Oh my! Where has the time gone?!

Oh my word! I can't believe it's been so long since we've posted! Let's see. Where have we been?
First up: Arkansas over the 4th of July

We spent a fabulous long weekend with the French Family at the Farm. Thanks to Auntie April and Uncle Adam for housing us, and to Aunties Brenda and Debi and Uncle Brad for feeding and entertaining us! (We missed you, Jackie! <3) align="center">

Plus we managed to get a photo that serves as Hank's 5 month portrait:

And, on the way home, Hank *almost* got to enjoy his first trip to Lamberts. However, with over an hour wait, we decided to skip it. But as a consolation, we ate Lamberts rolls in the car. Look closely -- Hank liked it! :)

Next: Pensacola Beach

Milo, Hank, Gramme and I hit the road in the middle of July and drove(!!!) to meet some of the Frenches at Pensacola Beach, FL. But we made it. Had to stop every couple of hours, and split the 12 hour trip into 2 days there and back, but it was ok. And while we were there, it was fabulous!

Here are some highlights:

Sunrise from the Boardwalk
Sunset view from our deck
The 2009 French Family Beachbums

And we're counting this one as Hank's 6 month portrait. :)

For a complete set, you can click here (you don't need a Facebook account to view them).

What else?

Let's start with Baby Boy.

Hank is getting up on his hands and knees and rocking, even moving backwards. Every once in a while, he makes a bit of forward progress, but I'm betting just any day now, we'll have a crawler. He had his 6 month check-up last week, and is now 23lbs, 13.5oz (still over 95%), 28.5" (90%, and he was 50% up until now), and I can't remember his head circumference, but it remained at 90%. So, yeah. He's still big. ;)

Oh, and he's big enough to not use the baby tub anymore. A pic of Hank & Milo sharing their first bath:

Speaking of big, let's talk about the Big Boy.

Milo is fully and completely potty trained (well, except night, but I'm not concerned about that), and even standing up to pee. Good times. Actually, I'm not complaining at.all. It's been a loooooong time coming! He's still loving preschool, and has two friends, Cody and Andrew. Well, I actually think he has more friends than that, but those are the only two kids that he knows their names. ;)

Aaron's band, Funky Butt Brass Band, is going great guns. They released their first CD, Cut the Body Loose, and opened for a reknowned New Orleans musician, Dr. John & Lower 911, here in St. Louis last night. If you'd like a CD, they are $15, and you can just let us know -- we'll get it to you. Or you can download here: http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000033134

As for me, well, here I am. Really having a hard time getting my head back into *life*. And really, really yearning for more time with the boys. If you're of a praying mind, I would appreciate prayers for a door (or window!) to open that would allow me to work part time. Of course, this would mean we'd have to find insurance on our own, so it is kind of a big prayer. ;) But, really, we're all pretty good right now.

And what's coming up? Let's see. We're going (and taking the boys) to TWO Cardinals games next week. And we're really looking forward to Aunties Jackie and Iris, and Uncle Ken, and Ryan and Kendra coming in town for a visit next weekend! Also, Milo starts the Fall session of preschool -- thankfully he's in the same class and has the same teacher, so there won't be too much transition. And Hank begins at the new sitter soon, too.

What's new with all of you?

We're Rolling!

Erica's Note -- this was *supposed* to be posted on Wed, June 24, but I didn't get time to do it. So I'm leaving what I had written and updating since we've come so far in such a short time!

Well, Hank is anyway. Last Friday, he officially rolled from his back to his tummy. Although he'd been SO close for a long, long time, he finally made it all the way over. And I (somehow) caught it on film:

And Hank is now rolling both ways, and even *almost* making it up on his knees when on his belly. That kid is on the move!

Hank's also well established on jar foods -- we've made it through all the veggies and fruits. But I think he's going to be on table food well before Milo was. This boy covets "real" food and will stare you down as you eat in front of him. I mean enough that I actually feel guilty sometimes. And now he won't let you feed him -- he has to have the spoon. He'll give it up for just long enough that you can get more food on it, but he wants it right back. Since this post, Baby Boy has gotten to eat two biscuits (gummed them to pieces!) and two Biter Biscuits. Think I'll be skipping Stage 3 food for him and going right to diced meats and veggies. But not for a few weeks anyway.

As for Milo, I am beyond thrilled to report that he is now peeing on the potty!! It has been SUCH a long time coming, I can't stand it. He'll even stay dry during the night and then ask to get up and sit on the potty first thing in the morning. Whew. Now, poop on the other hand, that's a different story. But let's focus on the positive for now. Even more exciting -- there's been poop on the potty, people!! Milo's been in big boy underwear full-time for 3 days now. Woohoo!!!

Milo's also discovered Scooby Doo, and really loving those hour-long movies from the early '70s where they have a different guest star each time. His favorite right now is Jerry Reed and the haunted music hall. (Can you guess who's influence that is?)

And Milo is still loving preschool! We are so glad! In fact, I hear almost every day, "No, Mama! Go! Don't come in here!" But I'd rather have it that way than him not wanting to go at all, right?

That's about it from here. Aaron and I are having a bit of sticker shock, as the Fox is no longer paying for family insurance coverage after July 1. Thankfully they are subsidizing those of us that already had family coverage for this next year, but as of July 1, 2010, we're on our own. Not that we can't still buy through the Fox; it's just $434.22 per paycheck(!!), which is twice a month, for all of us. $868.44 a month. $10,421.28 a year. Which doesn't take into account any increase next year, at a minimum of 16%. But let's not borrow problems until we get there, right?

