One More Thing...

Oh yeah ... I forgot to tell you. We bought a new house last week! We got an amazing deal on a great house in a great neighborhood with lots of kids and young families. We are under contract right now and will close at the end of February. I can hardly sleep at night thinking about what colors I want to paint each room. We're so excited!

Out With the Old and In With the New

How can it be that Christmas has already come and gone and the New Year is upon us? I always have mixed feelings at this time of year -- sad that all of the Christmas festivities are over, but excited at the prospect of a fresh start in the new year. I grew up watching Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea constantly with my sisters. In the movie, Anne's teacher says to her, "Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it." I think it's so refreshing to think that tomorrow we start a new YEAR with no mistakes in it.


My new year's resolution usually revolves around weight loss, but this year I've decided that my resolution is to spend quiet time each day with the LORD. (during which I'll be sure to pray about some weight loss) I wish that I didn't have to actually make a resolution to do this -- that it was easy to carve 15 minutes out of my day to spend with the one who loves me like no other, who has blessed me immeasurably. Why is this so difficult? I can easily spend 15 minutes a day blogging, blow-drying my hair, reading a good book, exercising, even doing the dishes!! Why do I feel so restless and uncomfortable when I sit down with nothing to do but pray and read God's word? I hope that through committment and prayer this time with God will become truly enjoyable and fruitful.


We had a fantastic time at home with our families this past week, taking no less than 232 pictures of our little Tanner opening presents. (I know -- there's something wrong with us.) The week started with a wonderful celebration -- my sister, Katherine, and Jon's brother, Pat got engaged on December 22. They have been dating since Katherine was in 8th grade and Pat was a freshman in high school -- so almost 9 years now!! I'm SO happy for them and they are so happy together. Pat took Katherine on a scavenger hunt that ended underneath the Hall's Christmas tree, where the train came around with a ring in one of its cars. The proposal was so well thought-out and planned, and very romantic if I do say so myself -- with one of the clues involving Katherine selecting one of two new dresses to wear for a fancy dinner after the proposal -- just like on The Bachelor!! They are hoping to get married sometime this summer -- I'm just waiting to be asked to be a bridesmaid (Matron of honor, of course). I told Kat that my calendar does have a tendency to fill up quickly, so she better ask me soon ... :)

Congratulations, Kat and Pat!!

Christmas morning was very fun, but a little hectic. Since my house is no longer filled with small children, but adults instead, nobody wanted to be awoken before 9am. We quickly opened presents, ate our sticky cake, and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Hall's house for Christmas part II. We warned Tanner on the way there that Santa only comes once on Christmas morning, so not to expect more gifts from him at the Halls -- he would have to be "Little Boy of the Year" for Santa to come twice. I guess he must have been pretty good, because Santa had left even more presents for him to open -- my goodness! :) He had much more fun opening gifts than I could have ever imagined, but seemed to have the wrong idea as far as what to do with his gifts -- wanting to eat everything instead of play with it!

Reading "The Night Before Christmas" with Grandpa, a Hall Family tradition.

Yummy

I hope we didn't overstimulate him ... :)

His favorite gift ...

What a happy little angel-baby!

Once again ... eating his presents.

Trying to be cool with Uncle Pat.

So serious. Thank you so much for the Tiny Diner mat, Uncle Steve and Aunt Christin.

We spent the remainder of the week enjoying time with our families. Grandpa Hall got a new poker table for Christmas, and we spent several nights playing Texas Hold 'em for small amounts of cash, which was a great time (especially since I won a few dollars on the last night!). We also got to see a movie one night while our parents babysat -- The Great Debaters. It was really good and I think we enjoyed it even more because we haven't been out alone together in a long time! We were also able to visit with a few old friends who also welcomed new little ones into their families during the past year. It was so fun to see Tanner interact with their kids. He LOVES other babies!

Jon, Kenny, Tanner, and Trey

I caught this one on the fly ... how CUTE are these dads??

Kennedy and Tanner

He is SUCH a flirt. Check out that hand-grab!

The happy mommas and mommy-to-be.
Lisa, Rachel, Michelle, Tanner, and Kennedy

Well, Tanner is up from his nap, so I better get going. I'm sure you're tired of reading by now! I hope you have a BLESSED NEW YEAR!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

I hope you are enjoying a cozy evening with the ones you love. I feel incredibly blessed to have spent the last 24 hours with the people I hold most dear: Jon, Tanner, Mom and Dad, Lauren and Daniel, Katherine and Pat, Eric, Mike and Henri, Steve and Christin, Grandma and Grandpa.

