Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!! Hope all of you had a fun day. We don't really get into Halloween at the Hall household, but we couldn't resist dressing James Bradford up. He was a little sweet pea in a pod!
We did go to one house trick or treating! - and we were their first trick or treater of the evening! James Bradford even got some candy - although Cory and I ate it for him of course. But James Bradford enjoyed the Laffy Taffy jokes!

Thanks David and Laura for having us over! We had so much fun visiting with yall.

The Club

On Friday James Bradford and I had a lunch date. We met Emily and and her best friend from High School, Lee Ann, for lunch at The Club. It was a very special time, as it was James Bradford's first time to go to The Club. He got all dressed up in a day gown that I had made him. It swallowed him when he was first born and now it fits (well, it's a little big, but he looked oh so cute!!) James Bradford was on such good behavior (as always!) I can't wait to take him back! It was such a fun afternoon!!

Another Recap

Once again - Mom has put the blog on the back burner. I think it's because of me, James Bradford. Since mom has been so busy taking care of me and trying to cope with the reality of having to return to work next week, I decided that I would help her out by updating the blog with what we have been up to recently. We've been busy and having so much fun.

My mommy has been working on making sure I get some tummy time in each day. Its not my favorite thing, but I know I gotta do it! My big sister Sabrina does tummy time with me too!
This past Saturday Alabama played Tennessee. We went to Aunt Emily & Uncle Jeff's for dinner and to watch the game. It was so much fun, and I met 2 new friends - there were 2 other babies there! It was a late night for me. Mom and I went took a nap! And Alabama won - woohoo, Roll Tide!

On Sunday, Uncle Dan, Aunt Ellen, Davis and Isaac stopped by on their way through town. It was so fun to see them, and it was so special as it was my first time to hang out with Uncle Dan. It was fun hanging out with my cousins too. They are so fun. (and funny!) They sang to me and tickled and kissed my toes. I am learning to be a good sharer - I let them play on my play mat and even in my crib!




Sunday afternoon, Mommy got me all dressed up and we went to our first birthday party. We were supposed to go to a Halloween party after this party, but I was cranky and fussy so we decided just to go home and call it a day. Here is a picture of mommy and I hanging out at the party. While we were at the party, mommy took me to one of the rooms for me to nurse. Guess what we found?? We were in my future Mothers Day Out classroom and my name was on the wall. I don't start going until January, but I am so excited to be a little lamb! And can't wait to meet all my new friends!!

On Monday it was one of mommy's good friends birthdays, so we met Aunt Leslie for lunch at O'carrs - it was so much fun. And it was so sweet and special of her to hold me and feed me. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
She also brought me a surprise - her mommy had gotten me a new bib. I love it! Isn't it so cute!! Thank you Mrs. C!
Today we had a busy day. We started our day at lactation. GUESS HOW MUCH I WEIGH?! - I now weigh 9 pounds 4.5 ounces. (Last week I was 8 pounds, 6.5 ounces) I am still going through a growth spurt. Mommy was sad, but had to swallow her pride and start supplementing with some formula. I mostly just need the extra food at night time. Daddy has been being a huge help though to mommy - he has been giving me my midnight feeding. And its so special to be able to spend that time with him. After lactation we met Miss Sara and James Michael at the Pumpkin patch. We had so much fun! I was a little fussy, so I decided to take a little nap. It was a fun time!! Here are some pictures of our time!

And thats a short recap of what has been going on with us. Stay tuned - We have so much fun, Im sure Mommy (or I) will be updating the blog again soon!

Smocked & Popped

Tuesday, James Bradford and I were so exciting about our outing we had planned for the day. We got up and got ready to go to Lactation Support Group and then went to meet my friend, Sara, and her 6 week old, James Michael for lunch.

We decided that since this was our first meal at a restaurant, that we better get dressed up. So we decided on this smocked day gown. (thank you Aunt Emily for this fabulous find!) And James Bradford looked oh so handsome. It wasn't until after we left the house I notice his collar kept on "popping" - now I'm all about some popped collar, but on smocked clothes?! Not so sure about that, especially on a 4 week old! He sure did look so cute though - James Bradford can definitely pull off the "smocked and popped" look!

