The Holidays

Christmas has come and gone, but it was wonderful. We spent time with Brandon's family and then headed to Collierville to spend some time with my family. The break from work and all the time with family and friends was just what the doctor ordered. I believe Mom (a.k.a "Nanny") had an extra special holiday as she got to share the news that she is going to be a grandmother x2. Bethany is pregnant! Little Baby O'Neal is going to have a cousin only three months younger. I see many of fun playdates in our future. The year ahead is going to be a wild adventure full of wonderful blessings for the Hall family.  

Over the holidays, Mom and I spent a couple of days searching for nursery fabrics. It is quite a task to find and coordinate the perfect combination of pieces to make the nursery extra special. But we think we have some front runners. Here's what we have so far.    

The King of the Jungle

It's a boy!!

On the 19th, we went to the doctor and were able to see all the amazing things that the ultrasounds can show- his little arms and fingers, his feet that never stopped moving, vessels of the heart, the bladder, the boy parts. It was all amazing. Even though I can't feel him yet, we got to see that he is very active. He's 14 oz and growing. It was a very exciting time and Brandon and I are glad we got to share it with the grandparents.

Merry Christmas to everyone and we wish you a blessed New Year!!

Calling all Bets

If anyone has their last minute predictions about the gender of our baby, now is the time to speak. 4 more days until the md reveals the truth. We are very excited for our 20 week ultrasound. The room will be full of anticipation- accompanying Brandon and I at the appointment will be my parents and Brandon's mom (don't worry I called ahead to find out the max number of guests for the big event). The big news will be a wonderful Christmas present! We can't wait to share what we hear with all of you. Stay tuned!

Incoherent Ramblings of a Father-to-Be

As I write this I am calling out to all those men who have gone before me. Fathers, Grandfathers, Great-grandfathers, patriarchs and leaders, I need your help. I have been told that during this pregnancy my wife will change. After hearing these stories, I find myself fearful that I will wake up one morning and not recognize the woman lying next to me. I am afraid that she will change from the sweet, caring woman that she is to a woman so angry with me that she would call down the plagues of Egypt on me. So far I have noticed no change, but I need to know how much time I have left. If any of you have any words of advise or warnings please feel free to post them here. Thank you for your help. I will let you know when the transformation takes place. 

17 Weeks and Counting

Baby and I are feeling great. Cravings: besides the occasional want for juice instead of plain water, Brandon has been spared any late night pickles and ice cream run. Nausea: this has for the most part all passed. Even my prenatal vitamins are going down easily. Heartburn: only one episode to report, but one was enough. Baby Movement: I have not yet felt a flutter, but they say in the next couple of weeks that this will come.  

  

                 17 week photo op

Baby Prep

Now that I am into my second trimester and feeling better, my mind is going 90 miles an hour to what things around the house need to be done. Before the baby is even here, he or she has already got us busy as ever. Although Brandon has given up his Saturday job, I've filled what free time he had with my honey-do list. We can say they we have, as of this weekend, moved Brandon's clothes from the nursery closet into our now shared closed. Re-design our closet--- check. Brandon is also working very hard to finish our sunroom addition to the house. It's coming together quite nicely and I can't wait to see the finished product. I've already in my excitement bought the furniture, now it just needs a floor and ceiling and a little paint. 

The Heartbeat

We were able to hear the heartbeat for the second time today. It is such a wonderful sound and makes the experience that much more real. The doctor reported that the heartbeat was very strong and about 150-160 beats per minute. Brandon has been getting advice from his co-workers and was told that the faster heartbeat meant it was a girl; slower a boy. When the doctor said 150-160 beats per minute, we asked if this was faster or slower compared to the normal. She responded with "it's just normal.... and you can't tell the gender of your baby from the speed of the heartbeat". So I guess she has heard it all. So we still have a 50/50 chance either way.

We have made our appointment for the next ultrasound. December 19th is the big day!! We will find out if we are having a little BO or a little Linferd!    

Our Trip out West

4 months ago we headed off to hike the Grand Canyon. And what an adventure it was. For 2 days, Brandon, David, Shawn, and myself saw no one but each other. We hiked almost 10 miles a day and conquered a 3,000+ ft elevation change. What a feeling of accomplishment we all had; not to mention sore muscles. After leaving the Grand Canyon, we headed to Boulder, UT. A place where you'll never meet nicer, more resourceful, and grounded people. Also the only place in the US that I've ever visited that didn't have a grocery store, convenient store, or fast food. The trip was one of the best we've ever had. The experience makes you sit back and evaluate what's important in life. Not material things or your 9 to 5, but family, friends, enjoying life to the fullest.

The trip was just what we needed. A short month later, Brandon and I found out that we were expecting a baby! From that moment, our life changed. We started thinking of where the nursery would be, what are our favorite names, calculating a due date. We are starting an adventure and looking forward to each and every moment.