French Family -- we are SO looking forward to seeing you guys next (this) weekend!! And Tubb Family -- hope you're getting to enjoy some time with Frank & Jeanie this (last) week!

Love to all!

Go Cards!

Yesterday was a momentous occasion. Not only the Chandler family's innaugural Cardinal game of the season, but also Baby Hank's very first game. Mark it on your calendar, folks! ;)

A good time was had by all -- including Gramme and Papa, who came with us -- courtesy of one of the local TV stations and their fabulous suite. Milo even seems to have conquered his fear of large stuffed mascots. Or, at least his fear of Fredbird (aka, "Fwedbird"). I have a feeling we'll wind up at that Build-A-Bear Fredbird shop they have at the stadium before the season is through. Although now that I say that, maybe we can finally ditch the paci habit by putting them in a stuffed Fredbird...or we'll just end up with a decapitated Fredbird when Milo frantically digs for the paci back. But I digress.

One hopeful thing -- Milo asked to go on the potty at the stadium, and the bathroom in the suite was occupied. But that boy stood there patiently and calmly, then waltzed right in and peed. Woohoo!!!! I know. I shouldn't be nearly that excited about bodily functions. But I am.

Gramme seems to have survived her week with the Chandler boys (our sitter was on vacation this past week). And Aaron is on his way to Jazzfest in New Orleans. (Lucky.)

I think that's about it from us. Go Cards!

Month Three Update

Well, here we are. We have survived my first full day back at work with both boys at the sitter. And I am more than elated to report that Baby Hank is NOT his brother. I only made it about half of my first day back before having to go feed Milo because he refused to take a bottle. Not so with Hankers. This is a cakewalk compared to that!

What else? Hank is babbling and cooing and gooing, and loves to play Pattycake. Milo has actually asked us to go on the potty 4 or 5 times now -- and gone. (Don't get me wrong -- he's nowhere NEAR ready for big boy underwear, but this is progress.) And Aaron and I are just trying to get a routine going in the mornings since Aaron takes them to the sitter while I go to work early.

I'd forgotten just how much I did NOT miss my old Frenemy (aka, The Pump). However, we're friendly right now and Hank will have plenty to eat for a while anyway. ;) My crazy coworkers decorated my office and posted these signs everywhere:

This is what happens when you work with creative theater-types.

Poor Aaron is looking at getting his wisdom teeth removed in the next couple of weeks. But it's a good time, as he (shockingly) has very few gigs this month. Although it just so happens that one he does have is on Easter. At 4pm. Right when we *should* be eating dinner with family. But whatever. I'm not bitter. (Much.)

I'll quit rambling. But we really appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we transition to a family of two working parents again. And, even more, if you could pray for a shortened work schedule for me by this summer (it's *hopefully* in the works).

And I'll leave you with some favorite recent pictures of all:

First Zoo Trip of the Year:

Hank's Dedication at Church:

The Potty & The Park

Oh, give me strength. The Potty Training adventure (nightmare?) has resumed. The Diaper Fairy visited the Chandler home last Thursday evening and took all of Milo's diapers, which he was actually OK with. And we did have success all weekend.......but only if Milo was naked from the waist down. Which he was when we were home. The only accidents he had was when he had a pull-up or real underwear on.

He's on spring break from preschool this week, so the sitter decided she'd work with her son and Milo. However, Milo can't just run around naked at her house, so she's facing a huge challenge. He'll just go in his pants and doesn't have a care in the world about it. I'm just not sure how to bridge that gap between knowing what it feels like to have to go (which he obviously does when he's naked) and actually stopping and finding a potty when he's clothed. Gah. I hate it all!

On to Hank. He is 9 weeks old today, and just as fat and happy as ever. Actually, he's probably much happier than he used to be since I've been dairy-free. He's certainly not perfect, but he's not crying as much and not having such obvious pain. So that's a good thing. He began laughing out loud last week, and drumroll please............slept through the night last night!!!!!! All the way from 10:30pm to 6:30am. Woohoo! (Now, let's just hope that wasn't a fluke!)

Can I just tell you -- these clothes are size 9 MONTHS. Not 9 weeks. 9 freaking moths. Fat old thing.

As for Aaron and I, status quo pretty much. He's had a ton of gigs. And, actually, Gramme and Papa watched the boys for us Saturday night so I could go see Aaron's band, which was really nice. (For those in the area, you should get out to see the Funky Butt Brass Band -- they're a ton of fun! http://www.funkybuttbrassband.com/) However, Hank did give them a run for their money. We'll just leave you with this visual: Jeanie holding Hank while sitting in the bathroom, while Frank ran a blow dryer over Hank's body. That's the only way they could get him to eat his bottle. Crazy kid.

I have 3 more weeks of maternity leave before I go back full time, but I think I'm going to work some half days in a couple weeks to ease back into it and let Hank get used to going to the sitter. I won't get started, but, man, am I struggling with the thought of leaving him. I'm definitely having a harder time now than I did with Milo. But health insurance is a good thing, so back I go.

On to happier pastures (literally): we've had a few really beautiful, warm days here in St. Louis, so Milo and Hank have gotten to visit the park (actually a couple parks) some. Here are pictures.

Visit 1 -- about a month ago:

Visit 2 -- about 2 weeks ago:

Visit 3 -- today: