Here and There

We have been so busy the past few weeks. I have needed to update so much, but just haven't had time to sit down and do it. We have been on the go a lot. We have been having playdates, shopping, and playing at home. The boys are loving to be around children more and more! They love to go and do, I guess they get that from their mama! We usually go somewhere every day and I love that, but sometimes I ask myself "Why am I doing this?" But it is better to go and do and be tired, then sit at home!!

We went and met Daddy at the park on the day we turned 10 months old!

To run errands we usually leave in between their morning and afternoon naps. That give us from 11-1:30 or so. When they wake up I have to change diapers, make sure they are fully dressed with shoes and socks, then I have to feed both of them a bottle. This takes anywhere between 15-30 minutes. Next I take one to the car, usually Spencer because he will follow me out the door crawling. Buckle him in and come back to get Shepherd and go buckle him in. Take a double look in mirror to make sure I am decent enough to walk out the door, check to be sure diaper bag is in car (I have already restocked it while they were asleep), get keys, take a deep breath and go on our way. I guess I don't really think about all it takes to get out the door until someone is with me and asks me "Why I am always on the go because it is so much to do?". My boys love being outside and looking around and I love to go and do! I just don't think about all the work and just do it! It is a blast!

Anyways..the boys have changed so much the past few weeks! Quick update..

Shepherd

-cruising around the room. He hasn't gotten the courage to take a step by himself yet, but he is so close! We were so glad that Matt caught his first "cruise" on his phone! I love how proud of himself he is!

-Can now go from his belly to sitting up. This was such a hard concept for him but has finally got it.

-Is pulling up on everything (if you are sitting close to him beware!)

-Is crawling everywhere

-Is working on his 6th tooth

-is eating more table food, but on his terms! Will eat macaroni and cheese, bread, some ham (sounds like his Daddy), but when I try and give this to him at home, he refuses. He likes it better from a restaurant. (sounds like his mama) HA!

-laughs all the time

-wants constant attention

-loves to play with his brother

-says "Beau" for everything, but we have finally gotten him to translate that into bye bye; says Mama and Dada occasionally

Spencer

-pulling up on everything

-can sit down from pulling up with ease

-is crawling and climbing everywhere

-loves to crawl into rooms where he isn't suppose to go-laundry room is his favorite

-says DaDa every minute of the day...is saying mama more, and has said Nana this week! (YEA NANA!) I even think he said tractor yesterday while we were reading a book! Yes I know, genius!

- Minds so well! He listens when I say No No, and even gave the ball he was playing with to Daddy when I asked him to

-Has 2 teeth on the bottom that are taking forever to come in

-likes most table food; lima beans, mac and cheese, bread, and even some chicken

-waves bye bye

-is a tough little boy, can fall and just continue crawling or pull back up

-is happy all the time, unless he is around strangers and then he is more subdued

Just one extra picture this time. We went to Toomer's Corner after Auburn's big win over Georgia. This was Shepherd and Spencer's first time to go. They were taking it all in and not quite sure what to think about it. Shepherd and Spencer are so excited that Auburn has done so well this year! Keep it going!! WAR EAGLE!

Next week is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for this year! We are going to Houston to be with Matt's family next week. We can't wait to see everyone and especially their new cousins Brooklyn and Bryce! When we get back it will be time for CHRISTMAS!! I love this time of year and am so anxious to begin our own family traditions for the holidays! Since we will be gone next week, we are going to decorate the house this weekend! I know it is a little early, but I want the house to be done when we get home. I can't wait to see the boys' expressions when they see everything! HOW FUN!

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

Fun with the grandparents

Last week, I went up to my parents house to just get away. The boys love spending time with up there and playing with Nana and Papa. They love to play all the time, and when we are up there they always have plenty of people to entertain them.

Nana and Papa always are there to play!

We always spend time with Caroline and Jackson when we are there. This time, the boys really are playing and love to watch Jackson. Before long they will be chasing him.

Our attempt at a picture with our boys! ;)

Nana bought the boys their first pair of big boy shoes. They are pulling up and I know they will start trying to walk soon, so I wanted to go ahead and get them used to shoes. Matt and I are going to have to start a savings fund just to keep these boys in shoes. Thank you Nana!!

Dee Dee and Ron came to visit us for a weekend! I am so glad they got to spend some time with the boys! We had a blast with them.

We love Dee Dee!

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Kelli came too. Thank you Uncle Kyle for reading us a book!

We have had a fun couple of weeks visiting with friends and family, now on to the holidays!!!

I heard Christmas music in the store the other day and teared up thinking about my first holidays with my sweet boys! I can't wait!!!! They make everything so MUCH MORE fun!

Update and Halloween

We had a great October! The past few weeks have been so busy with us all getting sick at some point, having friends visit from Tampa, Halloween, Dee Dee and Ron coming from Texas, and then spending time at my parents while Matt was sick. So much to update on. This post is just on Halloween. I will post later this week on visiting with all the grandparents.

A quick update on the boys before we get to ALL the pictures!

Shep has had a big couple of weeks. He now has 4 teeth and is officially crawling.. YEA! He is already so much happier now that he can get toys he wants. I think life just got easier for him.. I am not so much certain for me! ;) He still isn't a big fan of table food. He still just holds out his tongue until it falls off.

