Rough Start to Year 2

It has been two weeks since Ian's 1st birthday party. I would say it went very well. Rachel was very creative as usual so that took away any worries I had of a dull party.





The cake was awesome. It was made by Rachel's aunt Nita and then decorated by Nita and Rachel both.






Our little monkey had his own banana to grub on and from the looks of things, he enjoyed it.

He may have enjoyed it a little too much......

Ian has been battling runny nose and cough since then though. I'm not too sure he wasn't feeling it on his birthday. He had a few separate occasions where he looked like he does in the picture above. He also slept alot that day too, which is not like him.

There is no doubt he's a trooper though. I doubt anyone other than Rachel and I could even tell he felt bad. That is one of the greatest things that Ian has taught me over the past year. I'm the world's worst baby when I'm sick, I go into hibernation. Ian on the other hand won't miss a beat when he's sick. He'll keep on laughing at our cat or enduring my guitar playing just enjoying the cardboard boxes that all of his toys came in. I have seen the healing power in just being happy to be here, wherever here happens to be.

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was Ian's 1st birthday. We had a great time. It was a Curious George theme and between Rachel and the other creative members of her family, it was a really cool party. I have video of the day and Nathan took a ton of pictures, so as soon as we get it all ready we'll share the day with those who were not able to come. He goes to the doctor on Tuesday for his 12 month check-up, so I will try and get everything ready this week and update you all.

In the meantime, I will share one of his most recent pics. I just thought March seemed like a good time to show off some new duds and a great big smile. These were taken on the night that Kansas played Texas for the Big 12 title. Although he smiles like this 95% of the time, I think I know why he's so happy.

Word Vomit....

For almost a year now I have found myself in the middle of a conversation, okay almost EVERY conversation, talking about my son. Everything seems to somehow relate to him. For example, I can be in the grocery store, baby aisle of course, and Ian doesn't even have to be with me but I randomly find myself in conversation with someone about how my son is now eating more "big boy" food...and when did you start your kid on whole milk? should i mix it with formula first?...

I can be at the pharmacy asking strangers...what's the difference between a vaporizer and a humidifier? do you really need both? my son, Ian, has a new thing with sticking his finger in the medicine thing on the vaporizer.....blaaaah, blah, blah, blah, blah...........

I, literally, can incorporate his name into everything I do. And if I can't find a way it somehow sneaks on in there.

I'll call my friends from high school and college....."hey, how's is going.....listen to what Ian did today...."

I've ALWAYS got a story about something new he's learned or that's hysterically funny (probably mostly just to Steve and I) that I find myself NEEDING to share!

If you've got just a second, whether I know you or not, you get to see the wallpaper on my phone of Ian sticking his tongue out; or the one of him laughing at 'fake sneezes'; don't forget the one of him with bed head; or sneaking into the cat's water dish....

I have 'coined' this uncontrollable plethora of stories and praises about my child......WORD VOMIT.
(okay, I didn't really 'coin' it - I, shamelessly, stole it from the movie "Mean Girls")

But that's what it's like....word vomit. I can't control it. Every new thing he's doing I have to share with someone, anyone. Before I can stop myself I'm giving detail after detail of what my kid's dried snot looked like all over his nose the other morning when I woke him up to a co-worker in the hall. I cannot stop, I am seriously out of control.....and I LOVE it!!!!

I love watching him learn new things. I love how crazy his hair is in the morning when he wakes up - dried boogers and all. I love when he calls my name from his crib after his nap. I love the little squeal he makes when I walk through the door after work. I love how he slobbers all over my face when I'm lucky enough to get 'kisses' from him. I love how he sounds talking and singing from the back seat while we're driving. I love how he laughs so hard his eyes water when you pretend to sneeze. I love how he likes for me to chase him around the house on all fours. I love how he pets the cat (Smokey may not). I love how he dances, just moving his arms up and down. I love how he watches new things and people with such interest. I love how it feels to be in love with him!

I pray that Steve and I are as always, or even more so, responsive to his learning and needs. That we are Godly parents and examples. That we always GIVE PRAISE for this absolutely amazing gift. I pray that we have 'Word Vomit' like crazy always!!!