, travels and last minute-shopping. Instead of silence or stinging rejection upon her arrival, this baby girl born out of wedlock to a former exotic dancer was showered with your love gifts and prayers.
Baby Olivia Hope made her debut earlier this week. Here's the scoop from Ellen (not her real name):
"I was rear ended in an accident yesterday and while I was waiting for the cops to show up, Lisa (not her real name) texted me that she was at the hospital and they were going to induce her. After several hours of dealing with the wreck and getting the kids [taken care of], I headed to San Antonio.
As we waited, I asked Lisa and her boyfriend, B, what Olivia's middle name was going to be. Lisa suggested Olivia Lillian and I told her that was mouthful to call her when she was mad at her. She said she didn't know what to name her and asked B. He said his mom's name was Esperanza and although he didn't really like the name, he liked its meaning, which is Hope. I said - THAT'S IT!!! And I shared with them how I had been really thinking of that word a lot this past week as I read the Bible. So, Hope it was.
There was a scary moment when her head first came out as the cord was wrapped around her neck. The doctor was quick to stop everything and cut it off. Olivia was totally silent and it really scared me. I was not sure if she was alive. But the doctor grabbed something and started suctioning her mouth and then Olivia started to cry. The doctor then went on to pull her all the way out.
Her little arms stretched up to the sky like she wanted to be picked up. Lisa was crying and the baby was crying and they looked exactly alike. Olivia has her mom's nose and mouth and it was so funny to see two crying girls that looked so much alike. She was born a little before 1:30 in the morning. She weighed 6.9 lbs and was 19 inches long.
On the drive home around 3 a.m. I reflected on how far Lisa has come [in the last 4 years since I've known her]. It was almost a year before I could really talk to her as she was such a tough and wounded girl. Now she is like a daughter. She has not been dancing for over a year now. I am so proud of her.
Thank you for all your donations and prayers for Olivia’s arrival. Please keep praying for them. She still wants to move back to
I am so thankful I got to be with her while she had the baby as well. Please pray for Lisa and B to be good parents and for their relationship."
