Eleven years ago at this time, I was laying in a hospital bed awaiting the arrival of my first child. I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl and I couldn't wait to find out. I was probably the happiest I had ever been in my life on that day.

I started pushing at 10 minutes until 8 oclock. In just a few minutes, my baby would be here... or so I thought. 9:30 pm, I was still pushing. My husband had been by my side the entire time waiting with me. Holding my hand as I would breathe through each contraction. Wiping the sweat off of my forehead with a washcloth, feeding me ice chips, rubbing my back when the pain became unbearable, encouraging me through every pain, through every scream, through every tear.

Finally, at 9:54, my baby was born. "It's a boy" the nurse shouted. My husband instantly began to thank God, I cried. I had given birth to my first child and it was a boy. We had a son. Suddenly, we were a family. Our lives were complete.

I was a little nervous when we brought our Andrew Josiah home. I had no idea how I would take care of him. I didn't know if I'd be a good mother. Amazingly, it all just fell into place. I instictively knew what to do. I knew how to soothe him when he cried, I knew what his cries meant. It was the most beautiful time of my life. I was filled with joy, love and happiness everyminute I was around my son.

I remember looking at him and thinking there had never been a baby as beautiful, as precious as my baby.

Here we are 11 years later. Eleven years... How the time has flown by. Andrew has been such a joy to have as a son. He's kind, considerate, obidient, loving and has the greatest sense of humor. I love him more than I could ever put into words.

Happy Birthday, Andrew Josiah. Thank you for all of the love you've brought into our lives. You're an amazing kid and I am lucky to be your mother.