It is October and Keegan is 3 Months

Yes, this has now become a baby blog. We promise we will travel again, until then.....

Keegan is three months old and boy does time fly. We just returned from a trip where we visited Ryan. It was great to be together again, and exciting for me to see Ryan's reaction to all of Keegan's changes.

At the beginning of the month Keegan and I had some visitors, Des, Torie, Olivia and Chloe came for a visit. Keegan was able to meet his cousins. He really enjoyed Olivia. She loved cuddling him, singing to him and reading him books. He would smile and coo at her while she played near him. Chloe wasn't sure if he was real or a doll, and would poke him, it was cute. It was a nice visit, but too short.

Olivia at the park

Chloe at the park

Olivia practicing her babysitting skills

Keegan remains a happy little guy. Two weeks ago he starting coo-ing, making ahhhhh-oooohhh noise and the odd squeal when he is having fun. A good friend Nancy came by for a visit and he ahhh-ooohed at her while she talked to him. He is getting more comfortable with tummy time and has mastered the roll-over (one side). Keegan loves standing, and "jumping" on our laps (with help of course). I think he is going to be a jolly jumper kid.

It is neat to see him enjoy his toys more and more. He will grab at shapes on his play mat (black and white ones), grab a hold of toys and try and put them in his mouth.

Our little monkey

We saw a pumpkin sale nearby our hotel in Houston. We thought it would be a great place to snap some pics of Keegan. He enjoy the grass more then anything. Grabbing big handfuls and pulling it out. The texture and color was all new to him, it was his first time sitting and feeling grass.

Having Keegan has definetly made us slow down. It has given me a new enthusiasm and appreciation for the simple things that mother nature gives us. I guess you don't always have to go to extremes to see mother natures beauty, sometimes it is right there in front of you.

Keegan is TWO MONTHS OLD

When Keegan was first born everyone kept telling us, cherish this time as it all goes by so fast. We are learning, all too quickly, how fast time really does go by. Comparing photos of when Keegan was a newborn to now, already he has grown so much! He is also looking less like a member of the Simpson family.

Keegan update, well right now he is currently napping ;), but since last month Keegan has really started to take an interest in the world around him. He is so much more aware and active. He is able to hold his head for the most part, he sometimes forgets or gets tired (but hey, it is a big head to hold up, so give the guy a break). Keegan will now turn his head to see what is making a certain noise, like a voice across the room. He loves people and checking out their faces, he will often smile and coo at new people. Keegan is definetley a morning guy, this is when he is happiest, playing with his toys and smilling and sqealing at them in delight. Keegan still enjoys his nightly baths, kicking and splashing. Keegan has started taking more interest in his toys, he will bat at them and laugh, (or smile, while making this funny "razzing" noise). Keegan is now able to roll over onto his back. He isn't a big fan of "tummy time" and will work with all his might to get onto his back.

Keegan enjoys outdoor walks especially through any kind of wooded area. We think that is may be all the shadows and different shapes coming off the trees. We went camping last month and he was enthralled by the tent in the morning, with the sun coming through.

Both Ryan and I are still amazed with how much joy this little guy has brought us.
We both feel blessed to have a healthy, happy baby boy.

Baby Keegan Quinn

Ok, I've been in the hospital with desi for a couple of sleepless nights - so bear with me if some of the info here changes a bit but...

At 9:40pm on July 1, 2007 - little Keegan Noah Quinn was born in Canmore Alberta. He was about 20days earlier than expected so his dad (me) had to hop on the next flight out of Nigeria to make it home to see him born!

So, Desi's water broke on Saturday morning around 1:00am - she called me and I was able to get on a plane - after a 11hr layover in London, I arrived in Canmore to find Desiree exausted after a very long and difficult labour. After her water broke, nothing happened for more than 24hrs - so the doctors had to induce labour. It was about 12hrs later after a solid 4hrs of hard pushing, that the doctors said that she need a c-section. Literally 20mins before the c-section was performed, Chris Mieske and Mike James delivered me to the Canmore hospital, sans luggage and more than a bit frazzled. I was able to see the baby be born, weigh and clean him up and it was so very exciting.

