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!