Happy Birthday Andrew

Baby Andrew was born on this day 18 years ago.  When I was in labor I went to the hospital to hang out, but I didn't want to check in until I was closer to delivery.  I get a little claustrophobic hooked up to the monitors, and  I like to keep my options open.  I pretty much spent the day in the lobby and gift shop.  A friend of mine had had a baby the day before so there was a steady flow of people I knew coming to visit her.  They all stopped and talked until finally I was ready to check in.  The nurse measured my progress and said I was complete. Andrew was born a few minutes later. He was a cinch.























Being the youngest of 7 means there is a lot of siblingly influence. With that comes some good news and some bad news.  They loved him and held him and read to him and played with him.

But he also had a cavity when he was 18 months old because a nameless generous brother distributed copious amounts of Starburst to appease his lively inclinations.

And he got involved in activities that may not have been as fun as anticipated because his big brother made it sound like a good idea.

But I admire the boy's nerve.  When he was two he called to me from the other room, "You'd better get in here before I count to 3."  We had a conversation about respecting our parents, but his spunk did made me smile a little.   Subsequent conversations on the same topic did not hold an equal level of amusement, but I realized  then that Andrew does not live life quietly in the corner.  He's right in the middle of the action and it makes me want to get in the middle too.

There are other things to be learned from Andrew.  

Dalmation shirts are the best shirts, and your mom will buy  more if you cry really hard and kick your feet and throw yourself to the ground every time she tries to make you wear a different kind.

When you're 5, organized sports are boring compared to the amazing adventures happening  in your imagination.  Who has time to watch the ball when there are bad guys to be vanquished?

But when you're bigger sports are awesome and it's even fun to practice because being good is a lot more interesting than the alternative.

And another thing, sometimes you've just got to sing and dance because talent has a way of slipping out no matter how much we try and hide it.

And if you're wondering if you should dress up for spirit week, halloween, or random days of fun, the answer is always "Yes."

The other night I was helping Gabe learn his Roman and Greek stems list.  We'd been drilling for a while.  Andrew had a lot of homework of his own, but when he observed our slow progress he came in to help Gabe.  He told Gabe that "Nova" was new because he was newly born in November and "Dox" means opinion because we say, "What's up Doc?" and "Ver" is true because it says "verily, verily" in the Book of Mormon and the Book of Mormon is true.  And that's when Gabe learned all his stems list #4.  Another beautiful brother moment came when he taught Gabe about kindness. Gabe said he'd try and be nice but Andrew shared  "You have to feel it in your heart or people can tell."

Andrew you're a great guy. Not every day has been a cinch, but you're full of strength and goodness and many gifts, and I'm proud to be your mom.   xoxoxo