Here Comes Santa Claus!

Thanksgiving has come and gone. I have so much to be thankful for this year -- a happy, healthy little boy; an understanding, patient, and loving husband; the ability to stay at home with Aidan; an adorable new nephew; a wonderful family who has shown us so much support this year; great friends -- just to name a few. On Thanksgiving Day, Brandon, Aidan, and I stayed home and had a nice, quiet family dinner. Brandon fried a turkey (a first for him which turned out delicious), I made mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cornbread, and baked an apple pie. I also made Aidan some homemade sweet potatoes which he turned his nose up at. I just can't make it like Gerber I guess. 

I can't believe it is almost Christmas! This year has flown by. I'm so excited to celebrate this year with Aidan. Santa is going to come visit us for the first time in several years! We went and picked out a little Christmas tree this weekend. Aidan loved the lights and enjoyed watching us decorate. We also went to get pictures made with Santa. Aidan was not a fan. He stared at him with wide scarred eyes and then the lip turned under and there were tears. 

In addition to visiting Santa and decorating for Christmas, we have had an eventful few weeks. Aidan is sitting up! And he got his first tooth!

6 Months Old

It's hard for me to believe that 6 months have passed since the day Aidan came into this world. On November 6, Aidan turned 6 months old. I was looking back at pictures of him from when we first brought him home. Although I don't see it sometimes because I'm with him everyday, he has gotten so big and has grown so much. It's amazing how quickly he has learned head control, then hand control, rolling over, then getting around the room in his army crawl. Nothing gets passed him; he is so interested and curious with his wide eyes. He gets so excited when his daddy gets home from work, he recognizes songs, he laughs at my different voices when I'm reading him a story. Yesterday, in the middle of the night, he woke up and I was changing his diaper. He started to cry and proceeded to look at me and give me the sign for "milk". He didn't won't his diaper changed, he wanted milk and he let me know it. That was pretty neat. Our first conversation. I'm loving being a mommy. I'm loving staying at home with him. It's a hard job, but definitely the most rewarding!

Aidan's 6 month photo shoot in Nanny and Paw Paw's back yard. 

(I think this picture looks like Brandon. I have decided that although he has a lot of Hall features, the shape of his face is that of Brandon's so I see Brandon in him in certain expressions and profile pictures)

Aidan and I made a trip to Memphis to see Brian play in his final home game as a Memphis Tiger. We are proud of you, Uncle B! While we were visiting Nanny and Paw Paw, Aidan made his first visit to the Memphis Zoo. It was a beautiful day and Aidan enjoyed strolling around. We were really looking forward to seeing the monkeys but were a little disappointed that there was only one hollering monkey there. But the rest of the zoo was wonderful. We look forward to the Spring when we can go back and take William!

Aidan, Steven, and the giraffes

Aidan, Nanny and the elephants

Aidan, Paw Paw, and the grizzlies in the new Teton exhibit

Aidan had his first play date. We got together with Riley Clements (3 months) and Elizabeth Ashley (9 months). Aidan was so excited to meet new, cute girls. Whenever he was on the floor with one of them, he would army crawl up to them and want to touch their faces. The girls were a little reserved, but got used to the wild man quickly. 

Riley and Aidan

Aidan and Elizabeth

 

Aidan, Elizabeth, and Riley

Ghosts, Goblins, and Little Monkeys

On Aidan's first Halloween, he was a monkey. Looking back he should have been a mexican jumping bean, or a frog, or kangaroo or something that jumps a lot. But my lack of creativity at that moment and the 1/2 off sale at Babies R Us, turned my sweet Aidan into a little monkey. He was very cute if I do say so myself. For Aidan's first Great Pumpkin Day, he got to experience a hayride and a bonfire. He was very impressed!

Brandon and Aidan enjoying the hayride

A Whole New World

It is so much fun to see the world from a baby's eyes. Everything is new and full of wonder. Even as a big person, it makes me look at things with a new found excitement.

