Happy 2008!!!

2008 has gotten off to a great start so far. I know it has only been six days, but that's why things have gone so good so far. On January 4th we took Waylon to the doctor for his 6 month well-baby check-up. He has gained two pounds and grew two inches.
His new stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 5 oz (he is in the 5th percentile for weight)
Height: 27 inches (he is in the 60th percentile for height)
Tall and skinny! He has some bulking up to do if he is going to play in the NFL! :)

Also, since we have gotten into the new year Waylon has learned sit up on his own. He has been trying so hard to learn how to crawl for about a month now. He gets up on his hands and knees and when he gets ready to move forward he drops down to his belly and flails his arms and legs...needless to say he doesn't usually get far...until today. I have been off work for the last 2 1/2 weeks and spent almost every moment with Way. Today I went to Walmart for an hour and Dave said he crawled while I was gone!! It was the good ol' Army issued low crawl...imagine that! When I got home Way went right back to turning and rolling to get where he wanted to go. I guess for now it's faster for him.

We had a nice quiet Christmas. Dave's parents came out December 15th and we had Christmas with them during their visit. Dave had to work both Christmas Eve and Day, we spent some time on both days with Dave's brother Mike and his wife and daughter, Jenn and Avery. Waylon got lots of great gifts, but at the time of opening them he was much more interested in the wrapping paper. Next year he will understand the concept of the holidays more...it was still a cherished and wonderful first Christmas!

The Hall Family wishes all a happy and safe 2008!

Check out the photo album, there are four new pictures. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year.

Tis the Season

Things are going great for the Hall family. Since the last update Waylon has started doing so many new things. He is now eating cereal, veggies and fruits. In the photo album is a picture of him in his new high chair...which he totally loves...the smile on his face tells the whole story. Speaking of stories, there is a good one behind the purchase of the high chair.

One day I was feeding Way carrots. At this time I was feeding him in his exisaucer, because he can't sit up yet and I didn't want him sliding all around a high chair. So picture this...Way is in his exisaucer and I am sitting on the floor feeding him. Well, if you haven't been around a infant lately...they like to get their hands on everything. Needless to say, Way grabbedthe bowl and carrots went EVERYWHERE! They were on his face, my face, his clothes, my clothes, his exisaucer, and the carpet!! Dave being the loving helpful husband and father that he is jumped up immediately, ran to the other room as fast as he could and grabbed the ...... video camera! After he got some good video (and stopped laughing) then he got the washcloth I had originally asked for. :) That night I went out and bought a high chair...they make them with straps so the baby doesn't slide all over the place...wow they think of everything!

We had a very relaxing Thanksgiving. There was food, football, and naps...it was just the four of us(Dave, Jess, Way and Floyd). We didn't think Way was big enough for turkey and fixings so he ate applesauce and carrots. He was still pretty happy.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went to Christmas tree farm. It was a fun experience. We bundled up, looked at all the trees, drank hot chocolate, and picked out a tree way to big for our living room (it didn't look that big at the farm!). I have put up more pictures of Waylon during picking out and decorating the tree in the photo album.

Dave will post a new video of Waylon soon...so stay tuned.

Waylon's First Starring Role!

Here is a short video fo Waylon in his first starring role on film. (o.k....video for those I know who know the difference.)

Anyway, he is starring in this film with his co-star, Leap the Frog. This project has been a long time coming, and was only "green-lighted" after several talks with the studio and getting Waylon's agent on board.

Also, I didn't have a battery or cord for the camera until now.

Dave

4 Month Check-up

Well, the boy has survived another doctor appointment...shots and all. In the picture he looks a little scared, but he was actually a real trooper. If the truth be told I think he handled the shots better than I did...I couldn't even watch.

Below are his new stats:
weight: 13 lbs 6.5 oz
height: 25 in
head circumference: 42 cm (I think that means he has a big brain!)

We got the go ahead on giving him cereal, veggies, and fruits. I am really happy about this. The way he watches Dave and I eat, I am beginning to think he has been spending to much time with Floyd...learning how to beg! It can be a little intimidating when you have Waylon on one side and Floyd on the other...you have to keep a close eye on your food.

