My Boys

Quinn is now 2 months old. I realized I have so many cute pics that I just didn't know what to pick so I decided on a slideshow instead. He now has a double chin (check it out!!!) which is pretty exciting since we have long, skinny babes and don't get to see many rolls! He now weighs 11lbs 12 oz and is 24 1/2 inches long.

Life is getting a little bit more normal, at least our "new normal." Isaiah does struggle some with the fact that we can't drop everything and pay attention to him at every moment. I trust this will pass and we do make conscious efforts to spend one on one time with him.

At about 6 1/2-7 weeks, Quinn started to smile and talks constantly. Neither Eric nor I remember Isaiah smiling and talking so much so this phase is fun and makes me laugh. Quinn smiles when you talk to him, he will sit and talk to himself, smiling, in his bouncy seat. If this is any indication what his personality will be like, I think we are in for a ride this time! So fun!

Out for Summer

It's over, it's over! That last day of first grade was today and school is now out for the summer! Isaiah had double excitement today since he had a follow-up appointment with his ear dr. He found his ears have healed perfectly and he no longer has to wear ear plugs in the bathtub/shower AND he doesn't have to go to school anymore! How good can life be?

"Mom"

A friend sent this to me...wish I would have had it for Mother's Day but since our job is never ending I figured the amazingness of the task that God entrusted us with should also be ongoing!

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and willtake care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you... And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Happy 9th year to Us!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Crazy to think it has been 9 years...full of ups and downs...full of amazing times and times that have been hard. Two beautiful children later and here we are.

I love you Eric!

Must they grow up?

Conversation had with Isaiah last week:

• Mom, can I get my ear pierced?
  
• (Mortification) Uhhhhh....no.
  
• Why not?
  
• Over my dead body.
  
• But Tony and Luis have their ears pierced.
  
• You're not Tony and Luis and unfortunately they have cooler parents. You could go
  live with them if you like. (Moritification again..only this time because I have just
  turned into Steve Troyer).
  
• It's not fair. Can I get them pierced when I am 10?
  
• Uhhhh....no. (Why would he think 10 was going to be a better age?) We can talk when
  you are 18.
  
• How about 17? (Rational discussion ended at this point...)

He then informed me he had also asked Eric. Thankfully E also told him no. (whew...way to be on the same page!) Thank God for united parenting!!!

Mohawks

So after months and months and months of begging we finally let Isaiah get a mohawk. Yes, I say "we" but it was really me since Eric doesn't really think it matters stating "it's his hair."

Initially I stated "over my dead body" (in my head of course) and then we compromised and we bought a paste to create a "Faux-hawk" which was pretty cute. I finally said he could have one after school ended and the beginning of summer before it got too hot. Well...the hair cut was last night and here it is. Actually not so bad after all and I am pretty proud of myself for letting him express his individuality in a harmless way. Yes...I am growing up. :)

Bugsy

Anyone watch "Bedtime Stories"? Well, Isaiah affectionately (I hope its affectionately??) refers to Quinn as "Bugsy" which refers to a bug-eyed hamster....I guess this pic captures that rather well...

5 1/2 Hours!

Quinn slept 5 hours in a row last night! Who cares if it is a fluke!

Pain. Immense Pain.

Went to yoga last night for the first time in almost 2 months (due to being large and then having a baby). This break after 4 years of regular practice. I hurt. I am in pain. Pain everywhere. Immense pain.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of the beautiful and amazing mothers out there!!!!

The first year I was a mother, dad decided that we should all meet in Ft Wayne for Mother's Day and since then we have met every year for lunch (can't go wrong with eating! :) ). I love the tradition, it means alot and we have enjoyed finding different restaurants. Sometimes they're good, some have left much to be desired. This year we met at Flat Top Grill a "mongolian type BBQ" place. Turned out to be yummy and enjoyable...followed up by dessert at Coldstone Creamery. Yum again. What an amazing day to be with family!

CONGRATULATIONS ERIC!

One more full-time semester down!!!! Eric just finished his last paper and had his last "disposition" with his instructors this week. He has now officially completed this semester/year and not a moment too soon! I think we were both at the end of our ropes so it's nice the end is here. He will be taking a class each summer session but after full-time, one class seems like nothing! We will now have some family time and couple time that isn't consumed or dictated by"homework." All that said, Eric did awesome as usual and I am very proud of him!

Update on Exhaustion

Quinn is now 5 weeks old...

I haven't blogged in forever since life has been a little crazy the past few weeks! I have felt like I don't have much to talk about except the newest addition to our family so sometimes it feels a little redundant. Boy, a newborn can really kill the social life!

Although I feel like readers might find our life a little boring after awhile...here's some updates on what's been happening in the Chandler household:

Eric's mom just left last weekend after spending the last three weeks with us (and splitting her time with his sister, Kisha). It was wonderful to have her as she spent MANY nights up with Quinn and allowing us to sleep! Ahhhh....She is a wonderful woman and we miss her already. Eric's U. Bob, A. Marla and cousin Bryan came up (from southern IN) to pick up his mom so we also spent an evening visiting with them. We haven't seen them in a couple of years so it was a nice time.

My friend, Leah from Virginia just came this past weekend and we were able to spend a day together....what a nice reprieve.

Eric finished this semester of school! I might be more excited than he is!

Now, in the quietness of just our family, we are trying to re-establish some semblance of routine and order (okay, I am trying to establish this... :) ) Sometimes the boys work with me and sometimes they don't...and this means ALL of them.

Those that I talk to frequently know that Quinn has not been sleeping. AT ALL. Not only were his days and nights mixed up but he wasn't sleeping during either one. He was awake sometimes for 6-8 hours at a stretch and often would only sleep about 20-30 minutes at a time. Long stretches consisted of 1 1/2 hours, maybe 2 if we were lucky and prayed really hard. When he did sleep he was very fidgety and restless. It did get to the point of pretty much complete exhaustion on my part (including several crying jags, dizziness and much frustration), pretty significant exhaustion on E's part and poor Quinn had bags under his puffy little eyes and was miserable. Thank goodness for Isaiah who can sleep through anything, and I do mean ANYTHING. I finally called the doctor and they had me switch Quinn to soy formula even though he wasn't necessarily displaying fussiness and was eating fine. This miracle happened two days ago and the past two nights he has slept like a normal infant should. He still wakes up but is sleeping 3-4 hours at a time, is awake for a period of time and then takes a nice, peaceful, restful, un-fidgety nap. He is also burping easier and seems less gassy (sp?) which is also a blessing. While it could be a fluke and the past two nights have just been God's blessing, I am also hoping that they are due in part to the formula change and will continue.

Isaiah continues to be amazing with Quinn, is very loving and is helpful beyond belief. I am thankful for him every day. I am constantly amazed by the love that he shows Quinn and for the love that I feel for both of them.