Newborn Pictures

It is SO nice having a photowoman in the fam. Abby was just 2 1/2 days old when we took these pictures. We had a houseful and luckily Chad was there to keep the kiddos entertained outside. Abby was a little angel and she has such a low-maintenance mom when it comes to pictures that the session only took 1 1/2 hours. Shell-bell would have loved to take more time and play around, but I was done.

We were so concerned about getting the boys posed correctly I didn't notice that her headband was more of an eyepatch.
Her little dress is what Richele brought back for me from Mexico.

Cam looks 12 years old to me here.

Spencer's in a goofy smile phase---what do you do?

The BURRR I'm cold pose

Thanks so much Shell-Bell....it was so much fun and I adore the pictures. We shall be using you again soon!!!! No more arguing about the headbands either :) You all were right.

Welcome Little One!!

Yah!! She's here. Little Abby Kate Hall was born on Monday March 15th at 11:57 pm. She was 7 lbs. 14 oz. and 19 inches long.
It's always a very humbling and emotional experience for me to bring a new little life into this world. Part of this I blame on those darn raging hormones that literally make me crazy, but part is the wonderful opportunity I get to be the trusted guardian over one of Heavenly Father's spirits. It's a responsibility and privilige I take seriously. I just pray I don't screw it up too bad--hehe.

Ok, you can tell the above paragraph was written in the hospital--where all is right with the world. The baby stays in the nursery except when I want her--I am able to rest, watch movies, rest, play on the computer, and rest. Well I have been home for 2 days now and it's probably best that I wait until I'm in a little better frame of mind to write the "Abby's arrival story". Apparently they don't make Zoloft strong enough to counteract the absolute shock of those first few days and ENDLESS nights at home. So I will just caption the pictures and get to the story later.

We went to Grandma's hospital just 2 days before Abby was born to have her run a strip for Abby's baby book. We also were able to double check that she hadn't sprouted a pee-pee either.

Grammy took a picture of us at 3:30 am on our FIRST trip to the hospital on Monday morning.


2 adoring big brothers. What more could a little girl ask for?

Love Spencer's goofy smile lately.

Cameron is going to be SUCH a big helper.

Grandpa Hall--if you zoom in it's a great picture of Abby.

She doesn't even look like this just 3 days later. But it's fun to see just how much they change.

We do love you little Abby and are so glad you have joined our family and don't worry--by the time you are able to remember things "crazy mommy" will be gone.

Last Hoorah!!!

President's Day Weekend was our last trip as a little family of 4.
We decided that since winter is so long and we were tired of the cold, a nice escape to St. George was needed.

Spencer waiting for the Bumper Boats. He was so excited.

Thanks goodness for the DS

Oh, everybody thought it was SO funny to get the pregnant lady wet on the bumper boats
-I was SOAKED

Dinner at Pizza Hut--- Cameron was "starving", so he wasn't too excited to have another picture taken.

I stayed in the hotel while Chad took the boys to Snow Canyon--they went on a 3 1/2 mile hike and Chad said the boys were such troopers. They loved every minute of it.

They were a bit nervous to go inside the lava
tubes, but thought they were neat anyway.

Jayne told us about this great park and boy she was right. Killer playground and a rock climbing wall that Cam was a little nervous on.

We checked out the Dinosaur Museum on our way out of town. Let's just say, the boys weren't too thrilled. I guess if you've seen one dino track, you've seen them all.

How wonderful are car dvd players, ds's, and cheez-its. It made for a very nice trip.

Cameron loved the oreos. It was a nice relaxing trip and so much fun to be together as a family. Trips are going to be a bit different from now on.

Getting Ready

I just have to look at this sweet face when we are up for the 20th time in the night.

My sweet little Spencer has taken it upon himself the last 3 nights to truly prepare his parents for the arrival of his sister. We have been LUCKY to get 3 hours of straight sleep. Just like having a newborn, huh?! Spencer has not been 100% and he is suffering from the lack of sleep, but it is getting ridiculous, he isn't that sick. Still, what a sweet little boy to prepare us for what is to come---blech!!!

Disneyland Smells

What does Disneyland smell like, you may ask? Or do you even care? Well, to a 6 year old little boy Disneyland has a distinct smell.

We were driving down to St. George yesterday and when getting back in the car after a potty break in Beaver there were 3 people smoking right by the van. Cameron asks loudly, "How come it smells like Disneyland?" HaHa!

The boys found the Disneyland maps in the luggage this morning. They loved looking at them and I was amazed at the details they remember. We have got to get back.

My Little Men

Shell-Bell was kind enough to brave the freezing cold a couple of Saturdays ago to take the kiddo's 6yr and 4yr old pictures. We also were able to take Cole-baby's 3 yr old pictures. Nicole was in a dress, so we took hers first and luckily she was a ham, so we got done quick. She sat in the warm car with Chad while we worked with the boys. The temp dropped quickly and I am not picky with pictures (my saying is, "there's got to be at least ONE good one in there--we're done.") So we boogied out of there. It's easy to not be so picky when Shell does a great job editing and it costs me nothing more than maybe some babysitting and/or jewelry. Good trade in my opinion.

I actually get sad looking at the two of them. The thought of our family changing, even though it will be a good change, is hard. Our little foursome works so well. I take Spencer, Chad takes Cameron and there is plenty of "no hitting" space in any vehicle.

I don't remember what we said here,,,but I love it. Goofy boys. They are such good little buddies. They're not perfect, and there is plenty of fighting and teasing in our house, but I see the love and concern they have for each other. Their little personalities compliment each other well--Cam is more uptight, Spence is laid-back (about certain things). Cam's the peacemaker, so when Spencer is demanding (as he often is) Cameron gives in to keep the peace. Spencer adores Cam and wants to be like him and Cam is so good to include him.

