Belly

33 Weeks

Felix loves to interact with the baby, usually just by giving the sign for "baby"when he sees my bare belly. It's fun to see him think about baby brother more often now that I'm getting bigger!

Turkey Day

We traveled to Iowa this year for Thanksgiving, taking a much needed break from school and recruiting to bond with family (all 5 siblings + significant others, and Grandma Barnes!), relax, and enjoy the gourmet fare provided mostly by Rachel (with help from siblings as assigned).

Food prep by Spencer, Kelly, Aaron, and Brian

The menu was fit for a 5-star restaurant, so I wanted to record it for posterity:


Hors d'oeuvres: (by Christy and Steve)
*hummus & pita
*devilled eggs
*crudites

The meal: (by Rachel unless noted)
*apple-onion-bay scented turkey (by Dan)
*fruited cornbread dressing
*yum-yum salad (by Polly)
*mashed potatoes (by Spencer)
*seared green beans (by Brian & Laura)
*sweet potato-gruyère soufleé
*cranberry chutney preserves
*rolls (by Rachel Dennis, family friend)

Polly, Spencer, Dan, and Kelly

Rachel D., Amy K., Polly, (Spencer), Dan, Kelly, Rachel, Aaron

Christy, Steve, Rachel D.

Dessert:
*Rock Band

*and card games Second Dessert:
*Pumpkin cheesecake
*Maple-pumpkin pie
*Kentucky Derby Pie (by Kelly)


And of course, Felix had plenty of time to cuddle with Grandma Polly!

and with Great-grandma!

And lots of playtime with Aunts and Uncles.

And time to get to know the cats.

Then, sadly it was time to leave beautiful Cedar Rapids and return home to Ann Arbor. But thank goodness for Dean Bear and a comfy carseat. :)

What is the Meaning of This??

Is that a baby?? It sure is! Surprise--the Hall family will be welcoming a new member in February! (2-2-09, to be precise... but since when are due dates precise?)

Let's face it, secrets are fun! And we kept this one well hidden from family until my mom came to visit and we surprised her with a little trip to the Maternal Fetal Unit of Columbia Medical Center... complete with tickets to my 10-wk ultrasound!

hi!

At my 13-wk ultrasound, the little guy would not wake up for anything (to allow them to measure the back of the neck), despite my best attempts to rouse him. That and the way he had snuggled so well into the wall of my uterus (and even found a little pillow) got my hopes up that we'd have an ace sleeper on our hands!

Pretty cute profile for an embryo, eh?

Then yesterday, it was finally time for the big 20-wk scan!!

We were so excited! I had a hundred reasons why I'd just love having either a girl or another boy. But it turns out, it's a...

Hooray !!!!!!!

(no room for doubt there...)

Our first family portrait with both kiddos

My mom cam into town for this ultrasound too--how cool! Felix loved sitting in her lap and watching the ultrasound, and seemed to want in on the action: he went up to the technician afterward, pulled up his shirt and smiled at her... as if to ask for a scan for himself!

I think the best part, though, was hearing Felix say hi to his baby brother for the first time!

I hope it's the start of a special friendship that will last forever.

Home Sweet Home

It is SO NICE to be back in verdent, sweet-smelling, spacious Ann Arbor!

In addition to getting ready for classes in a week, we've had some cleaning, appointments, and general relocation tasks to take care of. Felix had a bronchoscope (outpatient surgery, to look at the shape of his airway)--which confirmed the tentative diagnosis of bronchomalasia (slightly misshapen or floppy wind pipe) in addition to asthma made back in May during his hospital stay. The surgery went well, and the diagnosis means that some of his breathing problems will go away with age (as his airways get bigger).

Illness and hospital stays are no fun, but on the bright side they mean snuggle time with an otherwise exuberant toddler!

Family time is also high on our list. Dave and Sharon meet us in Middleton, Ohio for bowling, dinner, and some serious bonding with Felix!

I've also decided to start the early phases of potty training, just to get him used to the concept. So far it's been a fun experience--he sits on the funny seat, and mom lavishes him with attention, praise, books, and toys!

Layover in Akron

We're on our way to Ann Arbor, with a fun five day stop in Akron to visit my family. Here we are at the Akron Zoo with my brother Kurt and mom.

My favorite part is how Brian and I are still staring at the goats while Felix is halfway to the exit

Felix loves Grandma!




Uncle Kurt!