Wes and Meg

A video of Wes at work!

2012-01-31T06:25:00.000-08:00

The frames move quick, but see if you can spot him throughout the film.

Hiking

2012-01-27T10:03:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2012-01-27T10:00:00.001-08:00

Turkey Day!

2012-01-27T09:58:00.001-08:00

My First Halloween!

2012-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

Where to begin? The annual family Halloween extravaganza was exceptional this year. A few pics of the fun.

Jackson included himself in a game of soccer with the cousins... That's him with the soccer ball in his mouth, wouldn't drop it for anything!

Henry got to hold Johnny...

The Giles were pure awesomeness...
Sara Jane babysat Jackson for most of the night. Crazy dog would jump on the table and eat pizza and Halloween candy!
Johnny is smitten with his Aunt Katie...
Crazy about the St. George Redd's getup this year...
Smooches from Papa...

2011-10-23T12:22:00.000-07:00

Is that a dimple? I hope it turns into one!

2011-10-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

Cousin Jillian came into town. The weather was brilliant. We had such a great time walking the beach and catching up! Come back and see us again soon!

Five Month Old News...

2011-10-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

You can sit up on your own now. Where has the time gone?! I really cannot believe how fast this is going. I'm crazy about your deep belly laughs. You make me feel like the funniest person in the world. I wish I could freeze time and make this last a little longer.

My first Halloween

2011-10-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

It says it on my shirt! Thanks Aunt Sandi for the first Halloween shirt. LOVE it. He has worn it every day since October 1! We also enjoy reading "Five Little Pumpkins" before bed. (He tries to eat the book while I read;)

Also, if you think that is Halloween make-up on Wes's forehead, look again. That is REAL. Poor guy split his head on the boat during work.

Oh, my little man.

2011-10-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

You are so cute. I love your big ol' diapie bum. Your cloth diaper makes it look twice as big, and twice as cute ;)

5 months old!

2011-09-26T04:04:00.001-07:00

Five things that make me smile.

1. When you grab my cheeks as hard as you can, open your mouth wide, and plant the biggest smooch on my face.
2. When you do the same thing to Jackson :)
3. When you flash your gummy grin at every cashier who talks to you.
4. When I open my eyes in the morning, you smile and give me a "I have been patiently waiting forever" look.
5. When you laugh while getting a raspberry in your neck.

2011-09-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Home depot and carhartt

2011-09-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

Four Months Old!

2011-08-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

A day at the Coast Guard base collecting driftwood.

2011-08-25T07:22:00.001-07:00

My nightstand says it all. Yes, we are having sleep issues around here. I cleared out the library for every book possible to help us sleep through the night, wish us luck.

Meanwhile, Jackson continues his endeavors.

2011-08-21T09:21:00.001-07:00

We love bears!

Thanks Uncle Steve for the Winnie the Pooh bear!

Thanks Kellen and Cecily for the bear bell. It's perfect!

Friday Events

2011-08-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

First, looking to buy this chicken.

Second, looking out the window for wildlife...

...only to seeJackson's tooshie.

Third, flying a kite.

Finally, getting the energy to put the kiddo to bed.

2011-08-19T12:15:00.001-07:00

Check out the new kicks!

Bears!? Oh my...

2011-08-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

I was cleaning the kiddos room when out of the corner of my eye I saw this beast....

Yowzaa...

2011-08-13T20:44:00.001-07:00

A pink bike, a small dog and a mustache

2011-08-13T20:42:00.001-07:00

Don't let this man around children.

The mustache says what....

2011-08-09T21:06:00.001-07:00

Wes has been working on this beauty recently.

The boys on base are in a contest for the best stash... I think Wes is winning:)

2011-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Vintage Photos

2011-08-08T07:51:00.001-07:00

He was so little!

Three Months Old!

2011-08-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

Why I love my dog

2011-07-31T22:35:00.001-07:00

In pictures...

It was 11:00 at night and Johnny was still awake, crying. After being fed, bathed, changed, then repeat... I raised my white flag. Jackson took it upon himself to soothe the kiddo by licking his feet. The baby fell asleep in five minutes. Who wouldn't want their feet licked to sleep??

2011-07-17T12:40:00.001-07:00

I love this picture because Jackson is always just.right.there... Stage 5 clinger!

Details

2011-07-17T12:30:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things about being a coast guard family, is that we can decorate with seashells, (free .99). We found these shells on the beaches of Virginia, North Carolina, Washington and Oregon.

I'd like to thank Jackson for this next detail. This chair takes a beating when Jackson sees deer outside.

Living Room

2011-07-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

Our house is finally coming together. No more boxes!

