Peter is 17!

I remember hurrying to the OR for Peter's birth - a semi-emergency c-section.  I was talking to a med student (who I am sure decided against obstetrics after this experience!) when my alarm started sounding on the baby monitor.  The nurse hopped off her stool and slid an oxygen mask over my face.  They hurried to get me in the OR before someone having hand surgery.  We were in Abingdon in a smaller, but good, hospital.

My sister got to go in since everyone was hurrying.  She really was not supposed to!  But I was so glad she was there.  I was a little panicky with some things going on with the anesthesia, but it started wearing off by the time Peter arrived.

I kept asking, "What is it?"  I meant, boy or girl?  No one would answer, but finally Pete came over and said, "It's a boy, and he looks just like Andrew!"  Well, once I got a good look at this second little boy, I could tell he did not look like Andrew to me!  He was adorable like Andrew, but his little head was not bruised like Andrew's had been.  He had big eyes and long eye lashes.  I never could figure out his hair when he was tiny.  I would comb it neatly, and it always escaped.  I did not know it was curly!  Peter finally looked like Peter when I stopped trying to slick his hair down!

Peter slept so much on the way home that I kept poking him gently to make sure he was breathing!  Pete took me to the Red Lobster before we came back to Boone, and I remember him sleeping through the whole meal!  Andrew was such a good little person, and so he was no trouble in the restaurant.  And I remember going to baby Gap at the Johnson City Mall.  That was a real treat back then, and I loved to dress up my little boys.  They had some of the cutest "bargain" outfits!

Peter taught Andrew to climb on the couch.  He and Andrew would ask if they could splash in the tub.  They were best friends and were always there for each other.  For years and years, they shared a room.  They still just have a thin wall between them now.  They are not the same, but they are true brothers.  They have welcomed two more brothers, but I will always remember how well they complemented each other and how they have been there for each other.

As Peter turned 17 today in his senior year, I just love to look back at his sweet little pictures and that precious little face and be reminded of the fun we have had.  He makes me laugh.  He is such a good boy. 

Happy Birthday, Peter!  We are so thankful for you.  We hope your year is exciting and fun as you grow into new territory soon!  We know God has a plan for you, and we will be here to see it and help and encourage you!