Andrew,
Well, where has the first year gone? You are now one year old and looking back at the whirl wind of your first 365 days make me tear up with joy. You have you filled my life with added joy the past year. You need to know that I loved you, really truly and madly loved you, from the first day I know you were growing within me. Your birth order made me appreciate every little detail of my pregnancy. Even though it was the third time around that I felt the flutters of a life within me, I was just as amazed. The kicking was just as assuring. The everyday growth of my belly meant that you were growing stronger everyday as well.

The days of my pregnancy with you were long (and hot) and the anticipation of your arrival was great. The day finely arrived. You were brought into the world via scheduled c-section on August 26, 2005. Although this was the third time I was delivering a baby boy, what a joy it was to hear your first cry, to see, you, the life that I had carried under my heart, for the first time. The joy of your birth was soon over shadowed by the news of your breathing problems. Daddy and I, and the rest of your family, was told you would have to go to Toledo Children’s Hospital. You would have a ventilator placed to help you breath until your little lungs were cleared of the gunk that was not “squeezed” out since you were not born “natural”. And to top it off my due date was wrong and you were a taken (born) a mouth early. I can not put into words the pain I felt when I heard this news. I felt a rush of hurt as I thought back to you big brother Caleb when he had to leave and go to Toledo with breathing problems too, I felt the wall of pain hit me when I thought of not being able to see you. (Due to the c-section I could not get to you in the nursery.) It was at least three hours before they brought you to me. By that time you had the ventilator covering your sweet face. But I knew you were beautiful!!! I held you for less then 5 minutes and they took you away. Daddy and your Great Grandma Sue, followed you to the hospital. I called every two hours or more to check on you and to have them give you a kiss for me. My heart broke from the pain of not being close to you. This was on Friday, I had to stay in the hospital on Saturday and was with you as soon as I could get there on Sunday. By then you were off of the vent and doing well. Oh, the wonderful feeling of holding you close to me that first time, and looking at your sweet, beautiful face. I spent as much time as I could on Sunday and Monday holding you and looking at you until I had to come home and rest myself.

Your were only in the hospital for four days, but to me those days seemed to be endless hours of wasted time spent with out you in my arms. The ache of my heart, hurt far worse then the pain of my c-section. Once again your birth order helped me understand the depth of my love for my children and the need to have my newborn close to me in my arms.

On Tuesday, finely, the time came for you to come home and take you rightful place in the Wiseman household. Daddy was so happy when you came home, he took you around the house and showed you each room of your home. I will never forget how proud he was to carry you in his arms and show you the home he works so hard to provide for his family. Your brothers were also quite taken by your presents. Caleb and Brayden just marveled at the sleeping little newborn baby that had entered their world. Caleb bonded with you from the start. While you were yet a few hours old, waiting to take the scary trip to Toledo, he put his finger in your hand and told you to stay strong and that you would be OK. You see, as I said Caleb had to make the same trip to Toledo as a newborn, and he was offering you words of encouragement to make you strong. While in the nursery that same day Brayden wanted to know why the doctor had “broken his baby“. But now that you were home he just looked at you and said “I want to hold that baby.” We all did!!!!

So, Andrew you see, you are so loved and such a joy to all of us. You are such a wonderful baby. So well tempered and always easy to take care of and to please. You love to take a bath, to play with your brothers, and to chew on what ever comes your way. You enjoy eating, and love having kisses and hugs. At a year old you are saying Da, Ma, This, That, & Bye-Bye. You are starting to stand alone but you are not wanting to walk, but you can crawl with the best of them…lol!!!! I have enjoyed every day I have had with you and look forward to everyday ahead.

I will end this letter with my wish for you as you grow. Just as with Caleb and Brayden, I hope that the one thing you always say about me is that I taught you about God and lead you to know the need for Jesus as your personal Savior. Please grow into the wonderful man that I know you will be. Always remember to respect others and share the love of Christ with everyone you see. And I want you to know that I love you and your brothers with all of my being and that I know that you three are the reason I am on this earth. I hope I can be the mother to you that you need and one that you will look back and say “She was the best mom” I can only hope and pray these things for you.
Love~~
~~Momma