tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8440062660961391022012-01-30T20:31:05.765-05:00A Midwestern red-head and her British-expat husband depart cozy Plymouth, Michigan for cozier Ithaca, New York (via the very warm city of Atlanta, Georgia).The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.comBlogger3681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-6671326040458032542012-01-30T20:31:00.000-05:002012-01-30T20:31:05.773-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-56941923458023800862012-01-25T10:36:00.001-05:002012-01-25T10:54:04.517-05:00

I've been going to a great yoga class lately, which has me thinking about how to improve the flow of our days. My yoga instructor always talks about working with what you have, so that was on my mind this morning. Hannah woke up at 5 a.m. - which is typical lately. It's not my favorite time of day, but considering that she's sleeping through the night, I can't really complain. Anyhow, 7:30 a.m

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-49878522666975793372012-01-19T08:21:00.000-05:002012-01-19T08:21:54.576-05:00

Dear Hannah, You are 10 months old today, my sweet girl, and I can hardly believe it. It feels like you've really grown up over the past few weeks - playing with others, standing so well, and doing a better job of telling us what you want. You LOVE books more than I ever knew a baby could. Whenever we can't find you, we head over to the bookshelf and there you are, pulling the books down and

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-47882998986826481292012-01-19T08:09:00.003-05:002012-01-19T08:23:40.291-05:00

Okay, it's time to wrap-up the Christmas stuff. See below. Christmas was a complete joy. We had a house full of friends on Christmas Eve, much good food to share, and a band of kids running around high on holiday glee. (See Aaron in his pirate costume.) We hope to do it again next year. Christmas morning, Hannah was up first, a good hour or so before her brother. when Aaron finally woke

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-47572938640812815232012-01-09T07:16:00.007-05:002012-01-10T09:23:50.609-05:00

Shall we shift gears to take a peek at the house? I'm kicking myself for not taking better before photos. I'll try to find some this week. Anyhow we've made the most progres in the living room. It's feeling much more like our home these days, which is nice. We hired someone to take out the wall between the former dining room (with the green rug)and the kitchen. You can see the new

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-8600039932825773842012-01-08T06:56:00.000-05:002012-01-08T06:56:07.067-05:00

December continued along with much time spent with friends, a bit of cookie-baking, and continued house decorating projects.  It was a good month. A few of Aaron's photos Some basement bike riding. (Only my husband and kid would rig this up.) First rice cereal Baking (and eating) pro. My kid has a serious sweet tooth! Kids are up, so I'll have to save the house photos for next

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-48068330699868521242012-01-06T10:34:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:46:00.393-05:00

Well, I'm finally getting around to downloading the many photos from the month of December.  So...get ready...we're going to relive all of the holiday wonder and magic right here, for posterity's sake. Let's start with the tree.  We met some good friends at the tree farm where we've gotten a tree every year since we moved to Ithaca.  It was a balmy day, with green grass and a beautiful sunset.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-3731105400694292732012-01-06T08:14:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:46:22.907-05:00

The baby is cutting three new teeth all at once, and A is getting over the cold of all colds (think nebulizer treatments and oral steroids - yuck!). But someway, somehow, I will post photos of Christmas today.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-11332807005417200422012-01-02T09:11:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:46:35.840-05:00

When I was in my twenties, I would do a detox diet once a year or so.  The diet involves eating mostly plant-based foods - whole grains like rice, oats and quinoa; lots of fruits and vegetables; beans and some lean protein. It requires lots of water, no sugar and no caffeine.  It was always a little tough to start, but I felt great afterwards every time I did it. Fast-forward to yesterday - New

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-29630227584721108382012-01-02T07:56:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:46:53.660-05:00

Happy New Year! I have much to post about our trip to Michigan, progress on the house and Christmas...it's all coming soon.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share a video of the kids playing together - maybe the first time they played on their own.  I'm going to make a resolution to post at least three times a week all year.  We'll see how that goes.  

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-50582704730386247062011-12-19T20:13:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:47:14.863-05:00

You may know - especially if you've visited for any long period of time - that A has not liked our new house.  The first few weeks, I thought he was just taking some time to adjust.  The house is larger, and the upstairs bedrooms threw him for a bit of a loop.  But for months after we moved, even this past week, he kept asking to go back to our old house. A lot of times, he brings it up from out

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-13856549000223057292011-12-06T14:21:00.002-05:002012-01-06T10:48:03.814-05:00

The way Hannah will pause her crawling rest her head on a pillow, or the floor, or - if you're lucky - your lap, and then get up and carry on playing.  Precious. And the conversation I had with Aaron at dinner last night, about how we'll be in England for Hannah's birthday. A: "Let's move it closer?" Me:  "Move what?" A:  "England.  And Michigan too."

