A Rough Few Days

Tanner's 2 month checkup was yesterday. Those of you seasoned moms know what that means -- a boatload of shots -- ouch!! My heart just broke for my little guy as he screamed through two vaccines in each leg plus an oral vaccine. He was done crying about 30 seconds after it was all over, though. I think it probably hurt me more than him! He went in just smiling and flirting with all the nurses -- 2 of them were in the room doing the checkup and fussing all over him. When the end of the appointment came and it was time to give the vaccines, they both came back in and said they didn't want to be the ones to give him his shots. They sent ANOTHER nurse in to do it -- it was too funny. After we left Tanner was pretty crabby for the rest of the afternoon and evening and just wanted to sleep. Thankfully, he's back to his smiling self today. The rest of his appointment went really well. He weighs 13 lbs 2 oz (he gained 3 lbs this month!!) and is 23 1/2 inches long. What a big boy! I'm putting all of his 0-3 month clothes away and getting out the 3-6 month wardrobe!! So sad!

Speaking of sad ... I got in a minor car accident on Monday -- totally my fault. I rear-ended someone in traffic. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Everything is just going along fine and dandy and then something like that happens and you sit there thinking, "This is not happening -- I must be dreaming. Wake up. Wake up." The good thing is that nobody was hurt, but the front of my car was pretty banged up. It's getting fixed right now. Jon's been fabulous about it all -- thank goodness!

We are off tonight to celebrate Labor Day weekend with our families. Jon is headed to the Army vs. Akron game in Ohio with his parents and other relatives and I am spending the weekend at my parents' house. My sisters and my brother are all flying in. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Looking especially sweet.

"If you're going to say no, then I'm calling Grammy!!"

"She said she's on her way here to get me."

Holding My Breath

Is this really happening? Tanner has been napping IN HIS CRIB for 49 minutes now. I have actually finished a yoga DVD and eaten lunch since I put him down. And it gets even better. Last night I put him to bed early -- around 8:30, and he slept until 3:30 this morning. What a good boy! Lets hope this becomes a pattern! If I could just get one good nap a day where he is sleeping somewhere other than my arms, I might actually get something done once in a while!! :) My sweet boy ...

Oh, Dad!! You're so silly! I'm too little to stand up!!

Hey, Ladies -- lookin' good!

Heck yeah!! Someone just told me college football starts this week!

Random Rambings

The weather here has been pretty nasty the past few days with lots of rain and thunderstorms, so we have been spending lots of time indoors. Jon had meetings in the city on Thursday night and it took him 3 1/2 hours to get home!! There was lots of flooding and even some tornado warnings in the area. He didn't walk in the door until almost 10:00! What a long day for us both!!

Last night we treated ourselves to dinner at On The Border. It was so yummy -- especially since I didn't have to cook it! Not that I don't like to cook, it's just hard to do with one hand since I'm usually holding Tanner as dinnertime is his fussy time. We are finally spending a weekend at home with no company -- our first since Tanner was born. It's nice having some time for just the three of us. We slept in this morning, enjoyed our little boy together, and had coffee before Jon left for his golf tournament today. He will be gone most of the day. :( At least we have all day tomorrow to hang out! We are planning on scoping out the neighborhoods in our area to get some ideas about where we would like to live.

I felt so sorry for my mom yesterday. I was on the phone with her around 3:30 and she hung up really quickly, saying "I gotta go, I think I'm out of gas." I was so worried about her! I didn't know if she was on the highway or somewhere close to home, or what. She finally called back around 6:00. It turns out she was on her way home from shopping with my aunts and Grandma and she was still around 30 min away from home. She did run out of gas, but was able to coast into the entrance of a Walmart parking lot. She made her way to a little gas station next door and bought a gas can and filled it up. When she got back to her car, she put her purse and everything back in the car and put the gas in the car. Of course , when she was finished, she went to get back in the car and it was locked. She locked her purse, her keys, and her cell phone all inside!! She went into Walmart and called my dad, leaving messages on both his work phone and cell phone to come and pick her up. In the meantime, she waited inside the store. Finally, she heard her name announced on the store's intercom. She went to customer service expecting to find my dad. Instead, she found a police officer who said she would have to tow her car!! She used her phone to call my dad once more, and he said he was on his way. Fortunately, the police officer was really nice and said she could wait for him in his car. I don't think she was expecting him to put her in the back seat!! She said she was so embarrassed! People probably thought she was getting arrested for shoplifting or something! When my dad finally arrived, it was with bad news. She had left her spare set of keys at my house this week (don't ask ... ), so he didn't have a spare to help her get into her car!! They ended up calling the tow company and they were able to come and unlock the car. The worst part is that this all happened after she spent an hour looking for her keys at Babies 'R' Us before she even set off for home!! Only my mom ... :)

Tanner is literally all smiles these days -- so fun! He laughs sometimes in his sleep, but I haven't heard one while awake yet. He is pretty much right on schedule for naps and feedings during the day, still not doing a great job of napping in his crib, but we're working on it -- he slept in there for about 20 minutes today -- his longest nap ever in his crib!! Tues, Wed, and Thurs night he went to bed around 9:30, woke up at 2:00, and then woke up every hour until 6:00!! He likes to be swaddled, but I think he's getting to big to be swaddled with his little receiving blankets! He kept getting out of them and then waking himself up. Yesterday I went and bought a SwaddleMe wrap and he only woke up once last night!! My little stinker -- he loves to be all sniggled up just like his dad!! He would be completely content if I just cuddled him all day long!!

