26 Weeks and Growing...

We are 6 1/2 months and feeling great! Aidan is moving and shaking every day. Brandon is now able to feel the movements, and sometimes see, which is neat for all. 

It's funny how attached you are to your belly button and don't even realize it until it starts to change shape. I think very soon mine could disappear. 

Today the weather was great and we had a very enjoyable day and a very productive day as well. Brandon and I went to lunch at Red Robin with Brian and Christina. The food was great and the company was even better. 

 

          Aidan has a new closet for all of his clothes and toys.           

     

   The nursery is a clean slate. It's ready for the fun part- decorating.

 

Milestones

Aidan is making his presence known. 6 months along and the bump can be hidden no more. He has definitely popped out and I am on, almost exclusively, to maternity clothes. I had my first complete stranger ask me when my baby was due last weekend-- it caught me a little off guard. He also is moving around quite a bit now, which is a fun feeling to experience. The flutters are still light but definitely noticeable. 

Reaching the 6 month mark hit me a little harder than expected. I realized this weekend that my months of prepping for the baby are running down. Choosing a pediatrician, a day care, signing up for birthing classes, the nursery, the registering-- it seems that the list is long and I should start checking things off. I know there is enough time, but I need to get started.

Bethany update-- Bethany and the baby have hit their 12 week mark! The appointments are going well and the heartbeat is strong. 

What's in a name......?

I felt a little pressure as Brandon and I discussed baby names. This is the name that this baby will have to live with the rest of his life. It has to be fitting for both baby and eventually man, it has to pass the 'name game' test, it has to flow with the last name, it has to be manly and sound good announced over the loud speaker of any college football stadium. Oh so many things to consider. 

I'd like to introduce you for the very first time to Aidan Michael O'Neal. 

Aidan-- a name I heard many years ago and fell in love with. Is of Irish decent and means 'A fiery young man'. So the story goes, a catholic priest named Aidan introduced Christianity to Northern England. 

Michael-- Brandon's daddy who was a great father, a great man and loved by all. Is of Hebrew decent and means 'Who is like God?'.

 

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.