Check out this bike!

Mike is back from Interbike. Check out this bike:

I think it is too cool for words and I might get one. It can hold up to 4 kids! I'm not sure I'm strong enough to haul all of our babes at the moment, but how cool is that bike with the build in place for kids to ride? I'll keep you posted if I get one.

Who has been taking pictures?

Morgan obviously got a hold of the camera sometime while Kenna was hamming it up.


I found the picture above while looking through the ones I downloaded a week or so ago. I had no idea this was there.

Below you'll see my three bathing beauties.

ETA: Deleted photo due to rampant idiocy of folks and pictures of cute kids in baths.

During one of the famous date night treats, Mike and I took all of the kids (7 of them including Moxen) to the Circus! I didn't get many photos of the action, but you can see the kids are enjoying the show high in the sky.


And, if you are wondering how you corral six 2-4 year old children...learn from the best. Use the pre-school teacher trick and give them a rope to hold!


The most exciting part of the circus for the adults was seeing the protesters with signs about protecting the elephants at the gate. This circus was so small, the only animals involved were some exuberant dogs and fat donkeys.

House Tour

The new entry hall. The artwork will be put on the wall at some point.




The new "office" consists of the beautiful new computer hutch in the dining room and the closet in our room. In case you don't remember out closet runs the entire length of our room. Two shelves are completely full of books and boxes from the previous office.



The new view from the bathroom. What you see below is where our diaper changing station, a large black cabinet, and a nice set of shelves used to be.


Inside of the "closet" across from the bathroom, you find this magnificent set of STAIRS!!! that lead to the basement. Eventually, we will have some shelves in here too.

Below, you'll get a glimpse of the basement. Most likely you've never seen this place. Now it is a functional space complete with futon, school table, school supplies, a bathroom, and toys!


The view from the girls' bedroom. Basically, what you see below is their doorway moved into their room and the extra door that used to be in their room (that connected to to the office) is now in the hall way thanks to a very small L shaped wall in their room (the new purple paint wall).


And, now what you've all been waiting for - ok, not really... But still, the 3rd child has to get something out of this deal, right? Moxen's new room (aka 1/2 of the old office). We still need to finish cleaning the office stuff out of there, paint, and move his things in. (Deborah, we'll be dropping the kids off right on time next Tuesday night for Date Night - We've got a date with paint rollers!)



That's it for the home tour. All of the work is done and we're very pleased with the results. I was thinking that we would have to move in order to have enough space for all of us, but this redeisgn is just what we needed. We feel like we have tons more space (because of the basement) and I don't think I can say how thrilled I am with the easy access to the laundry and the extra bathroom in the basement that was almost never used before. In case anyone is looking to complete a similar project, we used Allen Bradshaw to do the work. He's a customer at Mike's Hike and Bike, and his daughter was in Morgan's class at Burrier last year. I won't post his contact information here ('cuz I didn't ask him), but please let me know if you'd like it. They did great work for a fair price.

I just walked to my basement without going outside!

Hallelujah!

Phenomenology....Really?

Does anyone understand this stuff?

Life is back in full swing

Not that our lives were not in full swing all summer as well, but the pace has picked up again.

Morgan will be attending a co-op class on Mondays beginning next week. And on Wednesday afternoons she'll be taking a dance class. We kept hoping that she would grow out of the "I want to be a ballerina dancer" phase and move on to something else, but she has been asking for a class for over a year now. We (I) finally gave in and signed her up. I'll keep you posted on how long that lasts.

Kenna will begin her first year at Burrier this year. Because she is a younger student she will go on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. She is super excited to get to go to Morgan's old school. Heck - getting to go to school is how we convinced her to pee and poop on the toilet instead of a diaper!

If you'll notice both girls have their activities on the same days. Yes, life is going to be extremely crazy this semester. Especially so, since I teach on MWF until 2:15.

Moxen is growing like a ....well a well fed Mom's milk baby. He rolls over, sits with fairly good balance, smiles lots, and jabbers all the time. He enjoys hanging out at Mike's Hike and Bike a couple of days a week. Edited to add...Oh, yeah, he also has two bottom teeth!

I would give picture updates of all of this good stuff, but we're remodeling our house right now; which has caused some drawers (i.e. the one with the cord that hooks the camera to the computer) inaccessible.