I absolutely adore my little boys. I am grateful I get to be their mommy and I embrace their uniqueness. They teach me so much and even if they grow up having more than their fair share of "Oprah moments" ie. Beach Day. They will sure as heck know that their Momma loves them.

Spencer is so fun and goofy, although he has a hard time opening up to many people. There are even VERY close family members that don't see the real Spencer too often. You have to EARN your place with this kid--he makes you work for the love and attention he is willing to give. He is very sweet and all of his little friend's moms/primary teachers/pre-school teacher adore him and tell me, "there is just something about Spencer." He learns well in non-traditional ways--I have given up on using Cam's old pre-school workbooks. Cameron would eat those books up and whizzed through them. Spencer couldn't care less--but he is a sponge and surprises me with the things he knows and remembers if I am creative in my teaching.

Age 4 was a dream with Cameron, not so much with Spencer. He is starting to exert his independence more and more. He used to be SO obedient, now everything is, "too hard" or "I'm too tired." At least when he gets sent to his bedroom he obeys and will stay on his bed until he is ready to be better---I don't go get him. I wait for him, because with Spencer you just ignore and he will come around when he is ready. Then he acts like nothing happened, no pouting, just happy goofy Spencer.

Cameron is such a little man, and always has been. He is a mini-Chad and I am so grateful for Chad, because this little boy is a mystery to me in so many ways, and Daddy knows just what he is thinking and feeling. "We'll see what Daddy thinks when he gets home," is a phrase often uttered in our house. Actually Richele understands him well too--I have called her in tears a couple of times asking her to tell me what to say to my own son. I admire that Cameron always wants to do his best. He is very concerned for others, especially family, and wants to do what's right. He is very loving and affectionate. He is a "pleaser" and wants to make mommy and daddy happy. I think the motivation for his good decisions will in part be because he doesn't want to disappoint us. Oh he loves to learn and does very well in school. He will probably be one to actually put too much pressure on himself academically.

I love candid pictures, and Shell and I tried to get Cameron to act more natural, but he would not take the "perma-grin" off. Just like my Cameron--wanting to be perfect.

Abby's Room

I am definitely not one to wait until the last minute to get my baby's nursery ready. It always makes me feel better knowing I am ready---room-wise anyway. We are so excited to have a baby girl, but I am not one for drowning the room in pink. Besides I remembered this fabulous 70's wicker swag lamp that used to be in MY nursery (no, I don't remember it from when it was my nursery. Richele is the one who remembers the womb---my memories start at about kindergarten.) Anyway, I have always thought it was the coolest lamp and I remember seeing it in storage at Mom's. I also knew that mom still had some Hollie Hobbie (not sure if that's the correct spelling) little wall hangings she kept from my nursery as well. Also, I was the first child born, so there was a plethora of blankets made for me. (It's sad that subsequent children just don't get as much stuff.)
One Saturday I headed to Mom's and Dad raided the storage. We gathered everything we could from 34 years ago. Mom loves to throw things away, but thankfully she kept a lot of our baby things. Chad was just thrilled with the 3 large garbage bags full of stuff that entered our home that evening. And I'm the one always complaining we don't have enough room. Sadly, Dad was never able to find the lamp. I neglected to take a picture of the inside of the closet---stuffed full of baby clothes I wore. And they are in fabulous condition. I think Mom had some serious laundry skilz, but she says we girls were really nice on our clothes. Other than a few pieces of elastic that had lost their stretch, and some threadbare knees, all the clothes looked new---not bad for 35 years and 3 little girls.

Cam has been good on his clothes, but most had to be chucked after Spencer---and I DON'T have mad laundry skilz. So other than a couple of things, my boys won't have anything to be sentimental about. Not that boys would anyway.

I think she's good on hair accessories--for now. I still haven't made the bows from the grosgrain ribbon I bought---these are mainly the crocheted and organza flowers. The picture above the changing table is a watercolor of the London Temple a lady from Chad's mission painted. That is daddy's only contribution to the nursery--sorry. I was considering asking Brett if I could borrow his Cabbage Patch Kid, Will Denney to display, but since poor little Will's head was used more as a weapon I figured he probably isn't around anymore.

Mom can't remember which Payson friend made the Giraffe for me, but it's the COOLEST!!

I remember seeing pictures of it, but we didn't discover it until that Saturday. The basket of blankets is cut off in the picture, but I have a crocheted afghan, and a baby sleeping bag Grandma Loveridge made. A blanket from Nana and afghan from Mom. The bedding is new---killer deal from Amazon.

The Hollie Hobbie's were in such good condition, I just bought new frames for them. The doll on the shelf and quilt G. Loveridge made--Mom thinks they were 2 of her last projects before she died. The frame on the shelf has baby pictures of Abby's Grandmas and Great Grandmas. (Shell-Bell always comes up with such thoughtful gifts.) Mom made the dolls on the dresser. Mom says the little quilt on the dresser was one she used for her dolls and it was made by Carol Jean's Grandma Marshall (her childhood friend's grandma--so it's REALLY old--haha). The books were my Little House on the Prairie--loved them. The figurines were from both of my Grandmas.

AND I spent about $110 bucks on the entire nursery---I don't have Laundry skilz, but I am great at recycling decorations and I was patient enough to find a killer deal on the bedding.

As a side note: While I type this Cam is in the other room playing a card game with 2 friends and he just said, "this is so much fun isn't it? It's just like we're adults." He has come out of bed many many times to see mommy and daddy playing games with friends, so I'm sure he does feel very grown-up--especially since he is the one explaining the game.