about a birth

i experienced my first ever home birth yesterday.  well, you know, my first ever home birth when i wasn't the one actually birthing.

incredible.

my heart could barely take hannah experiencing those late contractions, the ones right before pushing.
the ones that convince you that your body is being ripped in half.  my mind raced back to the three times i've experienced the same thing and words can't describe the compassion and emotion i felt as i put all of my weight into counter pressuring her lower back.

if you're friends with hannah, i want her to get to tell you the whole story.  but just let me tell you this:  she was great.  calm, wildly tenacious, she dug down deep inside of her and it was beautiful witnessing the strength the Lord gave her.

she walked through some hard, dark moments....

and God gave her this...



photography by heidi leigh hesla

oh, and guess who was her midwife?  my merrie.  or rather, our merrie.  there are so many of us who claim her as ours, because, well, once she's worked her merrie magic and delivered your baby...you become kinda possessive of her.

it was a blessing to see her, chat with her, show her pics of mr. ian and watch her do what she does without being blinded by pain. :)

thanks hannah, thanks andrew.
what an honor.