Family Photography

Ian's uncle Nathan was in town over the Thanksgiving holiday and was able to get some new pictures. We are blessed to have Nathan to take these pictures. You'll see why if you click here.

Undeserved

As I sit here and type this, I know that I am undeserving of all that I have been blessed with. I have a wife that I know loves me and I know also that she is the best mother I could ever want for Ian. Not that I'm down on myself, I just realize that things such as these are given by the grace of God. It is only by these gifts of grace that we can experience any joy in life. These undeserved gifts are a glimpse into what is to come if we live our lives for the purpose of being in His presence forever.

As a stay at home dad, when I sit and try to take it all in, I can't. This let's me know that God is right in front of me. We are called to be like children, accepting that we have no control over where we are placed, or what toys we are allowed to have or play with. As I watch Ian play with the simple toys (my most recent Sports Illustrated) and ignore the ones that I want to play with myself, I see his joy in the simple things. I see God dwell in him as Ian unknowingly allows God to use him. Ian is a happy child, content with where he is placed, where we go, and what activities we engage in with him. He knows he is taken care of completely, he is satisfied completely (well, as close to completely as a human being can get).

God dwells in children. They let him. This would explain why the image of Jesus smiling might most often be seen in the midst of children. This is just one of the many lessons I am being taught everyday with my son, and I hope that as Ian grows, I never lose sight of what God will forever be teaching me through him. And may I learn to be like a child, so that God will dwell in me in such a way that allows my family to have Him near, when they need to hear Him speak.

We're Back

I was able to switch to a new platform today. I have not tried to post a picture yet, but am hoping it will work. I could not get any pictures on here for some reason. I think I messed up something trying to get a slideshow that I made onto the blog. Anyway, I will post some pics tommorrow and see if it works. If not I will create a new blog and start again. We have many pictures and stories to go along. Sorry for the delay. I hope that Rachel and I were generous with the e-mails we have been able to send to share pictures. I apologize also, if someone wanted any pictures and did not recieve the e-mails.

I'm Soakin' It Up!

I truly believe that Ian was placed in my life when he was so that I would examine things that were being ignored by me in the past. Not that I was this terrible person, but God had things planned for me and my family and needed me to realize the importance of my being here and the obligation I had to let Him guide my thoughts and actions.

Ian has taught me:

• to respect the fragility of life.
• to love each new day for what it is.....a "new day".
• that all women are suckers for a smile.
• that my parents love me on a different level than I ever knew.
• that family, through good and bad, is what makes us who we are.
• and the fact that family should never be taken for granted.
• that sometimes we convey the truly important lessons to those around us by living silently, not preaching loudly.

Ian has taught me all those things, but I would say that the most important thing he has shown to me would be the fact that God speaks to us in ways that are beyond our knowledge, through people that we don't realize, and through the things we often ignore. This has been (and continues to be) a lesson in the nature of my creator and the reason I am here.

Just a Little Longer.....

I know I promised you something cool a couple of weeks ago and have not followed through, but I PROMISE that I will show you what I have before Friday of this week. I hate to leave all of Ian's fans hanging on my every post but I'm just not used to managing a blog devoted to such an unbelievable attraction. I'll get the hang of it though. Until he was born, I never had a need or desire to use many of the cool things available for the sharing of photos, thoughts, videos, etc...so I'm learning as I go.




For those of you not on myspace, I give you this new picture of Ian to hold you over until later this week. When you look at this picture, you can get a true sense of what this boy is to be around. He loves life and is most excited in the mornings, greeting each new day with an enthusiasm that inspires me to do the same. Ian was a gift that has proven to be rewarding in ways that only God can give, I thank God daily for the lessons he teaches his mother and I without even being able to speak.

Six Month Check-up

Ian went to the pediatrician on Friday and we were informed that he now weighs 18lbs 6oz, and is 27 1/2 inches long. Its hard to believe, but he is six months old. We were informed that we can now feed him meats (baby food, of course) or a vegetable for every meal now. And as you can tell from the picture below, he is still learning the art of keeping it in his mouth, but he'll get there. I'm not in too much of a hurry though for him to get there, seeing as how I have no clue where the last six months went.

He likes food!

Especially sweet potatoes!!

Anyway, not much else to report right now, but I have a special gift on the way for those of you that make a habit of checking his blog. We'll talk next week!

