An Aussie dad who was facing the heartbreaking prospect of having his baby daughter put up for adoption has met his precious little girl for the first time after a frantic dash to the other end of the world.
Dan Gaut, from Sydney’s north shore, jumped on the first plane to the US on Monday after the tradie found out his ex-girlfriend Liv went into labour a day earlier.
Liv had dropped the bombshell news that she planned to put their baby daughter up for adoption – prompting him to leap into action.
He recalled how he didn’t sleep during the 15-hour flight to Texas before describing the ‘magical’ moment he met baby Ana for the first time.
Ana was born on Monday at 8pm Sydney time.
‘She’s just the cutest little thing, she’s so good, she’s just adorable and just picture perfect,’ he told A Current Affair as he showed off his two-day-old bundle of joy.
Dan Gaut (pictured) is cherishing every moment with newborn daughter Ana after he made a mercy dash to the US
Baby Ana (pictured) was born on Monday night Sydney time
‘It was like whatever apprehension or possibly awkwardness I might’ve been thinking about in that moment just dissolved.
‘The love for her took over and it was like such a magical loving moment that I just, just couldn’t wait to hold her.
‘She’s just a little angel, really chill which is phenomenal, I couldn’t ask for anything more.’
Mr Gaut is cherishing every moment with his daughter as he comes to terms with first-time fatherhood – and prepares to bring his little girl back to Australia.
He’s taking one day at a time.
‘I just feel like I’m in training mode,’ he said.
‘I can’t tie myself in knots thinking about all the stages along the way, so it’s just one day at a time.’
He also revealed that his ex, who moved back to Texas and had got back wither her former partner, has now expressed an interest in being a part of Ana’s life.
She’s even willing to make the trip to Australia to accompany Mr Gaut, as he was nervous flying alone with baby Ana.
‘She’s definitely mentioned how much she loves her (Ana) and she wants to be a part of the baby’s life’,’ he said
‘We don’t know how it’s going to go but she’s very supportive of me bringing the baby over [to Australia]’.
But it could be some time before Mr Gaut can bring her home to meet her Australian family.
He has begun the arduous process of organising migration papers so that he can bring Ana home.
‘I have to get a US passport which could take, even I fast track it, up to five weeks,’ he said.
‘Once I have the passport in my hands [the next step is] getting one of the ETA apps for the Australian visa for her and then at the same time we’re filing for her Australian citizenship.’
Daniel Gaut, from Sydney ‘s north, was on holidays in the United States when he met who he thought would be ‘the love of his life’
The tradie from Sydney (pictured) who was informed by his ex that she was considering giving his daughter up for adoption set out on a determined to path raise his daughter by himself
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) App allows non-citizens to travel to Australia for up to a year or the life of their passport – whichever is shorter.
The app allows users to digitally store their visas which is linked to their passport number.
Mr Gaut previously explained how he was heartbroken when his ex told him that she was considering giving the Ana up for adoption.
He met Liv, who he thought was ‘the love of his life’. while he holidaying in the US.
The pair were inseparable and soon found out they were expecting their first child together.
Cracks in their relationship however started to emerge when his homesick girlfriend went home to Texas because she felt like she needed to be closer to her support network.
After what was supposed to be a ‘visit’, Mr Gaut received the devastating news that Liv wasn’t returning – setting him on a determined path to raise his daughter by himself.
A cash-strapped Mr Gaut relied on community donations to arrange paperwork in the US for his child to be brought to Australia.
A crowdfunding page was set up to raise $30,000 so Mr Gaut could travel to the US and arrange an Australian passport for his daughter.
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