And the award goes to...

GAM-EE!!! During the day while we are at work, Gam-ee has slowly introduced the potty chair to Cade. In an effort not to push him, we have had it casually lying around both houses with a potty book he can ONLY read while on the potty. Since Cade loves books, he was interested to sit while reading his book! On Wednesday of this week, he actually went on the potty one time! He was just a surprised as Gam-ee and Mommy/Daddy LOVED the bragging phone calls we got at work from Gam-ee and Cade. My lil man is so smart. Of course, I thought, this probably won't continue for a while...but that was NOT true! Yesterday, Cade went 4 times on the potty!! Gam-ee had him with no pants on (yes, you will love the little hiney in the pics below. He would squirm and point to his wee-wee when he needed to go, and then they would both run to the potty! I am so impressed with my lil man. It may take a while to get fully there, but I am just so blessed we have hit the milestones we have in such a short time! Way to go Cade, we are so proud of you! You are such a smart boy!

PS- Gam-ee gets the AWARD for being so diligent and getting us this far! THANKS!

Caelin's half way here!

According to my Doctor, I am halfway there! This week marked 20 weeks (although I think I am really 22 weeks), and I have some exciting stats to share!

Mommy Stats-
BP: 100/70
Weight: I have gained 12.5 pounds since the start of this prgnancy. 4.5 lbs have been this last month! So, here comes the exercise!
Urine Tests: normal
Bloodwork: All negative for any syndromes or disorders

Caelin Stats-
We of course had the sonogram last week and the Doc reported that all Caelin's measurements came back as perfect! The sonogram showed that Caelin weighed about 11 ounces which is in the 90%. She is a big girl (or I am farther along than they think) and we plan to have another sonogram around 32 weeks to look at measurements and see if the scheduled C-section will be moved up. At this point, the due date will stay on July 7th!

Other Notes-
Caelin is getting bigger with me! She has kept me up for 2 nights kicking and moving! Last night, I actually SAW my belly move for the first time! Daddy can feel her move everyday and she is one active little gal! I don't mind staying up with her though, makes me feel good to know she is having a blast with life already!

Finally, here is what BabyCenter.com said that Caelin is doing at 20 weeks:
"Your baby weighs about 10.5 oz, is about 6.5 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel! The length of a long banana! She is swallowing these days which is good practice for her digestive system. She is also producing Meconium, a black sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels and you will see it in her first diaper."

Klein FFA Show

This past Saturday while Nana and Papa were still in town, we took Cade to Klein's FFA show. All 4 Highschools participated in it, so it was quite large! Cade had a great time touching all the animals and making their sounds. My favorite was when he went to touch a bull on it's back and it stood up. My little man jumped and looked at the bull like he was saying, "I was JUST petting you pal!" He is so funny. I love how Cade has no fear, he will try anything (although scary for me at times) and loves to do new things. It is impressive how he remembers details for days and weeks after. The mind of a toddler is truly amazing. If you ask him, "Did you pet the sheep?" he will laugh and say yes. Nana and Papa had a great time walking around and showing Cade the animals. He was so excited he didn't know which way to go!

I feel like this somedays too!

Daddy goes Hunting

Charles went with a group of guys from our church (True North Outfitters) a few weeks ago to go Pheasant hunting. Cade and I had a great time snuggling, running errands, going to the park, and making cookies! Daddy came back with 7 pheasants and we have had some amazing BBQ birds for dinner. They are actually quite yummy when smoked! Here are some pics of the guys

Cade's first Haircut

Today was hard, but very exciting. I had been dreading cutting Cade's hair since I can remember, his red curls in the back reminded me that he was still "my baby". Well, he is now 18 months with a mullet and curls that have overgrown his ears. So, since Daddy was going for a haircut, and all Grandparents were in town, I thought this was the time to do it. So after work, we got the nerve to take him to Sports Clips. He loves sports and I knew the decor of the place would help distract him. Turns out he needed no distractions! We first watched Daddy do it and talked about how it would be "Cade's turn" next. When it was his turn, he sat in the chair like a big boy and never moved. The stylist even said he was the best she had ever seen for a first haircut. Now, Mommy on the other hand cried for a bit while trying to take pictures, and Daddy just stood by proud and kept talking to Cade. We were so proud of our angel! After the haircut, we all went to Baskin Robbins to celebrate! I am missing the curls, but he is SO HANDSOME!

It's a .... GIRL!!

Well, here we are! 19 weeks pregnant and we had a sonogram yesterday to determine the sex!! Anyone want to guess what the pink bow means?

IT'S A GIRL!!

Looks like our perfect family will be adding a lil lady to the mix! I guess I have a lot of learning to do. We are going to need all the help we can get with bows, hair do's, princess outfits, dance lessons, boys, puberty, and did I mention a wedding? Let's just say our lives are changing again for the better!

We also decided on the name! Her name will be Caelin Roe Hall. Caelin is a name we both liked and it has a similar background which is Irish to the name Cade. In Irish it means "powerful warrior". For her middle name, Roe is a special name to me. Dolly Robena was my Grandma Watts' name. Everyone called her "Roe" (except me...to me she was "Gangaw" or "The Peach of My Heart"). If you read my blog at all, you know she was my Best Friend. We talked almost every day and I treasured every moment I heard her voice. Unfortunately she passed away when Cade was 4 weeks old. I miss her more than I could ever imagine and the pain has not yet seemed to get easier. I was more than elated to find out months ago that the C-Section for Caelin is scheduled for her Birthday. To me, that is Gangaw smiling down! So, Caelin's middle name will be Roe. If Caelin is half of what Gangaw was, she will be an amazing woman!

