Since it involves Connor...

I've been working madly to catch up with my school. Every time I log into the classroom, I feel pressed for time, so I read through an assignment quickly, and get started. If I'm paying attention, I'll look at some other student's examples before I submit, but I've been pretty distracted and scatterbrained about anything not Connor, since Connor came.

Anyway, we were to find a short story or poem, and submit it, then create sketches to illustrate it, which we will rework in Illustrator later. Long story short, I thought the story had to be original, and since I have nothing other than my son on my mind, it kind of dictated my short story.

When I get the illustrations done, I'll likely repost with the entire project, but for now, enjoy the story:




This little light of mine.


Love and Life: from the perspective of a young new father, and aspiring artist.

By Stephen McClelland




He was a talented boy, if unfocused. Often distracted, he became skilled at many different things, but never quite mastered anything at all. He had The Light. His was one that glowed brightly, beautifully, but without direction or focus. His Light flickered and wavered like a fire in the wind, never quite growing strong enough to illuminate all that surrounds.

When he learned new things his light grew stronger. It seemed to shine brighter towards understanding of every thing that he learned. The more he understood, the easier it became to learn even more. When he practiced focusing his Light, it shone brightly in the direction he focused. Some of the flames of his fire had begun to burn towards consumption of their fuels. Unlike the fire, it seemed that when his rays of light fully focused, each of them would burn forever. He strove to shine brightly, to emanate in all directions.

Others had Light. He made friends easily with those who’s Light complemented his own. Sometimes with his friends or loved ones their combined Light could shine brighter than when alone. With a certain few, their Lights intertwined and somehow seemed to show The Way. Some few of his friends and those that he loved seemed to balance their Light with his. When they complemented each other well, they saw The Way more clearly.

Throughout his life he found many things to focus on. Some lead to wonderful discoveries. Others had short Paths that lead to prolonged distraction. He often had trouble discerning which direction was best to focus upon. Sometimes he wondered how he should decide which points were worthwhile. He moved listlessly from one interest to another, having difficulty remembering to focus. Some of his interests lead to long periods of distraction. Sometimes his Light dimmed, and lost some of it’s luster.

Even when he didn’t shine so brightly, he managed to remember hope, and always came back stronger eventually. His Path seemed twisted, but he was merely lead astray too often. Sometimes he remembered that his focus was important, and sometimes, he even had the discipline to work toward this end. When he remembered, he made great progress, but invariably, he would forget.

One day, the boy met a young girl who’s Light was unlike any he had seen. It surprised him. He knew that something about her Light was important, but he couldn’t discern exactly why. It didn’t take long for him to discover that he really enjoyed this girl’s company, and she enjoyed his, as well. Their Light came together in a new way; more Paths were visible when they were together. As they got to know each other better their Lights complimented each other in new and better ways. As time went on, he began to understand that this girl was special. She knew it too. In fact, when they were together, not only did their Light come together and shine more brightly, but each also shone brighter alone.

The boy and girl stayed by each other’s side through the dim times and the bright ones. After a few years the girl had become a woman, and the boy was becoming a young man. He knew that he must do something to prove his devotion, lest he allow her to become disenchanted by his vacillation. He bought a trinket for her to wear on her hand, and soon, by ritual they were joined forever.

During the following years the young man fluctuated between a youth and a man of honor. He struggled to push himself over the hill, and be a man that he himself could be proud of. With this wonderful woman by his side, he found the resolution to strive harder. She saw his potential, and knew he was capable of reaching it. She cultivated his confidence, and encouraged his efforts. He became something very near to that which he strove to become.

In his efforts, he learned to push through difficulties, and tighten his focus. He pushed harder towards his goals, and even started a business of sorts to buttress his life’s needs. This was very difficult, and many walls stood in his way. He climbed them, and over each, his light grew brighter, his focus stronger. He was coming ever closer to being that which he sought with each trial he overcame.

The business failed through little fault of his own. The young man felt frustration such as he had never know before, and despite all his efforts his Light waned. Were it not for the woman that held him up, he felt he would diminish to less than a glow.

One night, while spending time with that brightly glowing woman that he loved their Light came together in a new way. It became brilliant, blinding them temporarily, and then washing them in a long lasting comfortable glow. A new, smaller light grew from the two. It focused brightly in directions that both the man and the woman had sought before. It also focused in directions that each had focused without the other. It was their Light together, come to fruition.

