Happy New Year

Well what a year it has been. March we found out we were going to be having a baby. June we found out IT IS A BOY! Then I only had to make it through the hot summer with my beach ball belly. I did it! And then October 14 we welcomed one AMAZING little man into our lives! He changes sooo much EVERYDAY! He has started smiling and talking. It is just so much fun! Pretty soon he will be talking back to us...oh what fun! haha My newphews sure do LOVE Tommy! He is going to be spoiled...wait he ALREADY is!!

I have been working with Woodlands National bank for 2 1/2 years as a Teller. I recently accepted a position in the Onamia branch as the Proof Operator. I am super excited to get off of the Teller Line and away from the Casino :) Tom was working with Merit in Isle which burned down the day after Thanksgiving. He is currently unemployed, but doesn't mind since Winter is his FAVORITE season! Well other than mudding in the summer! LOL Now he is able to snowmobile on all this BEAUTIFUL(not in my mind) snow we are getting! Test out his new portable fish house...caught a few Wally's already :) And plow snow...I don't think that is a favorite though!

Can't forget about the spoiled dogs either! They are very protective of Tommy. Lili rides on his lap when we are in the car. She waits until I start moving because she knows that I can't get her if I am driving. Little stinker! Chevy is one WILD CHILD! She is still a puppy and LOVES playing fetch. Bryce is always amazed that you can throw a stick for her and she will bring the SAME one back. "How does she do that Auntie?!" She continues to LOVE to hunt with Tom. She knows when it is time!

Other than that we have been keeping busy! Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas. Have a SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love, Tom, Shantell, Tommy, Chevy, & Lili

Back to work

Well I am going on day 3 back to work. Tommy is going to daycare with a GOOD friend of the family, Angie! So it isn't as hard to leave him. I miss him lots though. There just isn't enough time in the day to work and spend time with your baby!!! I guess I will just have to make up for it on the weekends. The dogs aren't too impressed being left home without anyone. Tom will be home for a while since the place he was working at, Merit, burned down the day after Thanksgiving. That was a sad sight. But I don't know as though he will be home much! Between fishing, snowmobiling, and working a bit on the side he stays quite busy! We are all doing good and excited for the holiday season. Hope everything is good with all of you!

WISHING YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!

Until next time ;-)...

New pics!

Not a whole lot new since I last posted! Just added some new pics. Tommy started eating cereal and is doing good with it! It has helped keep him sleeping longer at night! Thank goodnes!!

And I lied...Tom actually got 6 deer this year! He is quite the killer these days! Now hunting is almost over and fishing is starting. There is 6-7 inches of ice out on Mille Lacs now. He is out there fishing as I type this! CRAZY MAN!! It is just a little too early for me to trust that ice.

I start work a week from today :-(

Well that is all for now! Until next time...

6 week check up...

Well not a whole lot new here. I start work in 2 weeks :( That means no more quality time with Tommy ALL day long :-( It will be a hard first day December 9th!

We had our 6 week check up today. Tommy is a whopping 10 pounds 13 ounces and 22 - 1/2 inches long. His head is now measuring at 15 - 1/2 inches...up and inch since birth! So our little boy is GROWING, GROWING, GROWING...like a weed!! He had to get 3 shots today...poor little man! He did pretty good though...it was a little tough on me though.

He is awake lots more which is so much fun! He listens to us talk to him and is really trying hard to focus on everything. His head is getting stronger and he is just growing SOOOOOO fast!

Tom ended up getting 5 deer this year. 2 Does and 1 bambi up in Wadena at their Deer Shack and 1 BIG Doe and a spike Buck by our house on his friends land. So we have quite the supply of venison...which I don't eat!

I don't have pictures uploaded on mom's computer and we didn't take any before he got his shots today...so I will try to post some after Thanksgiving. Just thought I'd update everyone on how we are doing!

We are wishing everyone a SAFE & HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I can't believe it is already that time...better get going on the Christmas cards, huh?!

Until next time....

4 weeks old ALREADY?!

Well well well...Tommy is going to be 4 weeks old tomorrow! I can't believe it. He is doing great...we all are! We had a little problem with his formula at first. He had a little problem with gas and wasn't a happy boy for about a week. We have since switched his formula and things are going awesome. He wakes up about every 3-4 hours and is eating 4 ounces! I can already tell he has gained some weight! He is starting to be awake a lot more so it is a lot of fun. He is also starting to recognize voices. He really likes the deep male voices. He continues to amaze me everyday by how much he changes.

Tom went up hunting this weekend and will be back tomorrow sometime. He has shot 2 doe's so far and they also have a 6 point buck(Tom didn't shoot that one though). Me,Tommy, & Lili have been staying at Grandma Kathi's. I think she is enjoying the time with him!! :-) And Lili too!!

Well that is all for now. Hope you enjoy the new pictures. He is really starting to look more and more like his Daddy...And the red hair is more obvious in some pictures...not sure if it is going to stay. He is quite fiesty though...so maybe?!

Almost 2 weeks...