Pretty simple stuff, really. We're adding a couple of walls to make a room for Moxen, an entry hall, and a closet that will also have stairs to the basement. Have I mentioned how excited I am that someday soon I won't have to go outside, through a gate, and in two doors to get to the washer and dryer? Not to mention that when Mike takes forever sitting on the toilet on cold winter mornings I won't have to freeze my toes off by making a treck outside and down to the basement to go pee!

Once the mess gets settled a bit - hopefully by next weekend the remodel will be done - I'll post some pictures to show off the new redesigned Hale-House.

Wish me luck in getting all of our belongings relocated to their new places!

Summer Highlights

The smiling Moxen.



Pirates who don't do anything ... or something like that.



This is what happens when you leave the room to put Kenna to bed!


A still moment with Kenna.

Photo Update

The family bed!


The kids out playing in the water on a recent camping trip to Kincaid Lake State Park.



Moxen at 6 weeks. He holds his head up much higher now and is working on balance for sitting up.



Morgan on that same camping trip.




Kenna packed up and ready for her first sleep over at her Grandmother's house. Morgan went with her, but it wasn't her first trip. Just first time in a loooooong time.

Hope you enjoyed the update. Too busy for more.

Perfect Swaddling blanket

My friend Gretchen gave us a handmade perfect swaddling blanket.

I have to say that her description is just right. It is a great blanket. The right shape for getting a baby swaddled, very soft, not too warm.

The best part is that it is big enough to keep swaddling even my big ol' babe. Moxen, at not quite 2 months, can still easily be swaddled in that blanket when almost every other blanket we have is too small to fit around him and reach back to the front to tuck it in, which is essential for keeping him swaddled.

So, Gretchen, Thanks!

Also, I highly recommend the Happiest Baby on the Block book that she mentions as well.

Just in case you weren't convinced

that Kenna is a climber.

A week in the life of Moxen

Here are some pictures of Moxen's first week of life.

The birthday party!



Blowing out the candle with a little help from his Dad.

And the two views most prominent in his life right now - not necessarily in order - I couldn't figure out the right order.




Good ol' mom's milk in the woods! What could be better?


In addition to what you see here, he also spent some quality time with his grandparents. Those pictures are yet to come.

Welcome to a new Hale!

Moxen James was born this morning at about 6:45. All 10 lbs 4 oz and 22 inches of him are doing well!

Wendy won our contest by guessing the right birth date - we still don't know what her prize will be. Feel free to post your comments about what you think her prize should be.

Here's a picture of Morgan reading Moxen is first book. It was much cuter before she realized I was taking a picture - but she did read him the book.

Making room for baby

One birthday guess bites the dust! Still plenty of other guesses to go.

While waiting for the newest baby Hale to arrive we've been busy trying to make sure we've got everything we need and plenty of places to sleep.

Since at least one of the girls comes to our bed on most nights, and at least once every week or so, both of them join us, we (I?) decided that I need more space to sleep. Our queen bed with 4 people plus a pregnant belly was just not cutting it. Also, after the baby comes, 5 folks in one queen bed really wouldn't do.

So, we began investigating ways to have ample sleeping space for all involved - not that the girls don't have perfectly lovely bunk beds in their own room, but you know snuggling with someone else is much better!

After many ideas and trial runs, we've decided on a twin bed next to our queen bed. That was fine and dandy but didn't leave us much room for a safe sleeping place for the baby when we weren't all snuggled together, a big girls "no go zone" if you will.

While trying to figure it all out, I remembered a friend's baby hammock. I reminded Mike, and being the crafty guy that he is he made a couple for us. One for regular home use and one to travel and to keep at the shop for when the little one goes to the store with him.

Check it out:
And just in case you don't trust the weight bearing ability Mike was hanging out it in with the girls the other day!

One month count-down

It's a bit of an awkward count down, because well, let's face it the count down could take only a couple of weeks, or it could take more than the 4 that are left until the due date.

I've decided to post a poll to see who guesses closest to the actual birth date and time of the next Hale family member. The winner will get...well I don't know. Maybe you'll get to come over to my house and fix me lunch, play with my older children, and watch me sleep!

I'll give you all of the information that I have to help you make your best educated guess.

1. Morgan was 2 full weeks early when labor started and she was fully well done when she was born.

2. Kenna came 3 days after her due date, as a perfectly ripe baby.

3. As of 35 1/2 weeks I was 1.5-2 CM dilated (pretty normal for 2nd or later children) and 80% effaced.

4. My uterus is measuring about a week ahead of schedule.

5. On Thursday last week, I started feeling like my belly was leading when I walked. I don't think externally I look different, but I sure feel like a sway-back.