Dexter is no longer just our dog who had been getting on my nerves and who sheds a lot; he is Aidan's new best friend. Dexter has learned that if he lays his head in Aidan's lap then he gets patted and rubbed, however ruff it may be. And Aidan has discovered that this big fur ball tickles and is at times absolutely hysterical.

Aidan has also recently discovered that there is more than just milk in this world.   We've had our first week of cereal. Each day he has gotten increasingly better with the spoon to mouth concept; he tends to do a little bit better, but a whole lot messier, with his daddy than he does with me. I keep telling Aidan, just wait until we get to the peas, carrots, pears, and bananas.  

This year I've been looking forward to the changing colors of the leaves and to Halloween a little more than normal because I thought Aidan would like it and because I'm always planning my next photo op. This weekend, we drove down the Natchez Trace hoping to find beautiful Fall colors. We did just that. We took Aidan on his first hike. He seemed to love the new colors of the trees, especially the bright yellows. He also got to see his first waterfall. 

Fall Is Here

Football, cold weather, and pumpkins -- Fall is here! Aidan and I headed to Collierville for the weekend. "Aunt" Christina road with us and kept me company. It was so much fun having her with me and it made the trip go by so fast. Bethany had her first flying experience with an infant. There were some nerves, but I think except for the 2 hour delay it all turned out okay. On Saturday, we took William and Aidan to their first pumpkin patch. It was chilly, but we got some cute pictures. It's harder than you think to get two babies to look towards the camera and be happy at the same time. They both are just growing and getting so big.   

  

We all went to the football game on Saturday night. You would have thought it was snowing and twenty below. We were all bundled up with blankets and all, but we all stayed toasty. Memphis beat UTEP 35-20. Brian caught a pass for 8 yards and a first down. Way to go Uncle B! 

We had lots of fun hanging out with family. It's always a little hard to leave. The boys enjoyed some tummy time and a little male bonding. 

We returned Sunday night to a lovely surprise. Brandon had cleaned the house, bought me flowers and a snuggy, installed a new faucet in the master bathroom, and set up Aidan's Jumpster. What a wonderful husband he is. 

Weekend Fun

Aidan attended his first Fall Festival this weekend. At Brandon's school, they had a big event on Saturday with a petting zoo, pony rides, airbrush tattoos, big slides and bouncy things. Aidan's favorite part was watching his daddy in the dunk booth. We have been contemplating Aidan's first Halloween costume. We have a few in the running and we're still researching before making our final selection. 

A Family Divided: On Saturday night, Brandon and I attended the Ole Miss vs Vandy game. I in my Rebel gear and Brandon in his Commodores hat. Aidan stayed with his Gran, but sided with his mommy on the game. He's a smart kid and already knows who the winners are. 

Aidan's 5 months old today. He's getting to be such a big boy. His 5 month accomplishments include: rolling over from tummy to back and from back to tummy, learning to control his hand movements, laughing at funny faces and sounds, playing peek-a-boo, holding his head up, getting up on his knees, recognizing his mommy and daddy. 

Never A Dull Moment

Aidan has been keeping things interesting around the house these days. He is full of personality and funny faces; I love his little laugh. He has been very intrigued by his hands and now also by his feet. His newest discovery is that he can get his big toe to actually fit in his mouth which makes for a pretty good pacifier. You can also see the little wheels turning in his head that there has to be a way to get from point A to point B. He has started getting up on his knees and falling forward which gets him closer and closer to his destination inch by inch. This is very fun to watch, but also makes me very nervous that we could have a mobile baby around the house sooner than later. I've already picked up some cabinet hooks and outlet covers just to be safe.   

 

When we go out, people will comment that Aidan looks just like me. Then we go to the next place and we hear that Aidan looks just like his daddy. Maybe he is just the perfect combination of us both. 

They Meet

We had a very eventful weekend last week. Aidan and I headed to Collierville on Friday evening. We were looking forward to meeting cousin William. After a long drive, Bethany, Ken, and William got to Collierville on Saturday; just in time for Memphis Fan Day. The nephews got to see their Uncle Brian all dressed up in his uniform. 

