Better Late...Right?

Okay so I realize that I didn't blog over Thanksgiving or Christmas. Time just flew by! I do have some fun pictures from the past month.
Lucas is now 4 1/2 months old and went to the Dr. last week. We found out we weren't kidding when we say he is our "chunky monkey". He is in the 83% for weight. He is a whopping 17 1/2 pounds. 3-6 month clothes didn't last long in our house, we are slowly getting right into the next size. He is getting so active and wants to sit up. He is constantly smiling and looks for me wherever he is. Darren sings for him which gets him laughing. Madison and Marli are playing (bugging) him constantly and it requires constant supervision.
Madison is enjoying Kindergarten and learning so much. Her reading is improving and loves to sound out words and do projects and crafts all the time. Darren built her and Marli a craft table in the basement and they are constantly down there playing and creating new things. She recently had a Christmas program at school and sang so well. She loves the attention she gets. Christmas was so good for her this year. She counted down every day that went by and always wanted to know if we could just open one present everyday. We finally made it to Christmas and she wasn't disappointed. She really appreciated everything she got.
Marli is doing so well. She was thick into the Christmas craziness too. She is my dream child, when I ask her to do something she is quick to say "okay mommy". She wants to read and do homework with Madison so it has been fun watching her learn. I can't wait until she is in preschool to really see how she does. She got a lot of coloring activities for Christmas and just sits and colors for so long.

Other than that not much is new. Darren is still in looking for a job, and we are optimistic this new year will be a good one for us. This year has been a roller coaster of events for us. When Darren worked at Wells Fargo he became really good friends with Susan Powell and we have been devastated to learn that she is missing and has been for 3 weeks now. We have been dealing with these emotions that are so new to us. I just hope the case gets solved soon and closure can be brought to friends and family. I have realized as dealing with this that life is short and to enjoy my loved ones as much as possible. Christmas time is such a great time to remember what is important and enjoy my loved ones. I am looking forward to a new year and the new possibilities it brings.

Look at my big boy.

I love this picture of him.

Madison is being silly and thinks she is Rudolph.

Marli is my poser!

This was the picture on our Christmas card!!

Getting Older and Having Fun

We have been having fun enjoying the warm weather lately. I took the kids to a fun park and they had such a great time playing. Madison is such a social bug that within 5 minutes of going to the park she had a new friend. She does this at the store, school, library and park. Her teacher told us she is the one at recess everyone flocks to. It is so nice having her be so independent. Marli is the shy one who hides her face when anyone looks at her. She will cry in the store and say "everyone looking at me". She is total opposite Madison, but I love the tender side it brings out in her. Lucas of course just loves looking around and discovering new things. He loved the park too.

Lucas is now three months old. He is so fun to watch. I have been amazed at watching him grow and discover the world around him. He smiles when he sees me anywhere near him. He loves his sisters and almost laughs when they play with him. He is gooing and it is so cute how much he tries to "talk" and how much energy it takes him. As much as I would love him to stay teeny I am excited to see what he will do next.

My favorite people!!!

This picture was taken right before we went to Disney Princess on Ice. The girs loved getting dressed up. The show was amazing and they sang along to the songs and danced along with the princesses. It was a fun family night!!

Fun Pictures

Lucas was our "chunky monkey" for Halloween. Look at those cheeks!!

I love this picture. He always puts his hands under his face.

Marli got herself dressed for a cold day.

He is all smiles lately, and we love it!!

Madison at Kindergarten doing her parade for Halloween

Our little genie

The audience who came to see Madison do her parade.

Before our Halloween party. I was a chic from the sixties, Lucas was a monkey, Marli was Ariel and Madison was a genie. Darren was a sixties dude, but we didn't get a picture of him.

Hectic Times!!!

