Happy Birthday Parker Man!

Its crazy to think you were born 2 years ago today.

In some ways it has just flown by and in others it feels like you have been in our family forever.

We were all SO excited to meet you!

Tia's first time to hold you!

Soon Chandler will be able to sit up and play with you.

Its crazy how much you have changed in just 1 year!

Look at you now!

You have got so much more hair in a year.

Such a big boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday.

We love you!!

Uncle D, Tia, and Baby Chandler

How Can You Resist?

How can you resist that cute little thing?
I just want to squeeze him.

This is a good sight after yesterday.
Lots of crying and not alot of naps.

God is so sweet to remind me of his love this morning.
Refreshed.
Ready for a new day!

I am so thankful for this sweet boy.

{Tutorial} Menu/Prayer Boards

I recently saw a cute Menu board here.

I figured that it would be pretty easy and cheap to make.

I wanted to make a Menu board and Prayer board. I like having our meals already planned for the week and having it posted for Cody to know what is for dinner as well. Our church has a prayer guide each week and so I wanted to make a Prayer board to write each day on so we have it visible in our kitchen.

So, I headed up to Hobby Lobby and bought (2)12x12 frames. They were on half off this week so I got them for $5 a piece. I used scrapbook paper I already had and just wrote the titles and the days of the week on the paper. Then just put the glass back on and wrote with dry erase markers on the glass.

*sorry for the glare on the glass of the pictures, you get the idea

Blog Banner

So, my cute husband was tired of looking at our oh so plain blog banner and made a fun new one for me!

Didn't he do a great job?

I thought I would mention it so those of you in Reader can click and take a look.

I am realizing more and more there is nothing Cody can't do.

Thanks babe. Your awesome.

The Belated 2 Month Check Up

Yesterday Chandler had his 2 month check up. He is really only days away from 3 months so we decided it was time. I think the shot part of the visit was detouring me each time I thought about scheduling the appointment. I went ahead and prescheduled my next appointment so we wouldn't run into this next time!

Cody was actually off and able to go with me so that turned out really good.

I know these are the best background for a picture but this was one of the only "happy times" of yesterday. He had a sleepy/fussy kind of day. We mostly just snuggled, slept, and ate a little bit. He slept so much that I was afraid he wasn't going to sleep through the night last night but he did. He must have been wiped out! 

He weighed 13 pounds! He has a few cute rolls on his legs and arms. His head measured in the 50th percentile despite what Cody might tell you about his head! Its perfect.

I have been paranoid about how his head is getting flat in the back from sleeping on his back so I talked to Dr. B about it and he said it probably wouldn't go away but he would eventually have hair to cover it and it would be fine...until he is an old man and has no hair again! :) He really is only sleeping on his back during the night now. Most of his naps he takes on his tummy in his crib so maybe it won't be too bad.

Jennifer is Dr. Bacak's nurse and she is really awesome. I can't imagine having to give babies shots but she was really sweet and fast. Chandler pretty much held his breath during the whole thing and by the time he finally breathed she was done. His face looked like a tomato! He actually did alot better than I was expecting. He only cried for a minute or two. She gave him tiny Toy Story bandaids for his legs.

I have a few questions that I am hoping some of you can help me with...

1. Chandler has really dry skin, seriously it feels like scaly. It probably not that big of a deal but I thought I would ask. Its not red/bumpy anything like that but he hates when I put on lotion. Any product recommendations? I have been using unscented Aveeno baby lotion.
2. When your baby is sick, gets shots, etc. and doesn't eat as much that day, what do you do? Do you usually just pump after each feeding? If you didn't would it affect your milk supply?
3. I know it varies but when did your kid(s) start rolling from back to tummy?
4. Any traveling tips? We have never spent the night away from home with Chandler. What are some helpful tips I need to know before it happens?

What We've Been Up to Lately

So let me just start by saying how dumb I am. I have been whining and complaining for days about how my blog won't work and trying to click on every setting button on this blog to try to get it to work all to find out that I was on Edit HTML view instead of Compose.

