Happy Birthday Will

(The beginning is the story of how Will was born--I am writing it for Will.  Feel free to skip over it.)

Eleven years ago, Dad and I had Sunday Brunch reservations at our favorite place in Houston. We figured it might be our last chance before we became parents to have a quiet and relaxing brunch. The night before (Saturday June 21) we had a very nutritious dinner consisting of hot dogs (my weird pregnancy craving which put me into labor BOTH times).  After dinner, we went for a walk through the neighborhood and I found a penny on heads (which I still have). We hung a quilt on your bedroom wall above the crib and I said, "Okay, now I can have this baby." Little did I know that at midnight my water would break while I was sleeping.  

I woke up and told Dad that I thought I was in labor.  We went to the hospital half expecting to be sent home. Your due date was still three weeks away. I had gone into pre-term labor at 30 weeks while watching someone have a premature baby on ER and I had been on bed-rest. We thought they would probably give me more breathine and send us home.

When we got to the hospital they confirmed that I was in fact in labor and they told me to go walk for an hour.  That is when the PAIN began.  I think I asked for an epidural but they gave me something else instead.  They told me to rest but I was so excited, I could not sleep.  Finally, I got the epidural.  I remember being more afraid of that needle than anything else.  When it was finally time for your arrival I asked the nurse to call Dr. McConnell.  The nurses said, "Aww honey we don't do that.  The doctor on call will deliver your baby."  I said, "No, he said he would come even if he was not on call.  He said to call him. That was why I picked him."  They reluctantly called and sure enough sweet Dr. McConnell came in at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning to deliver you.  Well, I pushed for 3 hours and you were finally born at 9:03!  There was a complete knot in the umbilical cord.

I loved you immediately.  You were a tough, colicky baby and a hyper and curious toddler.  You definitely gave us a run for our money in the early years but you have turned into an intelligent, compassionate, kind and handsome young man.  Daddy and I are so proud of the person you have become Will. We love you more than you can imagine.

Moments after you were born.  Mom is looking pretty tired and pale but I was so happy!

Daddy being silly with you when you were just a few days old!  You looked just like him!

Yesterday, we took Will and two of his friends into the big city for lunch and laser tag.  Will chose one of his favorite Mexican restaurants.  Everyone had a GREAT time!

Going into the restaurant 

Laser tag here we come!

Three Amigos!

Today, we went to a beautiful local lake.  We have lived here almost 4 years and had never been here before. We packed a lunch and had a great time.  I only got 4 or 5 pictures and just as I was about to get some of the birthday boy, my camera battery died:(

At 11 years old, 11 things you LOVE (in no particular order) are legos, hedgehogs, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, your family, bacon cheeseburgers (the forbidden foods), Judo, tennis, Lasertag, Target and God.