Mommyhood

Every day, my intention is to update this blog. For some reason, I can't ever seem to get it done. Don't ask me what I've been so busy with, because I probably couldn't list many tasks that you would deem important. Instead, I would tell you that I spend countless seconds kissing my son's sweet cheeks, reading him stories, singing him songs, cuddling him and tickling him, lovingly changing his stinky diapers, feeding him, walking him, and rocking him to sleep -- he fights it so!

Tonight I spent the evening at a Pampered Chef party hosted by another mom I met at a class for new moms at the hospital. (Yes, I am finally making some friends!) This was my first real outing to spend time with other women since I moved. Driving there, all I could think about were my wonderful friends from my girls' nights in Colorado Springs -- how I miss them!! I would so love to be sharing this season of my life with them! Of course, Jon was in charge of Tanner while I was gone and I was happy to hear that they "bonded" in my absence. I'll have to get out more often!

When I got home, I was visiting a friend's blog and happened upon another family's blog, where I was reminded again how incredibly blessed I am to have a healthy boy. What a little miracle each and every child is! My little Tanner has had an ingrown toenail this week (hence the extensive soaking that you will see in the pics). I have been so worried about his little fat toe -- you can hardly tell that its swollen because he's so chubby! We went to the doctor and they just gave me some ointment to put on it. I hope it gets better soon, I know I probably worry too much.

Please excuse the large number of photos I'm posting. I couldn't help it. I adore him so. Jon asked me the other night if I loved Tanner (I think he was trying to be sarcastic and funny). This is what I told him:

"This is the way I feel about Tanner. Right now I'm laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, and all I can think about is how excited I am to see him in the morning."

Reading with Grammy. Check out those cheeks! Swollen, I'm sure from so many kisses!

Oh my gosh! I LOVE this book!

I love my Grandpa Hall!!

Staying true to the Hall tradition of football Saturdays! Ready to cheer for ARMY!

If I Only Had A Brain ...

The weeks go by so fast here at the Hall house!! Is it really Wednesday already?!! We have been keeping very busy! Last weekend we went home again -- I know you are probably SO surprised to hear that -- for a baby shower. I picked Jon up from work and we drove home from there. The traffic was terrible!! Poor little Tanner whined and cried from the time we got on the interstate until we reached Indiana. By the time he finally fell asleep, I was crying, too. When we got home, my parents babysat so that Jon and I could go see a movie. It had been a while since we saw one, especially since we used to go every weekend! It was nice to be able to go out with my husband!! We saw Death Sentence with Kevin Bacon -- it was okay, but a little violent for me.

I spent most of the next day shopping with my mom and mother-in-law. It was my first big trip out to buy clothes since Tanner was born. I think I was feeling a little more confident after having some success with my first week on Weight Watchers. Yay!! Hopefully, I will continue to lose -- only about 13 more pounds to go until I'm back where I was -- and I'm fully aware that my pre-pregnancy clothes still might not fit then -- but I'm determined to reach my goal anyway.

I'm sure you've figured this out already, but I have a tendency to be a bit flighty at times. Those who know me well also know that this condition runs in my family. I'm proud to say I have yet to drive away from the gas station with the hose still attached to my car, but I have definitely had my moments. Today was one of them. I had cooking club this morning and made my dish on our gas-burner stove just before I left. When I left, all of the burners were off, but I must not have checked them carefully enough, because when I returned to the house 2 hours later I could smell gas. YIKES!! Tanner was still in the car, so I quickly went around and opened all of the windows in the house and took Tanner to the park across the street and then for a long walk so my house would have time to ventilate before we went inside. A few hours later, I returned home and called the fire department to see if there was anything else I should do to make sure the house was safe again for us. They said they would send someone over to check the gas levels. (The fire department is literally next door to us.) Lo and behold, they sent their biggest fire engine WITH sirens singin' and lights a-blazin'. I was so embarrassed! They checked inside and said everything was just fine for us to return back inside. I'm so lucky all I had to go through was a little embarrassment and not a major emergency. I swear I lost a major chunk of brain cells during pregnancy that have yet to grow back! It was totally worth it, though. Check out the latest pics of my Snickerdoodle (actually, we've taken to calling him Stinkerdoodle lately).

