De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

This is our gorgeous little girl, Mary Therese, who we have been waiting for for what seems like eternity. Seldom has a baby been so longed for, hoped for and prayed for and now, because of her, there's little doubt that everything has changed. One of the biggest things about losing Ruth was numbers. The numbers were all wrong, and though it was a simple subtraction, I could not figure out how many we were at the airport, or at a restaurant for dinner, without a great deal of stringent mental gymnastics. Now the numbers are right again. We are the right number, and the right balance.

John said the other day "it's like Ruth has been reborn", which is very deep for John. The point is that he gets it too. Each of the boys gets it, in their own way perhaps, but they each have their own story of rejuvenation from the birth of our daughter. Lou commented whilst dressing her the other morning, just how wonderful and right it felt to have pink clothes in the house once more…

Today has been one of those days you never forget. Not only has it been the opening day of the games of the 30th Olympiad in London, our capital city, hosting the games for an unprecedented third time, it has also, and for us, much more importantly, been the day our long dreamed of and anticipated and hoped for daughter, Mary Therese, was born. At 08:51 this morning she arrived after a great deal of prayer and nervousness. She is perfect, weighing in at 8lb & 1oz, with a little blond hair and just the hint of a curl. She represents so much for us: without doubt the answer of a deeply spoken prayer, but also the missing piece of our family. Mary is not Ruth, but we have no doubt that she will bring great healing to our family, each of us miss Ruth so much in so many ways. Mary Therese is also a sign of great blessing, and for this we are grateful. The timing is also auspicious, she joins us just after John's birthday-so she has her own special day- and just before Ruth's an…