So here's the story on the Halloween costume. I wasn't going to buy Way a costume. I just couldn't justify spending 20+ dollars on a costume that we was only going to wear for an hour, maybe two. Instead I bought him a Halloween outfit (which I posted pics of last week). Then last weekend I found a pumpkin costume for 10 dollars. When I did the math I still ended up spending close to 20 dollars. What can I say? I am a new mom! The pictures are in the photo album.

We bought new batteries for our video camera. Hopefully next weekend we will have video to put on the blog.

So Big!!!

Hey, it's Jess. This is my first posting so bear with me.

Where do I start? Waylon is getting SO big! Since our last post he has started sleeping through the night, moved into his own room, and is rolling over.

Way started sleeping through the night when he was 10 days short of 3 months. Your thinking "Jess, how can you be so specific?!" Well, Dave and I were talking and decided when Way was sleeping through the night we would move him into his own room. Sometime around September 11th he did it....he slept through the night, and boy did that scare the crap out me. I was up almost every hour checking to see if he was still breathing. Dave then reminded me what we had agreed on. Needless to say, I wasn't quite ready to move my baby so far away from me during the night...20 feet is a long way when you are a new mother. So we made a new agreement, when Way is 3 months old he will move to his own room....10 days. September 21st, 2007 Waylon slept in his own room for the first time...he definitely dealt with the transition better than I did. :)

Two weeks ago, I worked all weekend on teaching Way to roll over. I felt like I was training Floyd all over again... "Roll over...Roll over...if you roll over I'll give you a treat. " (Side bar - Floyd never learned to roll over.) By Sunday I had given up, fully convinced that next weekend was going to be it ... he was so close. That night I put Way to bed on his back, I went and checked on him before I went to bed and he was on his belly. I put him on his back again and went to bed. The next morning I went wake him up and he was on his belly again!!! That little sneak...he was teaching himself how to roll over...in his sleep!!! Now he's a regular rolly polly!

We bought him an exisaucer which he just loves the poop out of. The way he chews on all the toys on it ... I know teeth are coming soon.

Below is a link to our family pictures we had taken:

http://www.lamb-photo.com/hall/

There are more new pictures in the photo album. I will put more up next weekend in his Halloween costume.

Thanks for bearing with me. I know I don't write as eloquent as Dave, but now that I know what I am doing I will keep up with the blog better.

Waylon's Third Doctor Visit

So picture this in your head... Waybay and dad going to the doctor. Dad forgets diaper bag. Dad isn't the best diaper changing technician in the developed world. What do you think happens?

I don't have to get into the details here...but suffice it to say I looked like the worst dad in the world. The nurses at the doctor's office were VERY understanding...and helpful. I'm sure they deal with idiots like me all the time.

ANYWAY...his third doctor's visit went fine. The good news: he is still a healthy baby. He is 10 lbs 8 oz and taller than he was when he was born (I don't have the "Stats" in front of me at the moment.) The doctor was very reassuring. ( I think it's a class they take...Reassurance 101)

The bad news: It was time for his first shots. And it was so sad too. He was a happy little bugger enjoying the scenery one moment. He was smiling and looking up at the "shot lady" and then she stuck him. Oh My God.

The look of betrayal was classic. His face flushed red and he just stared at her for what seemed like hours...then all hell broke lose. He screamed and cried and it was a real heart breaker. In his defense (I don't want to make him sound like a little baby or anything) these needles where gargantuan. I could have borrowed one of these needles, stuck a marsh mellow on it and made smores at a campfire and not singe a single hair on my arm. They were that big.

And there were 3 or 4 shots to be had. He was not a happy camper to finish my camping analogy from above. But they say it's good for him in the long run...and I'll try to explain that to him one day if he remembers the pain and asks me about it.

Waylon's Trip to Illinois

We took Waylon for his first trip home over Labor Day weekend. We drove and Waylon did just fine. I really wasn't expecting much, but Waylon was able to drive from Lincoln, Nebraska to Omaha. I didn't think he had it in him...but it was nice...me and Jess got some good sleep.