Hey!! I thought I ordered some nachos a while ago!!!

Daddy's Little Helper

I only smile at the pretty ones!

Oh Mom, what am I going to do with you??

Lucky

Let me preface this post by saying that I definitely do NOT judge another woman on whether or not she stays home with her children or goes to work each day. I know that what is right for me and my family is not what is right for every family. I also know that not every woman who wants to stay home is able to stay home.

That being said, I am one LUCKY woman. I have just been reflecting all weekend on how much I LOVE my job as a stay-at-home mom. This has truly been the best 2+ months of my life. I absolutely adore what I do each day -- playing with and caring for my sweeter-than-candy son and taking care of things around the house. I used to hate Sunday evenings because I knew I was starting the work-week the next day. I always felt like I was taking a deep breath on those nights, because I wouldn't be able to come up for air again until the following Friday night!

Sometimes I think it's easy for stay-at-home moms to feel guilty about not working and bringing home an income. I have definitely had those feelings at times. My husband would NEVER try to make me feel bad about staying at home -- he is always very supportive of it. However, I still feel sometimes that society looks down upon women who choose not to return to work after having a baby. I even find myself answering "not this year" when people ask whether I'm going back to work -- like I'm only taking a year off when, actually, I plan to stay home as long as possible. So I decided last Friday that I wouldn't feel guilty about it any more. Why should I? I am actually someone that can say they love what they're doing and not many other people can say the same. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts -- because it won't be forever.

I love being a mom.

I love staying at home.

And I love my husband so very much for encouraging me to do both.

I am one lucky woman.

One More Thing

Oh yeah ... one more thing. My little boy has started laughing!!! Music to my ears ... I never knew anything could sound so sweet!

Pics of Last Weekend

We had a great Labor Day weekend! Jon really enjoyed his time in Ohio and was eager to tell Tanner and I about all of the wakeboarding stunts he attempted. His family has a cottage on a lake there, and they were able to spend a lot of time on the water. Sadly, Army lost, but I'm sure they all still had a great time tailgating and such.

I had a wonderful time with my family. It was chaos getting everyone home, with flights being delayed, cancelled, and rental car places closed. But the entire family was together by Saturday morning and we enjoyed watching football together and just catching up. Tanner was a huge hit and everyone enjoyed cuddling with him. He went on his first boat ride on Lake Michigan in my dad's boat -- quite an adventure as the water was a bit rough -- I was feeling queasy by the end! Tanner was a trooper, though, stuffed like a little sausage into his life jacket!

I'm the first mate!!

Hanging out with Aunt Lauren

I'm loved! Stealing kisses from Aunt Kat -- and she only just met me!

Sharing a laugh with my Grammy!

I think Uncle Daniel needs some kids of his own!! He's a natural!

Tanner and his look-alike, Uncle Eric

Tanner and Uncle Pat, whipped after a long day of watching football!

It was hard saying goodbye to everyone, knowing that we won't all be together again until Christmas. I just love the precious time I get with my sisters! We have settled back into our routine here at home. It's hard to believe that tomorrow is already Friday!!

Tonight I made my first attempt at running since before I was pregnant with Tanner. I've been saying that I'm going to give it a shot for a while now, but when it comes down to it, its scary actually going out there and doing it. I don't know if I was scared because I didn't think I would be successful or if I thought it would hurt or what. But I did it. Now I didn't go far -- just to the corner and back -- a little over a mile, but my husband didn't have to come pick me up off the side of the road, so I'm viewing it as a major accomplishment! You have to start somewhere, right?! Tomorrow I'm starting something else I've been putting off for a while now -- I'm going to Weight Watchers. I'm determined to get this pregnancy weight off because I only have one pair of normal jeans that fit and I refuse to wear maternity pants through the fall!! It's hard knowing how many lbs I still need to lose, but all I have to do is cuddle with my little boy and it makes every pound that I gained worth it! What a slice of heaven! I felt completely guilty today as I just cuddled and played with Tanner all day, getting nothing else productive done, but I just can't get enough of him and I know this time won't last for long! Before I know it, he'll be in school like B's son M!