We're celebrating another birthday in our family this week: Andy's 15th. Fifteen years of looking into his expressive face; his big, baby-blue eyes twinkling back at me. A decade and a half of memories that will remain in my mind's eye for many years to come. As is tradition, I've been sharing my recollections of 15 years ago....
Dan and I were surprised once again to learn that we were expecting a child. We had only been parents for a little over a year when we opened our eyes and saw the telltale pink lines on the little plastic test stick. A ripple of apprehension fluttered through our bodies, then joy. We were having a baby, and our little Nick would be a big brother!
My due date came, and my due date passed. As did the next day, and the next, and....13 days in all. Thirteen days to wait, not at all patiently, to meet our new little pumpkin. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled, as well as a stress-test, to verify that our baby was still thriving within the confines of my belly. I sat in the large reclining chair, my feet propped up and belts strapped around my bulging midsection. There were sensors on the belts, recording the baby's heartbeat and movements. How he was even able to move an inch in that crowded space, I still don't understand. I felt like I had been pregnant for 5 years, and that he'd be born just in time to run off to kindergarten! While I relaxed in the comfort of the air-conditioned office, I was feeling what I thought were just Braxton-Hicks contractions, which I had been experiencing for several days. The nurse came in, read the information on the monitor, and informed me that I was having contractions. I told her I had been for awhile, and didn't think it was anything.
After the stress-test was completed, my OB saw me in his office. After a quick check, he exclaimed that I was already dilated several centimeters, and should immediately head to the hospital. I wasn't in any pain, and certainly didn't feel that I was in labor, but Dan and I left for home to prepare for the journey ahead. I packed my bags, and off we went.
Once we reached the hospital, I knew without a doubt that I was truly in the mid-stages of labor. The pains began to come hard and fast, and within a few hours, it was time to push. At 9:00 PM, we welcomed our second son into our lives. We named the little 9 pound, 3 ounce cherub Andrew Wayne, and couldn't wait to introduce him to his big brother. We weren't sure if we would call him Andy or Drew, but the decision was made for us when little Nick toddled in and exclaimed, "Aaaandy!!"
Our new little guy was such a joy; he was a bit fussy as a small baby, but grew into such a fun toddler. He had a shock of light blonde hair framing his chubby pink cheeks. He had a crooked little smile, and would wrinkle his tiny button-nose and grin when he was being mischievous. He had a deep voice for such a small tot, and his personality was quite different from his big brother's. He was imaginative, silly, and outgoing, and these traits have stayed with him as he's grown. He's developed many others along the way: he's smart, has a wonderful sense of humor, thinks outside the box, is creative, loves football, and is a servant of God. He has many fantastic ideas, and often enthusiastically asks me, "Mom, do you know what I'm going to invent when I grow up....?" He still has his crooked little smile, which has now been freed from the silver brackets that clung to his teeth for almost 2 years. And when he's being mischievous, his now-freckled little nose still wrinkles in a telltale manner as his blue eyes twinkle from behind the lenses of his eyeglasses.
Andy marked his 15th birthday by obtaining his driver's permit, and has been relentlessly asking Dan and I to take him out to practice behind the wheel. He is moving toward independence, one step closer to becoming an adult. I pray for guidance for him, and for the Lord to hold him close as I have to loosen my grip and allow him to stretch his wings. And I have no doubt that one day, I'll hear him proudly exclaim, "Mom, look what I've invented!"
Happy Birthday, Aaaandy.
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