Samantha introducing Andrew

As you will be able to tell from the video, Samantha was OVER the picture taking by this point. One thing she cannot get enough of is her little brother, Andrew. Although I'm pretty sure she thinks his first name is "Baby" as in Baby Andrew.

Andrew Franklin

Sorry for the delay on updating the ol' blog. We do not have internet access at the hospital so any updating of the blog must be done elsewhere. So Daddy decided to bring Samantha home for a nap today (much needed), a shower for himself (needed more), and to update the blog (needed the most).

As most of you know, a planned C-Section turned into Amy's water breaking about 10 hours before we were to head to the hospital. So instead of surgery at Noon, Amy had surgery around 5 AM. Andrew's official arrival time was 5:56 AM. Let's be honest . . . it made for a much more exciting story! Amy is VERY thankful a C-Section was already in the works after we found out Andrew's size! News of Andrew's size spread quickly throughout the maternity ward. To put it in perspective, he is a full inch longer and almost 3 pounds heavier than Samantha was at birth!

Little back ground on his name - His first name comes from my middle name and his middle name is in honor of my PaPaw (my Mom's Dad), the late great Frank Conley McFall. I never really knew my PaPaw as he passed away when I was only 4 years old, but he is a legend in my mind and has been somebody I think about almost everyday. I would have loved to have known him better and I made up my mind long ago if the Lord ever blessed me with a son I was going to name him after my PaPaw. Thankfully the Lord not only blessed me with a son, but more importantly a wonderful wife who loved the idea and meaning behind the name. My Mom is an only child, as am I, so naming him Andrew Franklin Noland will ensure the Noland and McFall name will live on in some form or fashion.

Weighing in at 9 lbs & 10.5 oz with a length of 21.5 inches - Andrew Franklin Noland

Samantha waiting patiently for Andrew to get checked out

Andrew Franklin is HERE!

First photo as a family of four!

Samantha introducing Big Guy and Grammy to Baby Andrew

This picture is almost identical to one of WaWa & PaPaw with Samantha . . . it is shocking

Andrew meeting WaWa for the first time

One very proud PaPaw

First of many bottles

Mommy feeding Andrew the other half of his bottle

Telling Grammy about his long day

Getting some good cuddle time with his Big Guy

The traditional classic profile picture

First time getting to hold Baby Andrew

Giving Baby Andrew a peck on the cheek

Giving Baby Andrew his very own "Bunny"

Telling Andrew, "Nice to meet you, I'm Samantha"

How many grandparents does it take to change a poopy diaper? Check out the reactions!

Helping feed Baby Andrew a bottle, a GREAT Big Sister!

One Last Hurrah

We just had a very special weekend ... our last official one as a family of 3. We kicked off our weekend Friday night by allowing Samantha to pick our dinner locale. Surprise, surprise! We had dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a great time and Samantha actually left without pitching a fit. Progress!

Saturday morning we got up and went to feed the ducks at the Fountain City Duck Pond. After spending some time on the playground, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take Samantha for her very first Litton's burger. She loved it, but then again, who doesn't? She was especially enticed by the dessert display. But then again, who isn't?

Sunday morning we went to worship on a chilly but wonderful fall morning at the Cove at Concord Park. It was a very fitting way to spend our last "church Sunday" for a little while.

We tried to really live it up for her since tomorrow is the big day we are heading to the hospital to pick up her baby brother. I'm not sure how much she really comprehends, but right now she seems very excited at the prospect of being a big sister. We'll be posting plenty of pictures tomorrow once we get our wits about us. For now, enjoy the last vestiges of Samantha as an only child!

Pizza!!

Giving Mommy some pizza love.

Chuck E. Cheese in the flesh!

"Fishing" with Daddy.

Samantha and Daddy win Let's Make a Deal!

Feeding the geese with Daddy.

Surrounded!

She didn't want the ducks to eat out of her hand, but she loved watching them eat of Daddy's.

Living the high life and enjoying the swings at the park by the duck pond.

Checking out the dessert case at Litton's.

Her first Litton's burger!

Eyeing her Litton's chocolate chip cookie, trying to decide where to start.

Enjoying church at the Cove.

September

I just realized I didn't update the blog the whole month of September. Oops! As you can imagine, we have been very busy getting things ready for baby brother. Samantha has had a lot of fun seeing all of her old things again ... the car seat, the pack and play, the toys. Slowly but surely she has relinquished control over to the baby. We have to remind her that she is a very big girl now, and that's the truth. She is doing great at school and has declared her teachers are her best friends. She is still loving her big girl bed and room, and even gave up the paci several weeks ago. We weren't sure we would survive that one, but we somehow managed. Here are a few pictures from the month. I have a feeling we'll have a few more to post next month. :)

All strapped in and ready to go!

Enjoying baby brothers new pillow and quilt.

Visiting with Big Guy and Grammy.

Learning the fine art of dunking cookies in milk with Daddy.

The carseat was her favorite resting spot for several days.

Showing Wawa and Papaw how to play the games on "her" iPod touch.

It's football time in Tennessee!!