The One Year Wonder

Our little son is one year old now!

Happy 1st Birthday!

This year went by in the blink of an eye, and yet parts of it felt forever long.  Andrew and I both did a tremendous amount of learning this year, and I am full of thankfulness as I look back and see the Lord's hand faithfully guiding us through each step of the parenting way.


We got to spend Isaiah's first Christmas, and first birthday, with our families in South Dakota, which was also a great blessing.  Isaiah and his cousin Brody (only 10 days apart!) had a great time 'playing' together...they were super cute to watch!

Isaiah and Brody at their birthday party, about to eat cake for the first time!

My family: Sister Michelle with husband Jed and kids Mikaela and Brody, and my  Mom and Dad.

Bath fun with Brody!

Isaiah is sick right now.  He got a fever on the day we flew back to Canada, and was miserably sick the next two nights.  Yesterday we thought he was in the clear, as he slept great, his fever was gone, and his nose seemed less stuffy.  Not so.  Now he has another (and higher) fever, plus diarrhea.  Poor little guy!  He is quite mellow and tired.

Of course, we, as the new parents who have virtually no experience with a sick child, have been concerned. Where we live it is difficult to see a doctor or to get into the ER without a 6-18 hour wait (yes, really), and so sickness scares me more because I feel like it'd be so difficult to get quick care for Isaiah if he were really ill.  The second night we were home, Isaiah seemed really sick, and I thought about what it would be like to lose him.

I have thought many times this year about how with great love, joy, and gladness comes the potential for great pain, sorrow, and suffering. I never thought I would--or could--love my child with the kind of love I have for him now.  I have learned that I often need to come back before the Lord, submitting Isaiah to His care and to His plan, and to be thankful for whatever time the Lord allows us to be with Isaiah.

A year and a week ago I had no clue what parenting would be like, or how our life would change with a baby.  Now I can barely remember what life was like without him.

Fun with Mommy!

What a tremendous gift he is to us!  Happy Birthday, my sweet son.

 You are loved.