Hallie WHO?!?!

The loyal readers of this site (you know who you are - Dad, X and LL) have been asking for an update for months...

4 1/2 months, to be exact!

Ever since April 16, when sweet little Hallie Mar made her entrance into the world!!

Welcome, Hallie!

So here's a recap of our past 4.5 months...

Hallie's birth

April 16, 2008
She was 7 pounds, 6 ounces, 20.5 inches and arrived at 8:08 pm.

Looking back on it, the labor (we were able to do a VBAC) seemed to go quickly, although in reality it was about 14 hours from the time I was induced to the time she arrived... after
2 hours of pushing, they used the "vacuum" to pull her out, and *poof* -
there she was!

She had her 4 month check-up last week, and she's grown a lot since then!
She's now 15 pounds and 25 inches "long".
She's been a reeeally easy baby, at least since we got her breathing and reflux problems resolved. Just like her big brother at this age, she'd be content just sitting in a corner entertaining herself by looking at her hands and cooing.

We're so lucky to have such great kids!!

Gavin becoming "World's Greatest Big Brother"
Since day 1, he has been a very gentle, loving, protective brother, always looking out for "Baby Hawwie"!

Kisses from Day 1

"There aren't many rules in this place... just stay cute, and you can get away with anything!" Sharing Pooh

She's starting to interact with him more and more every day, and I can tell that he's loving that! He loves to see her sitting up (propped), and "helps" her roll over by tugging at her clothes, and loves to hold her hands and walk backwards - teaching her how to walk.

Gavy putting stickers on Baby Hallie the second day she was home!

Hallie's baptism
June 8, 2008
She slept through most of the service until we brought her up to the altar... then, as soon as the water hit her forehead, she was awake and loud!

And most recently, Gavin's SECOND BIRTHDAY (I can't believe it!!)

August 24, 2008

We had some of the playgroup friends over to swim at Nana & Bumpa's for party #1, then rented one of those huge inflatable jumpy castles and had the neighborhood kids over for party #2,

then the relatives over for party #3!

Gabriella took a swing at the #2 pinata...

And Anna delivered the final blow!

He got lots of great gifts,

including a bike helmet

and Thomas train table and tracks

We had a very busy weekend, but I think Gavy enjoyed it all!
Oh, and he learned how to sing his own version of "Happy birthday" just in time for the big event - it goes something like: "happy you, happy you, happy you cake, happy you cake Gavin, happy you, happy you, ... repeat 10x)" Very adorable.

And here are some more recent pics...

Which way to the beach?

Gavy & Anna admiring the fishies we caught at Nana & Bumpa's

Best Buddies

Lovin' the Jumperoo! Who loves you, Mommy?? :)

Found my toes!

All the way up to today - when she ate solids for the first time ever!

Bring on the rice cereal!

"I'm not so sure I'm gonna like this..."

Open up and say "Aaaah..."

Not too sure about the stuff, but a good sport nonetheless! :)

All cleaned up, in the new outfit from Aunt Bette... such a big girl!

Oh, and here are pics from their 3-month/2-year photo shoot...

So now we're all caught up, and I'll try my hardest to post on a more regular basis!