Spence is getting a lot more vocal. He is still my laid back one, but is starting to come out of his shell a little bit. He is constantly saying "Dada" and crawling around everywhere fast. I think he is going to be my climber. He is already trying to climb into the bottom of the raised excersauser.

My precious boys are going to be 10 months on Thursday!! I can't believe it!!! Since they are almost 10 months, I decided to start them in bible class yesterday. They did great and were so intrigued with all the songs and manipulatives!

Now on to Halloween...

For Halloween this year, Spence was a lion and Shep was the scarecrow. Matt and I had planned on dressing up as Dorothy and The Tin Man, but we weren't able to go to our Halloween Party, so we just didn't bother with it!

They were both very intrigued by the carving of the pumpkin. I always remember how special and fun carving the pumpkins was as a family. I can't wait for the boys to be able to dig in and get all messy next year! I love how they look so proud of what their Daddy did!

We went up to Birmingham to trick-or-treat with Jessie and Woody!

Shep and Spence kept looking at each other trying to figure this whole thing out!

Trick-or-treating with Papa and Nana

Riding on the hayride

We also went trick-or-treating in downtown Auburn with some friends from church.

Shep and Spence are so lucky that they are going to grow up with so many great christian friends!

Fall Fun

Since we are all better and it has been a rough week, I decided that Shepherd and Spencer needed their first art project! I can't wait to plan more activities for me to do with them!

Inspecting their ingredients

They would rather chew on a moon pie in the package

GREAT job boys!!!

If they could only take a bite...

LOVED tearing up the moon pie box!

Now we have two new little owls in our house

Rough few days...

Here is a summary of the past 3 days at the Hall household...

-Spence has croup

- Spence has runny nose

-Spence has stomach issues

-Shep has runny eye and likes to be held or walked around

-We have a broken toilet

-We have a broken heater

-Broken door knobs...

...AND Matt will be gone most of the day tomorrow at church and meetings in the afternoon

This tired mama is just getting more tired...BUT...

-God has blessed us with 2 amazing boys that love to smile and laugh

-I am so thankful that I have parents who will make special trips to come help out

- I am so thankful that I have a husband who will walk the boys around the neighborhood when they are fussy (even if it was during the 4th quarter of the Auburn game and he kept running to hear what was going on)

aren't they just precious?!?!?! I hope they feel better soon!

Life is good!

What is Spencer like at 9 months?

Spencer Matthew

19 lbs 7 oz

27 1/4 inches

-is a Mommy's boy

-has 1 tooth starting to poke through

-has bright blue eyes

-his smile takes up his whole face

-his smile brightens up a room

-loves to give kisses that leave your face soaking wet

-does the army crawl around everywhere

-loves to explore the room

-is easy going

-when he wants Mommy he wines likes a little puppy dog

-says "Dada" all the time

-gets excited and shakes his arms and legs

-sometimes he gets too excited to crawl and tries to crawl fast and ends up just "swimming" in one place

-loves to eat anything especially... well...anything

-has learned to drink from a sippy cup

-laughs all the time

-is very ticklish

-loves for you to read to him, but would rather hold it while you read

-Loves the books Llama Llama Red Pajama, The Magic Hat, and Bark George!

-loves his paci and lovie

-crawls around with his lovie while holding onto his elephant's trunk

-favorite color is blue

(blue paci and lovie)

-loves being outside and watching the trees blow

-loves to spit and blow bubbles; especially when he has food in his mouth!

Spencer, I love waking up every morning to your sweet, happy face. You can make anyone happy with that laugh of yours! I love watching you crawl around and explore your new little world. You make your Daddy and I laugh with your sweet facial expressions. We can't wait to see what you discover next! We love you as high as the mountains and as deep as the sea!

What is Shepherd like at 9 months?

Shepherd Mark

20 lbs 5 oz

27 3/4 inches

-is a Daddy's boy

-has 3 teeth

-has a full head of thick dark hair (we finally trimmed it a little)

-crinkles his nose when he laughs

-copied Daddy yesterday by shaking his head

-laughs when other people laugh (he likes to be in the conversation)

-snorts when he gets excited while waving his arms

-can pull up to standing and walk around his crib

-his favorite thing to do is pull up, and he wants to do it all the time!

-plays peek a boo with his lovie

-loves for you to read books to him; Some of his favorites are Llama Llama Red Pajama, and Go Dog Go

-will hold a book to look at the pictures and turn the pages on his own

-rolls around the floor to get to where he wants to go

-rubs his face when he is tired with anything that is available, but especially his hands

-likes to stick out his tongue

-loves being outside

-loves to watch Tex and the trees blowing

-is more of a picky eater. If he doesn't like something, he will stick out his tongue with the food still on there and cough

-some of his favorites are sweet potatoes, carrots and all fruit

-coughs for attention

-has become more sensitive, cries when I tell his brother no no

-favorite color is green ;)

-has the cutest crooked smile just like his Daddy

Shepherd, you are such a blessing to your Daddy and me! You are starting to play back with us and we love hearing you laugh. We know you are a deep thinker and love trying to figure out what you are going to do next. We can't wait to see all the new milestones you are going to be achieving over the next few months! We love you as high as the mountains and as deep as the sea!

(excuse the mess, we had just finished dinner)

Tomorrow...What is Spencer like at 9 Months?