Well we have had a lot happen to us recently and it hasn't been as easy to update the blog like I had hoped. Well first at the end of September Darren lost his job. It hasn't been easy, but we are adjusting the best we can. So he has been home everyday looking for jobs and also applying for unemployment and fun things like that. To add to the stress the same week he lost his job his dear Grandpa Ray Hall died. This came as a shock to us. We packed up our stuff and left for the funeral Thurs. Oct. 8Th. Madison has been off track this whole month so that was in our favor. We left Thurs. and stopped in Vegas that night and stayed at the Stratosphere which was a lot of fun. Friday we drove the rest of the way to California and stayed with Tim and Lexi. It was a really nice time with family! Saturday was the funeral and it was truly amazing. It was done very well and he was honored and spoken about in the highest regards. I know we will really miss him. I was amazed at how much family that traveled from so far to be there. It was a nice but tiring day. Sunday we went with the rest of the family to Disneyland and that was so much fun for the kids. It was the busiest day I had ever seen, but we still had a great time. Madison and Marli loved having their cousins with them to go on rides with. I was mad because at the funeral our camera died and requires the batteries to be charged with a specific charger, which of course, was at home. So we didn't get any pictures at Disneyland. Monday we left around noon and drove straight home. Talk about a VERY long day in the car!!! We got home at 12:30 that night and that concluded our short but sweet vacation.
My days are blurring together with Darren being home. I know things will work out, but it's the waiting that kills me. I got really sick this past weekend with strep and was out of commission for a few days. I am now feeling better and ready to face a new week.
As for the kids they are doing wonderful. Madison is enjoying her time off school, but is getting excited to go back to school and for Halloween. Marli is turning into our TV watcher. She can sit in front of it as long as we will let her. When she isn't watching it she is singing the songs she learned from the shows. Then we have little Lucas. Did I say little? He is anything but little. He is gone from being a small skinny baby to a chunky one! He is smiling now and goo'ing. I could just watch him for hours and never get bored of him. We love him and the girls so much!!!
So that is our lives, as stressful as they are. Let's hope things settle down and we can start to enjoy the holiday season.

This was taken in the front yard of Tim and Lexi's in California. Madison and Marli love their Grandpa!!

A quick family picture before the funeral.

Darren was a pallbearer at the funeral.

Lucas getting big!! He needs eyebrows.

His cute new smile!

Loving My Kids

Madison has started Kindergarten and LOVES it. I really have no idea what happens in class when she goes. She tells me every day that she is the best in her class and gets to be in charge all the time. Either she is one amazing student or getting to be quite the story teller. I have loved watching her learn and become so independent.

Marli has had some adjustments to make. She has had a hard time with Lucas being born and Madison going to school. We are seeing just how sensitive she really is. After Madison is dropped off at school I tell her it's Marli time, and we try to do fun things.

Lucas is now 6 weeks old and is such an amazing baby. He is so mellow and easy. He lets me sleep most of the night and is content to lay in his swing during the day when I am busy. I am waiting for the smiling to start. Oh and his cheeks are so chubby now!

So, overall, things are going very well for us. I am getting pretty good at taking all 3 kids out with me during the day if I have to. We have had meltdowns at the store and lots of spitting up (from Lucas not me). It's reassuring for me to look over at other moms and see they are facing the same issues.

Life With Baby

Poor Lucas! Madison tries to dress him up. You can tell he doesn't like it. He doesn't stand a chance with 2 sisters.

I can't believe Lucas is already 3 1/2 weeks. He is such an amazing baby. He is so mellow and good. He sleeps most of the night now and he is more alert and awake in the day. The girls have adjusted pretty well to the addition to our family. I never would have thought that adding one more would be so much work. I have found I am constantly helping one kid. I am always tired, but it is so worth it.

Madison starts school in 2 days and is so excited. We got to meet her teacher last week and I know she will do amazing. We practice walking to her school at nights so she will be confident in going. I just can't believe I am old enough to have a child in school now. Marli wants to go with her so bad. Madison and Marli are such great friends, they are playing with each other all day so it will be sad for Marli when Madison is gone everyday.

Other than adjusting to life with a newborn, we are doing well. I am really glad it's September now and that Fall is around the corner.

Well I guess I should be glad I got 5 minutes to blog. Lucas is now fussing, Marli is wanting a snack and who knows what Madison is doing upstairs.

