This is where Nathan Clendenin shares photos, projects and other thoughts

Happy Birthday SJ!

My son is 2. They said it would fly by. And it has. But I remember a lot of it, so that’s a start! And I have a million photos too.

We celebrated with family and friends, including Marcus, who was born just a few hours after SJ. Happy birthday, Son!

This entry was written by Nathan Clendenin, posted on February 22, 2012 at 9:00 am, filed under SJ and tagged , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Thankful

P41 P42 P43
See the full gallery on Posterous

My wife and son haven’t even been gone half a day and I am missing them! It’ll be a great week for them visiting SJ’s Mimi and Granddaddy (who SJ calls “Godaddy”) and good for me to do some business planning, lots of reading and hanging with friends. But still, I am so thankful for the blessing of my wife, Rebecca, son Samuel and coming in July a new baby (girl – I’m betting)!

This entry was written by Nathan Clendenin, posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:50 pm, filed under General, SJ and tagged , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

Five Months of Fatherhood



Samuel is now past the 5 month mark and our lives are settling into a routine, which has been really great. I am taking care of Samuel in the mornings, until around noon so that Bec can work and then we switch off. So far it’s been going well, and besides having to coordinate our schedules when something comes up that I have to do in the AM or vice versa for Bec, I see no reason we won’t be able to keep it up.

One of the great joys I’ve experienced spending mornings with my son is how much I’ve understood the Gospel in a new and deeper way. I look at him and admire his face, all his different little expressions. I think pretty much anything he does is amazing. I feel like I can relate much better to the love that our Father in heaven feels toward each of his children. Samuel has no clue about the love we feel toward him or the things that Bec and I do for him to take care of him, and yet that doesn’t make a difference for me. In fact, my love for him grows deeper every day, even when his poo leaks onto my pants or he pukes down my back (for the fifth time).

Another thing that’s been sinking in for me is the reality that Jesus was a little, tiny, helpless baby that cried and giggled and crapped his diaper and peed on Mary. He was a real, vulnerable creature that grew up to be the man I read about and worship. It’s pretty awesome to think about that while staring at Samuel’s little feet, while feeling his softer-than-anything-I’ve-ever-felt-before skin, or while hearing him rip a good one in his diaper.

It’s been hard finding regular time with God each day in prayer and meditation on His word (I’m definitely not a very disciplined person), but my mornings with SJ have made up for that, at least in the short term, by keeping my heart soft and the praises flowing. We usually have concert time, where I play my guitar and singing for Samuel, which he loves (which is obvious from the mesmerized stare on his face). Its been great practice for me and renewed my desire to finally learn some new songs. So far I’ve been learning some Radiohead songs which has been fun (Karma Police, and starting on Paranoid Android).

I am grateful for God’s hand in my life right now and the joy that comes with being a dad. I am grateful for the love He has for me, even when I don’t realize it or appreciate it, or even when I reject it. This is a sweet time for us as a family, both of us being able to work from home most days and getting to soak up and enjoy our ridiculously sweet and adorable child. I am grateful for it.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted pics or given any updates on him (hint: if you want to see more regular photos, find me on Facebook where that’s pretty much all you’ll get!), so here’s the rundown on Samuel’s changes in the last few months:

  • Baptized on April 4, Easter Sunday
  • Consistently slept through the night (7-8 hrs) at 8 weeks old
  • Traveled to Merlefest, Charleston, New Bern, Blowing Rock and Boone!
  • Rolled over from back to front at 4 months old (but has forgotten how to roll back over)
  • At 4 months, weighed in at 16 lbs, 12 oz, exactly double his birthweight
  • Found his voice with lots of yelling and screeching
  • Started on solid food at 5 months old (rice cereal for now)
  • Now eating only 4 times a day

This entry was written by Nathan Clendenin, posted on August 2, 2010 at 9:21 am, filed under General, SJ and tagged , , . Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.