Anyway...we are back now and Waylon is coming up on three months old. We aren't planning a party or anything...mostly because Waylon doesn't have any friends. Sad but true....he prefers to stay at home and eat and sleep (and cry) so his social life is kaputz. Hopefully he will grow out of it.

Actually, he does have a FEW friends...there is Floyd the Dog, Reagan (his girlfriend mentioned in a previous post), and Leap, the talking frog...who sings the ABC's. (I'm sure it's good for kids to learn their ABC's and stuff...but Leaps gotta go at some point)

On a more serious point...Waybay is doing GREAT! His third doctor visit was a hoot (I'll post more on that later) and he is developing well. If anyone is even still reading this blog after such a long delay...take a second and post a response so I know somebody is still out there. If there is still interest....we will keep posting.

Thanks for everything and read on for more Waybay info....

Sorry for the delay in Updates!

We are so very sorry for the delay in updates. Things have been hectic lately, but we promise to update much more frequently (especially when Jess learns how to update the blog) ;)

Meanwhile, here is a link to a blog a friend of ours has. They had a baby girl named Reagan a few months before we had Waylon.

Waylon ALREADY has his first girlfriend (that's my boy!)

http://lambslines.blogspot.com/

Enjoy...

Waylon second doctor visit

Waylon had his second doctors visit this week. Here are his stats:

weight: 7lbs 9 oz.

length: 20 "

So he has gained weight (from 7lbs even at birth) but has shrunk .5" We have explained to him that usually people get bigger as they age...not shorter. We have figured that at this rate...by the time he is 18 he will be 1/2 inch tall.

There could be some advantage to that...he would have a VERY low center of gravity... and I have to admit that the money from his circus performances would probably come in handy....but we think he will rebound and start growing taller.

Longhorn Cattle Stampede!!!!

Baby Waylon went to his first ever Longhorn Cattle Stampede on Friday.

They have a tradition here in the Springs of having a stampede down Tejon Street in downtown as an event leading up to the Pike's Peak or Bust Rodeo next weekend.

Waylon seemed to enjoy it alot which is to say he slept through it...but didn't cry or make any indication he doesn't want to do it again next year. A family tradition already.

We are going with my parents to take Waylon to the Rodeo next weekend. None of us have ever been to a rodeo...they are few and far between in Illinois...so it should be an interesting experience for all of us.

Waylon is going to be our little pilot/cowboy when he grows up...or if he chooses, a male nurse...whatever he wants. ;)

Jess's mom comes to visit

Sorry it has been awhile since the last post....I have returned to work and so time is obviously at a premium. But now that things have gotten back into a routine...I should be able to post more frequently.

We were delighted to have Jess's mom Chris come and visit for a week. She flew out here on Saturday the 30th of June and we took her back to the airport on Friday.

While she was here, she really helped us out by helping with Waylon and giving us some good advice from someone who has "been there, done that."

My paretns are coming next weekend and then Jess's Dad and Gayle are coming the weekend after that. It's great having family here!

First Doctor Appointment

Waylon had his first visit with his pediatrician on Monday morning (06/25/07).

He did really good and the doctor said he was "perfect". He tried to find something wrong...and just couldn't. He said it was a matter of pride for him to be able to find something....but he just couldn't find anything wrong with our baby boy.

He probably say's that to all new parents...but hey...it feels great to hear it anyway.

Things are starting to settle.

This picture says it all. My brother Mike took this picture while Jess was on the phone with her dad Tim.

I think this one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" moments. Mom and baby are assimilating just fine and Floyd is being very protective of our new edition.

First Family Visit!

So we were kind of napping...lightly...when there was a knock at our door. We didn't here it...but our other little one....Floydie-Dog did...and began barking as he ran to the door.

I followed him into the living room and looked out the peep hole to see who woke us up. All I saw was an orangeish blob. I almost just went back to bed but thought maybe I should see what was going on...so I opened the door.

Standing there with his hand over the peep hole was my brother Mike and his wife Jenn. What a complete surprise! They drove all through the night from Illinois to be with us and we couldn't believe it.

One of the tougher things about living out here in Colorado is we have NO family within 1000 miles. We have allot of good friends...and that is important...but nothing takes the place of family.