These little fans had so much fun they had to take time out for a little snooze.

Nanny and Paw Paw enjoyed having both grand babies under one roof. We are heading back again this weekend for another visit before William heads back to Texas.   

The best of buds already

Football Season is Upon Us

Last night was Aidan's first football game. We went to support his daddy in his first game as a cougar coach. Even though it was past Aidan's bedtime, he seemed to really enjoy the excitement of the crowd, being outside, the cheerleaders shaking their pom poms, and the oohs and ahhs of new faces. I think he's a football fan already! Our next big football event is Memphis fan day next weekend. Go Uncle B!!

 

William Paul Mongold

August 5, 2009 I became an aunt, Aidan welcomed his first cousin, and Bethany became a mommy!! After much anticipation, William arrived into this world weighing 10 pounds and 9 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. He is precious with curly blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a a rider pinky toe like his Paw Paw. I can't wait to see him in person. We sure hope they get to make the trip to Collierville for Labor Day.

Waiting on Baby

Aidan and I headed to Austin hoping to meet cousin, William Paul. We had a wonderful time with Bethany and Ken, but little William did not make his debut. Ken took the opportunity to practice his baby skills while Aidan was there; he earned the name "The Baby Whisperer". He is going to be a wonderful daddy. William will be here when he's good and ready and we plan to see him Labor Day weekend. 

Aidan had his first experience on an airplane. I was nervous, but he did great. No meltdown occurred from either one of us. Just being able to eat and sleep is all Aidan needed to keep him happy. I learned a few 'traveling with infant' tips: 1. I was wondering how the base was going to stay connected to the infant carrier-- they wrap them in a big plastic bag when checked. 2. Feed during take off and landing since they don't know how to pop their own ears. 3. The 3 oz rule for liquids does not apply for milk and/or formula.  

Our adventure to Texas is not the only big event of the week. Aidan has discovered he can roll from his back to his tummy. He does this very well, but he forgets he hates tummy time. He rolls over and then cries because he is on his tummy, I roll him to his back, and then we do it all over again. This occasionally also occurs in the middle of the night. We also discovered that Aidan is intolerant of cow's milk. This means no milk, cheese, or ice cream for me. No ice cream is going to be a tough one; oh the sacrifices we make. But look at that face.

Aidan's Birth Announcement

Make a Smilebox photobook

New Photos

For months Brandon has been spending all of his extra time working on transforming our back deck into a sunroom. It's finally finished! Aidan and I love spending our afternoons watching the dogs and the birds and sometimes we even have some bunnies that come for a visit. It's wonderful to have the extra space. Brandon did a great job; it turned out perfect. 

Before

After

Brandon starts a new job at the end of this month. He is the new P.E. and Drivers Ed teacher at Middle Tennessee Christian. He will be the assistant football and baseball coach. He's going to be a great coach and he's looking forward to it.

Aidan and his daddy are already having serious sports talks.

Aidan enjoyed his first Collierville concert on the square with Nanny and Paw Paw.

Aidan is starting to figure out this tummy time thing.

Aidan had baby dedication at our church on June 28th. He did very well in front of all those people. Nanny, Paw Paw, Gran and Papa all were there to celebrate with us. 

Bethany update: she is 11 days from her due date. she is starting to progress; last week she was at 2 cm. We are waiting for the call! Aidan and I are going to visit July 23rd. 

Fun in the Sun

We got home from Florida last night. I think Aidan enjoyed his first beach vacation. It was incredibly hot so Aidan and I spent a lot of time in the condo, but it was a nice change of scenery. We had a lot of wonderful help with Aidan and we stayed at such a beautiful place. It was great having Brandon around during the day, and he got to play some golf with friends. We had a lot of good seafood and the wedding we went down for was beautiful. I can't wait until Aidan is old enough to go to the beach and play in the sand with cousin Will.    

I didn't get in the water, but I went prepared.

I celebrated with Dad for his first Father's Day!