Giving Ian Up

I am writing this as I contemplate my abilities to be a father. Now, I know what you are thinking and I warn you not to get ahead of me here. I have no intention of giving him up in the way that most would take it, but I have looked at the book that is entitled "The Power of a Praying Parent". In this book it talks alot about raising your children under constant prayer and the power that this has in his/her ability to go through life in a positive way with a positive outlook.

I have realised that we as parents have about as much control over our children's lives as we do our own, even less. Some parents think that when they look at their children all grown up with a sense of accomplishment that they deserve a pat on the back. Many of them do and should be proud, but not of the job they did. You see, our childrens lives just as our own, are a product of what God has been allowed to do within it.

My mother, I know because of how teenage boys act, was forced at times to just give me and my future to God. This is where our faith came in to me. And my father, because of the distance between us at times had no other choice but to pray for me and my ability to find what I needed in this world without him being right there. In both instances I was lucky, luck that faith was so integral to both of them. I could have grown up in a home with both parents, unchurched but willing to give me the best that they could, but I would have lacked "substance". I would not have the overwhelming feeling of being led to where I am by a higher power. It is by viewing my parents "drop" all they knew at the Lord's feet that I even have the slightest clue that that is where all the power lies.

The book that I mentioned talks about praying for your children all along the path of life, but most of it speaks in terms of older children. The only advice given for children of Ian's age is to focus on giving your child to God. This is not as easy as it may seem. We've already had times of worry, which is normal, but also points to our inability to give him to God completely. We need to realise that we just have no control over jaundice or constipation or watery eyes. We do what we can; give it to God, and pray. That is all we can do.

Everyday I try to wake up and let God know that Ian is His. And I pray that we are careful in our handling of His property and that we take advantage of every opportunity as he grows to make sure he stays in God's arms. That decision will ultimately be his, but there is no doubt that if we give him to God 100% and prayerfully raise him and guide him as instruments of God he will end up right where God wants him in the end, no matter what path he may or may not choose on his own along the way. All paths will lead to home.

Ian Laughing

Here is the sound that Rachel was talking about a couple of posts ago. It truly is the greatest sound in the world to a parent to hear their child laugh for the first time.

Just Click On Ian's Picture

The Meaning of Life

I know one would expect a series of books rivaling an encyclopedia set or two when they see the title of this post. Yet I have been shown that the meaning of life is missed most often by the nature of humans to overlook the small/simple moments and things that, in reality, make up the world around us. I have been able to stay home with Ian since Rachel has gone back to school. As you see from the last post Rachel has a hard time with this because I think she realised what I am speaking of now.

Yesterday, Ian whistled. In no way am I lying to you. He truly whistled. And he won't amuse us with it unless music is playing. This is something that I have really never experienced. New moments, yes. But not having anyone else around to share it with is like getting a hole-in-one while golfing by yourself. There is such excitement in the happenings, yet nobody to share it with. Feelings of wondering when it will happen again or if it will. Though, I've never had a hole-in-one, I would think that there is a type of connection (if you are alone) with the being known as the "golf gods".

The lessons I learned from yesterday's religious experience will be with me forever! And that moment will never happen again, yet it will in other ways, reminding us as parents of each and every one of those moments God graces us with.

The Sweetest Sound

This past Thursday (June 28th), during a routine diaper change Ian was gifting me with one of his newest discoveries - laughing! He's been laughing for a few weeks now, which is one of the most awesome things ever! But this day was beyond incredible! - He started laughing while I was talking to him so of course I started laughing back and giving him my best comedic material. What continued for the next 10-15 minutes was absolutely the sweetest sound I've ever heard...my son laughing and giggling hysterically. He had me laughing so hard my tummy was sore. The moments were pure elation!!
...but what followed was heart-wrenching pain. In the middle of my joy I was struck by the reminder of having to return to my teaching job in a few short weeks. I began to just sob! I know it seems so silly, but the thought of missing any moment like that seems unbearable. He's so amazing!!! If you would keep me in your in prayers - that God would fill me with His peace and strength as I go back to my kiddos at school.
I praise God for such a blessing! He's so happy and healthy and loving! The greatest gift!
Psalms 127:3 "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him."

Milestones

I know that Ian is now 4 months and there have already been many milestones that he has reached.