Finally the Birth Story of Lucas Robert Hall

On Thursday August 6th I was feeling some cramping and light contractions all day and at about 5:00 I thought maybe I should go to the hospital and get it checked out. Darren met me there and the hospital was really busy and it took a long time for them to get me into triage. I was finally checked at a little after 6:00. Nothing had really changed from the day before, which was my Dr. appt. They decided to keep me for an hour and monitor me. My mom came and picked up the girls and then Darren left for a little while to go to a work dinner. I was checked an hour later and there had been a slight change so they wanted me to walk around for an hour and then they would decide if I would be sent home or they would admit me. I was almost ready to just go home at this point, I was tired and hungry. I walked and walked and didn't feel many contractions, so I was convinced I was going home. They checked me after 45 minutes of walking and I had dilated to a 5 and was fully effaced. I was staying!!!!
I got admitted at 9:00 that night and since the contractions weren't bad I refused the epidural. Darren and I just got comfortable in our room and watched TV and I rested and sat on a birthing ball. Around 3:00 in the morning the contractions were a little more uncomfortable and I knew my Dr. wanted me to have the baby drop and descend on his own. I decided I should get the epidural and rest for a little while. I was checked right before getting it and I was almost a 9. I hated getting the epidural it was painful and uncomfortable. I was able to rest for over an hour before I started feeling the urge to push and feeling really painful contractions. Around 5:45 they checked me and the baby's head was about 3 inches from crowning and in 3 pushes he was out.
Lucas Robert Hall was born on 8/7/09 at 5:52 AM, weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz., measuring 19 1/2 inches long.
Everything went really well. We were able to go home Sunday morning. He is a very mellow baby who enjoys sleeping and eating. The girls adore him and we already don't know what we would do without him.

Sad Day

This afternoon my dear Grandma Christensen passed away. She was taken by ambulance yesterday after being found in her condo. She had suffered a massive stroke and after cat scans last night it was determined there wasn't much the dr.'s could do. My dad flew out to Washington late last night and was up with her all night. She had slipped into a coma and he wasn't able to talk to her. He was able to be with her so that was so reassuring for me. This afternoon she died peacefully. I feel so helpless right now. I am having a baby any day now and so there isn't much I can do. The funeral will be here in Utah so she can be buried with my Grandpa. I am hoping I can atleast make it to that.
My Grandma was an amazing person and had accomplished much in her lifetime. I know she is in a happier place now and so that puts me at ease. She will be greatly missed.

Waiting Game

I am still hanging in there. I am 38 weeks tomorrow and I still can't believe I will be holding my little guy soon. I am being induced on August 10th, so there is definitely an end in sight. I do have to say this pregnancy has gone by so fast for me and has been relatively easy. I am trying my best to enjoy these last few days, because I know this is our last one. I have loved the kicks, hiccups and the amazing sound of his heartbeat. Now I just want to see what he looks like and how he will compare to my girls. Thank you to so many of you who have been such great supporters in this pregnancy. I have recieved so many well wishes, and gifts. I feel ready to introduce him to the world!!!

All Sorts of New Stuff

I have been so busy getting things ready for the baby, so I have lacked in my blogging. I am now 36 weeks along and can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Pregnancy in the heat of July is not easy and very miserable. I am glad it's almost over. My induction date is scheduled for August 10th. Here is my belly shot. Darren needs to fix the date on our camera, although I do feel like I have been pregnant since 1/1/07.

On July 15th my sister in laws threw me such a fun baby shower. I was lucky to have my family and extended family make it. My sister in laws had such yummy food and made everything so wonderful. I really feel ready to have baby Lucas now. Thank you so much for all who came and all the amazing gifts.

Madison just got her hair cut. I loved it long, but it was getting so hard to do. She has so much natural curl it hurt her to brush her hair. We cut off a good 8 inches, and it is amazing how much it has done for her hair. She looks so cute and she loves to have her hair done now. She loves to pose so that explains this picture.