Sunday, May 11th 2014

My sweet mother comes out to visit and help me whenever I have a baby. It is wonderful to have her around. She is so supportive and just does anything I need done. Well, she came out to visit before our fifth child, Mira Hart Ashby, was born. She planned a two week trip. Well, it was Mother's Day and we had no baby and she was heading home the next day. We kind of laughed that her baby visit would not include meeting the new baby, but that it was still wonderful to see her and have her help prepare for Mira's arrival.

I remember sitting on the couch Sunday evening and feeling my water leak. This is not usually the first sign of labor for me. I remember Mira's birth being so peaceful. I got in our big, jetted tub and just worked through contractions with Joseph supporting me. My midwife arrived and checked to make sure the baby and I were doing well. Then she exited until soon I felt ready to push. We got Isabel to cut the umbilical cord.  And my mom was able to meet Mira before she had to leave! 

Mira's middle name "Hart" is after my sweet Grandma Hart, who I loved so much. She lived in my town in California growing up and I would often spend the night at her house Friday nights. She would read to me when I had trouble falling asleep and would take me to McDonald's for lunch the next day. We would always have Sunday diner with my Gramma and would play card games after. I have such fond memories of that. Also, she would spill food on her glasses that would hang on her like a necklace and she would always steal the serving fork. Whenever we realized it was missing, we knew who to ask! lol.