• Month 1: He smiled and was sleeping through the night.
• Month 2: We were able to make him smile, and he was starting to speak his own language.
• Month 3: He started to sit with us in the mornings and conversate, and smile with us. He was starting to copy us in certain sounds and facial expressions.

Now it is month 4, and he is starting to drool alot, he may be starting to get some teeth. Rachel and I also heard him laugh for the first time while we were giving him a bath. Everyday, he seems to grow in some way, and it seems to get harder to chronicle the changes that he makes, but hopefully, these "milestone" posts will help us to hold on to each moment as well as give everyone updates.

To Be Continued...........

Month 4 Pictures

We have recently passed Ian's 4 month birthday. Here are his pictures to let you see how much he's grown.

We hope this finds everyone doing well and I will continue to try and make posting to Ian's blog more frequent. We love all of you and can't wait to see you soon!

4 Months!

I can't believe it, but it's been four months since Ian was born. We took him in today for his four month check-up and everything is great!

He weighed just under 17 lbs and measured 26 inches long. The avg. weight of a six month old baby is 16 lbs, so he is a little heavier than normal but he is also a couple of inches longer than average also so the doctor said that his progress is good and that we should just keep doing what we've been doing.

We will also be starting rice cereal, so we are now on the fast track to solids. Pretty unbelieveable how fast things go.

I will try to be more frequent with the posts that i make to Ian's Blog, so that you don't miss much. It's been hard to do so lately, but I will definitly make more of an effort. Stay Tuned!

Getting Better

Just an update to let ya'll know that Ian is doing better. We have not had to take him to the doctor again so that is good. We will be going to Kansas for the weekend and leaving Ian in Ft. Worth for the weekend, which being our first time to leave him overnight, it's a little bit scary. But thats just us being parents, we know he'll be ok with his grandma.

I am kind of disappointed not to take him home, but we are not sure that a 5-6 hour car ride would be the best thing for him or us at this age. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend and i'll leave you with a picture.

Ian's Pictures

For anyone who would like to see the "collection", you can visit Nathan's website for some good ones. Nathan was up for father's day and was able to get more pictures of him for the collection.
Theres only one picture from this weekend up now, but he should have them up shortly.

And in the Blue Corner....

From Cleburne, TX. Weighing in at 14lbs 8oz. Wearing the blue robe and white diaper. The one.....the only.......

IAN "I Pitty the Fool" ELDER

Sorry for the Wait!

This was supposed to be underway a while back and I have not had the time to get it started, but here it is.....Ian's Blog. For now this will be where Rachel and I will post new pictures of Ian and leave updates on his growth. We hope to capture as much of the excitement as possible.

Keep this site in your favorites and check it out every once in a while. I will try to leave something on here at least weekly. Eventually this will all be done on his own website that he can have and develop as he grows older in this technological world.

Again, sorry for the wait, but it should prove to be worth it!

Not Feeling So Well

This is just a quick update on Ian. He has had a case of diarrea for a little over a week now and it is starting to worry us a bit. We have taken him to the doctor twice and he seems to think all will be alright so thats good.

We took him to the doctor last on Monday of this week. It is now Friday and not much has changed. For the most part he does not seem too sick but his digestive problems persist. If he is still having trouble on Saturday, we will make one more trip to the doctors office with a stool sample.

But like I said, he seems to be doing alright, but just keep him in your prayers and we will keep you informed as we know anything.

Ian's Grandmas

Ian has been blessed with a great family on both sides. There will be plenty of pictures of everyone, however, i will start with the grandmothers because both are so excited about thier new grandson. i know that everyone is excited too, but if you saw these two with him you'd know that there is just something a little bit different about the way a grandma gets excited.

This is my mom. She lives in Wichita, KS and came down to visit the week after Ian was born. She got to see him while he was on the "billy lights" to help with his jaundice for the first week home. Between my two sisters and I we have seven children, only two of which are boys. This is my mom's second grandson. You could say that the boys in my family are definitly out numbered......

And this is Rachel's mom. She lives here in Texas and Ian is her first grandchild. It's already pretty evident too in the way he gets spoiled when he's with her. She has bought him a few outfits that he looks pretty cute in, here one of them........

I can think of no two women that would be better grandmothers for my son than these two. Along with the rest of our family, that will be in posts to come, we have been blessed greatly with the family that God has placed around us to help Ian develop into the well-rounded, loving man we know he will be.