2nd week check up...we're HUGE!!!!

we went in for our 2 week check-up yesterday with zuzie and received great news...we now weigh 7 lbs 1 oz and are 20" long!!! this is a long way from our birth weight just 2 weeks ago of 5 lbs 15 oz and 19" long. tyler was obviously hungry and was ready to pack on his winter coat. the appointment went well and all of our "new mommy" questions were answered. the only upsetting part was when they had to prick his little heel and take blood for several tests. tyler and mommy both cried!!!! my first experience of dealing with a child in pain and i think i blew it...seeing your child hurting is definitely not fun. guess i need to work on the poker face!!!

Tyler's 1st Home Video

Courtesy of Uncle Carter, enjoy.

More Pics of the Little Guy

Tyler's Fan Club

Tyler's Favorite Pictures

Firsts

Life is full of "firsts".

The good ones: The first job, first day at school, first love, first born child, first home, first car, first big trip you take....

And in the bad: first job to be laid off from, first loss of a loved one, first car accident, first miscarriage, first argument in your marriage, first close friend or family member who loses their life too soon, first major financial setback....

Good, bad, planned and unexpected. It seems the things that shape us most in life, are 'firsts'.

I have observed in my life and those around me, that when we get caught up in the routine of life, staying plugged into the matrix, we lose site of the freshness that comes with new experiences.

Habits are in and of themselves, good and very useful. But in the busyness that becomes life for all of us in the 21st century, it can be a drug. One that numbs us from feeling life as it was meant to be felt. As my friend John Eldredge says in Wild at Heart, there is SO MUCH MORE. More to see, more to experience. This life is ALWAYS FRONTIER. If you look up the definition of frontier it clicks:

a new field for exploration... Yes, that's where I want to be.

And then I think about routines: per Webster's, a habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure.

Mechanical? Procedure? Something about this just seems sterile and too ordinary for me.

So I sit here today pondering all of this in light of our firstborn child, Tyler who was born less than a week ago. This has awakened me not only to how this relates to his young life and where his journey will go; but also to the bigger picture of the life I am living. Of the life you are living this very moment as you read this. How do we describe it??

Routine vs. Frontier

As for me, I choose frontier.

So today the frontier for me looks like this: firstborn child, first time to see my parents and my wife's parents become grandparents and hold this little guy. The first time to drive home from the hospital with Tyler and knowing that as we sit in the driveway, the moment we step out of the car, everything changes! The moment Kelli & I look at each other as new parents. First sleepless night changing diapers. Going back to work as a 'dad'. Taking our inaugural trip together with our new family.

Of course, you do not have to be having a child to truly experience such. But I have observed, that we rarely have the clarity to step back IN the moment when these instances occur to REALLY, REALLY appreciate them and let them move and mold us to the core.

Well, I am off to see what this stage of the frontier holds in store for me now and what firsts I will encounter next... At the very least, I know it will be an exploration and not a mechanical process.

May you find clarity & purpose that moves you in your own "firsts".

-cw

Introducing Mr. Tyler Ryan Frantzen

Well, we finally made it to the big day... althought it came 12 hours before our scheduled C-section as Kelli went into labor Wednesday afternoon May 13th after we had our last big pre-parent meal together at Terrilli's. I guess, Mr. T, was ready to come on out and play.

We had a successful C-section at 9:08pm Wednesday, May 13th at Medical City Dallas. Tyler came out kicking for life and has received a good bill of health.

Tyler Ryan 5 lbs. 15 oz 19" length

Mommie, had to fight through some pregnancy induced high blood pressure issues after the delivery but is taking it easy and regaining her strength more & more each day. What a trooper she has been!! Below are some photos of our little man, Tyler Ryan Frantzen.

Thank you to all for your thoughts, words, and prayers. It has meant the world to us!

Kelli, Chad & Tyler.

THE BREATH OF NEW LIFE

Well, where do we start? Many have gone down the road of having children, raising a family, changing your priorities and facing all the excitement and angst that goes with such a big responsibility.

The words that most come to mind about the experience of our son's birth are these:

BEAUTY & JOY

Both common words, often overused in everyday life; but in the context of your first born child and the sacrifices your wife makes and the pain she goes through right before your eyes to endure and breathe life into this world, very fitting to how these words should be used.

The last few days have given us the opportunity to physically see GOD's omnipotent power and hand at work. Especially, for me as a husband and new father, I have witnessed what once I had only read about and see on TV; my wife giving life before me, complications and concerns arriving right before me at the exact same time; and the hand of our true Father GOD right there in the room at the exact moment to cover and protect and heal. Wow.... Those of you who have experienced something similar, know that words cannot begin to explain events such as this.

And yet, we hope that everyone we know and love at some point in their life, truly experiences the power of GOD intervening in their life right before their eyes and knowing that is what is happening at that precise moment.

Of all the opinions and experiences that have been shared with us, and there have been MANY, none compare to one true thing that has been our rock for this adventure. Simply, trusting at the end of the day, that Jesus will come through for us, because He knows our hearts and has created us in His image.

Yes, that is enough to rest in. And with that, I share with each of you the verse that was laid on my heart for our son, Tyler Ryan Frantzen the day before he came into this world:

Psalm 127: 3-5

"SONS ARE A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD, CHILDREN A REWARD FROM HIM. LIKE ARROWS IN THE HANDS OF A WARRIOR ARE SONS BORN IN ONE'S YOUTH. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE QUIVER IS FULL OF THEM."

-- CW

The Room!

well our little boy's room is finally complete...and not a day too soon considering he will be here in 6 days!!! i am thrilled with how the room turned out and received the best compliment yesterday by my wonderful drapery installers. they said "it doesn't even look like a baby room!!!" most people would take offence to this comment but to me it meant that i had followed through with and accomplished my original concept...a baby room that is fun and playful yet sophisticated with vintage family heirlooms and a look that's "so kelli and chad." i had so much fun designing this room and hope that mr. t will love it as well!!!