Christmas Lights

At the beginning of December my mom surprised me with Christmas decorations! She bought me a cute little tree and Shawna gave me some garland and wreath! They are so sweet! It made me happy to have the feeling of Christmas in out house. I kept the lights on all day for the whole month! 

Now prepare for some pregnant pictures. I am so grateful my belly is pretty much gone 

and that I can sleep on my back now! 

 This was at the Temple lights they day before I went to the hospital. I love seeing all the beautiful lights and of course just being on the temple grounds is always nice. 

the grass is greener on my side

Yay! Our little backyard is finished! It looks amazing! I never took before pictures but let me tell you it is a million times better. Before it was just plain dirt and cats would use it quite regularly and hence it stunk very bad! We tried sprinkling cat repellent on the dirt and it seemed to work for a little bit but sadly they came back. So far grass has seemed to ward them away! A big thanks to Craig, Anthony's dad, who helped lay the brick. I just love looking at my little patch of grass and lets give a big round of applause to Anthony who is the best husband ever! He laid the sod, made a little planter so I can have pretty things to grow, and bought cool succulent plants! It does need a few more though but I want to go and pick them out. Thank you Anthony for making our home a better and more welcoming place to be! Happy Day!

Anthony even stained our gate and painted it. It looks so much better! 

I just love my backyard now! It makes me happy and I might even plant some flowers. 

a surprise, a great gift, and being a mom

While Anthony was in Texas this summer he worked on a big surprise for me! A BIG Secret and he wouldn't tell me. With the help of his Dad and Marni they built me a changing table from scratch! They used real wood and it is super nice! Since Anthony didn’t get to finish it while he was there his Dad and Marni finished staining it and I am so grateful! It has been so nice to have a place to change diapers. I thought I would not use a changing table that much but it is nice since I have a Tilly dog who likes to sniff sniff sniff. 

Tilly has done very good with a baby only is a little sad with the lack of attention but I am sure all older siblings feel that. She hasn't even licked Eisley just looks at her. I think she understands how important Eisley is to us. Thank goodness the transition hasn't been too bad.

I am learning a lot and getting the hang of being a mom. It is sometimes challenging like when we have to go out and she poops 4 times. Changing diapers in the car is kind of difficult especially messy ones! I have been pooped all over and today Anthony got spit up on. I am sure there will be many more times to come of all that! Eisley is growing and is more awake and alert everyday. I gave her her first real bath a couple days ago and she screamed the whole time. Poor thing didn't like being naked. She love loves to be wrapped tight and warm. Today Anthony helped me give a real bath another try and she actually liked it and didn't scream till the very end. Hopefully she will learn to like it more and more. More about being wrapped up, I wanted to talk about an amazing gift I was given at my baby shower. Anthony pulled it out the other day and it is wonderful! A Moby Wrap given by my awesome cousins Angela and Anna! Thank you Thank you! Since Eisley loves to be wrapped up tight she loves it and falls asleep so quick! She likes to fight going to sleep and so when I put her in it bam she is out like a light! Best gift ever! Plus I can walk around and do what I need and when she falls asleep I take her out and put her in her crib. This has made life much easier!

She has been doing really good at night too. She usually only wakes up once. I put her to sleep around 9:30-10pm though. She then will sleep to 2:30 or 3 and then wakes up between 7and 8. I think that is pretty good for only being almost a month old! Hopefully she will be able to sleep longer as she gets older. I am always tired but try to take naps when I can. I am so grateful for her and especially Anthony. He helps out and will always change her diaper when I ask. He helps out more on the weekends because I don't want him to be tired for work and school. He is already the best Dad! 

This is how Eisley sleeps. According to doctors, and all the papers from the hospital babies are supposed to sleep on their backs. However the first few days home from the hospital she wouldn't sleep well and this is the only way she will sleep. If she lays on her back she wakes up. She is just like her daddy! It has been fun to have a sweet little spirit in our home and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives! :)

Eisley Joy Hall

Yay my pregnancy is over!! I tell you it is the best feeling ever to finally feel good again! Here is the story of Eisley's arrival into this world. I know this is long but I wanted it written down for myself. I went for my doctors appointment on Friday Dec 16th. I hadn't progressed since the last Tuesday and so he stripped my membranes and called the hospital to schedule my inducement for the next morning at 9. I was so excited and nervous and felt like I had to get everything done. I think Anthony thought I was going crazy. I called my mom and she came to the valley. I told her it might not be for awhile because Dr. Layton said the Hospital was really backed up so to call before I could go in. Well my mom got here and I was having contractions but nothing that hurt.