Guest Room

2011-07-17T06:26:00.001-07:00

The guest room is finished. All it needs is guests!

Complimentary Jackson's on your pillow...

Weekend Highlights

2011-07-17T02:27:00.001-07:00

Smiling while he naps.

Digging his tootsies in the sand.

Surfer Sands sandwiches followed by finding sand dollars at Oysterville beach.

Rough and Tumble kind of weekend.

2011-07-12T07:15:00.001-07:00

What to do while Wes is at work? Go to the beach!

Johnny loves the sound of waves. Take a fussy baby and a tired Momma and BAM! Happiness for both parties.

Oh... And don't forget Jackson. He's crazy about the water... and seagulls:)

10 weeks

2011-07-12T06:57:00.001-07:00

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful time with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Steve. We miss you already! Come back!

We spent most of the time outdoors, the weather was amazing.

Grandma with roman candles!

So tired...

The Beach

2011-06-22T21:58:00.001-07:00

A few shots from last nights walk. Wes was a trooper to 4-wheel drive the stroller on the sand.

Scandinavian Festival

2011-06-21T08:38:00.001-07:00

While Wes was working this weekend, I packed my little man up and headed to the Scandinavian festival in Astoria.

This little guy slept through the entire event. He even missed the Norwegian troll!

The Mom Car

2011-06-19T15:26:00.001-07:00

I am officially a mom. I have been driving around in this mess since the kiddo was born. There is simply NO TIME to make this a priority.

And yes, if you look closely, Jackson has thrown up all over the passenger seat. It has been like this for two days... Gross...

6 weeks!

2011-06-16T15:59:00.001-07:00

The Beach

2011-06-16T15:51:00.001-07:00

We spent the morning on the beach behind our house. It was CHILLY, but still fun. Jackson found a stick twice his size to bring home with us.

On our way home, we saw this bald eagle enjoying the beach as well.

Walks on Long Beach

2011-06-14T12:07:00.001-07:00

I'm loving this place. It's beautiful. We get to walk along the ocean trail every morning. This picture is what we look like before the walk...

And during....

Just to the right is the ocean. Straight ahead, on the cliff, is where Wes works.

Nursery

2011-06-06T11:36:00.001-07:00

This is the only room in the house that is "almost" done. We are waiting for the chair slipcover and a few large white frames on the wall.

Below is the view from my swivel chair in the nursery. If you look near the patch of yellow flowers there is a deer lying down. She has a view of the ocean!

After about 45 minutes, she finally got up to eat.

Back to work

2011-06-05T22:07:00.001-07:00

After one month of leave, Wes is headed back to work. Sad day. I'll miss him terribly and all his help with Johnny. He sure looks good in his bravo uniform, look at all those ribbons!

Quick trip to Portland

2011-06-04T14:28:00.001-07:00

This little monster had a major blowout in Ikea. Enough to soak through two layers of clothes. So he spent the afternoon chillin' nekked.

Unpacking...

2011-06-04T14:23:00.001-07:00

Wes and Jackson plum tuckered out.

The view from above...

The view up close...

Jackson babysitting my little man.

Cannon Beach

2011-06-03T06:17:00.001-07:00

Only 36 miles from our house, come visit us!

The New Place

2011-06-03T06:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a quick shot from our living room. Jackson is loving his new neighbors, the wildlife.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jackson's Helpers

2011-06-03T06:07:00.001-07:00

Goodbye to Jackson's pals Ford and Henry. Jackson will miss you!

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Great Grandmothers

2011-05-26T12:33:00.001-07:00

My Granny Combe

My Grandma Redd

Wes's Grandma Hall

Aunt Lindsay Photos

2011-05-26T12:10:00.001-07:00

Thanks Linds for telling me about the iPhone app Blogpress!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Audience

2011-05-25T15:58:00.001-07:00

Normally, Jackson is quite content lying at my feet while I feed Johnny. Today, however, he found a front row seat in Johnny's crib.

Two Week Old Photographs

2011-05-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

Highlights from my day

2011-05-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

10am. Snuggling with his Momma.
1pm, Outfit change. Three blowouts in an hour.

3am feeding. In nothing but his crop top and big ol' belly.

Johnny's helpers

2011-05-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to miss my helpers! My cute nieces and nephew are my biggest helpers. They are such naturals with my little man. Not to mention my sister Kami always willing to help, Johnny's crazy about her! Love you guys! Can I take you to Washington with me?Reasons why I love Andrew Giles. His timing is perfect. He knows just when I need a good laugh. This picture made my sleep-deprived day :0)

My boys

2011-05-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

I love you Wes, Johnny and Jackson!