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-55897167466583129352011-11-25T17:32:00.003-05:002012-01-06T10:48:43.140-05:00

This is our second Thanksgiving staying here in Ithaca, and I have to admit, it's still a bit strange.  I'm accustommed to a suburban Thanksgiving with all of the fixings, including lots of cousins to play with and a major parade to kick-off the day.  Our fivesome (this year) here in Ithaca still feels a bit small. But we're doing our best to start our own traditions.  This year, was the second

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-61922768853168953582011-11-22T15:02:00.000-05:002012-01-06T10:48:03.814-05:00

Our crawler is picking up speed yesterday and today. When we're upstairs, the first place she heads is to big brother's room!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-43242580255654867292011-11-17T13:29:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:48:03.815-05:00

My posts are heavy on the words lately, but this one I can't resist.  We're all walking into the Y for swim lessons today.  Hannah is in her stroller, A is holding my hand. A: Why can't we leave Hannah here?  (In the parking lot.) Me: Because she's your sister and we love her. A: I love Hannah. (Pause.) When she's on the floor and I bonk her, even I still love her then. Good to know, A.  Good

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-48750701409844668802011-11-16T10:45:00.000-05:002012-01-06T10:48:03.815-05:00

Our poor little A had a tough night - a midnight potty mishap and a 3 a.m. nightmare.  When I woke him up at 8 a.m. for school, he was not a happy camper.  I brought him warm milk in bed and cuddled him for about 20 minutes, but he was still resisting everything we needed to do to get out of the door. So we cuddled more, then I offerred a Band-Aid for getting dressed (which he placed on his bum)

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-4626149053163625412011-11-14T20:57:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:50:32.837-05:00

A new friend's blog has inspired me to get back on the wagon tonight.  I'm sitting on the couch typing away as both kids sleep upstairs.  It's thundering outside - in November!  Aaron has been asleep for less than ten minutes, although he stayed in his room listening to Winnie-the-Pooh on CD for the past hour, so I'll take it. * Poor little Hannah has been missing her morning naps when we're out

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-28790208736258120362011-11-03T07:40:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.816-05:00

Happy Halloween!  I'm going to make a concerted effort to come back to this space more often.  I'll start with a run-down of our Halloween.  We opted to stay in our little neighborhood for ten houses instead of travel to a friend's neighborhood with a bigger Halloween celebration.  It proved to be a good move.  Aaron made it to six houses before he got tired and declared he had "enough candy in

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-51424966323140997422011-09-17T21:50:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:48:59.795-05:00

We spent the day getting ready for Aaron's birthday party tomorrow.  He's very excited to have some friends coming over to play.  Tonight, I went upstairs to kiss A goodnight after Paul tucked him into bed. He asks me: Mama, when I wake up, is it my birthday? Me: No, but it's your party day. A: Okay, Mama.  Goodnight. And he stays in bed for the first-time EVER in our new house.  Maybe 3 is

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-14600412265774791072011-09-10T20:22:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.816-05:00

Aaron is just 12 days shy of three years old, and we're really noticing he's a preschooler now.  He's got opinions, man-oh-man.  Seventy percent of the time, he is so proud to be a "big boy." I don't think I could count the number of times in a day that he says, "I'll do it myself" or "No, mama, I can do it."  This morning, he put on his own shorts and shoes for the first time ever - because he

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-37348649254991585172011-09-09T08:11:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.816-05:00

I can hardly believe as I type this that Hannah is only 10 days shy of six months old. This little girl has certainly stolen all of our hearts. From the day she was born, she could give Paul and I this look - a sort of longing gaze - that makes both of us melt. Paul is certain she's going to use it as a teenager to borrow the car and extend her curfew. She's honestly the most smiley baby I've

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-58302520364656699922011-09-02T20:27:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:50:53.771-05:00

that Aaron is becoming quite the photographer?