Kirby came to the rescue. I finally broke down and called her so she could tell me what in the world was wrong, after 2 seconds she said, "Chelsea you are under HTML." Cool. I am really tech savy, huh? As if you couldn't tell by how plain my blog is. That my friends will hopefully be changing. I am working at it.

This is going to be kinda long. But I have been adding to it everyday that I "wasn't able" to blog.

We have been pretty busy this past week. Here's what we've been up to.

We have started using cloth diapers. He isn't in them full time but we have started transitioning. His yeast rash has finally cleared all the way! YAY!! We only have mild diaper rash every couple days. I think this boy has got some sensitive skin.

This past we went to Shepherding a Child's Heart Conference in Kurten. Yes, Kurten. I know, crazy huh? Cody ended up having to work so it was just me and Chandler. Lots of friends from church were able to come to so it was a fun time of learning.

Chandler ready for the conference with his Baby Legs. I know some people have commented that these aren't boyish but we love them. They work really well for this "fallish" season when he can still wear a onesie but needs something on his little legs.

Saturday night Caleb, Ashley, Parker, Mammy, and Pappy came over. We enjoyed pizza and Sonic drinks together! :) Parker wanted everyone to eat outside. It was cute.

Chandler is growing everyday. He is getting better at spending time on his tummy. He has actually taken some naps on his tummy too. Still loves being swaddled so we still do that every night. He has been sleeping between 8 and 10 hours over the past week or so. He is too sweet to his mommy! He has started to put his hands in his mouth more. He always always loved his hands but now he is realizing he can eat them!

We went to Webb yesterday for Kheli's baby shower and he got lots of lovin' from some of my very favorite teachers. They were hilarious. They all would go wash their hands and fight over who got to hold him next. Seriously. They are too funny.

Some of my old 1st grade team! It was picture day so they are all dressed fancy and make me look like a college student. :)

Sweet Kheli and her oldest daughter, Gracie.

Also, Kirby's family made these adorable "Boo Baskets" for Halloween. Here is a link to the black cat pattern here. We decided to make two for our neighbors. Here are some pictures of how they turned out. Thanks Kirby for the cute idea. You are just too crafty my friend. You keep me on top of my game in that department. I can't wait to do these again next year when Chandler can actually help me!

And last but not least. This was this morning!

After we got all dressed and ready for the day, my sweet boy exploded everywhere! You can't tell because the onesie is white but it is covering his WHOLE body!

Stay tuned.

I promise I have an update coming soon. Blogger is doing an update today so I am not able to upload any pictures. What would a post be without cute Chandler pictures?

Stay tuned.

Yesterday

Yesterday we had a fun day together.

We went grocery shopping at the new HEB,

Mrs. Dena and Candace came by to see us,

AND

Candice and Jeremy were so sweet and made us dinner plus one of them (we won't say who) rented an awesome movie for us to watch, Waking Ned Devine. :)

The cute but serious face.

Huh? What did you say mom?

Learning to sleep in the crib and on our tummy.

Before the Miracle Blanket.

After the Miracle Blanket! :)

Chandler loves to look at the animals on the canopy of his car seat.

Loving the flashing light and music.

Mesmerized.

So, Chandler is doing okay sleeping on his tummy if he is really tired but he doesn't like more than a minute of tummy time when he is awake. How do you help your baby to like this or is this something that just comes with age?

{Recipes} Easy Dip Recipes

Ashley's friend Hannah made these two dips for her bachelorette party a while back. They were both really yummy and VERY easy to make so I thought I would share.

Both can be served with any kind of chips/crackers.

Yummy Cheese dip
16 oz sour cream
2 cups of cheese (cheddar or mixed Mexican blend)
1 small can of chopped olives
1 small can of green peppers
1 fiesta ranch dip package

Just mix that all together and serve in a bowl.

Easy Spinach dip
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained, finely chopped
1 pkg 10 oz chopped, spinach, thawed, drained
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Heat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients; spoon into 9-inch quiche or pie plate. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

Chandler's Baby Dedication

Chandler had his baby dedication at New Life on October 3.

This is the video from the special event.

The past couple days...

 Cute little Polo boy.

Laying in the leaves.

Stretch!

Trying to focus on the bee. 

Cute outfit from Grandma Cindy.

