It's a ...

BOY!!!

Landon Jonathan Hall

The ultrasound tech was able to tell us right away that it was a "he," and ever since then, Jon has had a HUGE grin on his face! I am honestly SUPER excited about having two little boys to love! And I just hope that they will be really good friends and love each other! If they're anything like Jon and his brothers, I know they will! It is so awesome to finally know who's living in my tummy!

And I totally think I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have THREE boys to love me!

The weather today is typical midwestern winter. Gray and blustery with flurries on and off.


But we're staying nice and cozy inside with hot chocolate and some Christmas music!


Hope you're enjoying your day!

Dear Santa ...

Dear Santa,

I know it's probably kind of early for this letter, but my mom and dad already have all of their Christmas decorations up, and they've been listening to Christmas music since Halloween was over, so I've been thinking a lot about you!

My mom tells me that you've been watching me and I believe her! I see you practically everywhere I turn nowadays! As you can probably tell, I've been a pretty good boy this year. Nevermind all that food I threw on the floor all those times ... I'm still learning about manners. And I know I give mommy a hard time sometimes when it's time for my nap. But I'll work on that, I promise!

You probably know that I'm getting ready to hand most of my toys down to my new little brother or sister. This is a good thing since I've outgrown a lot of them. Anyways, I was thinking that maybe you could bring me some new things for Christmas. I mean, if your elves get around to it and all. I have a "Little People" farm set that I love to play with, and I think I would probably like some of their other sets, too! Some big building blocks and (large) legos would be awesome to play with when I have friends over. (I'm getting lots better at sharing ... sometimes). I would really like some more pretend food and a cooking set for my kitchen. And I love love love anything to do with animals! Oh yeah ... and I've caught my mom looking online at table and chair sets, so some coloring books and crayons might be nice for that! I know that I will love anything you bring me ... but just in case you need some ideas!

Also, Santa, you should know that I'll be staying at Grandma and Grandpa Hall's house for Christmas this year, so don't bring the toys to my house, because nobody will be home. I have it on good authority that Grandma and Grandpa ALWAYS leave out a yummy treat for you, so make sure you come by!

Very Truly Yours,

Tanner

On Pins and Needles

I can't tell you how excited I am to find out the sex of our baby this Friday. I dreamt last night that they weren't able to tell us, and I was so disappointed! I just kept reminding myself all day that the purpose of the ultrasound is not determine whether we're having a boy or girl, but to check and see that our baby is HEALTHY!

I can be totally honest when I say that I don't care what it is. Last time I said I didn't care, but I really did want a girl. This time I can tell you that I'll be really really happy either way. I think Jon wants a boy, but he assured me that he won't leave the office CRYING if it's a girl. (Like I did when we found out Tanner's sex.) Ouch -- he got me!

So, if I don't care one way or the other, then why do I find out? It's not so that I can paint a nursery or buy clothes. It has nothing to do with planning. It has everything to do with BONDING with this little life inside of me. I feel like I'm going to meet my baby on Friday and for the next 4+ months I will get to know him/her. We have names picked out already, so as soon as we know what it is, we'll start calling it by name. A lot of people like to wait and be surprised, and I totally respect their decision. I just feel like it's a surprise whenever you find out. And birth is such an amazing experience in itself, it doesn't require anything extra.

I am so blessed to be having another baby! I'll be praying over the next few days that the ultrasound shows s/he is completely HEALTHY. And, God, if you could help the ultrasound tech to tell me what it is, that would be great, too!

Isn't he a big boy?

I've gotten several comments lately about how much older he's started to look in the last few weeks. It's totally the teeth. Someone commented today about how big they were. I was like, "Hello! Have you looked at MINE?!!!" Poor kid is destined for many hours spent in the orthodontist's chair!

Congratulations Carolyn, Mike, and Big Brother Brady on the arrival of their newest family member -- Gavin Timothy! We're so happy for you!

Veteran's Day

I just wanted to take a second today to honor the veterans in our lives!

First of all ... OUR DADDY!!

Jon, we are so so proud of you and your service to our country! Thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made to protect our freedoms and defend those who never had the freedoms that we enjoy here in America. You will always be our HERO!!

Arriving home from his second tour in Iraq

*Sidenote: Upon looking at this picture again, I just have to say ... isn't he a HUNK?!

Secondly ... Grandpa Fagan, a veteran of World War II, who served at Midway!

And finally, thank you to all of our dear friends who are also veterans and continue to serve ...

I'm Still Alive!!

Just busy!

... and gaining about a pound a day it feels like. With 143 days left until the little cupcake arrives, I may be in trouble!!! (Let's just hope s/he doesn't come out covered in sour-patch-kid sugar!)

p.s. We find out a week from Friday whether it's a boy or a girl! SOOOOO EXCITING!

Go Ahead ... Make My Day ...

I'm sure many of you moms out there can agree.

An afternoon cup of coffee is good for the soul.

I drove through Starbucks this afternoon and ordered my fave -- grande/half-caff/non-fat/light whip mocha -- only to discover as I drove away that they left out the chocolate. Not to be deprived of this much sought-after treat, I headed straight back through the drive-thru and politely asked if they wouldn't mind making me a new one. Not only did I get my mocha, I also got a coupon for a free drink -- any size.

It doesn't take much to make my day. Seriously.

Trick Or Treat!

Is it really November already?!!

I hope you had a Happy Halloween! Ours was SO MUCH FUN! Jon came home from work early to carve pumpkins and then take his little guy trick-or-treating. The weather was AMAZING and we were able to sit outside most of the evening and watch all of the trick-or-treaters come by. By the way ... this is the first house we've lived in where kids actually came by -- we were in heaven! And best of all -- Grammy was here to share in the festivities! Check out our "scary" little dragon!

As you can probably tell ... it took us a while to get from house to house.

It's so fun to think that next year we'll have FOUR pumpkins on our doorstep!

No, I didn't swallow a pumpkin!

Me at 17 weeks.

I was extremely comforted to hear the heartbeat at my

appointment a few days ago. This means there really

IS a baby in there ... not just french fries and ice cream!