4 years!!!!

Four years ago today I went to my 37 week appt. to check on baby Ian. This was literally the first visit that Steve did not go with me. ~ Our nursery was still not painted and I asked him to stay behind and finish it up and I would be home shortly...little did I know I would be having a baby that day. While they were checking my blood pressure (that had been steadily rising for a couple weeks) the nurse stopped and called another nurse over to check (by the way, usually not a good sign). After the second nurse checked it they both looked at each other - you know the "look". I asked them what was wrong and they said that they would get the doctor. So, Dr. Woods comes over and checks my blood pressure and they all 3 "look" at eachother. He tells me my blood pressure is 180/110 and that it looks like I'll be having a baby today.

WHAT?????!!!!!!

I call Steve (who is stranded at home because we have one car at the time - AHHHHH!) and tell him I have to have the baby now. He doesn't seem to process what I am saying (I learn later that he thought I might be exaggerating a little). He calls my mom to work out details of her coming and picking him up and bringing him to the hospital. In the meantime (which was like 5 seconds), I call my good friend Lori, who lives in Arlington where I was and also goes to the same set of doctors. It's a blur of exactly what I said to her, but I think it went something like... "ahhh, LORI!!! I have to have the baby TODAY!! I don't know where the hospital is!! sob, sob, sob, Will you come get me?? sob, sob, sob"

Thankfully, her boss was awesome enough to let her leave work and let her take her friend "who doesn't know where the hospital is" to have her baby. p.s. Thank you, Lori!! If it were not for you....well...who really knows how I would have gotten there;)

After what seemed like FOREVER (especially to Lori;), Steve and the rest of my family got there. I labored for about 5 hours and never dilated passed a 3. At that point, the doctors started urging for a c-section (which I was petrified about having); then they came in and told me that his head was starting to swell - so off we went to surgery to deliver this BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT baby boy.

We named him Ian Micah Elder!! Ian means "Gracious Gift from God" - and that he is!

I am always amazed at how quickly babies grow and change. They learn SO much in their first year of life - physically and mentally. They go from basically a blob (a cute, sweet smelling, never want to put you down blob) to sitting, standing, walking, exploring, touching EVERYTHING, stringing sounds into words little toddler. They are just incredible!!!

And then their second year of life they learn how to speak in sentences and develop unique personalities. They are the most hilarious person you know. Tempers flair and hugs and kisses become even more awesome!

At three they want to do everything on their own, by themselves. They do not need your help, nor do they want it (until they get so frustrated they fall on the floor in a fit of despair ;).

You start to recognize their true gifts that God has blessed them with. You fall so much deeper in love with them your heart feels as though it can hold no more - and you rejoice in that this is just the beginning.

Then comes 4!!!! They are smart and they know it! ;) They want to help all the time (well, as long as there is not something better to do). They get angry when things don't go their way and tell you that "it would be a good idea to get rid of the time-out chair!" You watch them develop real friendships with other kids and pray for their relationships. They love Jesus, singing and any sport that involves a ball.

Our sweet Ian is 4 today! He is so smart and loving. He is quick to let go of his anger and frustration (which I admire already:). He loves to draw people in his family, paint ANYTHING you will let him, ride his bike, plant flowers. He forgets absolutely nothing...NOTHING! He's quite hilarious too. And he is THE BEST BIG BROTHER we could have ever prayed for.

You changed our lives in miraculous ways Ian Micah. We are so very proud and thankful to be your parents! We praise our God for you!

We love you from here to the moon,

Momma and Daddy