Picture update

First I'd like to introduce Quinns New Cousin from Bangor Subase Washington. Mila Ladua. Can't wait to meet you cutey.

As for Quinn, I know he is thrilled that dad just bought rock band 2. He loves it and has trouble containing himself.

We've missed so much updating these past few weeks, a lot has been happening. Auntie Karra got married so Quinn got all spiffed up.

I don't know who taught this boy to slow dance.

Time is flying lately. And this blog is easily neglected these days with our new schedule. Steph is at school 40 hrs per week with up to five hours additional study time each day. I guess that means updating is pretty much up to me. As far as our new house goes we are enjoying it. I'll put up pictures of some of my favorite parts of the house but not all (14 total rooms including finished basement).

Like the kitchen. Theres an indoor grill and a food warmer. The sink and dishwasher are pretty much separate from the cooking area. Who ever built this liked to entertain many guests.

I have one tenant whom I offered any room in the house to, and he chose the formal dining room. Of course.

There are three full bathrooms inside the house, along with a full bathroom, two showers and a wet bar outside by the pool.

The master bedroom has three closets.

Quinns room.

I think Quinn has a good life here. He seems to be happy about it.

Possibly my favorite feature. Five car garage!!! 3 external and 2 internal.

A work shop in case I ever need one.

We're the last house on a dead end road. And we've met and like our nearest neighbors. Always a plus.

The basement has a series of rooms that I don't know what to do with, besides maybe these two.

The house is a great place to come home to. And it's a good thing I don't mind spending a lot of time here, because we don't have money to do much else. Now that Steph is in school, we've put ourselves on a tight budget that includes the $2400 monthly mortgage (6% 30 yr fixed with nothing down). We figure the sacrifice will be worth it to get Steph through school, and then we'll be in a position to live more comfortably and do things with this big house. But I gotta say, at a glance the house makes us look rich, until you see our 98 ford ranger and 96 saturn parked in the driveway. They're paid off.

So theres some pictures. Hope all is well with everyone. Steph says hi but shes too busy with her studies to update.

Do it yourself moves...

The family is finally moved in along with all our years of accumulated junk. I gave myself plenty of time to move so that I could do most of it myself... Just the cleaning alone of the old place while mom and Quinn were at the new house. Never again, that blew. So while we have been living here for a few weeks now, we haven't taken any pictures of the new house that I know of. But I pulled some older shots off of the internet. If it looks a little big, that's because it is over 5500 sq ft. And I'll admit it is intimidating for my first house, (the lawn is 1.5 acres of grass that I will be cutting) but every one seems very happy with it. And yes, I really like it also.

Quinn is having a blast at his new home. It's massive for my tiny family, but he is all over the place. I took some pictures of him and his mommy playing outside in the rain at the old house. Running around outside when it's pouring is something Steph use to try and get me to do, and I did (back in the day when I was still trying to date her). But these days my son is more than happy to oblige his playful momma.

I'm sure there will be more pictures to come. Wanted to let everyone know that things are well with the Marshalls and we've been moving. Hope things are well with all of you.

Cell phone pics

Steph and I recently bought new cell phones and I wanted to see what kind of picture quality mine had. Each Saturday is mommas sleep in day, and I took the little man to a park. And it provided what I consider some great photos. What a fun age.

I also do his bedtime routine twice a week. Steph insists that I do his bath and read him stories for his and my benefit. And not so she can relax and watch her evening TV shows. Either way, Quinn and I have a good time. He's an easy one to entertain and he easily entertains me.

I think most kids have a favorite book they often grab when given a choice. Not the case with this guy. Anytime I ask him what book to read he gives me his favorite answer.

In other news, Tony won anther mixed martial arts bout.

And we are closing on a house next week. It took years, but I was finally able to get a break and find a place that was closer to being priced at what it was worth.

Boston trip

Quinn's latest stay at Boston Childrens hospital was another success. Doctors were able to further enlarge his right and left pulmonary arteries and add one stint without the need for open chest surgery. Now his heart will have a little easier time pushing blood around. It also means that he'll burn less calories, and perhaps have an easier time growing and putting on weight.

After the angioplasty procedure, Quinn woke up ready to drink and eat. After anesthesia, doctors always warn that the patient will feel groggy and irritable and not want to eat. In Quinn's case, he's been put under anesthesia so often, it never seems to bother him any more. He wakes up and within a few minutes he's all smiles.

It's odd to see Quinn sleep through a lung scan. He's still only a young toddler and these types of things are supposed to be scary.

Quinn has even gotten better about getting stuck for IVs. He cries but he'll sit still for the first two attempts. But without exception, it takes any hospital staff between three and upwards of a dozen tries to get one line into a vein. Quinn also knows the words all done, and help. So holding him down while he struggles through the multiple IV's, and he's looking at mom and dad teary eyed and saying all done, and asking for help. All I can tell him is I'm sorry and tell him not to struggle. But the truth is I'd rather take a bat to my own head than put him through that many. And through it all Quinn still gives these nurses hugs and kisses. He gets new nurses to fall in love with him each stay.

Those of you who have met Quinn know he's a smart and active kid with no outward signs of being a cardiac baby. Steph and I forget he has any complications at all when he's home, because he takes no meds and needs no special attention. After this last improvement of his heart functions, hopefully the good will keep getting better. The best we can hope for is that he won't need open chest surgery until he's is 5 or 6 years old and they are removing the stints.

On a lighter note....

Thank you so much everyone for your support and encouragement. It means so much to us to hear from you all.

Quinn doesn't have a lot of words yet. But he does love noises. Here's a little demo.

We could use some prayers again

OK, I guess it's about time for a medical update on Quinn. I haven't really talked about this with many people because we don't have real answers right now and we don't want to concern people, but we would appreciate some more prayers for Quinn. He is going in for his next round of stents and angioplasty on the 30th. But we are not sure if that is going to be the procedure he'll actually end up having. At Quinn's last cardiology appointment we found out that there is a POSSIBILITY that the doctors might not be able to dilate his arteries again. There is a feeling from the doctors that his arteries may not have enough elasticity left in them. If this is the case we will be facing a surgery where they cut his chest open again, cut open his pulmonary artery, and add material to the artery therefor stretching the artery physically instead of mechanically. Unfortunately, we won't know the final decision until he is actually in the operating room and the doctor is able to evaluate the arteries. I know what is meant to be will be, please just pray that whichever procedure we end up with it goes smoothly and with no complications. OK, thanks everyone.

Rock Band

Oh, we've fallen prey to rock band. Ourselves, our friends, and our family just can't get enough of it. Even Quinn loves it.



He wants to help his daddy play all the time. I think my son is going to be a rocker. The more hard core the song, the more he dances. Oh well, as long as he's a good kid I won't mind the music he plays .... I hope.