Bye Bye Summer!

Bath time!!!

It is hard to believe that summer is officially over.  The high today was 90 degrees, which certainly doesn't feel like fall!  We have had a wonderful summer in spite of the heat.  After we got home from Hilton Head, the three of us got a cold, but thankfully Zeke's only lasted a couple of days.  We continually ask God to protect Zeke's health, and feel blessed to have a healthy baby boy. 

Mommy and her boy!

Zeke is 8 months old now.  He has mastered the army crawl, and rocks back and forth on all fours, but hasn't officially started crawling yet.  He likes to stand and hold onto things.  He seems to be sprouting teeth like crazy.  We are up to four on the top and two on the bottom! 


Stage 1: start moving



Stage 2: legs and arms moving

  

Stage 3: got it!

Look...I'm standing!

 The Florida Gators football season is in full swing, so we have had a couple of afternoons of watching daddy jump up and down and talk to the TV!  Of course we have to dress up in support of our team!

First UF game...Go Gators!!!

 

"I drool orange and blue!" (sorry Uncle Jared and Aunt Jami!)



Supporting Mommy's Alma Mater!

We were blessed to have a visit from Zeke's Uncle Gary and Aunt Stacey last week.  They were driving through Atlanta and took the time to come see us and meet Zeke.  It was really special.  He loved them, of course, and they loved him!  They gave him a little deer and owl (like Gregg's childhood toy) as you'll see below.  He had a great time "talking" to them!

 

Uncle Gary and Aunt Stacey

As fall arrives, I often become nostalgic.  I am reminded of my childhood and many special memories with my family.  This week Zeke and I are staying at my parents' house because Gregg is traveling.  My mom and I walked Zeke around the neighborhood and reminisced about the old days.  We walked by houses where old friends used to live and areas where my friends and I played for hours.  I am thankful to have such wonderful memories and look forward to being a part of the memories Zeke will create over the years. 

Now that I am a mom, I have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices my parents made for me.  I realize how much they truly love me, which leads me back to my Heavenly Father.  He loves me even more than my parents do, which means he loves Zeke even more than I do.  That's hard to believe!  I thank Him every day for Gregg and Zeke, in addition to our extended family and friends.  I'm glad this blog will help me remember all of the little moments with Zeke because they are passing more quickly than I thought possible!



 







Water boy!

"God's love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks." (Psalm 36:5 - The Message)

The Halls

Zeke,
       Well, we had our first family trip to Hilton Head, SC this past week.  It was a special trip because we stayed in the same rental house last year.  Granddaddy, Wynna, Uncle Jared, Aunt Jami, Kariss, Sophia, Daddy, you, and I were there.  I was pregnant with you last year when we were there, and we actually chose your name on that vacation.  I can't believe a year has gone by since that time, and you are 7 months old!  You weigh about 21 pounds and continue to develop more personality every day.

Our family in 2009

Our family in 2010

(You were in my belly!)

2009 - 17 weeks pregnant

Hilton Head 2010

(The picture is fuzzy, but it's the same suit, and you're on the outside!)

Some professional photos by 33 Park Photography:

 

Some of our snapshots:

Wynna and the grandbabies

Aunt Jami and me with you and Sophia

You love Kariss and she loves "baby Zeke!"

The cousins

"Chillaxin" with Uncle Jared

Daddy's boy

Mommy and her boy

    It rained the first few days of our trip, but you had a great time with Kariss and Sophia.  We brought your jumperoo and rented an exersaucer and pack 'n' play, so you felt right at home!  After the rain stopped, we were able to take you to the beach for the first time.  You didn't quite know what to think, but it was fun to watch you look down at the sand and water as they covered your toes.  You also went swimming in the pool for the first time.  You kicked like crazy, and loved to splash the water with your hands.

"Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy..."

Ready for the beach!

Checking out the beach...

You feeling the sand and waves for the first time

Where did your feet go?

Your more serious smile!

Enjoying the pool

    As I look back at the photos from our Hilton Head vacation last year, I am amazed at how much our life has changed.  You bless our lives every day, and I am incredibly thankful for you.  God has given us the opportunity to raise you and watch you grow into the person He created you to be....it's just amazing!  You have such a sweet spirit, and almost always have a smile on your face.  You are inquisitive and love to analyze colors, patterns, and textures.  You are still sitting up some on your own, but not for long periods of time.  You schooch around and turn in circles, but are not crawling yet.  I love sharing my days with you, and watching you explore the world.  I am thankful, also, for Granddaddy's generous heart to allow us to have family vacations like this one.  I pray that you look back on these photos and realize what a gift you are to all of us. 

I love you,

Mommy

You, Daddy, and Me

Jump, Jive, and Wale!!!

Daddy and Zeke

Mommy and Zeke

July has been a month full of changes and more milestones.  Zeke is 6 1/2 months old, weighs about 20 pounds, and is about 28 inches long.  He's currently cutting his top teeth, which makes for a lot of drooling and chewing on things (even his own toes!).

We have enjoyed getting to visit with friends and family.  At the beginning of the month, we went to see Sydney (my former home school student).  Syndey and her mom, Jill, have prayed for Zeke since before he was even growing in my tummy!  Sydney got to hold him, which she loved!  She remembered how she used to "tickle" him while he was in my belly!

Syndey and Zeke

Zeke finally got to meet my friend Robyn and her daughter Rane.  They have moved to California, so it was an extra special time.  Zeke loved them both!

Rane and Zeke

Gregg, Zeke, and I got to attend a baby shower to celebrate the arrival of Gabriella Joy Goodwald (our friends from our Bible study recently adopted her).  It was fun to see everyone and thank God for what he has done to bless the Goodwald family!

Me, Zeke, Elizabeth, Amy, Bella, Sarah, and Gabriella (order left to right)

The Hall family

Gregg had to travel some this month, so Zeke and I were able to spend several days with Wynna and Granddaddy.  We had a great time, and my mom was a huge help to me because I was injured and couldn't lift Zeke without experiencing pain (I'll explain more below).

Zeke loves his Wynna!

...after rolling over!

Zeke jumping in the jumperoo!

He spent hours jumping, and loved every minute of it!  We also got to see Auntie Tessa, Aunt Jami, and the girls while we were there. 

We missed celebrating Gregg's birthday with him, but travel is part of his job, and we appreciate his hard work to take care of us!  We sent some treats for him to open each day he was gone.  It wasn't the same as being together, but at least he knew we were thinking about him.

Zeke has been busy mastering the art of rolling over from his back to his front, and can sit up for about a minute at a time.  He LOVES to explore his vocal chords with high pitched squeals, various noises, and other "raspberry" sounds.  He brings joy, love, amazement, and excitement to each day. 

Unfortunately, my chiropractor accidentally separated the cartilage where my ribs and sternum connect.  It was extremely painful and led to a trip to the ER for me.  I have struggled to pick up Zeke, so Gregg had to become my hands for a few days.  He was an amazing help, and I am incredibly thankful for him.  My mom was also able to step in (after she got back from Amarillo), which was s blessing.  I have been frustrated because I can't care for my baby the way I want to, but God has reminded me that I am not in control, and He will provide all I (and Zeke) need.  It is another hard lesson for which I am grateful!  With each trial, we grow closer as a family, and become more thankful for each day we have here on Earth.  We're blessed with the love of our Heavenly Father, each other, our son, our family, and friends.  Now that is worth celebrating...and jumping!!!

P.S. - I'm trying to upload video of Zeke jumping and rolling over, but I haven't been successful yet.  Stay tuned!!!