 Playing in his crib.

 Daddy's home from work!!

Smiley boy. 

{Recipe} Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

My mom and Aunt Thena came a couple weekends ago. On Saturday night we cooked dinner together. It was lots of fun. Creamy Chicken Enchiladas. Yum. I am not claiming they are healthy...just tasty. :) My Aunt Thena was great at chopping all these ingredients. I think this might be Heather's recipe, not sure. Either way we love it!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
6 chicken tenders, diced
1 onion, diced
1 bunch of cilantro, diced
1 bunch of spinach, cut up
1 pkg. fresh mushrooms, diced
12 oz. sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pkg. provolone cheese (sliced)
flour tortillas
Shredded monterrey jack cheese

Salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder

-Lightly cook chicken. Once almost done add onion, cilantro, spinach and mushrooms. Add spices. Cook until soft.
-Add in sour cream, whipping cream, and provolone cheese.
-Fill enchiladas. Pour remaining mix on top and cover with monterrey jack cheese.
-Bake at 350 until cheese is melted.

The many faces of Cody

Remember The many faces of Chandler?

Well, it looks like he gets his face making from his daddy.

This is what happens when Co got ahold of our new computer.

We laughed...ALOT. I actually laughed so hard I cried.

 Shocked.

 Chunky.

 Really excited.

 Confused.

Who knows.

I mean what do you say about this. He looks like one of those animals with the big eyes. :)

Co, I have always loved the many faces you can make but these just top it off! You always have a way of making me smile.

{Update} 2 months

Look at that little chunk!

He has changed so much in a month.

In case you need a reminder, click here.

Little Man. You are such a JOY to your daddy and I. We are so in love with you. We can't believe how fast you are growing. We went and saw our friends the Tilsen's the other day and I couldn't believe how big you were compared to Silas (2 weeks old). I love your grunts, smiles, funny faces, yawns, and stretches. You are growing way to fast! I love you sweet boy.

At 2 months old, Chandler...
-has the hiccups less and less, maybe only every other day or so now
-is sleeping from about 9pm to 7am at night with a feeding around 3am and every 3 hours during the day (we dropped the late night feeding because he was so tired and I was fighting him to stay awake to eat)
-is awake about a hour and a half, sleeps a hour and a half (for the 3 hour intervals during the day)
-weighs 11 pounds, 22 inches
-is wearing size 1 diapers
-is still too small for most of his clothes (0-3 months) but the newborn clothes are fitting much better, I am kinda sad about this though because most of his 0-3 are "summery" type clothes and I am thinking by the time he can wear them it will be too cold.
-LOVES looking at the elephant/tree canvas pictures on the wall behind the glider
-is much more alert
-is recognizing mom and dad voices
-smiles when you talk to him (mostly his mommy) :)
-whines/fusses some when he is putting himself to sleep or is getting tired
-still doesn't have much hair

Likes:
-his mommy (this was Cody's addition to the list)
-milk
-sleeping in the swaddle
-black and white books
-being held (of course)
-his hands
-tummy time
-his "smiley face" pacifier
-his car seat/being in the car
-being in the Moby wrap

Doesn't like so much:
-when I stop feeding him before he is ready or not being fed when he is ready
-baths (we're working on liking this)

**Laura was oh so sweet to help me with the "2 months" on Chandler's onesie. Thanks Laura!!

Mom questions:
1. What are books you "read" to your baby/toys they liked at this age?
2. How do you keep them warm in the bath during the winter? Just bathe them real fast?? :)
3. Is there a "too early" to start sign language with your baby?
4. Do/Did you just skip a feeding when you were out running errands/on a date night and you couldn't pump or did you just pump as soon as you could? (of course you didn't skip feeding them...they just got a bottle)
5. When did your baby start rolling over to his/her tummy? When did they start sleeping on their tummy?

Cleaning House

Saturday we were cleaning house and Chandler man wanted to help. **Look at him looking at the camera. How funny. 

4am

Chandler was cracking me up at his 3:30am feeding this morning. I fed him and put him back in his bed to go back to sleep and this is what was looking back at me. I resisted that cute face and went back to bed..only after taking a few pictures. :)