Smile

We had dinner at the park tonight and while we were playing we stopped to take a picture of Andrew. We looked down and this little guy smiled at us. Not just a reflex but a real " look there is my Mom and Dad smile!

Andrew Scott Ballard

Andrew has taught me a few things from the very beginning. First that he is different from all his siblings and wanted to establish that from birth. Unlike the 3 induced semi predictable babies I had thus far, with Andrew I woke up in labor at midnight a week early and my water broke almost immediately. I was completely unprepared for a middle of the night rush, Matt called a friend to come watch the kids and packed while I timed contractions and got dressed, they were 5 min apart. We arrived at the hospital at one and I was an 8+ and so was rushed straight to delivery. The midwife arrived and asked what I decided about an epidural to which I replied ( trying to laugh but probably more like yelling) that I would love one but there was not time. I began to push and about 6 more nurses rushed in to help and Andrew rushed into the world about 5 minutes later at 1:23 A.M. February 13th weighing 8 pounds 9 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

The second thing I learned is that with 4 kids nothing ever seems to slow down. Fir instance today we went to the doctor for Andrew's one month Check up and Sarah's kindergarten appointment. When we came home I fed Andrew and then he proceeded to spit up on my shirt while simultaneously pooping on my pants and belt and himself. After I cleaned him, we were on our way to my room to change and he spit up in my hair and then again on his new outfit. And now we are washing laundry and getting ready for naps with high hopes of a quite afternoon!