So, watch out everyone...Caelin Roe Hall will be here soon! Please continue to pray for health and growth during this amazing time.

Cade turns 18 months old!

Happy 18 months Cade! We thought about writing you a letter, but that just spells disaster when your Mommy is 18 weeks pregnant...too many emotions. Instead, Daddy and I have worked hard to collect everything about you and your accomplishments thus far. I will say though, that we love you more than anything and are so proud of you. You are such a positive spirit and have truly changed our lives for the better. Ok, I am stopping at that since I am already crying! Here is "All About You" at 18 months!

Mode of Transportation: Fast Walk or Run

Number of Chompers: 8 Upper and 6 Lower

Weight: 30.7 lbs (93%)

Height: 33 Inches (75%)

Words: You will attempt any word after we say, "You say ____". You have mastered or frequently say: hi, bye bye, mama, dada, night night, "luv oo", thank you, please, AMEN (with hands in air), touchdown, football, yellow, truck, cup, up, car, book, Baylor, cracker, bus, bubble, duck, shoe, and no-no.

Yummy in the Tummy: hot dogs, fruit (favorite is strawberry), ketchup or "dipping sauces", cheese sticks, crackers, cookies, milk/Gatorade, chicken, waffles, and cream of wheat

Mommy's favorite thing: When you run into my arms when you see me, or kisses (even if they are Eskimo kisses)

Daddy's favorite thing: When you smile and wave at strangers (you are VERY friendly)

Favorite Toys: BALLS and BOOKS! You prefer the real thing when it comes to balls, a play football is just not good enough. You want the official size even though it is harder to "tuck and run". You also read for about 2 hours or more every day. You will get a book off the shelf, bring it to someone, instruct them to sit down and then crawl in their lap. Your Daddy likes to say you are going to be a "student athlete". Also ranking in this list would be toy cars and blocks.

Fun, Fun, Fun: You enjoy wagon rides, going to the park (Swings and slides), pudding painting with Gam-ee, dancing, kicking/throwing balls, bubble baths, making a mess of your toys, and Tupperware.

Your Attitude: 90% of the time you are happy! We have never met a happier baby. You are also very independent, determined/stubborned, and intelligent.

Sleep Habits: You sleep 12 hours a night with Mr. Froggy and take 1 hour naps each day with Mr. Elephant.

Getting ready for school: recognizes the colors brown and yellow (more to come!), knows about 20 animals and their sounds, knows more than 20 body parts, sorts colors, puts items "in/on", puts stuff in trash on request, puts dishes in sink, will sit on your potty chair, and assists with dressing.

Random Accomplishments: Puts toys away, reads one book at a time, holds book and turns pages appropriately, opens and closes doors independently, feeds self independently with silverware (although really messy), wipes hands/mouth after eating, Prays before meals and bedtime, and brushes teeth.

Baby Hall is 18 weeks today!

Today marks 18 weeks of pregnancy according to the Doc. I feel he/she move several times a day, and they are getting stronger. You go lil thing! We go for the BIG Sonogram in 6 days to find out the sex and confirm due date. Can't wait to see pictures of our lil one! Don't worry, I will post shortly after Doc apt what the outcomes are! To date, I am about 10 pounds up in the pregnancy, so I have gained a little less this round. I am feeling great now, no sickness, no certain cravings...just FOOD! My only complaint if I had to say one would be the back pains from sleeping awkward at night. Clothes of course are an issue with this pregnancy cause I am bigger this round and it's COLDER. :) So, I am praying for warmer weather as I have LOTS of clothes for that. Baylor has to be around me at ALL times. During the night, he even tries to literally sleep on top of me! I love my furry baby, but Mommy needs a little space pal. Cade has also taking a liking to my belly. He will rub it, point to it when we ask, "Where is Cade's Baby?", and he will even grab my belly with both hands and kiss it. He is going to be a great big brother. Charles is supportive as always and does a good job holding us all together. He tries to do the majority of the lifting since Cade is 31 pounds and Mommy shouldn't be lifting more than 15lbs. He is excited to be able to start feeling the baby himself. He tried last night, but I think the baby needs to grow just a little stronger. It's coming soon though babe! So, we are all adjusting to the baby in our own ways. Here is what babycenter.com said about Baby Hall this week!

"Head to rump, your baby is about 5.5 inches long (the size of a bell pepper) and weighs 7 ounces. He is starting to flex his arms and legs. His blood vessels are visible through his skin, and his ears are now in their final position. Although the ears are probably still standing out a bit still. A protective covering of Myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue until he is about a year old. If you are having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you are having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during a sonogram."

Guess what?

I felt baby Hall move!!

I thought I felt it on Saturday, but thought it was just my imagination! I was 15 minutes late to work today cause I had to just lay there and let "he/she" kick! When I say KICK, I mean KICK! No small flutters, but KICKS. I remember with Cade never feeling the "flutter" stage either (we Hall's go for the strong kicks/punches). Although when I felt it with Cade I was about 18.5 weeks along. Saturday was 16.5 weeks along...hhhmmmm. I am wondering if this will prove that I am farther along than Doc thinks? I think I am almost 2 weeks farther along (according to the "dates"). At the ultrasound on Feb 15th, we will not only find out the sex, but see if the due date will change based on baby measurements. So, we will have to see! Either way, what a joyous day now that I can feel the baby!! WHOO HOO!! Kick all you want Baby Hall!