evan keel

looking back

rand — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:02:20 +0000

It’s hard to believe, but we are planning Evan’s second birthday party already. Last night I attempted to watch a movie through netflix online, but our home computer had too little free hard drive space. I searched for what was taking up so much room and found that, not surprisingly, we have a lot of pictures of E on there. As I was backing those up, I looked at several. The little guy has grown and changed quite a bit.

Part of me misses the little E that was more cuddly (because he couldn’t crawl away) but part of me just loves him more as he learns to tackle more and more tasks (like climbing onto a workbench, mowing the yard with his bubble mower and talking on the phone). It’s apparent that each stage in life makes one look back, remember the good and appreciate the present.

The point of this…I’m not sure but make it a point to spend time with those you love in order to make and keep memories.

learning to drive

rand — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:46:37 +0000

This is just a fun video of e learning to drive at 18 months…oh, and to play golf.

http://www.youtube.com/v/L6JGEH63hlI

103

rand — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:36:06 +0000

Right now, I’m sitting up waiting to take Evan’s temperature again to make sure it isn’t going to spike again. We aren’t sure what all he’s got, perhaps the flu, but it’s taking its toll on the little guy. We have his 18-month check up in the morning so it’ll be good to get him all checked out good.

We’re hoping it isn’t another ear infection. We dealt with another of those about four weeks ago. He’s had three or four since his birth. The doctor said that if he gets six within a year it’s time to start thinking about putting tubes in his ears.

These ear infections are probably my fault. I remember dealing with them as a child I’d have to lay my head on an old, light blue electric heating pad that was about as soft as Formica and slightly less flexible. I don’t know if it worked or not, but I did live to tell about it.

still at it

rand — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:03:51 +0000

Evan and I are still having fun together yet missing Denise/mom.
E just never ceases to amaze me about what he does and how amazingly cute it all is. He’s developed two new things in his mom’s absence (not because she’s out of town mind you). One is a jump pass. He runs to get his indoor ball, grabs it with two hands, squats, attempts a jump and throws the ball two-handed to me. The other is parrot syndrome. He’s begun to repeat many things right after I say them. Tonight the biggest one was “all done” speaking first of supper and then of bath.
E just always finds a way to make things fun. He even had fun grocery shopping after supper – well, at least the first 15 minutes of it.

e and me

rand — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:07:23 +0000

Denise has been out of town with a family funeral since Friday. Evan and I are enjoying our male bonding time together. I do miss Denise. She’s seldom out of town and it is kinda strange being the one that is home alone with Evan. Yeah, I also miss the help that Denise provides while here; but we miss her anyway.
Evan and I have been outdoors a lot as the weather –Touchdown NYG– has been great; we have been to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo; and a Super Bowl party thus far. I think I’ve kinda been wearing him out as he’s been eating more and sleeping harder. Tomorrow I’m back to work so he’ll be back to his typical routine which is active enough. By the way, I’m not a NYG fan, just pulling for them as I do NOT like NE Patriots.
Denise (Mom) doesn’t get back until really late Tuesday night. I’m sure this is hard for her as well since she’s never been away from Evan this long. While a family funeral is busy and there are things to be taken care of. When we talk, she sounds a little board even after visiting family and old friends. —NYG win – wait, what a wierd ending…NE coach leaves and doesn’t finish the game— I guess following a little loved one around makes everything else in life a little easier.

one to the next

rand — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:29:34 +0000

We just got over “the croup” and now are dealing with hand, foot and mouth syndrome. Yeah, seems like something a rancher would have to worry more about, but we got a quick introduction over the Internet Saturday night. Evan has little red rash / blisters on his hands and feet. Hopefully they won’t move to his mouth as supposedly those are painful. It sure hasn’t changed his lovely disposition. He’s as happy as ever and continues to eat well…about 2 of his 3 meals. Just thought I’d update while watching President Bush outline his theory to further plunge the USA into national debt.

the croup

rand — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:54:46 +0000

As typically happens, Evan got sick as I was about to leave town. He developed a barking type cough. So, at 2 am prior to leaving town Denise and I searched barking cough on babycenter.com and discovered “croup.” The name sounds worse than it actually is.
The odd thing is it thankfully only lasted one night and he’s back at school today healthy and ready for my return home.

the sweetest thing

rand — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:42:08 +0000

Last week while Denise and I were home, Evan did the sweetest thing.
As we finished playing for the day and after his bath Denise called him into his room for reading before bedtime. Evan promptly began walking toward his room, then stopped, turned around and came back toward me laying on the ground still. Evan walked right up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Then he turned around again, walked into his room, sat in his mother’s lap and was ready for reading and bed.

Joy comes in the morning

rand — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:32:42 +0000

We have a bedtime ritual already established with our 7-month-old son. First, we read a couple of books, then sing a couple of songs (which could range from “Jesus Loves Me” to “The Itsy-bitsy Spider” to “How Great Thou Art”) then we say a short prayer as we lay him down into his crib. Most nights, he does great and just falls right to sleep. On rare occasions, he isn’t so happy to sleep – he wants to crawl around and get into more things that we haven’t put up yet. He has also learned to stand in his crib and scream. After this short protest, he always grows tired, quiet, lies down and falls asleep.Perhaps the best occasion as a parent is waking up your baby in the morning. When either my wife or I go in to wake him he is usually asleep or just waking. Once he hears us or sees us, he gets a grin on his face, sits up giggles joyfully and awaits being lifted out of the crib, cuddled and fed.
Joy comes in the morning.

growth

rand — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:32:12 +0000

i peruse the pictures on this blog, i see the growth my son has been through. i see the growth my wife and i have been through and the growth the three of us are going through. e is just under 18 pounds and really enjoys food, as you can see from one of the previous pictures. physical growth is always evident. emotional growth, spiritual growth and love growth should be just as evident. i see it in my wife. i see it in me (hopefully it’s evident to others). as Christians, as people of love, this growth needs to be as evident as physical growth. the more evident our maturity in actions and maturity in love, the better our children and mentors will be able to know true love. the more people understand true love (even on the limited human level), the better understanding people will have of True Love Christ offers and willingly shares.