Enough rambling for now. Enjoy the pics ...

You are so funny, Mom!

Lights, colors, and music, oh my!

This is just too much!!

AHHH!! I'm having so much fun!

It's all muscle, ladies!

How did you sneak in here?? Boys only!!

Weddings and Such

We've been a busy bunch here at the Hall house!

We left last Thursday for another weekend in Michigan. I know -- surprise surprise!! This time we really did have a good reason for our visit. Jon's older brother, Steve was getting married! The wedding was perfect and so thoughtfully planned. The reception was at a local winery and they had the best food and sangria. Yum Yum!! It was so great to visit with Jon's extended family. All of the cousins are around the same age and we always have a good time together. I told my father-in-law that we need to plan a family reunion every year instead of waiting for a good excuse like a wedding to see each other.

Christin and Steve -- The Happy New Couple!!

Tanner did a fantastic job at the wedding and got lots of compliments on his good behavior. It's hard not to be good when you are sleeping, though!! He wore a little yellow suspender outfit with a yellow bowtie and kneesocks -- it was so adorable!! Of course, we forgot to bring the charger for our camera battery, which was dead before the rehearsal dinner even came around. I'm hoping someone else got a good shot of our little guy that they might be willing to share. We stayed at my parents' house to avoid all of the wedding-related commotion, but we weren't able to spend time with my parents because they spent the weekend at West Point visiting my brother, Eric, for his Acceptance Day. After Jon left on Sunday, I stayed for a few extra days so that I would get to see them and hear all about the big event! I visited a lot with Eric's girlfriend -- Boy does that bring back memories!!! I know exactly what she was feeling seeing him for the first time!!

Eric and Chelsie -- He looks so grown up in his uniform!!

My mom drove me back home on Tuesday evening and stayed until Wednesday evening. She cleaned all of my bathrooms and did all of my ironing!! What a huge help!

Tanner had his first playgroup yesterday. He totally slept through it while I visited with the other mothers, but I'm thinking that's probably the point of a 0-6 month playgroup!! The other moms are really great and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. I got together again today with one of the moms. She came over and we had lunch and visited. Yay!! I'm finally making friends! After she left, I layed down with Tanner and we took a long nap together. It was the perfect afternoon for napping -- dark skies and thunderstorms. Such special time with my boy!! He has been smiling so much lately, which completely melts my heart every time -- he's just so precious!! He is also starting to use his voice a little for sounds other than cries. Too cute. Everything is just happening way too fast -- I'm just loving every moment!

I've had such a hard day!!

I'm all ready for my walk downtown!! Like my new shades?

What a chunk!! He weighed in at 13.2 lbs yesterday when Jon weighed him on our scale at home. I'm eager to see how big he is at his 2-month appt next week!

Look Familiar?

Does this little boy look familiar to you??

It's me and my little brother Eric when he was a baby. Doesn't he look just like Tanner?!

World's Cutest Quarterback

Future Heisman Candidate?





Looking just like Grandpa Hall and Uncle Patrick

I feel like I'm finally starting to get to know my little boy -- what he likes and doesn't like, what makes him smile, what makes him cry, what makes him STOP crying, etc. I learn something new each day. I swear he visibly grows from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed!! Time is going by so fast!!

Our good friend, Dan, who was Jon's roommate in college and our neighbor in Colorado Springs, came to visit this past weekend. It was so good to see him and catch up. Jon grilled out and the boys sat outside talking Army talk while I feel asleep on the couch with Tanner! I'm afraid I wasn't much fun!

My mom came on Monday to stay for a few days since Jon is working late this week. She is always SUCH a big help with Tanner and things around the house. I tease her that she is my nanny! Today our goal is to get all of the ironing finished! I'm trying to talk her into staying another night, but she has company coming in this weekend and might have to leave this evening to get her house ready for them. I'm soooo glad we moved closer to home. It is wonderful being able to spend time with my parents and Jon's parents so often. We are going home again this weekend so that we can help Jon's parents get things ready for his brother's wedding the next weekend.

Well, I better get started on that ironing while my mom is snuggling my little guy. Here are some pics from the past few days. Isn't he changing so fast?!

Dan and Tanner

Tanner and his nanny -- she's going to get fired if she keeps sleeping on the job!! :)

So Blessed ...