I can't believe it has already been 2 weeks since I had Tommy. Everything is going good. We are both doing great! Daddy too!!! We are loving every minute of everything! It is amazing how fast they change everyday. Lili is very protective of Tommy. She loves laying by him...especially when he cries. It is super cute.

I stayed at Mom & Dad's this weekend since Tom went up to his deer shack to finish things up. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa I got a couple good nights rest! I think they have enjoyed the time.

Sorry it has taken me so long to update...I don't have the internet at my place so have been waiting to come to Shannon's or my parents. Bryce had his 7th birthday party on Saturday...I can't believe he is 7! Hunter's is coming up here too...Time sure does fly!

I guess that is really all for now...until next time :-)

HE'S HERE!

Thomas Alan Chandonnet was born Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 3:48pm. He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 21-1/2 inches long. He is so darn adorable and doing great. Shantell is doing good too! (by the way this is Shannon updating for Shantell since she is still in the hospital) The Princeton hospital has been a busy place with lots of family and friends stopping by to meet Tommy. His cousins have already broke him in to his crazy family. Ashton was very interested in Tommy's belly button because it didn't look like his. The race is on to see who gets to hold him first. Shantell and Tommy should be coming home tomorrow. I will post a few pictures to get you by until Shantell can get on the computer. Oooh, he is soooo adorable!!!!

38 Weeks

Nothing to new this week. I am now 80% effaced and still about 3 cm dilated. Now it is just the patient waiting game...although I am more than ready to hold him in my arms! His heartbeat was about 150...he isn't moving quite as much as before. I suppose that is because he has no room to move around!! I gained 1 1/2 pounds and forgot to ask how big my tummy is measuring! Dr. Fraboni said that if I don't have him by the due date(Oct. 21) that he will schedule an induction for a few days after that. I am still uncomfortable and my feet are HUGE!!!! ONLY 2 WEEKS TO GO!!! That is all for now....

So much for 37 weeks!!!

I am almost 3 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and he is dropped as far as he can be before I deliver! So now it is the waiting game!! His heartbeat was about 140. I have now gained 42 pounds…I KNOW…my tummy is measuring in at 39 cm. I am SOOOO ready for this to be over! I feel like I am walking around with a football between my legs…LOL! And I thought I was uncomfortable before. Ha, yeah right! The doctor was pretty impressed with my progress…so hopefully in the next week or so he’ll be here…CROSS YOUR FINGERS! I know I am :-) That is all for now…

Just plain UNCOMFORTABLE...

It continues! I am uncomfortable most of the time. I am the most uncomfortable sleeping. And they say the sleepless nights come after the baby is born, I beg to differ! The baby offically has NO MORE room in my belly...or so it feels! Every way I move I feel a leg, arm, back, or whatever body part it may be, in my ribs...stomach...the list only goes on! My feet have started to SWELL as well as my fingers! But it is all for a wonderful reason! Soon we will get to welcome this little man into the world...maybe not soon enough(in my eyes)...but soon!! :-) Wednesday is my 37 week check up so we'll see if I have progressed at all!

Tom is off to the hunting shack in Wadena for the weekend...so it is me and the dogs holding down the home. He left Friday and will be home Sunday. It is pretty much the last weekend he is able to go until deer hunting...just in case I would go into labor early! The dogs are pretty much lost without him...they bark at EVERY noise or car that drives by. My protective girls, I guess!

Well that is all for now! Hope all is well with everyone.

36 WEEKS AND GROWING...

Well I had my 36 week check up yesterday. Once again everything is going fine! My belly is measuring in at 37.5 cm, I've gained a total of 35.5 pounds, and his heart beat was in the higher 130's. His head is still down and he is ready to go! The doctor checked to see if I was dialated at all and I am 1 cm & 25% efaced...could be like that for the next 4 weeks, but you gotta start somewhere, right?! I now go to the doctor every week until he is here :-) So hopefully it will help the last month cruise by a bit! Everything is now offically READY! Our bags are packed and the baby's room is ALL ready! So now is the waiting game! I have been starting to get a little more uncomfortable especially when it comes time to sleeping! Only 4 more weeks though :-) Bryce keeps reminding me he wants me to be at his house on his birthday, Oct. 27, and I am due the 21. I told him I'd try my hardest...he doesn't think it would be so cool to have his cousin born on his birthday! That's all for now!

Playhouse

I put a couple of pictures up of the new playhouse! It now has steps and the deck is complete! The grand kids are sure going to have some fun! Grandpa too!!!!

34 weeks & counting!

Well, I had my 34 week check up yesterday. All is well! I gained 4 more pounds, my belly is measuring in at 34 cm, & his heart beat was 140. His head is still down, his back is on the left side of my tummy, with his hands and feet on the right. My doctor said we are both where we need to be! My hips have really been starting to hurt the last couple of days...just getting ready for him to come, I guess!

I went to my sister's on Saturday(6) and we went through clothes, 0-12 months. Thank goodness she has 2 boys!! I finished washing up the 0-6 month clothes last night and put them all away. His crib & craddle are made, car seat & diaper bag ready...all we need is him now! I still need to pack my bag, but with 6 weeks left, we are pretty much ready. Well as ready as we can be I guess!!!!