Current State of Affairs

2011-05-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

This is our life right now...

There is stuff everywhere. My poor parents haven't seen their basement in months. I even have things stashed in the garage! Two weeks until we move to Washington, where the rest of our things from Virginia will meet us there.

And, Yes.... there is a 32oz Diet Coke next to my nursing station. It was a long 9 months without you Diet Coke. I'm glad your back.

Little sisters are the best...

2011-05-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Lindsay came over last night and within ten minutes I had a complete photoshoot with my little man. She is quite talented. Thanks Linds!

NICU

2011-05-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

The NICU. My baby had to stay in the NICU. I was heartbroken. I got to hold him for about 2 minutes before he was rushed down the hall to the NICU. Poor little guy, had an infection that needed seven long days of antibiotic treatments. Wes and I were able to stay in the hospital, while our little man was on the first level being cared for by nurses. It was hard not to hold him for a good eight hours after having him. I felt completely overwhelmed by the situation. I just wanted my little baby to be okay.

Baby makes four...

2011-05-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world John Wesley Hall! We are so excited for this new adventure in our lives.

The Birth Story.

It all started the week of April 25, 2011. Wes was signing off on his final week with the Kennebec, the boat he has lived on for the past six months, with the United States Coast Guard. Wes and I have been transferred to Ilwaco, Washington, so he was driving across the country to meet me in Salt Lake. Friday April 29th was his date to depart, but his chief gave him the go ahead to take off Wednesday April 27th after the movers packed up our belongings. He drove Wednesday afternoon, 15 hours on Thursday and 14 hours on Friday to get to Salt Lake. Friday night my husband pulled into town around 7pm. I was thrilled. After Rubio's dinner Friday night, Wes was exhausted so we went to bed. Two in the morning rolls around and I woke up with contractions. Every 20 minutes I woke up for the rest of the night trying to find a comfortable position to relieve the pressure. By six in the morning, I was able to fall asleep for a few hours. Saturday was filled with running last minute errands to babies r' us and target. As a Utah Old Wives Tale, Wes and I headed to Trio for the infamous garlic pizza that puts women into labor. The pizza was actually delicious! The rest of the night contractions were still 15 to 20 minutes apart, nothing I couldn't handle pain wise. Saturday night contractions were getting stronger. Lindsay brought over her new puppy Polly, and I couldn't snuggle her like I wanted because I was becoming more uncomfortable each hour. Wes and I tried to go to bed but around midnight I started to cry with each one minute long contraction. I couldn't take it anymore, Wes had to drive me to the hospital ASAP. Contractions in the car were unbearable because I couldn't walk around and find a new position. Once we got to the hospital, the nurse monitored my contractions five minutes apart, one to one and a half minutes long for an hour. I felt like a caged animal. the monitor cords were not long enough to walk around the room, so I paced back and forth like the caged lions at Hogle Zoo. With each contraction Wes was trying to help me and all I could do was tell him to SHHHH..... really loud. Not my style. Poor guy was just trying to help me and all I could do was slap his hand away every time he tried to apply pressure on my back. I was in PAIN. I was not prepared for that feeling. I couldn't even get on top of the pain to breathe during the peaks of my contractions. The in between times, my back had a lingering pain that wouldn't go away, there was no relief! Finally the nurse came back in the room and decided to admit me. Thank goodness. I tell you what, that epidural was the best relief. It was three in the morning and I was shaking from the pain of the contractions, that when the Anesthesiologists drove that needle in my spine, I was thrilled. The medication did not take long until I felt completely comfortable and relaxed. I could finally have a nice conversation with my husband without crying our yelling at him to be quiet during contractions. Now along with the epidural came some unfortunate interventions. My heart rate started to decrease and so did baby Johnny's. His heart rate dropped all the way down to 50 bpm for about four minutes. Scary. All the sudden the Anesthesiologist, the resident doctor nurse midwife and tech came into the room. The doctor said, "we need to break your water to place the internal monitor on his head." They were scared his heart rate would drop again and I would need an emergency c-section. Luckily within minutes his heart rate began to climb back to normal. I was glued to that monitor for the rest of the night until the next morning, making sure Johnny's heart rate didn't drop. Six in the morning, May 1, the midwife checked me and said we are going to have a baby in the next few hours! I was thrilled. I couldn't wait to meet my little man. After 30 minutes of pushing, John Wesley Hall was born at 9:44 am weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces, and 21.5 inches long. When the midwife put him on my stomach, I remember thinking, that's my baby!

2011-04-20T12:39:00.000-07:00