6. Kenna and Morgan are sickly, clingy, and possibly slightly overwhelmed by the recent moving of furniture and unpacking of baby clothes and diapers.

7. No bursts of energy here. I'm exhausted all the time.

So, when do you think the baby will come? Post a comment and we'll be sure to post here when the baby comes so you'll know who the winner is.

House Update

I've had a few comments about the house that Mike built. I'll tell ya it just takes hot glue and cardboard. he made it out of boxes (bike boxes of course) and a hot glue gun!

Hiking Adventures

The beginning of the hike at natural bride in the Red River Gorge.


The way we kept Kenna from jumping off of the side bridge.


On top of the world- according to Morgan.


The end of the day.

Late Birthday post

Morgan Jo is officially 4 - not that my readers didn't know that already since the other blogs out there already have pictures of her birthday. :) She's wearing the tutu as I type. She slept in the leotard last night. I think it might have been worth it.


And a picture in her Halloween costume because we couldn't get a good one any of the times she dressed up for Halloween.

Some Favorite Christmas Photos

After a Christmas eve celebration with Mike's family, we came home and read bedtime stories. The kids went right to bed. Kenna went right to sleep, but Morgan was a bit anxious and took a while to go to sleep. We finished putting the doll house together, and putting gifts out.

In the morning, Morgan completely forgot that it was Christmas, so we had a relaxing snooze in bed. Then we got up and started cooking breakfast. Morgan happened into the living room and saw this:


Which she has kinda specifically asked Santa to bring. She asked for "a big red box big enough for Kenna and me to play inside." So, her dad provided that in aces. The missing red paint was not missed.

She immediately came to the kitchen to show us what she found in the living room. Then she, turned around and found other presents around the tree. Here is her response to seeing them, and my response (in the background) to her lack of realizing that there would be other stuff.



We managed to get them to wait until after breakfast before digging into the other gifts. They played in the house and with the doll house (Kenna mostly with the doll house, which you can barely see above) and Morgan mostly in the house, until it was time to open the other gifts. Morgan read the name tags and passed them out.

Kenna's reaction to getting a stroller:

Here's my favorite photo from Christmas morning.



How Morgan ended Christmas...sleeping in the house her dad built.

Morgan is reading

About a week ago, Morgan realized that she could put all of those letter sounds to work for her to read some words. We have a pre-school boggle game that has pictures with words under it. I covered the pictures and she read the words. Once she realized she could do that, she decided she wanted books to read.

Here is the first book she read completely on her own: Mat

She is up to book 5 in this series, which is titled Mag and Mit, and is not nearly as repetitive as the first couple of books.

I'm impressed!

Quick Review

Here's what we've been up to lately:

The kids Enjoying the day with their Abbey (aka sitter). This is why I love her. She doesn't mind letting them paint.




Kenna's Birthday Party

Lots of wild kids jumping all over the house - an this was before the pizza, cake or ice cream.




Kenna has blowing out candles figured out.



Halloween

Mine are the two penguins in the middle of the KISS flashback.



Fall Break

Over fall break, we went camping at Otter Creek Park near Louisville, KY. It was a treat. It had a very nice campground, even if it seemed to be the weekend home to most of the people there over that weekend. There were Projection TVs and all of the other comforts of home right in the campground! Next time we'll camp in the "no hook-ups" area, but it was a clean and pretty good place to stay.

There were plenty of trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. We went on one of the trails to see Morgan's Cave - unfortunately we couldn't go into the cave because of an endangered species of bats, but it was cool nonetheless.



Another great thing about the campground is that it is only about 30 minutes from the Louisville Zoo. It was a perfect day at the zoo. The weather was perfect, it was a Monday; so, hardly anyone there (except one school group that walked faster than us; so, no big deal).

Our favorite memory was of the lions. Morgan decided before we even arrived, heck what am I saying, she decided several days before we left that she really wanted to see the lions at the zoo. So, first stop Giraffes (cuz they're on the way to the lions). Then on to the lions. The Louisville Zoo has two females and one male on display frequently. The display that day was even more exciting than the usually watching them snoozing in the sun.




To which Morgan said: Momma he is making a baby. They are mating like you and daddy!

Ahh, from the mouths of babes. I'll tell you the school kids were quick to say "yuck!" and their teachers were quick to say "come on let's go see the elephant" or "Do you want to get your lunch now?" It was about 10:15 AM!