My Christmas is complete.

Home for the Holidays ... almost

Despite having our Christmas tree up since November 18th, I am only just now feeling like the holiday is really upon us. Finally, our preparations are complete, our gifts are bought and wrapped, our car is packed for the trip home, and I can sit back and enjoy the last four days before Christmas. We are just waiting for our siblings flights to get in so that we can start the caravan home. (My brother-in-law is visiting and will be picking up all of the out-of-towners on the way home.) I can't WAIT to be home and enjoy time with the people I love most.

I've been thinking a lot today about some of my favorite Christmas memories and traditions. I just thought I'd share a few:

• We go to my aunt's house every Christmas Eve with all of my extended family and eat goodies and open gifts together. I can remember being little and driving home with my family while my siblings and I looked out the car windows, trying to see Santa in the sky. "I just saw him!" one of us would cry out. "I hope we get home before he gets there," my mom would say. "He doesn't leave presents for kids that aren't in bed sleeping."




• My mom makes the YUMMIEST sticky buns on Christmas morning. We can smell them cooking as we open our presents, and then we all dig in together afterwards. To Die For...




• Ever since Jon and I started dating (11 years ago!!) we have enjoyed just laying together on the couch, with only the Christmas tree lights on, listening to Christmas music and just snuggling. We've both been so busy lately ... I'm hoping for some of this special snuggle time once we get home.




• Every year on Christmas Day, my family and my husband's family eat Christmas dinner together and then exchange gifts and go to the theater to see a movie. We always have such a good time. I feel incredibly blessed that our families are so close

This has definitely been the most fun Christmas ever as far as shopping. I have LOVED buying for my little sweet pea. I know he won't know or understand that he's gotten new toys, but I'm still hoping that his face lights up just a little when he sees his new exersaucer "switcheroos", lights and music stage, and remote control. I'm sure he's sick and tired of hearing "Santa's watching you, Tanner!"

"Come on, Tanner, Santa's getting ready to take back all of your gifts."

"Well in that case ..."

He's actually been such a FUN little guy lately -- squealing and screeching all day, keeping himself entertained with toys, rolling all over, and best of all -- sleeping through the night (which is sure to change once his schedule gets messed up during our vacation, but that's okay). Santa is sure to bring him everything on his list. Here are some pics from this week:

I love it when Uncle Pat comes to play with me!

Is there anything sweeter than a happy boy in the morning all snuggly in his pj's?

"Hey! Let me get back to work here!"

"...and he dives into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN!"

I couldn't resist the naked pics. We had just had a wardrobe change due to an extra yucky, extra stinky diaper and I had to snap a few shots of my little boy who is now sitting on his own.
Get out of here! I'm naked!

Need More Car Seat Advice

After soliciting your advice a few months ago about which convertible car seat to buy, I was all set to purchase the Britax Roundabout today. However, while I was at Babies 'R' Us, I saw the Maxi-Cosi Priori for the first time and thought it looked so comfy and stylish. Plus, it seemed to have more great features than the Roundabout. After doing a little research online, I found out that the Maxi-Cosi Priori is somewhat new to the states, but is considered top-of-the-line in Europe.

So now I can't make a decision. Do any of you know anything about the Priori? Had any experience with it? Know anyone that has it?

I wish I was better at making these important decisions. I would love any feedback you have to offer!

Thanks in advance!

Dear Tanner-Boo

I've been keeping a journal for Tanner since I found out I was pregnant with him. I don't write in it everyday, just once every few weeks. Here is today's entry...

Dear Tanner-Boo,

Already you are almost 6 months old. People warned me that time would go by fast, but I never could have imagined it would fly by like it has. I am stealing a moment to write this as you are sleeping in your car seat. You fell asleep on the way home and I didn't want to wake you, so we are sitting in the car in the garage. :)

You are getting so big -- probably close to 19 pounds now. You have the squishiest, most kissable cheeks and a rolly-polly littley body. You love to be naked and I have so much fun giving you kisses as I get you dressed in the morning. Your arms look like little marshmallows all stacked up on one another -- so cute!! You are what Aunt Kat would call a "rubber-band baby."

