Welcome Arianna Jo Hall!

Arianna Jo Hall arrived February 7, 2o09 at 6:13 pm. She was 6 pounds 13 ounces and 19.25 inches.

Here's the story:

I started having contractions early Saturday morning around 3 am. Around 6 am Dustin was getting ready to leave for some volunteer work for church. They were going to go a couple hours north and help clean up after the ice storms. We talked for a bit and decided it would be okay if he went because he wouldn't be too far.

After about 30 minutes the contractions seemed to be getting worse and just when I was going to call him to come back home, he walked in the door. We decided to go ahead and go into town for breakfast and stop by the women's center to be checked out.

They monitored me for a bit and said that I wasn't in active labor so they sent me home. I was a little worried because I really felt like I was in labor and we live about 35 minutes from the hospital. I really didn't want to have the baby in the car.

After we went home, I actually took about an hour nap. Maybe I really wasn't in labor afterall if I could nap. . . but then the contractions really started.

So we went back to the hospital. They checked me and I thought they would say I was dilated to maybe a 3. To our surprise I was already an 8! The rest happened VERY quickly---Arianna was born only 43 minutes after arriving to the hospital. Since I had made it so far without any pain meds, I decided to go ahead and do a natural birth.

We are so in love with our new addition! We also so proud and appreciative of Alice who has been a real trooper and wonderful big sister. We really feel blessed and thank God for everything (especially for making it to the hospital in time!)

Beginning 2009

Happy January! We're counting down the days for the little one to get here. As far as names go, Dustin has the final say---so when he knows, I'll let everyone else know.

Only 3 weeks to go! Alice took this picture :)

Good morning! We went camping in Hot Springs with the Preston's this month. It was one last chance for me to get out before the baby arrives.

The horse races in Hot Springs were a first for us.

Alice loved watching them race!

Our campground had a playgound. Alice and Aiden swinging.

Love those chipmunk cheeks!

We tried to feed the ducks on the campground but the kids were a little nervous.

Dustin took this picture--hopefully one day people out here will actually know what Utah State University is . . .

Well, that's all for now. Next time we post it will be when the baby is here!

Holidaze!

Season's Greetings!

This Christmas season has flown by and we cannot believe we're approaching the new year. Here's what has been going on this month . . .

This month was unusually cold for Arkansas. We had several days around only 20 degrees and a couple ice storms. Alice still counted it as snow and enjoyed playing in it---for about 15 minutes, then she was too cold and wanted to come back inside.

Alice had a Christmas party at her school. I was really impressed with her sticker skills in this picture. She placed the manger stickers all by herself on the paper.

We were happy to welcome Dustin's mom, brother, and sis-in-law the week before Christmas. We made gingerbread houses and had a good time visiting. FYI, Alice will be your best friend if you come stay with us :) We know Arkansas isn't a popular tourist destination, so we truly appreciate those who do make it out here.

Alice got to open her presents from Nana while she was here. Nana gave her a trunk of dress-up clothes. What a lucky princess! Oh, the puppy in the picture is a stray that got dumped on our street. If anyone wants to give it a home let me know.

Gus wasn't too excited about playing dress-ups.

On Christmas Eve, our friends the Eddy's, invited us over for dinner. We also played a little Rockband.

Here's the two guitarists

Christmas morning! Alice asked Santa for a 'Belle dress.' He also gave her a 'Mrs. Pott's Tea Set.' She played with both of them all day. I can't believe how grown up she's getting.

WARNING: PREGNANCY IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR BRAIN CELLS!!!

It is apparent I am in the last stretch of pregnancy just from my absent-mindedness. I left a bag of frozen roll-dough out all night. In the morning this was the result--an exploded bag.

Later that same day . . . .

Dustin and I returned from Christmas Eve dinner. I wanted a glass of milk for some heartburn. It wasn't in the fridge. I looked around the kitchen for 15 minutes, dumbounded. We even entertained the possibility that someone had broken in the house and stolen milk. We started looking around for other possible stolen items. Dustin then mentioned something about being 'pregnant and hair-brained.' So I looked in the pantry. Yup, there it was. I had put it away with the flour hours earlier. Please pray my family will make it through the next couple months without me giving them food poisoning!