Then Saturday morning I called the hospital they said they were full and would call me back. Anthony, my mom, and I went shopping, we walked walked walked, went to lunch, went to the Temple lights and the whole day I was having a lot of contractions still nothing that hurt. I called back to the hospital twice on Saturday, they said maybe sometime in the night. Oh great so I didn't sleep too well but that was normal for my whole pregnancy.

Sunday morning I called and they said they still had no room for me. I felt like Mary not being able to get into the Inn. I just was grateful I didn't have to deliver in a stable. I just felt like I would never get in. (18 babies were delivered at the hospital on Sat and 15 on Sun I think everyone wanted to get their babies out before Christmas) We went to church and then came home to take a nap. The hospital called while I was asleep and Anthony said Holly get the phone! I woke up and they said to come in! We went in around 6pm and got checked in I had so many nurses the whole time I was there and they were all so nice. I had 8 different nurses! My second one started me on cervidil at 8pm. Ahh night time was horrible! I had all those monitors hooked up to me and I only slept an hour. They were going to start me on Pit at 7 but for the last two hours 5 to 7 I started having really painful contractions. I asked for the epidural before they started Pit! Thank goodness! It makes such a difference and I felt so so much better. The epidural didn't hurt at all and I am so very thankful for it! I waited till 10am and my doctor shows up and I asked to break my water. I was dilated to 4. He did and that is when I started to get sick. Since I hadn't eaten anything I started throwing up and so they gave me Zofran for the nausea and then I got really really itchy. I had a reaction to something and started to get dizzy. I was spinning, itchy all over, and so nauseous. I was having really hard contractions and shaking. My mom asked the nurses to check me at 11:30am and she said no we will check her at 12pm. I felt ready to push at 11:30. Well we waited I think I threw up again and was very sick. The nurse finally checks me and before she does she says that I am probably at 6 or 7 by now...oh no I am at 10! She said you are ready we need to get the doctor. They all run around and Dr. Layton is in surgery and so they grab Dr. Tutt and he gets there a few minutes later. It was funny because my mom grew up with Dr. Tutt. He gave her a big hug when he saw her and they were chatting the whole time catching up. He was super nice and I liked having him deliver Eisley. Right when I needed to start pushing I got so sick. I felt like I was going to pass out and Anthony said I lost all the color in my skin. I felt so light headed and then they gave me oxygen and it made world of a difference. I was able to push and 4 pushes later Eisley came out at 12:22pm! The nurses were all shocked at how quick she came for my first baby! I felt grateful! When she came she wasn't crying and I saw a knot in the umbilical cord and it was wrapped around her neck. Dr. Tutt quickly cut it and they took her get cleaned up and they gave her a little oxygen. She never made a peep and I kept thinking is she okay. Dr. Tutt said she is fine, her color looks good and everything is great. She just laid there and looked around such a good little girl! My mom kept saying she is adorable and I couldn't really see her so I was just watching Anthony. He was teary eyed and I started crying out of joy because it was finally over! I feel blessed in so many ways. Eisley is our little bundle of Joy and I am glad we decided to name her middle name after mine. She is such a good baby. It is an adjustment getting used to having a baby and sleeping whenever I get a chance. Everyone always told me it is so worth it and it is! Our lives have changed but it is a good change and I feel better than I have in 9 months! Here she is all perfect and amazing! We are blessed and in love with her!

This one was at the hospital and the ones below were taken a few days later by my wonderful sister Michelle!

Lastly I want to thank Anthony and my mom for all their help! I couldn't have done it without them and am so grateful for both of them. Thank you for helping me through this long journey! 

The Baby Shower!