The man was finally and truly a man. He knew his path, and so did the woman he loved. He would forever after cultivate their new light. As he saw the path open before him, he looked to the sky and said, “Thank you, I will forever protect this little Light of mine!”

3D Connors!

Well, some of them are anyway. I haven't gotten this down to an exact science yet, but I've gotten a few of them to work. Some are better than others. Many of you may have noticed the free 3D glasses they are giving away in major chain stores. Well, Debbie's mom had a sheet of them, and let me take them home. I was inspired. I gave a couple of double shots blue and red shifts and layered them, and low and behold a few worked out. So, go get yourself a sheet of those glasses and check out these pics.

First though, I have something special for everyone. I have been hoping to catch this, and thought I never would, but patience wins. This first shot is for all the doubters out there. I've heard sooo many times that a baby just can't smile until they get a bit older. Well, Connor is still less than a week old, and I've seen many smiles and heard a few giggles. Don't try to tell me it's gas, Debbie and I can already tell the difference. He usually smiles the most when his mommy is holding him and laughing, but apparently, he has some funny dreams, as well.

Get a load of this, naysayers!:









The fire just looked cool:



One more of Connor just for good measure:

Pictures, pictures, pictures!!!

I'm trying to get some schoolwork done that I'm behind on, along with changing lots of diapers and trying to outguess Debbie's needs. It's not exactly leisurely, but it feels like contented relaxation amidst the craziness. Anyway, again I haven't time to write a lot, so here are a bunch of pictures again.



To start off with, the absolutely most recent picture of Connor:







Being silly (probably farting):







Post fart:







Musta felt good:










Hungry!:




Appetizer:






He's full again:







Here's his room:





This T.V. is out of there as soon as he starts figuring out he can watch it rather than just listen to the digital music channels:














"I give up!":








:)








This was Debbie and Connor's rose the morning after he came around:

-the nurses got to keep it (I swear it got healthier after I brought it into our room)





This picture depicts the absolutely most precious things in my life:






It almost hurts he so cute:







Hi Jaleigh! Guess what? You're on the Internet!!!:













Connor (left), and Lillian (Debbie's sister Jamie's daughter, born on January 9th)







Good grip! (this in not long after delivery):







This one too:






Connor's tired, so he's going back to sleep, and I'm back to class... till next time.



Gnight!

Yawn...

I can't type squat right now, so all of you picture-lookers/'who needs words' people will enjoy this one. I'm just too tired to talk about stuff. It's nearly 4am, I can hear Connor making little wah sounds on the monitor. I think he's hungry again! He am a hungry bebe. I'm going to bed in a second, just because I think it will feel good to lie down. I don't have high hopes for sleep.

Don't misunderstand; I haven't felt this satisfied, complete (though I thought I kinda was), or proud in my life. I don't mean to complain.

See some baby:








This next picture was oriented properly, but blogspot turned it. I don't know why. I even rotated and saved the picture and it turned out the same.

Ok, turn your head to the left, before you scroll, please; this is one of my favorites:

































Okay, you probably better straighten your neck before it craps.

Goodnight.

Connor is here!

I'll apologize right off the top for a few things, first, the fact that this is going to be pretty short. Also, life has been a bit crazy, so we just haven't posted much recently (understatement?). Don't worry, I've got plenty to talk about, but I'll get to that in another day or two.

As it stands:

Connor was born last night @ 5:54 pm (January 21, 2009) Forrest General Hospital, here in Hattiesburg, MS. He weighs 7lbs 5oz and is 20.5 inches long. His crown is covered in curly golden blonde hair that looks just like Debbie's (mine was the same color, but not so curly). Oh, his hands and feet are huge! He's gonna be a bigun. He took to nursing less than an hour after birth, and the actual pushing bit of the labor lasted only about an hour. Debbie is a natural born pro, I suppose. She put in some work! It was a natural birth with just a little assistance from some cervadil (sp?) and Potosin (sp?), but not much was required. Really, only pain killers have been necessary, and that, of course, only after the fact.

Debbie claims she's a wuss, but when she's hurting worst, she lies silently, and has actually apologized for being sub-par company (as if that's even possible). I can't begin to say how proud of her and Connor I am, but don't let me gush all over this page with cliche daddyisms.

For now, here are a few teaser shots. Once we get back to the house in Gulfport, I'll get more up.

(...much love to the family and friends we have been able to share with and have shared with us. oh, and a lil shout-out to the Woodshop)