Saturday, September 11, 2010

Andrew Turns 9!


We have a lot of events in September.  Our anniversary, Grace's birthday, and Andrew's birthday.  Today, Andrew had the honor.  He has a very famous birthday.  He was born on the actual Sept. 11.  I got to the hospital that morning, unaware of what was happening.  I called my mom to tell her which room I was in, so she could come up there later in the day.  She told me I had to turn on the TV.  We turned it on just as the second plane hit.  Then we watched the plane in DC, the plane in Pennsylvania, and I wondered when it would stop.  I was still excited to welcome our little baby into the world, but I wondered about how our world would be changing.

The nurses came in throughout the day, not to check on me, but to watch the TV.  That was fine with me.  I'd rather everybody just leave me alone when I'm in labor anyway.  I get sick of people bothering me.  But I left the hospital the next morning, about 15 hours after I had Andrew, because they closed the hospital to guests.  I was lonely.  And there was nothing to watch on TV.  So I just went home.

Andrew has been a wonderful blessing in our lives.  He is such a genuinely nice person (just like his dad).  He is happy, gentle, and kind.  I'm so glad he's here with us.  We love you, Andrew!

Here are some pictures from your special day:

Matt has loved the "Happy Birthday Song" for many months, and he loves to pretend to blow out the candles.  Lately, he's been turning things into candles and blowing them out.  This morning it was a bunch of pencils in a play-ice-cream-cone.  He was pretty proud of himself.


After a hearty dinner of Taco Soup, Andrew patiently waited for everyone to join him in the living room so he could start unwrapping the main attractions.  He was very pleased with what he got (thank you, everybody!).  We've been having a lot of fun with the laser tag; he has already put together the biggest, baddest lego set ever; and he is awaiting my laundry services so he can wear his new pajamas tomorrow.

Joey and I took pictures of each other.  It was his idea.

Grandma Jane tried to get Haley to cooperate.

We were so glad that Allison and Sam could join us.  I just love her!  We were talking about how weird it is that both my parents and Ben's parents have the same anniversary.  And Allison's parents have the same one, too.  Isn't that weird?  All three of them, on September 12 (which happens to be her birthday, too).  Whoa.

The birthday cake.  He wanted green.  I did what I could.  I should take a class or something because -- wow.
Happy birthday, buddy.  You're awesome!