I am so grateful for my sisters and mom! They are the best! I had my shower when I was 35 weeks. I am truly grateful for all the people that came and all the cute gifts! It was fun to get out of the house and enjoy the company of so many people I love. Thank you to everyone that came or gave me gifts! I don't think I can thank my sisters and mom enough for all they have done and do for me! Thank you Shawna, Sherice, Michelle, & Mom!  

 All the food was amazing and I am thankful for all those that helped!

 Thanks to Melanie too for her help!

Shawna & little Paityn!

 Sherice & Hailey!

 Michelle & Hailey!

  These three sisters have seriously spoiled me rotten! I feel so blessed to have them in my family!

 Thank you!

 My wonderful mom crocheted this blanket for me and it is so adorable! Her first blanket!
Thank you mom! 

 Here is a side profile of my little belly! 

My Aunt Delight, Aunt Helen, Cousin Cindy, and my mom! They are the best! Don't they look like sisters? Baby showers are FUN! Especially for little baby girls! I got so many cute outfits and cute things! I am getting excited for her to get here! I am progressing along nicely and think she is going to get here sooner than we think! I am ready for this baby to come out! I have been going to the hospital every week for tests because my doctor wants to monitor the fluid to make sure she is okay since I am so small. Everything has looked good and I am ready to breath normal again! Please come soon baby!

  Cheers to being 38weeks today!!

Hunting Season

Anthony got the pleasure of being drawn for Bull Elk this year! His dad was in town and so he had fun spending time with him. 1st day of the hunt and Anthony shot this little feller. He is small but Anthony said if I shoot something big the first time what will I have to look forward to? Plus I bet he is going to taste much better! I was happy that he killed quick and was able to spend the whole Thanksgiving week with him! 

Anthony & TJ

Craig(Anthony's Dad), Grandpa Hall, & Anthony! (Thanks TJ for the pics!)

Spa Day!

Let me just say that I love the spa. It is so awesome! I wish I could go every single month and get a massage. I love how it is so relaxing and all the workers cater to your ever whim. I am grateful for Tom and his gift to us girls. I wish I still worked at KS and miss it very much, but at least I am still friends with Kara and Sarah! 

 These two girls are amazing! They bring so much happiness into my life and I enjoy every minute with them! LOVE YOU SARAH and KARA! 

Thanks for the fun time girls, a shout out to Tom, and to Kara for providing pics! 

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

I love Halloween! It is one of my favorite Holidays for some reason. I just love pumpkins, dressing up, parties and lets not forget candy! Unfortunately this hasn't been the most exciting one since we didn't have a party...well we went to the ward trunk or treat and judged the SCREAM contest! Haha it was really funny to see all these little kids screaming so loud! I loved seeing all the costumes! People are creative! Anthony dressed up as a soccer player and I just went as me or you could say a pregnant lady. I wasn't feeling too well due to throwing up again everyday for the last while. :( I was sad not to dress up but oh well there is always next year! Sunday night Anthony and I carved pumpkins! I couldn't miss out on this one. Anthony said thank you to me and I said for what. He said that it was fun and he wouldn't have done it if I hadn't wanted to. We carved two of my favorite things. Batman and Pirates! I carved the skull and crossbones and Anthony carved the batman symbol.

 Isn't our door so exciting?! haha we actually had more kids this year than last year which was fun! Even Anthony's little 7 year old sister(She was a cheerleader!) and his mom came to visit too! I think more kids came this year because all the kids in our complex like Anthony and I. They always say HI Spiderman! to Anthony and ask me when I'm having my baby every time they see me. They even hang out in front of our door all the time.

On another note we have been working hard on our house. Anthony is awesome!! He has been crossing things off the honey do list! He has re-stained our vanity, cleaned our outside closet, painted and stained our gate(it closes much better now!), he mopped the floor for me since it is hard for me to bend, and he hung a shelf for me!

BEFORE

AFTER

It was Anthony's first staining project so it is pretty awesome! I am glad it is done and looks oh so much better!