Sounds like Bryce & Hunter are enjoying school. Hunter had to miss his first day since he had a high temp. But the second day went well. Bryce already had a birthday party for one of his buddies, so all in all I think things are good.

Well that's it for now! Hope all is well!

Long Weekend Gone...Back To Reality!

Well Labor Day Weekend came and went with a flash! It was here and before you know it, it is gone. Then it is back to reality...WORK. Ugh! I really didn't do much the whole weekend, which was kind of nice for once. I didn't end up going to Paul & Krista's wedding...Sorry guys, but CONGRATS! I heard it was beautiful! A friend of mine lost her dad Thursday evening so Friday after work was spent with her and some other friends. It was a late night and I took advatage of the "no work, I'm gonna sleep in" mode! I cleaned up around the house Saturday and got some things that Tom had forgotten for the mud run. I made my way out there by about 3 or 4 o' clock with his Mom & Step-Dad. We spent the night Saturday and hung out Sunday. It was HOT! I looked like a lobster with coon eyes by Sunday evening! Tom's truck was having some problems and he still isn't quite sure what it is, but he did get some mudding in! I got some good footage from the sidelines...now if only I can figure out how to post a video, I can show all of you what the Mud Runs are all about! We came home Sunday evening, unpacked, did some laundry, & got the dogs. By that time we were both so wiped out from the fresh air we pretty much just sat on the couch in the AC! Monday was spent cleaning and finishing up laundry. I went to Mom & Dad's to see the progress on the "playhouse". It is more of a child's DREAM house! LOL I will post some pictures once I get them uploaded. Shannon watched Lili for me while I went to the wake. Mom ended up taking over for a bit. And then it was home to get ready for the week. Not working on Monday is nice, but it really messes with the schedule! I can't believe it is already Wednesday! Bryce & Hunt started FIRST grade Tuesday. Still have to get reports on how things went! All in all it was a good weekend...just sad to see it had to come to an end! Hope all is well with you and yours!

Labor Day

It is already Labor Day Weekend! Where has the time gone?! Not too much planned for the weekend. Tom will be going to a Mud Run Saturday through Sunday. I will probably be heading out Saturday evening sometime. We will stay in the camper with a couple friends of ours. Tom's Mom will be taking the dogs for us! This is the Mud Run we look forward to every year. OUr stay is going to be a bit shorter than usual...next year we will have to make up for it! It is from Friday through Monday so it gets to be a LONG weekend! I will just be video taping on the side lines this year. It is still fun to go and watch! Saturday is also the day my cousin Paul gets married. So heading to that in St. Cloud for the day. I guess that is all. Have a safe and Happy Labor Day everyone!

32 weeks, baby shower, birthday!!

Well I had my 32 week check up yesterday! Everything is where it is supposed to be. I gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks!!! I have now gained a whopping 28 pounds! Amazing, huh?! It is mostly all in my belly though...does that mean after he is born it will all be gone?! Wishful thinking, right?! His heart beat was 148-15o, his head is down, and he loves doing somersaults in mommy's belly! I haven't experienced the whole kicking thing yet, but he does move A LOT! A few more weeks and I am sure all I will feel is the punching and kicking! 8 more weeks and hopefully he will be here...or close to here! My ear has kind of been bothering me so I had the doc check it out. You will never guess what he found?! A dog hair, yes a dog hair, on my ear drum! Thanks to Tom's wonderful black lab, Chevy! He tried to flush it out, then tried to dig it out...no luck. So I now have a sore ear from all of that and still the hair in my ear! Hopefully it will just work its way out! I never knew something as small as a dog hair would drive me that crazy! I thought I had an ear infection!!

I had the baby shower on Sunday(8/24). 51 people showed up with LOTS of presents! I can not believe how much stuff we got. It is truly amazing. I didn't get to talk to everyone as much as I liked, but I was trying to say hello to everyone! So, sorry if I missed you or didn't talk to you very long! Thank you all so much for everything! We are offically ready for the baby to be here! His room is all set up and there are actually things in there! I just love going through the clothes. They are so tiny and cute! Everything is a lot less stressful now. Now I can relax a bit...I am sure Tom is thankful for that!

Yesterday I turned a whole year older...I am the big 2-3 now! Where has the time gone?! Tom made me dinner...it was very yummy! Mom, Grams Rogers, Shannon, Bryce, and Ashton brought over cake and ice cream. Mom made my favorite...yellow cake with HOMEMADE chocolate frosting! So it was a great day. Thanks to all of you who wished me a Happy Birthday!

Well that is it for now!

Welcome!

Well I figured I could start this blog before the baby is here! This way once he is here I can update everyone with how he is doing and some updated photos! I am not really that good with these things, but will try my hardest to become the "blogger"! Nothing too new right now. I have a check up tomorrow to see how everything is going. 8 weeks to go and hopefully he will be in our arms! Hope all is well with everyone!