My Son Isaac
What you see above is one of my favorite things about Isaac, his sweet, uplifting smile. He treats us with this smile every single day, almost all day. God has given him such a content little spirit. Isaac can lay in one place and play with one toy for 30 minutes at a time. He was the last one of the boys to learn to crawl, and I am convinced that it had very little to do with ability. He just had no reason to move, he was content right where he was. He still loves to lay on his back and play with a toy, or even just his fingers and toes for long periods of time. Isaac is the only child I have ever seen whom you can actually hear smiling. He makes a funny little noise as he breaths when he is smiling, and that noise is one of my favorite things to hear in the world.
Isaac was first to come home from the hospital, along with Brooks. My first really amazing experience with Isaac came on his third day of life. When I arrived in the NICU that day, Isaac’s nurse told me that they had just removed him from the ventilator. They were pretty sure that he was ready, but the next few hours would tell for sure. The only problem was, Isaac was very upset and she said he really needed to settle down soon, or he would wear himself out. If he used up all of his energy on crying, he would not have the strength to continue to breath on his own.
Our nurse suggested that I put my hand under his head and slightly rock his little head back and forth in an attempt to comfort him. She had already tried, but she thought I might have more success since I was his dad. I reached into his isolette and gently lifted his head, placing it in the palm of my hand. I was amazed, his head was slightly larger than a tennis ball! As I began to rock his head, he immediately settled down. It really melted my heart when our nurse told me that she was not able to settle him down, and that he must know that I am his daddy. I have replayed that experience in my head hundreds of times since that day, and it never gets old.
I love this little boy in ways that I cannot describe, but I will do my best. I love the little dimple on one cheek when he smiles, I love the way he opens his mouth wide open when he smiles and squeals, I use to love his 3 chins (I miss those chins!), I love his still chunky thighs, I love his beautiful blue eyes, I love his wispy brown hair, I love that his favorite word is da-da, I love that he rocks himself to sleep each night in his crib on his hands and knees, I love our nightly routine that involves bouncing him on his crib mattress until he squeals, I love that he squeals even before I start in anticipation each night, I love the fact that he cries when I leave him, and smiles when I come home, I love that he gets excited when I hand him his blue ball, even though it is the 200th time, and most of all, I love the fact that God has given me this little boy who has captured my heart the past 15 months and made me love him in ways I didn’t even know was possible.
My son Isaac is amazing. Many times, God uses Isaac to get Jen and I through the most difficult circumstances. No matter how upset Brooks, Clark, and Henry might be, you can almost always count on a smile from Isaac. When we are at our wits end and don’t know how much more we can take, we hear that familiar sound and look up, and there is Isaac, smiling ear to ear.
I am so proud of you Isaac, and it is such a privilege to call you my son, I love you buddy,
Dad
Related Post: My Son Henry
what a delightfully beautiful post, dad! isaac you have an electric smile and i just melt every time i see it in pictures–i cannot imagine how bright it is in person!
What an awesome post! Isaac, you are such a sweet boy with an awesome and contagious smile! I love it when you just light up the picture with your sweet smile!
~Elyse~
tears…yep streaming down my face. What precious words and memories. Jen, your husband is a really sweet daddy. And i just want to come and squeeze baby isaac so badly!!! soon 🙂
That brought tears to my eyes!
I’ve followed your blogs since Jen’s pregnancy and my 10 yr old granddaughter Haley, has been reading with me since the boys were born. Her little brother, Logan, is about 2 weeks younger than your 4. Since the first day you posted photos, she has been “in love” with Issac. I’ve heard “Issac is my favorite” so many times from her. I cannot wait to share this with her tonight. She of course, loves hearing about all 4 boys, but it always comes back to Issac. :O) Issac and the fact that she is thankful there is only ONE of her brother! LOL!
How sweet, what a wonderful post. I think it is so neat that you are taking time for a special post for each one of them. All of the parents of multiples just never cease to amaze me. You know we all have talents, I know where you’lls lay. Good Job! A friend in East Texas, Pam.
How sweet, what a wonderful post. I think it is so neat that you are taking time for a special post for each one of them. All of the parents of multiples just never cease to amaze me. You know we all have talents, I know where you’lls lay. Good Job! A friend in East Texas, Pam.
“Children learn what they live”…. and yours shall learn well with their Daddy, well-chosen by God, to parent these precious gifts.
As usual, when you, the Daddy, post, I am thrilled to see your level of commitment to the Lord Jesus first, and then your sons. How blessed those darling little boys are to have a Daddy who adores them. It is lovely to see.
As you travel this journey with your four little sons may
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Warmly,
Joan
Tears streaming down my face! What a sweet post about your son. That demonstration of love and the words you use to describe him are so touching. I only wish that EVERY son would truly know how their daddy’s feel about them. You have given your sons such a wonderful gift by writing to them. They will do great things because of your love for them and will have a better understanding God’s love because of the way you show them yours. My heart is melted. Praise God for both of your acts of faith and humbling words every day! 🙂 Your friend in blogland!
Brad, that was BEAUTIFUL. Thanks for the happy tears! Those boys are lucky to have you for their daddy.
Love,
Gen
Brad, you are an awesome dad! Can Matt take lessons from you someday? 🙂
Shannon Morgan
That was just beautiful! Every time I go and think you can’t amaze me anymore, you do ,Brad, with the way you bare your soul.
God truly does work through you.
🙂 Debi
So sweet. I love the story about the NICU-amazing. 🙂
Made me cry… (: So precious and a wonderful keepsake. You have a way with words Brad
Yes the famous Kate.
I don’t think I have ever read something more sweet. It brought tears to my eyes. Aren’t our kids such a blessing!!!
that was so touching. this post about the pure love of a father for his son served as a much needed reminder of the beauty in God’s creations. thank you, that was beautiful.
This is so sweet and something you all can treasure always.