So the details - Keegan was 7lbs, 10oz, 21" long and his head was so big - he had to be delivered by c-section. Honestly.

Both mummy and baby are well - Keegan has been feeding well and Desiree is walking around now. We will stay at the hospital one more night before heading home.

So, here is what everyone has been waiting for - the pictures. I will post more soon - Kelly took all the pictures during the delivery on her camera - so stay tuned.

baby hick-ups

Sorry - still working to get the baby photos uploaded... something to do with Windows Vista is preventing me from doing it quickly... but I was able to get this downloaded... so you can get your first glimpse of baby Q.

Ishayi beach Visit

Before leaving Lagos, I was able to squeak in a visit to Ishayi beach. Some close friends, John and Maslina and I have been working on a health promotion project for the beach for some time. We wanted to help the people of Ishayi learn about certain health topics that they have been suffering from.


Thanks to John's relationship and great work with the people of Ishayi beach, our little project was possible. Maslina was a big help, as she was able to use her marketing connections and gather teaching materials and some bednets. We basically made our own teaching materials as working with certain NGO's has been challenging. We haven't had much luck obtaining any kinds of posters of materials so decided to make our own.

excerpt from John's blog:

Unforntunatley due to poor sanitary conditions, the children and families of the village suffer from many preventable illnesses. A set back to those attending school, who are often kept at home when not feeling well. Amongst many illnesses - Malaria remains a big problem.

The isolation of the community really doesn't help when it comes to the medical attention so desperately required with disease like malaria (approx 40 minute boat ride to Lagos mainland). Only a month or so ago, a father of 5 from the village died in a boat on his way to the mainland to get treatment for malaria / typhoid. His kids had to drop out of school to maintain a livelihood for the family. As treatment isn't really an option for many reasons, we decided to focus our attention on prevention. We had a few insecticide treated nets that pretty much fit a whole family and showed everyone how to use them. We briefly discussed signs and symptoms and transmission of malaria, sanitary precautions, and transmission of germs.

Unfortunately we only had a few bednets with us at the time and were able to give the teachers the nets. We are hoping to raise enough money to purchase nets for all the children at the school (70 or 80 nets) - at only $10 each this will make a huge difference.

This is the school at Ishayi beach.

Here the kids are playing football on break.

Here with Lady Salami (the head mistress), reviewing healthy sanitation precautions. We had all grades attend the lesson that day. The children are all so well behaved and attentative, although some of the really small ones fell asleep by the end of the lessons.

There are about a hundred children who attend this school (not all were present that day). Our goal is to be able to give each child a bednet by the fall.
Here we are showing how to use the net.

Here is a basic bednet that would help protect someone from mosquitos.

Two volunteers came to the front of the class to demonstrate how well they can wash their hands. They did an excellent job, and even sang the "handwashing" song.

Here Lady Salami is having the kids review how germs are transmitted.

Here are some of the students, aren't they just so cute! The lesson was only about an hour long. It was a great experience, and I am looking forward to continuing projects like this one when I return.

John, has been working on other things for the people of Ishayi. Over the past year, he has helped build a lantrine, finish build the school, helped bring clean drinking water to the people and now is bringing them into the twenty first century. John has helped bring a computer to the school, and is now teaching the teachers and children how to use it. No internet access yet, but look out!

excerpt John's blog:

As the kids had no experience with a computer, the biggest learning hurdle is trying to use a keyboard and mouse. It is natural behaviour to keep your finger pressed down on a key if you want type something (if you've never used a type writer or anything). Thus, the first few attempts on the computer ended up with lots of lines of one letter and a few crashes. I figured it was easier to give them an old keyboard that isn't connected to anything (so it can't do any damage) to test drive and get a feel for how it all works... seems to be going well.