Last night I was reminded about just how precious my little boy is as I sat and read about a young mother who lost her first baby when he was less than two months old. I just happened upon her blog as I was looking up the websites for people I graduated with. I sat at my computer reading her story and looking at her pictures and just balled my eyes out. Once again I thought about what a true miracle it is to be blessed with a strong and healthy baby. What did I ever do to deserve such a little slice of heaven in my life?!

I don't know what it is, but this past week I have just reveled in the company of my little Tanner. I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to stay at home with him everyday and I'm doing my best to savor each smile, cuddle, and nap in my arms. I have decided not to worry so much about the housework and little things that never seem to get done. I know these sweet moments with my boy will be over before I know it and someday he'll be too embarrassed to let me love on him like I do.

I realize I never updated on my fun weekend at home. I was able to spend time with so many people I love -- my parents, Jon's parents, the Chuckas family, my new sister-in-law -- Christin, Mrs. Kenagy, Lisa, and best of all -- my husband! My parents babysat on Saturday night while Jon and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie and then to eat at our favorite restaurant. The movie was just okay -- I actually fell asleep. I think it was due to exhaustion from all those nighttime feedings, and the theater was so dark and cozy!! Dinner, however, was fantastic. We ate at a winery and were able to get there a little early to do some wine tasting -- so fun! We closed up the restaurant and Jon won my heart by ordering dessert for us (he NEVER does that)! We are already looking forward to our next date!

Well, I better get going. Tanner actually feel asleep in his swing for once, so I am going to take advantage of this time to get some stuff done! Oh no ... I hear fussing ...

Enjoy the pics ...

Holy Cheeks!! I told you he was getting big!

So Serious

Out to dinner with the Halls and Chuckas'

(l to r: Henri, Rachel, Tracy, Christin, and Ann)

Where am I??

Am I at Six Flags!!

This is awesome!!! 8 speeds, music, lights, and toys on both sides of me!

Can you say OVERSTIMULATION??!!

My own personal armchair

Sweet Dreams

Is there anything in this world more heavenly than a little boy fresh out of the bathtub? I just finished cuddling my precious Tanner until he fell asleep. I'm so in love ... exhausted, but in love! Sweet dreams to you all! I'm going to go crawl into bed and enjoy my next 2 hours of sleep before I have to get up again!

Weekends

I used to really look forward to the weekends, but now I'm discovering that they are much more stressful than our quiet weekdays. Tanner is nothing short of an angel on the weekdays (usually), but his schedule is always a little mixed up on Saturday and Sunday, which usually makes for a fussy baby. I never thought I'd look forward to a Monday!!

Last weekend we went home to Michigan. It is SO GREAT living close enough to our parents to be able to make the trip home whenever we feel like it. And despite the stress of dealing with a fussy baby, I'm thankful that both sets of grandparents were able to enjoy their new grandson! Maybe the reason I feel like Tanner is so cranky on the weekends is that the only time I really get ahold of him is when he fusses. The rest of the time he is snuggled in someone else's arms. Usually, after a few moments of crying, someone hands him to me saying, "I think he's hungry." Needless to say he sucks me dry on these days -- nursing as much as once every hour and a half. Too much information?? Oh well.

Anyways, we did have a really good time at home. Jon golfed and fished with my dad most of the weekend. Now that my brother is away at school, my dad is Jon's new playmate -- too funny. I'm glad they are spending time together. Tanner was able to spend time with all of his grandparents and great-grandparents. We'll be heading back home this weekend for my new sister-in-law's bridal shower and more precious time spent with family. I'm leaving on Thursday morning to get a little extra time with my mom. Jon and I are planning to go out on a date on Saturday night -- dinner at our favorite restaurant and then on to see the new Harry Potter movie. I'm really looking forward to it, and I think my parents are looking forward to babysitting.

Jon had his first experience feeding Tanner last night while I was at they gym. He did a great job and I think he really enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed having a little bit of time all to myself -- even if it was just an hour. Last night was my first time at the gym since Tanner was born. Boy do I have a LOOOOOOOONG way to go before I'm back in some sort of shape! A little bit frustrating, but completely worth it when I look at the sweet little boy snuggled in my arms right now.

Check out our recent pics ... He's getting soooo big!

Grammy is on the phone AGAIN??

Don't you just want to snuggle me??

Our little monkey in his swing

Oops! I almost forgot -- On Friday, I got to visit with my cousin, Carolyn, my Aunt Jan, and my other cousin's wife, Beth. Beth's son, Bridget, was born just 6 days after Tanner. We had such a good time together!

Carolyn and a sleepy Tanner.

Another picture?? I don't want to model anymore, Mom!!

Beth, Bridget, Me, and Tanner

In his Pooh Hat

Cuddling with Daddy after he got home from golf. I'm sooo cozy!!

I love my grandpa! His lap is so comfy!

I'm SOOO tired!!

Tanner with Great Grandma Shirley

Tanner with Great Grandma Fagan