It had been a long 18 hours for Ashley and Cade by the time they called me to come. She was 9 days past her due date and it was with great disappointment and many tears that she was admitted to the hospital on Sunday for induction on Monday morning. See, Ashley is a minamalist and a purist in every sense of the word and she and Cade had looked forward to a very natural childbirth since they found out she was pregnant so when they were told their plans were about to change and there was nothing they could do….well, lets just say it was a big adjustment.
I will spare some of the details here but I will say that 20 hours later, with both Ashley and Cade exhausted and the Midwife not-so-happy about her progress, they were told that a decision would have to be made in 1 hour whether they would let her continue to labor or prep for a C-section.
It was a long hour and when the nurse came back and checked her, I think I heard a long, slow sigh all across Utah. I’m so proud of her for re-focusing so quickly and encouraging Cade that all would be well.
I was super excited when, after asking 4 or 5 times if I could go in the O.R. with them, all Doctors said “yes.” What’s even better than that was that not only was Cade allowed to take a camera in, SO WAS I!! Woo Hoo!!! That’s almost unheard of anymore. About the time she was taken in, lots of family arrived and they were told that they could watch from the observation window if it was OK with Ashley…of course she said yes and I was totally shocked when I saw that the observation window was not just some tiny portal where they could only see the top of the Dr’s head but a full size window where they could watch the whole proceedure! It was so cool. I took a gazillion photos but I think I could lose a few blog followers if I posted them. This is what Linze and Madi thought.
Amazing. Ashley is crying not because she is in pain but because eveyone is saying things like “She beautiful!” ”She has a ton of hair!” She’s perfect!” I can say from experience that when you realize that the child that you have carried for 9 months is suddenly out and everyone can see her but you, the words that you hear and the sound of that tiny baby crying is like angels singing.
8:40 pm was the time of birth and she weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs 15 ounces.
After they cleaned her, checked all the signs and wrapped her, she was placed into the loving arms of her mother. It was the sweetest moment as Ashley kissed her and repeated over and over, “I love you, I love you.”
The very excited welcoming committee.
Daddy Cade in the nursery with Uncle Landon watching through the window.
Back in her room with family lining the walls, a proud Cade hands his daughter back to Ashley.
Ashley, you are going to be such a wonderful mom. My heart did the grinch-triple-size-thing just watching you love and hold your daughter. I can’t wait to hear stories and see how she grows. I only wish I lived closer. I’m so confident in you too, Cade. You will be an awesome father.
What an absolutly amazing event to be able to witness and experience. Thank you Ashley and Cade. I’m so proud of you both.
Welcome to the world Harper. I love you. Aunt Shawna
