Hallie’s new favorite place (besides mommy’s arms) is under the Christmas tree. Last night Ben laid her down and sat next to her while she played with her rattle. The day before I had put an ornament down on the bottom branch so she could see it better. Little did I know that my baseball gene would present itself so early in my daughter.  The first time Hallie swung her rattle and hit the ornament Ben and I laughed.  However, the one hit got her excited and she kept swinging.  Her accuracy was amazing! Well, let’s just say that the ball could only handle so much.
As sad as I am about losing the brand new ornament, my happiness that Hallie already keeps her eye on the ball and is showing signs of being an amazing ball player is my Christmas present this year.

Since Hallie has been on Zantac things have gotten better. Although we haven’t gotten rid of the nickname “pill face” just yet.  Here are some recent pictures of our little pill face.

pulling funny faces

checking out the Christmas tree

having some daddy-daughter time

sucking on her favorite treat-apples

tummy time

mommy’s favorite time

Typical Missionaries

This makes me smile and remember my mission. Good times. I loved my mission!!

It’s the middle of the night and once again I’m up with my three month old.  Instead of watching dirty T.V. I thought I’d blog about a simple conclusion I’ve come to. Why Blogs are so successful….especially among women.

#1~ Women love gossip.  That doesn’t necessarily mean we all watch Entertainment Tonight to hear the latest about Brad Pitt. It just means we like to know what our friends are up to.

#2~ Women love to talk about themselves and their families.  Why not share our highlights with everyone else?  Plus, we all want to share cute pictures of our kids (after all nobody’s are cuter).

I personally am a blog junkie! Any one else? 🙂

Hallie’s future dancer outfit. All except the bunny slippers, you can’t dance in those.

Hallie our little couch potato. Actually this only lasts a few minutes. I wish it were longer!!

My little Hallie is 3 months old now and she is getting quite chubby.  Last week she weighed in at a whopping 12 lbs. 10 oz.  Her cheeks are so kissable and her thighs are very grabbable. We can’t get enough of her BIG smiles and her high pitched squeals.  She recently found her hands and after gagging herself for a few days she finally got it right and can successfully suck her two middle fingers. She still LOVES to stand up and look around.  She also likes to watch TV, for a few minutes at least.  We call her our little couch potato. 🙂

Hallie at 3 months

This past week I went and saw a Lactation Consultant.  I was told that Hallie has Reflux. Reflux is like baby heartburn and is very uncomfortable. Here are some of the signs (all of which Hallie has).

• Short feedings (Hallie eats every 30 min or so)

• Coughs between feedings to clear throat

• Spits up left over food (thick spit up)

• Large uncomfortable burps

• Fussy between feedings

• Wakes up often because of burps and gas

I’ve been to the pediatrician and urgent care doctor and I’ve told them these things yet they only suggest over the counter Mylicon gas medicine. (I think it’s time to get a new doctor!) The good news is that there is medicine that the doctor can prescribe that will ease Hallie’s pain. They say it takes about two weeks but some people see results immediately. Before we put Hallie on meds we are going to try a product called Colic Calm. I’m keeping my fingers crossed- I hate to see Hallie sick! I’m so grateful I went to see the consultant. It was defiantly worth the money. Here is a link to their website Northern Virginia Lactation Center.

Hallie’s Stats

Weight: 11lbs 10 oz. (51 percentile)

Height: 22 1/2 inches (33 percentile) Did you expect otherwise? 🙂

Well it’s been a little over a week now and I am finally posting about my trip to Utah.  I was there for two weeks and missed Ben the entire time. I was able to see all my family a few times and several of my friends.  Most importantly I was able to meet my new sister in law and Ben’s family was able to meet Hallie.

For the first time the Crane’s met Hallie I had originally planned to ring the door bell and leave Hallie on the  doorstep.  However, they were all waiting for me and when I pulled up Tyler heard my car and met me outside.  Everyone was there except Kyle, (Ben’s dad) who was at work, and of course the two missionaries. They all jumped up as soon as we walked in the door and proceeded to take Hallie out of her car seat.  They were all beaming with joy and even laughing.  They couldn’t believe how beautiful Hallie was.  For the next 20 min they fought over who was going to hold her next.  Then Kyle came home and instantly started laughing as soon as he walked through the door and saw all of us.  He went straight to Hallie and disrupted the “holding order” that had been arranged.  I stayed late that night so they could memorize her face.  Throughout the two weeks I tried to spend as much time as I could over at the Crane’s.  I slept over a couple times and went to Church with them so they could show off their new grand baby.  (Remember Hallie is the first!) It was great to spend so much time with them.  However, I’m sure they would have liked more. The whole trip they kept saying how intelligent, alert, and strong Hallie was. They have picked her out to be the teacher’s pet and the next Reese Witherspoon. I couldn’t have asked for better in laws. Thanks guys for everything!!

The first time the Crane’s met Hallie.

The Crane’s weren’t the only ones to meet Hallie for the first time.  She had a lot of introductions to make.

Popa and Chenie (My grandparents)

Great Grandma and Grandpa Romrell

Her cousin Brooklyn (Brookie is 2 months older)

Her cousin Kaizer (It was his 1st birthday)

Hallie also met many of my friends.  However, there are so many more we didn’t get to see. Kindred, Pack, Michele, Alesha, Honivah, Bree, and the Vests you are all on my list for Christmas!! (Did I miss anyone?)

Tiffany (Hallie’s Auntie T and my best friend)

Britty (I forgot how much I love you Britt!

No one can make me laugh quite like you.)

Lisa (Who just happens to be one of the most amazing photographers!)

Pooka  (a.k.a Kristen a.k.a Single girl livin’ it up)

The Freshman Clan (Tiffany and Emily or BFT and EmC)

Thanks you guys for driving down and making time to see me and Hallie. (Not pictured Lena and Shanna.)     I loved it and am so grateful to have such amazing friends. I miss you all out here in DC.  Anyone want to come visit? I’ll provide food and an air mattress. 🙂

Along with meeting new people Hallie also got to do some new things.

Learn Geography from Grandma

Nap with Uncle Tyler

Ride a Lawn Mower with Dad

Spend the night at a friends cabin

We had sooooo much fun in Utah. We can’t wait for Christmas so we can go back and have Ben stay with us. (Boy did we miss him!) Thanks Nanna and Grandpa for buying our plane tickets and making the trip possible. We love you and miss you tons. (Especially Hallie-she cries for you all the time!!)

The highlight of my trip to Utah was my little brother’s wedding.  Shortly after moving to DC Ben and I received a phone call from my brother Chris telling us that we needed to get another family picture taken because he was getting married.  This came as a huge shock to us because we didn’t even know he was dating anyone.  When Chris and my parents came out to visit when Hallie was born I can honestly say that I have never seen Chris so happy.

Chris and Katrina were married on October 18, 2008.  They had a beautiful ceremony and a phenomenal reception.  It was great to see the family and friends who came to congratulate the happy couple.  Katrina seems to fit Chris really well. She is beautiful, active and independent.  We love her and welcome her into the family. Thanks Katrina for making Chris happy.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Romrell

The Crane’s (at the beginning)

The Crane’s (at the end)

Upset Hallie

Stressed Mom

Grandpa Crane’s joke

Hallie’s Auntie T

My cousin Tiffany found this adorable penguin costume in Utah for 8 bucks. It was a little big but with Hallie’s size every costume would have been.  Unfortunately she and I are both fighting colds this Halloween which means we don’t get to show her off.  So here we are in our usual spot-Hallie nursing and me typing.  Hopefully next year will be better.  Happy Halloween everyone!