We started our morning off at Lactation Support. This was my 2nd time to go. It's great, just a bunch of new moms sitting around chatting and feeding their babies. And then there is a lactation consultant there to assist or answer any questions you may have about nursing. Upon arrival, you undress your baby and weigh them. You will never believe how much James Bradford weighs - 8 lbs 6.5 ounces!!! My boy is growing and getting to be such a big boy!! Then you feed them and see how much milk they are getting. James Bradford took 4.5 ounces!! Seriously must still be going through that growth spurt. No wonder we have been having to give him extra pumped milk!

After Lactation, we met Sara and James Michael for our first lunch date. We met at the Three Earred Rabbit in Trussville. It was the cutest cafe - it is a soda fountain shop that serves sandwiches, soup, homemade ice cream and of course Soda Fountain drinks. It was the perfect place for us to take our little ones. No pressure to hurry and get out. We just enjoyed a relaxing lunch. And the boys did great!! James Bradford was awake for about the first 15 minutes then fell asleep. (As he had a full tummy coming straight from lactation) Here are a couple pictures from our lunch.

Sara and James Michael!

Sara keeping the boys calm!

James Bradford & James Micheal hanging out together at lunch!

James Michael enjoying his lunch!


We had so much fun! We are actually planning on doing it again next week!

1 Month Old!

Happy One Month Birthday James Bradford!

Today James Bradford is one month old! I can't believe it - these past four weeks have flown. And my little buddy has changed so much!

On Monday, we went for his one month check up. James Bradford now weighs 7 lbs 12 oz, and is 21 inches long. He is getting to be such a big boy. He is still in newborn clothes, but we just moved up to size 1 diapers - as the newborns were a little tight around his cute little legs. The 1s are still a little big, but they aren't as tight around his legs.

He is so strong! He is already rolling over on his side - often I go in his room and he is sleeping on his side. He sits in his bouncy lamb seat and puts his hands up as if he is reaching for the lamb that is hanging.

I am so proud of his sleeping. He usually sleeps for 1 4-5 hour sleep period at night and then goes another 2-3 hours. Which is great for mommy.

He is a good eater. The Dr. says he is going through a growth spurt. Mommy is trying to keep up, but occasionally we are having him to go into Mommy's "work/play supply" and give him a bottle. I was extremely nervous about giving him the bottle, but he loves it and still loves me! Plus Daddy and Grandma get to enjoy the feeding time him now.

He is changing so much and beginning to get a personality of his own. He smiles and has an oh so serious face. He loves looking around - especially when he is laying on his back or outside.

My favorite time of the day with him is the morning. After his early morning feeding I bring him in bed with me and we cuddle. Then when it's time to wake up Daddy, he cuddles with him before he gets up to work. The morning is by far the happiest time of day for him.

Today he and I celebrated with our first store adventure. We went to Buy Buy Baby. He slept in the car on the way there and once we arrived he was screaming. It hadn't even been 2 hours since his last feeding. But I went ahead and took him into the nursing room, changed his diaper and fed him. (I love Buy Buy Baby - even more after using the nursing room - it was so nice and comfortable. It had nice gliders with gliding ottomans, and a great changing station with disposable pads, wipes and hand sanitizer. And its a quiet room with no flushing toilets or people talking. The other reason I love it so much is that they take Bed Bath & Beyond Coupons!) Anyways, so we went to Buy Buy Baby and for his birthday (and because we had gift cards and credit there) he helped me pick out a tummy time mat / activity gym. We were trying to decide between space and farm, but we decided on the farm - just in case he were to ever have a baby sister - she would prob. like the farm over space. Here are some pictures from my first play time with my new mat.





Then we got a special arrival! - DeDe arrived for the evening. James Bradford was so excited and he cant wait to spend time with and be held by DeDe!

What a fun and exciting day. We love you James Bradford!!

Where I've Been . . .

I would always get so frustrated with people when they wouldn't update their blog - now I am one of those and now I completely understand why and how easy it is to neglect the blogging world. So I apologize for my frustration before!!

But I'm here and I'm back. Hoping finding blogging time will get easier once I go back to work.