You can roll from back to front and front to back now and spend a lot of time playing in your little gym on the floor. You can also site by yourself if I set you up. You love to look all around and you are very social. You enjoy interacting with other babies, which is good since we are around them a lot at playgroup and at church. You also LOVE your Exersaucer (we call it the "office"). Your favorite toy is the little phone that is attached to it. Maybe Santa will bring you another phone for Christmas! I've been talking to him and telling him what a good boy you are! I hope that he also brings you your very own remote control -- you are obsessed with Daddy's! Last weekend, Grandma and Grandpa Hall were babysitting and couldn't figure out what was wrong with the movie they were watching. After re-starting it 3 times, they noticed you had the remote to the DVD player in your hand -- what a stinker!!

You started eating your first solids about 1 1/2 weeks ago -- rice cereal and oatmeal. You do so well with a spoon. I'm sure you're advanced (WINK)! I was a little sad when you started because it means that you are indeed growing up, and before I know it, you will be completely on solids. I'm sure this will embarrass you when you're older, but I LOVE nursing you. I feel like its our special time together, and you are SO CUTE when you are hungry. However, you are starting to get distracted quite easily and often you will nurse for a few seconds, then look around and smile, then go back to nursing, etc.

This week has been a big week because we've started letting you cry yourself to sleep at night. The first night you cried for 1 hr 30 min, but last night you only cried for 40 min (only??...). I thought it would be really hard to let you cry, but I can see you on our video monitor and know you are safe. Plus, I know it is what's best for you (and me, too!). Daddy, on the other hand, can hardly stand it. He feels so bad and I have to keep him from going in to get you. Who knew he would be such a SOFTY!! You are his little "T-Bone," though, and every day he says you are the best part of his day. You completely adore him, too, and your face lights up whenever you see him. (I must say, I am a bit jealous!) the other night I was leaving to go to a cookie exchange for Mom's Club and Daddy was upstairs getting you ready for bath time. I could hear you just squealing with laughter as the two of you played together. It warmed my heart to hear such beautiful sounds!

Have I mentioned that you are the best, cutest, smiliest, and most fun baby ever?! (And I think I can be completely objective in saying that -- MORE WINKS!) I just can't get over what a little miracle you are. Every night as I go to sleep, I thank the LORD for you over and over. I hope that every day I make you feel special and loved. You are my little boy -- my first born -- my buddy -- and I know this special time we have together (just you and me) won't last forever. So I try and savor each moment with you. I hope that someday my house is filled with little ones, but i know it will never be the same as it is with just us. It will be just as wonderful, but different.

I hope that Santa brings you everything on your list and then some. As for me, I can't think of anything that could compare to the sweetest of all gifts -- you!

Mama Loves You!

How we got our boy to sleep through the night ...

Our little bedbug. He thinks it's so funny when I put him in my bed while I make it in the morning.

Jon, Rachel, and the Grinch. Check out that look from our little guy!

My little munchkin.

Elf Yourself

My sister sent this to me yesterday. I couldn't stop laughing. Check it out -- you might like to try it yourself!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1156675975

Our Little Night Owl

Tanner woke up around 9:30 on Friday night, and despite several attempts, he would NOT go back to sleep, so we gave in and let him join us downstairs.

Okay, guys, I'll be in charge of the TV.

So this is what you guys do after I go to bed!

Let me have a sip.

SLUMBER PARTY!!

I'm not tired!

WooHoo! Last Man Standing!

My Two Loves

I SO wanted my baby to be a "mama's boy," but I'm no match for Dad!

Cranky Mommy, Happy Baby

Last week was a busy week, hence the absence of any new posts. I think I kind of overdid it in the beginning of the week and by Wednesday night I was wiped out and feeling totally cranky and irritable. I was telling this to my sister and she wanted to know what all I did. As I told her, I realized that it probably didn't seem like that much -- errands, volunteering at church, MOPs, playgroup, mom and baby class at the hospital -- but when you are bundling up two people to go out in the cold, trying to time feedings, naps, etc, every time you leave the house, it starts to wear you out! I look at other women with three and four children who seem to do EVERYTHING -- and with so much grace -- and wonder how they do it all.

I think part of my crankiness stems from the yucky weather. I have really only spent one winter in the midwest in the past 9 years. Over that time, I seem to have forgotten how DEPRESSING this long, cold, dreary season is! Texas winters were wonderful and Colorado winters were surprisingly mild -- the sun came out EVERY day. I swear, though, everyday here the forecast says "considerable cloudiness." YUCK. So, from 7am to 4pm, the sky is overcast, and by 4:30pm, it is pitch black outside.

