Spring Break 2009

This was Chandler's second time to visit the beach; however, it was her first time to walk and play on the beach. We took her for her first time when she was six months old, but she didn't get to enjoy it. This time, she had a blast. She chased after seagulls, stacked sticks, and dug holes in the sand. It was a wonderful time, just the three of us.

Bubbles

Chandler had a blast with this bubble machine. Her cousins, Parker and Olivia, came to visit and they had a blast playing outside in the thousands of bubbles.

One of my favorite pictures!

Madison and Chandler

Bringing in the New Year-Gatlinburg Trip

What a fun trip!!!! Chandler had a blast riding some of the rides. Chandler also cut her top, front teeth on this trip. Of course, it didn't bother her! She is such a trooper.

Christmas 2008

Chandler's kitchen


Playing pretend



Oh boy! Santa brought me lots of toys!

First Birthday

Wow! What a busy year we had. Chandler is growing up so quickly. She can push buttons, play patty-cake, and sing ring-around the rosie. She learned many new words this month also. She says "hey" and "bye". She says "Wowa" for our dog Lola.

Weight: 25 lbs

Height: 29 1/2 inches

My precious angel,

You are the love of my life. I have always wanted a family of my own. When I met your father, I knew we would have a family together. You are the best thing that has happened to us. I live for spending time with you, kissing, and holding you. My most sincere prayer is that you have a happy, healthy, and safe life. If you ever need anything, I will always be there for you. Most importantly, be smart and make wise choices in life. If you do so, you will accomplish anything your precious heart desires. I love you more than you can ever imagine.

Love Always,

Mom

Eleventh Month Memories

Meagan Smith, Madison Graham, and Chandler Stephens



I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!! It brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it. This is Chandler walking a short distance for the very first time.

Milestones:
No more formula or bottles for Chandler!!! She began drinking regular milk this month from a sippy cup. She is eating table food as well!

Weight: 24 pounds

Height: 28 inches

Tenth Month Memories

Chandler was a flower for Halloween.

First time eating Chinese food. We eat this often because they deliver! : )

Chandler making a mess with a magazine! At least junk mail is good for something. It kept her entertained for a while!

My little piglet! This child has never had a problem with eating! She is just like her momma!

Milestones:

FINALLY, Chandler got her first tooth this month. I was starting to think that Santa would need to bring her dentures for Christmas. I have to say that Chandler is the most loving child that I have ever met. She is constantly giving out hugs and kisses to everyone.

This month, Chandler learned how to clap, say "daddy", and put on sunglasses.

Weight: 23 lbs

Height: 27 1/2 inches

Oh, in one of the pictures above, Chandler is eating Chinese food for the first time (the one with the noodle hanging out of her mouth). Her first fortune cookie read: "Something on four wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!"

Ninth Month Memories

Milestones:

Wow!! Chandler really "grew up" this month. She learned so many new words. She started drinking through a straw. She holds phone up to her ear, points to nose and waves bye-bye. Her favorite food is chicken fingers.

Weight: 22 lbs and 3 oz

Height: 27 inches

Eighth Month Memories

Milestones:
Chandler made her first dance moves this month. She waved bye-bye. Chandler also loves to sing. She especially loves to sing when she is sleepy. Chandler went to Nanny and Pop's house for her first Alabama football game.

One of Chandler's favorite things to do is take a bath. Her is one picture of Chandler and Madison. They are best buds.

Weight: 20 lbs and 3 oz

Height: 27 inches

Seventh Month Memories

Wow! What a month of excitement! Chandler got her ears pierced on July 23rd, 2008. She screamed for just a brief second. I think it hurt me more than it did her. Most importantly, Chandler learned how to say "Ma Ma". Nothing melts my heart more than to hear that one word. Oh, and she also said "Lola" this month. Lola is our Chocolate Lab. Chandler loves her so much.

Milestones:
Chandler crawled for the first time on July 26th, 2008. She started pulling up on August 12th, 2008. She looks for dropped objects, stands holding onto furniture, smiles, and laughs often.

Weight: 20 lbs and 3 oz

Height: 27 1/2 inches

Sixth Month Memories

Chandler's very first beach trip took place just after she turned six months old. We went to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Milestones:
Chandler is sleeping from 7:30 pm-7:00 am. She takes two naps. The first one is at 8:30 am and the second one is at 1 pm. Chandler's betime bottle has one scoop of oatmeal in it. I honestly believe that is what helped keep her full and allowed her to sleep through the night.

Chandler made many new discoveries this month. She is pulling toys out of the toy box, sitting up in the tub, feeds self crackers, holds own sippy cup, plays peek-a-boo.

Weight: 18 lbs and 3 oz
Height: 26 3/4 inches

Fifth Month Memories

This month we went to Gatlinburg, TN with the Stephens family. Chandler did so good. I was worried that she wouldn't like to spend that much time in her car seat, but as always, she did fabulously! Chandler has always been such an easy baby.