So what have we been up to - here is a quick (but long) overview:

Friday September 24 -
DeDe and Nanna come for a visit! DeDe and Nanna came for the day. It was great getting to spend time with them. And it was a special treat for James Bradford - because it meant no naps in the crib - he was held the entire day/evening. DeDe was a HUGE help. She cleaned the house and did laundry - while i relaxed and rested. Thank You!!

Saturday September 25 -

Bama v Arkansas game - Wow that was a close one! Emily and Jeff came over to watch the game with us. It was so much fun. And James Bradford loved "tailgating". We set up the tent outside and smoked chicken on the smoker. The game was close. If James Bradford could sleep through all that screaming - he will be able to sleep through anything! Emily and Jeff were a huge help. I was exhausted, so I took a rest after the game while they helped Cory with the baby and cleaned up. Wow, am I spoiled!

Saturday October 2 -

Found the best nap aid - a car ride on the interstate. James Bradford was having a rough day. We were lacking in the nap area of life and were fussy. I finally decided to put him in the car and just drive. Once getting on the interstate, he fell asleep. It was then I realized that the interstate really is a great nap aid. I drove for about 2 hours and he loved it (and mommy did too!)

Bama v Flordia - Our friends Lisa and Chris came over to watch the game. It was a lot of fun and a big win for Bama. James Bradford enjoyed the special attention he received from them. Earlier in the day we took some pictures of him in his National Championship Onesie. He loved the shaker - he actually wanted to eat it!

Monday October 4

First Bottle - James Bradford seems hungry still after feedings. Luckily I have been pumping - trying to build up my "work and play supply" So we decided to try the bottle out. Cory gave him his first bottle and he loved it and he was such a happy little guy. Plus I think Cory enjoyed giving it to him. I was a little sad, but we were going to have to introduce the bottle soon anyways, as it is nearing time for me to go back to work.

Tuesday October 5

James Bradford had been fussy for a couple of days. I was concerned something was wrong with him. So my mom and I took him to the pediatrician. Come to find out - nothing really wrong - he is just going through a growth spurt and was hungry and needing to eat more. We have been working on Baby Wise schedule - eating every 3 hours. Now our feeding schedule is more like every 2 - 2.5 hours. But he is doing great! I'm so proud of him, and especially of his night time schedule.

Photo Shoot - I was so excited to get some new born pics of James Bradford. We had so much fun playing with the camera. James Bradford was so cooperative and I was so proud of him!

Wednesday October 6

Happy Anniversary Grandma & Gramps!! Today my parents celebrated their 38th Wedding Anniversary. Thank you Mommy and Daddy for being such loving parents and for loving each other and showing us the true meaning of what a marriage should be like. We are so blessed to have you as role models for our marriage.

Play day at Tricia's - Ellen and the boys came in for a play date with some of her friends from our high school youth group. Mom, James Bradford and I dropped in to visit. It was so much fun! Lots of kiddos (8) playing and hanging out while all the mommies caught up on life.

Thursday October 7

First trip to Baxley Dillard - we had such a fun morning. We went to my office to visit my co workers. Everyone loved seeing him and getting to hold him. Wow - maternity leave has flown by!

Friday October 8 - Sunday October 10

Bama v South Carolina - Cory goes to South Carolina to seem Bama play. We were hoping for a big win, but unfortunately Bama lost. We were sad, but Cory had a great time at the game (can't beat free tickets too!) and enjoyed spending time with his friends.

With Cory out of town, James Bradford, Sabrina and I took this opportunity to head to the lake with Grandma and Gramps. His first trip to the lake and he did great! He was a great traveler. We just had a relaxing weekend. Best of all, I got to catch up on some sleep - thanks to Super Grandma! Fun and relaxation was had by all. Can't wait for our next trip out there - although it probably won't be until Thanksgiving, but it will be so much fun!!

Today, Tuesday October 11 -

Happy 4 week Birthday Baby!!

First trip to Huntsville - James Bradford, Sabrina and I went on an adventure today. We packed up this morning and headed to Huntsville for the day to visit with Aunt Ellen, Davis & Isaac. James Bradford was a great traveler and slept majority of the trip there and back. We had such a fun visit. Davis & Isaac were so excited to see their cousin. They sang and read to him and entertained him. James Bradford's personality is shining through and he is smiling a lot. It was such a fun day!