NBA Season is upon us

After the disappointment of the Tigers and Lions seasons, I am looking forward to the Pistons season getting underway this week. I was a little disappointed that Joe D didn't follow through on his promise to move some players in the offseason, but I think the team will still be pretty good. Probably good enough to lose in the conference finals for the 7th year in a row. I guess there's no shame in being the Atlanta Braves of the NBA. Of course, there's no championships either.

I've been trying to watch the World Series even though most of America probably isn't. Its still amazing to me that a team like the Rays that had the worst record in the entire sport last year is in the World Series. Of course, it looks like they're going to lose to Philly, but they've had a great run. I know Boston (before they won in 2004) and the Chicago Cubs get all the pub for being "cursed" or whatever, but I don't know why people overlook the Phillies. According to baseball-reference, the Phillies have been a team since 1883 and only have 1 championship (in 1980). 1!! Between 1883 and 1976 they only made the playoffs twice. And they're the only team in professional sports with more than 10,000 losses. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that both teams have great stories and would be worthy World Series champions.

Levi is doing well. From all accounts, he is adjusting well to daycare. All the teachers there love him. They suggested that we dress him up as Elvis for Halloween. Unfortunately, starting daycare has coincided with Levi not sleeping through the night anymore. We think that all the changes to his routine have thrown him off a little. It was really hard to start hearing him cry at 3-4 AM when he had been sleeping good for the last month+. But, hopefully he'll get back on his routine soon and let mom and dad get some more sleep!

This past weekend we were blessed to have our friends Brad and Cali Habegger come up to visit. Brad is one of my best friends from college, and that friendship has continued even after being away from school for 6 years. Brad is the Executive Director of Camp of Champions USA, a Christian camp in central Illinois. I am so proud of him and the work that he does with youth. His wife Cali is wonderful too, and even though her and Courtney didn't really have any connection other than being married to us, they have become fast friends as well. We had a fun time just hanging out, playing games, watching sports, and playing with Levi and Prince. We look forward to the time when we can see them again.

And, without further ado, here are some pictures of Levi. Enjoy!!

Not sure why, but Levi really loves the laundry basket.

This is about a 99 out of 100 on the Cuteness Scale.

Mom and Levi chillin' on the couch, probably watching Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Levi loves rocking in this chair all by himself.

Levi really loved his new friends Brad and Cali.

Brad tried, but I don't think Levi is going to like IU basketball.

Levi staring intently at dad while clutching his string to make sure he doesn't go anywhere.

A nice picture of the Chapin and Habegger families.

Look at the camera Prince!

Three Months Old!!!

This past week has been pretty busy for our little guy. First of all, as noted in her previous post, Courtney went back to work last week and Levi went to daycare for the first time. By all accounts daycare is going pretty well for him. He even has been taking a bottle pretty well which was one of our biggest concerns. I guess the biggest issue is that he doesn't like to nap in his crib, but easily falls asleep in a swing or bouncy seat. He even caught a nasty cold and has been sniffling and snotting the last few days. Courtney is enjoying being back at work but is extremely glad she is only working part time. The only one not adjusting well is Prince. Without company all day, he has been really clingy and hyper-active in the evenings. On nights like tonight when its rainy and we can't go outside and play, he just follows me around and won't leave me alone.

This past weekend was pretty eventful as well. Friday night, Courtney and I celebrated 5 years of being "together". We define "together" as the night we officially started dating, October 17th 2003. Of course neither of us actually realized this until the next day. I guess the longer you're together the more those things tend to slip your mind. Saturday we picked up Uncle Ryan and Aunt Marnie and headed to Saginaw to a surprise 30th birthday party for Courtney and Marnie's cousin Kelly. Unfortunately Levi was not in a good mood and cried pretty much the whole time we were there. Sunday we headed to Battle Creek to celebrate my mom's 56th birthday. We were able to go to the church I grew up in on Sunday morning. It was great to see everyone there and for them to get a chance to meet Levi. After watching another Lions loss with my folks, we headed home and got ready to start the new week. Life is always pretty busy, that's for sure!

On Sunday October 19th 2003, Courtney and I went to Battle Creek to celebrate my mom's 51st birthday. This was the first time Courtney had met my family. We took the following picture by the burning bush in my parent's front yard.

And now here we are, 5 years older and +2 in the family department. Please note, I am legally obligated to apologize because Courtney "looks drunk" (her words, not mine) in the picture. We tried to duplicate the above photo, and I insisted I remembered what side we were both standing on in the picture from 2003. As you can see, I was wrong.

All right, now that I've rambled on far too long, here are some pictures of Levi. Enjoy!!!

Flexin' in his pumpkin bib...

Apparently his thumb isn't big enough, so Levi likes to chew on his whole hand.

