Our ninth grandchild, Ashlin Jeanne Ault, arrived on Sunday, Aug. 17, very early in the morning after a long Saturday in labor (for momma) and in the waiting room (for the grandparents) before finally coming in this world as a lovely (you will excuse me as I continue to interject editorial comments like "lovely") eight-pound, 10-ounce little girl.
She continues now to be a sweet-faced little baby, with all the requisite facial expressions that make us all smile and rejoice. Even a glimmer of a smile, however fleeting, is enough to set our hearts aflame and demonstrates, we think, what her delightful personality will be. We believe she has "been with the Lord," and will continue to be His child, perhaps even singing for Him often as her mommy does.
She is the first for her parents, who are not youngsters themselves, so she is truly a gift from God into all their lives. Her momma is our youngest daughter, Rebecca, married to Kevin. They are both teachers at the local Middle School. He is new to that position as seventh grade math teacher and she teaches P.E. and health, and coaches ninth-grade girls basketball, or will, following an eight-week leave.
We look forward to holding Ashlin Jeanne in the bleachers as the games go on. We'll be happy to show her off to all who come around, but may not always want to "give her up" to admirers, since we have waited so long for her! She shares her mother's middle name, and mine as well, so she carries on a great deal of family tradition.
Her first name, Ashlin, was chosen because her momma had two Ashlins (one spelled with an i, and one spelled with a y) who played basketball for her in Siloam Springs. They have now gone on to college, but Coach Mullikin, now Ault, says they were both examples of tenaciousness on the court and she so admired that, plus she liked the name, so she chose it for her little one.
Ashlin Stock, daughter of nurse Carrie Stock whom we have enjoyed knowing in the hospital with certain procedures and Dr. Stock, who delivered our grandson Smythe, who was also born in Siloam Springs was a stand-out on the court, chosen for honors for her defensive work, and has now gone on to attend UCA in Conway.
Ashlyn Wheat, daughter of our pastor Gary and Krystal Wheat whom we love dearly for their good hearts and good humor, was a great basketball go-getter in junior high, especially, where she just would not quit "getting after it," often getting a concussion for colliding with another player or a wall or something as she had no quit in her, in pushing forward. She has gone on to Southwest Missouri for her post-high school education. She had finally, in consultation with her parents, decided to stop playing high school basketball and save her brain, and went on to be an outstanding high school student. One person told me that she practically ran the high school, as president of the Student Council, in her senior year!
So our little Ashlin has much to live up to, with the two Ashlins as her models. They both exhibited outstanding defensive skills, so needed on the basketball court, while Ashlin might inherit her mother's keen eye for the basket, being able to put the ball in the hole when needed.
Little Ashlin's parents are, of course, pleased as can be over her arrival. It is a joy for us to watch them. They will make great parents. They have a wonderful support system, with family members nearby. All are exceedingly happy over Ashlin's arrival, too. The support system also includes their church family at New Life Church and friends, especially those at the school where they teach and CrossFit, where they have been active and where the members are quite the "cheerleaders" and supporters. We have always known Rebecca to be a friend-maker and a friend-keeper, wherever she has lived and wherever she has worked. Her high school friends and her college friends continue to keep in close touch with her; some will be coming to visit her soon to make acquaintance with little Ashlin and encourage Rebecca in her new role as mommy.
Kevin, too, has family in Arkansas, although a bit of a distance, but they will be able to drive up to check on Ashlin and be a part of her life. Her only paternal cousin, Hope, was flower girl at the wedding and now, at age five and the only cousin on that side of the family, will want to stay close to Ashlin as she grows. Of course, her paternal grandpa will want to avail himself of her company as she grows, as well. He was present at the hospital for the labor and delivery wait, and we watched as he showed his tenaciousness in wanting to remain there and not leave for any reason. One or two short trips over the long span of time, to get food, were all he would consent to.
My husband and I, after many hours of waiting on the hard and uncomfortable seats in the waiting room, finally came on home at near midnight when we were waiting for Ashlin's arrival. We were thankful for the close distance to the local hospital, so that we could come and go during that long day and evening of waiting. But, at last, we made the decision to go, and wait at home for the call, that the baby had been born and we could come back over to the hospital to make Ashlin's acquaintance. We do not regret the decision; we were not needed at the birth.
The local hospital and staff gets high marks from us for their care of our daughter in the birthing process, and Dr. Hill likewise gets high marks for attending Ashlin's entry into this world, after spending Friday night, all of Saturday, and a bit of Sunday waiting and working to bring her in. I can appreciate now why he is so highly regarded in this community.
Now that Ashlin is at home, it has been this grandma's privilege to be a part of each day, as of this writing, to help her momma as they acclimate to the process of living together. I was always happy to have my mother in attendance as I recovered after childbirth and I wanted to do the same for my daughter, if she wanted me, and I am now happy to report that she does! Some of my happiest moments have been when she phoned to say that I should come on over!
We have enjoyed the time together as Ashlin has begun to settle in to this life, as a very good little baby, learning to eat and sleep and train her parents as to what she wants and when.
-- Jan Mullikin is a Siloam Springs resident and former employee of the Herald-Leader. She can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Community on 08/27/2014