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We are happy to inform everyone that Ian is feeling much better and back home now.

Hudson is doing great as well. And with the exception of being a little tired, Rachel and I could not be better.

Thanks again for the prayers and support. We'll have more up pics soon.

Doctor Visit

Just a quick update. Ian was definitely feeling sick, I know this because he was a willing participant in going to the doctor for the 1st time in a long while.
He has a viral infection. They did a strep test that came back negative, so for now all we can do is keep his fever down and let it run it's course.

He will be camping out at Grammy's until then as instructed by the doctor, we hope it goes down tonight and he can return home.

He was doing so well, and we have spent so much time away from him that it's beginning to be hard not having him around. You'd think with a two year old and newborn we'd welcome time to get settled, the thing is, we have realized the role Ian plays in our family getting settled and can't wait for him to join us.

Thanks again for your prayers. We been at ease most of the day with the exception of the initial reading of Ian's temperature, so the prayers helped greatly in that regard.

Prayer Request

I wasn't planning on updating this soon, but I just wanted to let everyone know to keep us in your prayers.

Today Ian felt hot and we took his temp., it was 101.7. Normally, this would be just another bug, but given the newborn and the close proximity, we are a bit concerned.

We are taking Hudson in for his initial visit with the pediatritian in the morning, but he wanted to see Ian today. We will go in at 2:30p and as soon as we get home I will let everyone know how it went.

Ian's New Brother

This is just a quick post to let everyone know that life as the Elder's know it is brand new. On March 26th, Rachel gave birth to Hudson Isaac who weighed 6lbs. 110z. and was 19in. long.

Our biggest fear was our two year old, Ian, and how he would take it. As could be expected, I think there were some initial feelings of uncertainty.

But all with a little nudge from daddy mixed with a little bit of time, Ian began to take to Hudson in a way that made us proud and relieved.

Since we've been home, Ian has tried to share his cell phone, told Hudson to watch "The Backyardigans" (his favorite show), and asked repeatedly to hold his little brother.

We have truly been blessed. There is not much you could say about the arrival of a new baby. But we have also been blessed with an understanding and loving two year old that makes us proud to be parents and let's us know in his own way that our family is on it's way to being what God intended it to be.

Update

I know it's been a while since we have updated Ian's blog. So for all of those that have been hanging around in hopes of watching our little man grow and learn what life is all about, I wanted to let you know what we plan to do in the future.

For the time being, I will attempt to be better about updating this blog. We are not going to delete this blog because Ian will be able to update it himself before we know it and we think it would be good for him to do so.

What we were thinking is that we will start a family blog and make that our primary update site for all who are interested in looking in on us. As soon as we are able to get that up and going we will email the address to everyone as well as post it on here.

I apologize again for the infrequent posting and hope to be better at making it a priority since so many of you live far away.

We love you all and cannot tell you what your thoughts, prayers, and support have meant to us over the past two years.

Ian's 2nd Birthday Party

We recently celebrated Ian's 2nd birthday. We went to "The Little Gym", which I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a great party that is fairly inexpensive and very "hands free" when it comes to something as chaotic as a two year old's birthday party.

"The Little Gym" was great with the kids and helped us in every way imaginable, giving us hassle free planning and giving the kiddos a great time with planned activities (as planned as they could be at that age).

Thanks to all those who could make it, and to all of those who couldn't we missed you and look forward to seeing you soon.

Ian and Momma, just chillin'

Ian and I wrestling. I figured I'd show him some moves since I once got a third place medal for wrestling (there were only three people in my bracket).

Ian's cousin Luke, who probably should be the one showing Ian how to wrestle!

Ian on the beam. He wanted me to let go....maybe next year.

When I see this picture, I hear "The Eye of the Tiger" song.

Those are my skinny legs, I actually played with all the kids and nobody ever told me to get off the equipment. No harm, no foul I guess.

Now it's time for the good stuff, Backyardigans style.

I honestly don't know what's going on here. Looks like bubbles, but that is juice he's drinking.

And finally, what good is a birthday party without a kiss from the fairer sex?

Ian's Prayer

Ian and I were headed home with the other day and heard him talking more than he usually does in the car. I looked back to see him praying. He looked up at me and then continued to pray.

I don't normally stop for much when I'm on my way home from work, but I had to pull over that day and recorded video of him so that I could send it to Rachel.

Although he is obviously just imitating what he sees other people doing, it was just one of those feel good moments. It is encouraging to see evidence of the many great people that are in Ian's life.