Looking good in his Tigers' outfit...

It's like looking in a mirror, only if the reflection in the mirror was much younger and better looking.
Also, I love it that we both are sporting double chins.

Levi was enjoying dress-up time in his bath.

We didn't bring a hat, so Levi wore Grandma Carla's sock on his head.

This is probably the cutest picture I've ever seen.

Return to Work

As I am wrapping up my maternity leave and preparing to go back to work (thankfully just to a nice part time schedule!), I decided to make the most of these last few days off. Take a few walks, change some more diapers, and write my very own entry for our Chapin family blog. No worries for any faithful blog followers who are used to enjoying Matt’s quick wit, charm, and sports commentary…he will be back again next time. :-)

So mommyhood…it has only been 3 months since little Levi joined our family, but I think that life as we knew it has definitely changed forever. The adjustment to having a baby, complete responsibility for this new little life, has been a process. Not always easy but completely worth it. I love being a mom! It has been such a joy to watch Levi grow and change from just a cute little sleeping lump in the hospital only three months ago into a 12+ pound baby boy who is alert and awake and charms us with his adorable coos and smiles. Don’t get me wrong…some days are certainly more challenging than others, as about every mom I know would probably say, but all of the happy moments make it all worth while. I feel like I have learned so much so far. There is definitely something to be said for on the job training!

Since Matt and I are always big fans of lists and organization, I decided how better to capture my first time mommy experiences and new knowledge than with a top ten list. So without further ado, in no particular order…In my first three months of on-the-job mommy training, I have learned that…

10) Having a baby has redefined the meaning of “a clean house”…”a productive day”…and “good sleep.”

9) Even in the midst of a crazy day, seeing Levi smile at me still melts my heart. So does watching him with his daddy – Matt is doing such a great job and is a wonderful dad!

8) For something that is supposed to be as “simple” and “natural” as breastfeeding, it certainly doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Especially at first.

7) Cutting baby fingernails is scary. Their little fingers are so small and the clippers so sharp!

6) Going out (no, not for anything fancy…just a quick trip to the store), has NEVER involved so much preparation or stuff to take along! I can’t imagine what our first vacation will be like! Not that I have any trouble packing quickly and efficiently and only bringing the necessary items. :-)

5) It really hurts to watch your baby cry, especially those times when nothing you do seems to help. As Matt would attest to, patience takes on an entirely new meaning.

4) A blow out diaper can occur at any time…or several times in a row. Levi’s record is 5 dirty outfits in about 3 hours. Good thing we have lots of cute clothes from the baby showers! Oh, and another note on the subject of diaper changing. I have learned that yes indeed, baby boys really can be a hazard during diaper changes. After several unexpected “showers,” and the necessary sanitization afterwards, the wall next to our changing table is now cleaner than it has ever been before!

3) Being a mom is like starting a new job, one where you are either working or are on-call 24/7.

2) Maternity leave is not a vacation. Though 12 weeks sounds like a wonderful break from work, and it is, anyone who thinks the time will be spent doing much more than recuperating and caring for a new baby is in for a surprise. I am so thankful that my job allowed me to be home with Levi those first three months. That adjustment time, particularly the first 6-8 weeks, was truly needed and appreciated. But all the extra time that I thought I would have for other things – what extra time? Who knew feeding, diapering, cuddling, and caring for a newborn would be so time consuming?

1) Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts, challenges, and opportunities God has given me. I pray that I will do a good job and make the most of every day with our little guy! I love being a family of three (plus Prince)!

(Note: Courtney was going to think of picture captions but she had to take care of Levi, so she turned this over to me. You're stuck with me after all. Ha!)

Getting ready for next year's baseball season already...

Giving mom the thumbs up that 2009 will be a better season.

Levi was pretty upset when we told him he couldn't have a pony for his three-month birthday.

Our little kung-fu warrior in his loincloth...

Taking one of his brief 3 minute naps...

What a cutie...and the baby isn't bad either!!

There's nothing better than when your baby smiles at you. Luckily I'm hilarious so I get a lot of smiles.

Our son is cute

OK, so that's not an original post title. I don't have anything all that interesting to share, so just enjoy the pictures.

Daddy's MVP looks like he's already getting the famous Chapin gut.

Not sure Prince is all that excited about Levi invading his territory.

Sitting up all by himself!! (Just ignore the hairy arm in the background.)

That's one good looking kid...definitely a chip off the old block.

Levi riding his "horse", and Prince couldn't be more excited.

Levi looking incredibly cute after a diaper change.

Just chillin' before a bath.

Giving mom the "OK" sign after the bath.

Two things we know for certain:
1) That hair isn't going away (in fact, its getting longer)
2) He looks like one of those troll dolls

"Hi everyone!"