Andrew Reid Brooks

Almost 4 months ago, we welcomed a very handsome, cuddly, sweet little baby boy into our family!  I wish I would have written about that wonderful event sooner, but all I have to say is that having four kids keeps a girl busy, especially after a cross-country move right before the holidays!  We are so blessed, though.

Back to Andrew...  We initially thought this little guy would arrive a few weeks early, even before my mom was due to arrive to help out.  I prayed and prayed he'd wait until she got here, but once she got here, he seemed too content to stay put.  Then we worried my mom would have to leave before I was ready for her to do so!  So, my midwife scheduled an induction for me early on Nov 13th.  However, we got a phone call early that morning saying that there weren't any beds available for me right then.  Sure I was frustrated, but my mom and I went shopping to pass the time.  We then got THE phone call saying that I could come in just after lunch to be induced.

We thought the induction would go quickly, being my fourth kid and all.  Wrong.  I had wanted to have this baby without an epidural because I had such a speedy recovery after Seth was born without one.  After 9 hours, though, my contractions were far from pleasant, and the only thing on tv to distract me was Duck Dynasty. Oh, dear.  Once Holly the midwife assured me that an epidural wouldn't slow things down at that point, I readily agreed.  Best. Decision. Ever.  My epidurals with Nicholas and Renae weren't terribly effective.  This one was heavenly.  All of my pain was gone, I took a nap, and I was able to conserve some of the energy I had put into dealing with the contractions.  I was even able to finish reading an Agatha Christie book.  In fact, shortly before midnight on the 13th, I had a feeling that Andrew was ready to come, but I wanted to finish my book.  Shortly after midnight on the 14th, I finished my book and had Brandon call the nurse and midwife back in.  Andrew was born at 12:35 am on Thursday, November 14th, 2013.

I had thought Andrew was going to be huge because I felt huge.  This kiddo was only 8 lbs 10 oz and 20 3/4 inches long...not my biggest baby.  He was wide awake from the get-go, though.  After he was born, they immediately placed him in my arms, where he stayed for the next hour.  Brandon and I could only just stare at him, and he'd stare right back...in our general direction, at least.  We could tell he was another cute little redhead.  I thought that he looked a lot like Seth at first, but he's really a good mix of all of his siblings.  Andrew is also the only one of the kids without a chin dimple, which means he has my chin!

We've adjusted to life with four kids pretty well.  Generally, Andrew is a very happy, laid-back kind of kid. He loves to smile at all of us, rolls over constantly, giggles occasionally, and is definitely a mama's boy.  I'm okay with that.  We have prayed mighty hard for his little spirit to be in our family, and we thank our Heavenly Father every day for him and his siblings.  How am I so blessed??? :)