Last, but not least, here is a video of Alice at her school singing "The 12 days of Christmas" Her teachers all said she was such a ham. I love how she's the only one patting her back and taking a bow at the end. Enjoy!

Squadron Party and Perimeter Check Completed

We had Dustin's squadron holiday party for the kids last week. We had a jolly time and Alice had a full day of sweets and Santa

Making new friends

Snowball fight! This was such a great idea--cotton filled nylon snowballs--no injuries!

Face painting. She got a snowman and Christmas tree

The big moment! Santa arriving from the North Pole on a C-130

She was speechless

Santa came back to the squadron and passed out presents.

She loves Santa, and was completely enthralled.

Don't tell Alice, but Santa was played by Dustin's squadron commander

For some reason he didn't want us all to sit on his lap . . .



After my entry about Belle's perimeter check, I decided to update on the latest kitty drama

Sunday night we noticed a big gaping hole in her side. I took her to the vet on Monday and they admitted her (yes, a cat can be admitted) and fixed her up. She apparently had been in a fight with the neighbor's cat and been bit--this turned into an abscess that burst open. ewwww.

Now she's exclusively an indoor cat (especially if every time she wants to fight costs me $300) She has to wear the lampshade and stiches for 2 weeks as well as a bout of antibiotics. Most people would say a cat isn't worth all this trouble. Not for me, Belle is my anti-stress medication. Does this count for losing 1 or 2 lives? Anyhow, perimeter check is officially completed. Neighbor cat wins :(

I'm posting a poll today too. I'm debating whether to give Alice her new baby doll for Christmas or to wait until the new baby is here. What will make her transition to big sister better? Cast your vote!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Halls have a lot to be thankful for, we know we're truly blessed. We spent the holiday with friends and yummy food. We decided one great thing about getting together as friends is the collaboration of the best of several family recipes.

This week marked the beginning of the last trimester-yea! Unfortunately, I know the last one will feel longer than the other six months. But no complaints :) I have had a really easy pregnancy.

Alice was up late playing with friends the night before (we had a sleepover at the Preston's) and she slept all the way through the meal. So no pics of her. Also, I thought I had pictures of our friends, but I guess not. So yes, I'm fired. Sorry guys.

I did get a picture of the table. My family will recognize the candy-filled-turkey cups. My grandma used to make these every year and I couldn't resist making them. Alice really liked them, a little too much. She needed to eat more real food and less candy.

One night while I was studying (more on that later) Alice asked Dustin to do her make-up. Well he did, all with brown eyeliner. The result? I call it 'Gothic Cinderella'. She was ecstatic. "Thank you so much daddy! You did my makeups!" I love the whole ensemble'. Eat your heart out Suri.

Perimeter Check Initiated . . . .

Every morning I wake up with Belle (above) asleep at my feet. As soon as I get up she runs to the back door to be let out. This is when her 'perimeter check' is initiated. She walks the fence line around our yard in search of any intruders, like the neighbors cats. I have never known such a territorial cat. This ritual makes me laugh, such a serious thing for such a fluffy furball.

Halloween

Getting ready to go

3 little pumpkins . . .

Class picture

Dane and Alice--could they be any cuter???

This year Halloween was different--it was the first time we had trick-or-treaters! Everywhere we've lived before had maybe one or two kids in the neighborhood. This time we were out of candy in an hour, it was great.

On Thursday, Alice had a fall party at her school. On Friday, we went trick-or-treating with friends. She was Cinderella-of course! She loves Cinderella and wears her dress almost every day. We had lots of fun this year and are glad that she shared all her goodies so willingly.

mmmm Reeses

One of the videos is of her singing the song from the movie"A dream is a wish your heart makes" Well, it melts my heart, so sweet. But I have no idea where she gets her theatrics . . . .

The second picture is of all the kids--such great costumes!