Chandler also took her first swim in a pool this month. We bought a baby pool for Chandler and Madison. We filled it with only a few inches of water and they LOVED IT!!!

On Father's day, Chandler had her very first cookie. She made a gigantic mess, but it was the beginning of her love for cookies.

Milestones:
Chandler started baby babbling this month. She learned how to say: "Ya Ya Ya Ya" and "Da Da Da Da". On May 24th, 2008 Chandler was sitting up on her own. Chandler is able to get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth.

Weight: 16 lbs and 4 oz
Height: 25 3/4 inches

Fourth Month Memories

Milestones:
After four months of staying on a strict schedule, you finally began to sleep through the night. What a great milestone....for you, mommy, and daddy! You began eating Gerber First Foods this month. You ate 1/2 of a vegetable and 1/2 of fruit before your bath at night. You rolled over for the first time this month--back to belly. On May 4th 2008, you drank apple juice from a sippy cup. You laugh a lot and blow bubbles.

Places you visited were: church, Nanny and Pop's, baseball field. You also experienced your very first boat ride. Mommy bought you a special life jacket. You were so relaxed on the boat ride that you fell asleep.

Weight: 14 lbs and 13 oz
Height: 24 1/2 inches

Third Month Memories

At three months, we had our first experience with "getting shots." All I can say is....IT'S HORRIBLE!!! There has got to be a better way to immunize babies.

Milestones:
You tried and liked many fruits this month: applesauce, bananas, prunes, peaches, and pears. You ate five ounces every five hours. You started swatting at toys with your hands. You attempt to roll over. You love watching Baby Einstein. You visited Daddy at the baseball field this month. You squeal with delight at seeing mommy. I made you laugh for the very first time. You also sat in the walker for the very first time-with the help of blankets to prop you up.

Weight: 12 lbs and 12 oz
Height: 24 inches

Second Month Memories

This was a bittersweet month for me. Our time together at home had come to an end because I had to return to work. That meant that you had to start daycare. It wasn't easy leaving you with complete strangers. I can remember taking you into Brentwood for the first time. You were about a month old. Your daddy went with me so we could meet with the Director, stock your cubby, and meet your teacher. I cried.

Milestones:
You started sleeping from 7 pm to 4 am. You cooed a lot and learned how to bring your hands together. You began to bear weight on your legs and were saying the following vowel sounds: A, O, and I. You had four ounces every four hours.

Weight: 11 lbs and 8 oz
Height: 24 inches

First Month Memories

Chandler's first month was quite busy. She had her very first Christmas when she was just five days old. We all know that Christmas is usually a stressful time with all the traveling, cooking, shopping, wrapping presents, and all the other fun stuff that comes with this time of year. It was really hard to leave home and travel in the cold with a new baby. I was a nervous wreck! However, we made the best of it.

After Christmas break, everything was a lot less stressful and I really enjoyed spending two months at home to be with you!

Milestones:
You loved sleeping on your tummy or in a Glider. At night, you woke every three hours. You ate three ounces of Enfamil every 2-4 hours. On January 17th 2008, you had your first scoop of cereal. You began to smile, coo, and hold your head up really well. Places you went were: Nanny and Pops, shopping, PaPaw and JuJu's, Aunt Mindy's, Wal-Mart, and Cracker Barrel.

Weight: 9 lbs and 8 oz
Height: 22 inches

What a Homecoming!

Your first day home was Friday, December 21st, 2007. I dressed you in a special pink gown while at the hospital. It was HUGE! So, you ended up wearing a sleeper home. Oh well, I had good intentions.

Nanny and Pop brought Mommy and Daddy soup to eat for supper. Nanny held you for the longest. She cut your hospital bracelet off.

Nanny also gave you your very first bath! She showed mommy how to hold you. It was very hard at first because I was so scared that I would drop you! It's not easy holding a slippery, squirmy newborn!

Oh, Happy Day!

I absolutely HATE this picture of me but, it completely captured many emotions: Chandler was cold and upset, daddy is beaming with excitement, and mommy is in excruciating pain! Oh well, it was one of the happiest days of my life.

Chandler, bringing you into this world has been my biggest accomplishment!

You were born on mommy's due date: December 19th, 2007. You weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces and you were 19 inches long. Everyone thought you looked just like me.

My labor began at 4:45 a.m. and lasted until 8:45 p.m. Yes, sixteen hours!!! That explains the look on my face in this picture.

Dr. James Daniel delivered you at Regional Medical Center in Anniston. My first reaction when seeing you for the very first time was, "She is so little." And you were! But most of all, you were healthy and absolutely perfect in every way.

Your name is very special! Your great great grandmother's name was Pauline Chandler. She was such a precious lady and is greatly missed. You and I share the same middle name.

The Beginning

ALRIGHT!!! I have officially joined the blogging bandwagon! And since I am a beginner, I have a lot of catching up to do. Therefore, that is exactly what I am going to do. The upcoming posts will be from the first two years of Chandler's life. I just can't stand the thought of not sharing some of the wonderful memories that we have already made as a family. Anyways, here we go!