We're blessed to have such great family on both sides that love Ian and support us and the family we have started.

Little Man

I see Ian everyday. And to be honest with you, he is only about 18 months old but I still feel as though time is going a bit too fast.


When I see pictures like this one, when he had just been born (this is my favorite by the way), I can't help but try and picture in my mind what I missed. Where did that helpless little child go? Don't get me wrong, I am well aware of where he is developmentally but I can say that he is gaining an independent spirit very quickly. He wants to feed himself, change his own diaper, go outside with or without Rachel or I, and he seems to be a little too brave with our cat Smokey who is more annoyed by his position in life with the passing of each day and Ian's enthusiasm to figure out new ways of playing with him.

With another one on the way, it's hard to imagine what another addition will bring to this family. I am amazed with my son every time I see him. He is at that stage where it's something new everyday. I have been blessed countless times in my life but when I come home everyday, I find my "core". I find the source of the gravity that keeps me grounded. I can only imagine what I will feel like when I come home nine months from now and that feeling is grown exponentially.

We won't know if we are having a boy or a girl for a while, but I know what I have right now, and that's a little man. When I see Ian, who looks and acts like me at times and think of how we are all made in God's image, it drives home the importance of what we have as members of His Kingdom. Our stewardship of that gift should be our top priority.

I look forward to the final nine months of Ian being the only child. He will no doubt prepare me(as I hope to do for him) for the arrival of our families newest member. I have learned countless lessons from Ian in the past 18 months and will no-doubt be learning from him as long as I am alive. For now, I hope to slow things down a bit and soak it all in, Ian, my beautiful wife, and our transformation into a family of four.

MY mama!!!

Ian's been going through a major separation anxiety phase the last few months. Which in all honesty, at first was a little endearing that he wanted and needed me so much. Who doesn't love to be loved?! But it's getting to be a little too much now. I really struggle because I want to comfort him and at the same time encourage him to be able to adapt to new people and surroundings. He is fine if I'm around, but it's difficult to leave him in the nursery at church or sometimes to even walk away from the table if we're having lunch with a friend. I don't want him to feel so much anxiety.

He's even gotten jealous of Steve a few times...at first we both thought it was kind of cute how he would point at us holding hands and make these noises like he was annoyed (like let go of her). Then he would try to take Steve's hand off of mine. We would tell him "mommy and daddy love each other too and it's okay if we hold hands" and then we would try to include him by hugging and loving on him. But he does not like for us to hold hands or lay in each other's lap at all. He loves on both of us a lot but is very unsure of us loving on each other.

It's such a fun age as far as all of the new things he's doing and learning, but this is a really hard stage for me when it comes to how to address situations like this. He seems to break down sometimes out of nowhere. And I know it's probably all normal "toddler" behavior but....i don't know. I just want him to feel safe and have fun when I need be somewhere else.

Lost in Translation

Ian is learning so many new things constantly. It's so crazy how much and how quickly babies change. It's really amazing to watch him!!

He can now touch parts of his body when we ask him where they are (which is so cute!). He will touch his nose (sometimes up it), mouth, ear, tongue, feet. I'll try to post some video of him doing this. His vocabulary is also increasing...

Ian............................Translation

dada...................................daddy
mama................................mommy
gigee..................................kitty
ou-shy...............................outside
nigh-nigh..........................night night
shooz.................................shoes
pss.....................................please (although MUCH more reluctantly lately)
aah-K................................okay
hhhi...................................hi (this is when he plays with the phone)
ymumym.........................yum,yum,yum
szat...................................what's that? (accompanied with a point)
tee....................................tree
ball....................................ball (very clear - yea!)
jssss..................................juice
buh...................................bye
ahh gah.........................all gone (SO CUTE - he holds his palms up)

There are a few other words he's said on occasion, but not sure if he was just copying us or really saying them yet.

He's also getting more frustrated lately, which is trying on us but I know it means he's maturing too. When he's done with his drink he'll bring it to me and hand it to me for a refill, but instead of saying "pss" he says "uuuuhhh". I KNOW he can say please. He went through many weeks saying it to us when he wanted another bite of our food or for us to open something. But now all of a sudden when I ask him to say please when getting him more to drink he gets mad and just keeps handing me the drink over and over again and saying "uhhh" with increasing whining. We're battling! I don't know if he's just being stubborn or what.

He's definitely becoming his own little person, and I know that it must be pretty frustrating to not be able to fully communicate your wants and needs.

Everyday is an amazing adventure!
I sure love that little guy!!!