Since I'm saying how great Anthony is I might as well mention that he won a competition at ASU! He entered this Tax Competition for PWC and out of the whole school his group of 5 won $1000 collectively. He brought home a $250 gift card on Friday! Such a blessing and his group's project/presentation video gets sent on to be judged with like 40 other schools. I thought it was pretty sweet! Good Job to Anthony and his Group! :)

3 Years and a baby update!

Happy Anniversary to us! I can't believe it has been 3 years! I feel so blessed to have Anthony in my life and for all that he does for me! I sure am grateful he still makes me laugh everyday. He likes to dance right in front of me all the time and never stops making noises. I think you sure learn a lot from being married and think he is one of the silliest people I've ever met but in reality I would be so so sad if he wasn't here with me! He is such as blessing to me!  I love you Anthony Hall!

Well on to a little update about me I guess it is time to post a belly picture...I will be 32 weeks this week. I physically want this baby out so bad! Mentally not so much. I am ready to feel better and feel like my body hasn't ever been through anything this tough so far. I am sick of being sick. This has been challenging physically and emotionally. All I can say is I am grateful for my amazing husband who loves me even when I am mean sometimes, can't cook dinner every night, the laundry gets backed up, the house is a mess, and will still kiss me even though I feel like I've puked a million times(I probably have). He is amazing and I will always be grateful for him. I really think that I would be dead by now without my husband, my mom, and my Heavenly Father. Words cannot express how grateful I am for the support and love I have been given. I know my prayers have been answered when I have felt the lowest of lows. I know that I have the support of the Lord because when I have the worst day ever and feel like I can't possible do this anymore I feel like my burden is lifted the next day. Each day is a new story and a struggle but I am almost to the end. I do not understand why some have it so easy and some have it so hard but each has their own journey to make. It is hard for me not to compare to others but I know I was meant to go through this for a reason which has drawn me closer to Christ and knowing that he is on my side makes it a little bit easier to bear this.  I can't wait to meet our little girl and just to hold her for the first time. I know then that all the heartburn, acid re-flux, nausea, throwing up, kicking in the ribs, bacterial infection, cold&cough, dizziness, feeling rotten, discomfort, waking up to pee 10 times in the night and not sleeping well will all have been worth it. Plus to feel better and have a cute little baby from this will make me so happy. :)

sorry it is in the b-room but its the only way to take a pic of my belly. also my hair is not done today but that is nothing new.  

Tilly

 I think having a dog has prepared me for kids in a way. I have learned a lot from owning a dog. It was really hard at first with the potty training and not peeing on the carpet. The day we got her she held her pee all day and wouldn't go. I was taking her out every 30 min and then she decided she couldn't hold it anymore. I swear I had never seen so much pee come out of a puppy all over the floor. I even clapped my hands and yelled trying to get her to stop but once she started it just kept coming and I even picked her up and it was still coming out! 

The other frustrating thing was her chewing up cords(x-box, computer cords, cell phone cords), pencils(I'm surprised she didn't get lead poisoning, pens(which got all over the carpet and couch...she got out while we weren't home),  she has chewed up my make up so many times like eye liner pencils and eye shadow brushes( I am the one to blame since I left my bag or them on the floor), and she ruined my favorite high heals (that heal must have been pretty tasty). Wow I'm glad that stage is over! However she still thinks she has a claim on any small plastic object as hers to chew on and q-tips are her favorite thing to find and chew up.  

I learned to never buy stuffed toys for her. I looked away for two seconds and this is what I find. 

Notice the stuffing is hanging from her mouth. Guilty! 

Whenever she has done something wrong all she wants to do is cuddle and tell me sorry. I just can't help but love her. She has her weaknesses like when people come over she gets soooo excited and can't control her noise level or jumping. We are working on it still. I have to keep her in her kennel because I'm afraid people will get scrapped by her front nails. I am worried about her being too excited with a baby. Anthony says we will have to keep working with her. If she can do tricks like sit, stay, twirl, shake, hi five, roll over, play dead, beg and bow I think we can teach her to calm down. Tilly is fun to take to the dog park and she is always so eager to play, go on walks, and meet new people/dogs. Her all time favorite toy is the laser. Even if she hears the click to turn it on she is ready to chase it!

I can't help but love my brown eyed girl and I am grateful for all the experiences she has taught me to be a little prepared to have this baby. I know its not the same thing or close but maybe just a little it has helped change me into a more patient person and serving towards others needs.