My youngest daughter had a baby 9/7/12.  I could not be happier.  I could be in Portland to help greet Baby Benan but it was not to be.  I will see them in a month.  Ash is in medical school and took the fall off to have Baby Benan.  She has been on bed rest since May so she is glad she can get moving again.  Whenever they lightened up on the bedrest, she would get contractions and ended up back at the hospital.  She was in labor for 36 hours and pushed for 3 hours.  (I said, 'you got off easy'  and her reply 'I was in labor for 36 hours and hard pushing for 3 hours, THAT WAS NOT EASY!")
I can put my foot in my mouth pretty good at times.

Benan is doing well.  Ashley is doing well and Brian is doing well too.  There was lots of family and friends to welcome Baby Ben into the world.  I was there in spirit but feel that I was well represented and people were sending me texts, pictures as things happened.

Benan was only minutes old in this picture.

I feel so very fortunate to say that little Benan and my other 4 Grandchildren are surrounded by adults who will love and guide them.  Even though I am not a direct fulltime person in their lives, they are in great hands and hearts.

Welcome Benan Schmieding.