The rest of my crabbiness is probably the result of not getting enough exercise. Not that I've been a vigorous exerciser over the past year -- mainly just walking post-baby or doing the elliptical at the gym pre-baby. Once Tanner is 6 mos, he can go to childcare at the gym, but for now, I'm just trying to do what I can without the gym. It's been very cold outside, so some days we head to the mall just to walk around, other times we get really bundled up and head outside, but sometimes we are just stuck inside the house. Yesterday I stopped by the library and checked out some different workout DVDs. I'm going to give those a shot this week. I am not a big fan of workout videos, but I'm feeling a little desperate to get my heart pumping again! :)

All bundled up for my walk outside. Thank you, Miss Ally, for my warm bundle-me!

Tanner is doing very good -- literally growing before our eyes. He started rolling from back to front last week. For the first few days, he would roll onto his tummy and then just lay there and fuss because he couldn't figure out how to get on his back again. As soon as someone would flip him over, he would roll right back onto his front again and start whining. It was a long few days, but so much fun watching him learn something new! Since then he's figured out how to roll both ways, and moves all over. He is so happy with himself! On Saturday, he started his first cereal -- we loved the cute faces! It just about broke my heart knowing he is really getting to be a big boy, but what a joy it is to be able to spend each day with him and watch him grow!

He is also starting to really enjoy his bath time and gets really into splashing with his arms and legs -- too fun!

This is my favorite time of day!

Do I get a bedtime snack after this?

She ALWAYS looks at me like that...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

In my efforts to give our family's Thanksgiving dinner a little bit more meaning, I suggested a few weeks ago that we all go around the table this Thanksgiving to say what we are most thankful for. Of course, my family members looked at my like I'm such a pathetic dork and said something like, "Ummm, yeah, sure ... I mean ... I guess we could do that if you want." I suppose I understand this response, seeing as how we have like 30 people who can barely sit through the pre-meal prayer without laughing (this would be my husband and his brothers) and crying (my mom, aunts, and grandpa). So I'm not going to bring it up at the table this year. Instead, I've decided to start a new tradition for my new little family. Today, I'm starting a Thanksgiving journal. Each year, I am going to have each family member write what they are most thankful for. I think it will be something special to look back on as my kids grow up, and hopefully something to remind us that Thanksgiving is about so much more than our meal.

I know that Tanner would probably say that he's most thankful for his favorite soft blanket.

I'm not sure what Jon is most thankful for. (He's still sleeping!) **P.S. When Jon woke up, he said he was going to say the same thing as me and that I stole his idea. Same words and everything ... imagine that. **

Here is what I'm thankful for:

I'm thankful that the Lord has made his faithfulness so obvious to us this year. He guided us with such a steady hand as we made one important decision after another. I'm so glad that we decided to just "let go and let God" when we didn't know what else to do. We were SO SCARED to leave the Army, and the LORD came through with an amazing job for Jon, which just *happened* to be close to our families. We had no place to live until the weekend before our movers came, and He provided a wonderful home for us in a little town that I've fallen in love with (incidentally, it's rated as one of the top towns in America to live in -- how cool!). And best of all, we were given the most perfect of blessings in our little Tanner. I get teary just thinking of how things have fallen into place for us. Thank you, LORD, for making it so clear to us this year that You are with us always.

Some pics of our day ...

Me and my sweet mother-in-law

Grandpa Fagan, Uncle Dennis, and Brent

My father-in-law, me, and my dad
Nicole, Grandma Fagan, and my mom. Nicole was teaching us all how to smile for pictures while still looking natural. The secret is to say "Heyyyy." I think Grandma's really got the right idea!!

My boys disappeared after dinner. I found them together in the bedroom napping. So cuddly together ...

My sister, Kat, and Jon's brother, Pat. It's a long story.

Nicole and her sweet Shanna

Another "Heyyy" moment with Missy, Lindsey, and Aunt Sue.

The boys went hunting for pheasant early the next morning.

Jon, Pat, Eric, and my dad. All of the young guys were West Pointers. Although they don't hunt often, we assumed they at least knew how to handle a weapon.
And we were right. I guess we are going to eat these birds sometime over Christmas break. Can't wait ...