Jess's mom is coming out next week to stay with us and my parents are coming after and Jess's Dad and Gayle are coming right after that...but there was still a lag time before any of our family actually laid eyes on Waylon.

The added bonus is that Mike and Jenn just had a little girl just over a year ago...so they just went through being first-time parents and have been a HUGE help.

We ended up grilling out to celebrate and then they were going to get a hotel room to give us some privacy....but we insisted they stay with us...it was really nice for both of us.

They can only stay for a day or so...then have to make the grueling drive back home...but it has been nice having them.

Waylon Comes Home

What a Joy! Baby Waylon and mom were released from the hospital Saturday morning (6/23/07) almost 48 hours to the minute after Waylon was born.

We loaded him up into the Durango and drove to our apartment in northern Colorado Springs. We had everything set up and ready when we got there.

Needless to say we were both exhausted from the previous two days (especially Jess) and when we got him home we pretty much immediately took a nap. It was nice. Of course Waylon wasn't in the mood for a nap for long and let us know by politely saying "hey...if you guys don't mind...I would like to be looked at for awhile and maybe cuddled or something...and also...I left you a little present in my diaper."

I thought that was VERY considerate of our little man. Boy....this parenting thing is EASY.

;)

Of course I have provided a little translation here...but you get the picture. Read on in the next post to find out what awesome surprise woke us from our slumber...in a good way...

On the name...

How did we come up with Waylon Michael Hall????

Well...we are both fans of Waylon Jennings...to some degree...and thought it sounded perfect. It isn't too plain...like Bob (no offense to any Bob's reading this...Bob is a perfectly great name...) but wasn't too crazy...like Zanzabar. (no offense to anyone named Zanzabar reading this...Zanzabar is a perfectly great name...kind of...)

Now for the middle name. Both me and Jess love our brothers: Michael (Dave's only brother) and Matthew (Jess's younger brother). So we thought a friendly game of rummy would help decide who's name we would be using. We had played MANY games of rummy together...and we had a pretty even record (in Jess's mind) so it was a fair match. What Jess failed to realize is:

A) I was duping her the every time we played before...letting her win some for the obvious guy reasons and....

B) There was something SERIOUS on the line.

So we decided that we would play games to 500 and whoever won the most games before the baby was born would get the middle naming rights.

I won. No...I conquered! ha

By the third or fourth month Jess was behind 12 games...and conceded defeat. Now...some may think that I should have been a better husband than that...and let her win...but I am a BIG believer in equal rights. ;) That would have been chauvinist of me.

So there you have it. Don't hate the player...hate the game.

Day 2

The first night went well.... Jess began breastfeeding Waylon and they were an immediate team. Both mom and baby quickly learned the ropes...and all is going well.

The pediatrician for Waylon visited and circumsised our little man...poor guy...but he returned in good spirits and was none worse for the wear.

We have had several visitors and it has been nice. All of Jess's friends brought an assortment of goodies and baby things...and my friend Josh and I shared a GREAT cigar back at our apartment (Jess and mine...not Josh and mine....ha)

Jess was moved to a post-partum room and her and Waylon are down for the night. I have returned to the apartment to take care of our other baby....Floydie-Dog.

Me and Jess looked at each other in amazement today....we have a baby! We are both a little intimidated but are reassued by the fact that we are not the first people in the history of man to raise a child for the first time. So we feel we have at least even odds of being good parents. ;)

Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement and all of the many gifts Waylon recieved. We feel we have everything we need to get through this...Thanks!

Waylon's First Day

Waylon Michael Hall was born at 11:44 a.m. on 6/21/07 at Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO.

He weighed 7lbs. 0 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. His birth was a little difficult for mom (Jess) as he came out "sunny-side up" which means he came out face up.....not the more "normal" way of coming out face down.

This made it very difficult to get him out and he was in a state of shock at birth. He was taken immedietly to baby ICU and given fluids for dehydration and put into an oxygen tent to help him breath.

The hospital staff initially told us he would be in ICU for 12-24 hours or more....but 3 hours later he was totally recovered and allowed to stay in Jess's room.

Jess was in alot of pain initially but she is a trooper and is recovering quickly. They are scheduled to be released Saturday.