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-46131827018624451982011-08-29T16:13:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:51:13.753-05:00

Did you think we deserted you?  I'll bet you did.  We're still here - post-move and post-surgery - ready to get back to a bit more of a normal schedule - and a bit more blogging.   There's so much to catch up on! Let's start with a little tour Paul did of the new house.  (Please ignore the weeds, junk and boxes.)   It's a bit long, but we wanted to document our starting point so we could look

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-65945301473236157622011-07-22T14:49:00.001-04:002011-07-22T14:49:48.570-04:00

...somewhere between vacationing and moving.  But we've been having fun!  Check it out.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-17849304206628677042011-06-27T23:32:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:45:14.055-05:00

...to a new home. Fingers crossed it works out!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-33979715418362479082011-06-10T19:38:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:52:16.933-05:00

Our house is on its way to being sold, we're in the hunt for a new one, and the wee ones are growing like weeds. All is good. Back soon.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-41467477326224752132011-05-19T13:50:00.002-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.817-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-36680580428669820262011-05-10T15:56:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.817-05:00

Even though I should be folding laundry right now, I have to write down some of the very insightful and funny conversations I've been having with A. Man, this kid is a hoot. Me: Aaron, you know pretty soon we're going to get a new house. That means you'll get a new bedroom, and Hannah will get a new bedroom and we'll get a new kitchen. A: And a new table Me: No, we'll take our table with

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-62144132393377836582011-05-09T14:07:00.002-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.818-05:00

Little H has gone from newborn to baby in record time. I'm already sad this is happening so fast!!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-74247567871226028232011-04-25T14:39:00.003-04:002012-01-06T10:51:44.928-05:00

Here are some images from our full, happy, crazy days. Wishing you a wonderful start to your week!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-20120398793991892472011-04-12T16:32:00.002-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.819-05:00

It happened around 8 o'clock this morning.  Hannah decided to get up at 5 a.m. today and stay up until 7, at which point Aaron woke up and Paul  headed out for work.  After playing cars for an hour while dealing with fussy Hannah, I set her down in the cradle and lay down on the living room couch.  If I had closed my eyes, I don't think I would have woken up until noon.  Of couse, she started

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-37414509652287671932011-04-07T08:14:00.004-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.819-05:00

Today was a doosy of a morning.  It's my own fault.  I know better than to sleep in these days.  The extra 45 minutes of snoozing isn't worth the chaos that ensues when both kids wake up before I do.  When I sleep in, everyone wakes up at the same time needing something all at once.  Hannah is hungry or wet or spitting up - today all three, Aaron needs a drink and a cuddle, and Paul needs to get

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-14373284411667614092011-04-05T13:27:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.820-05:00

Someday I'll have time to write more about our spring days (including snow today!!), all of the lessons I'm learning as a mother of two, and sweet little Hannah (who I'm sure was brought into this world to teach me patience of a different sort). But for now, I've just got time to post a few videos. This one is long - be forewarned.  Funny, though. More soon.  I hope!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-24254256807896018872011-03-30T07:30:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:49:41.518-05:00

My last post on Pregnancy & Newborn magazine is up today.  It's been such a fun way to chornicle this pregnancy - with all of its ups and downs. Life at home is still chaos, but we're working on it.  I made it out of the house with both kids yesterday, but I may not try that again for a little while.  Slow and steady is the new name of the game around here. More later... 

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-44581479713002338952011-03-27T20:45:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.820-05:00

We've had a lovely weekend spent with many friends who stopped by to meet little Miss Hannah and wish us well.  It's wonderful to share the excitement of a new baby with so many people. We're tired, but getting settled into the new normal.  This week will be a big test, as Paul will be back at work closer to full-time (although not completely yet!). So many people have asked if Aaron and Hannah

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-67194936359020078742011-03-24T14:02:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.821-05:00

As expected, it's been a full week at our house! We've had plenty of sweet, quiet moments and our fair share of chaos too. Hannah is doing great - starting to wake up a little more and grow too, which is quite a relief for me. Aaron's had a particularly tough week. In addition to getting used to being a big brother, he's got two nasty ear infections requiring injectable antibiotics. Needless to

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-17903715662639076602011-03-21T18:58:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:48:03.821-05:00

We're super busy taking care of two little people, so only posting some first pictures at the moment. Lots of fun stories to come.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-54816496309413212942011-03-20T16:09:00.000-04:002012-01-06T10:49:41.519-05:00

Hi all, Paul here.  This is just a quick post to introduce you all to our newest member of the family! Hannah May Freemantle.  Born March 19th at 3:38pm.  7lb 5oz, 19.5 inches.  Mom and baby are doing great! Sheri will post a better blog later this week I'm sure with more pics and more detail but here's a taster for now! Love Paul, Sheri, Aaron and Hannah xxx

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-2433273805579865272011-03-13T08:31:00.001-04:002012-01-06T10:49:41.520-05:00

There's not much to report, other than I'm sitting around waiting for baby.  I've wrapped up work and all of the house projects to be done, so life is a bit restless at the moment.  I think I'll start some knitting projects to keep busy until our little girl decides to make her appearance.  In the meantime, I'll be here:

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-59855250513754833002011-03-06T20:39:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:52:37.629-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-88535151624534773992011-03-02T15:23:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:50:11.140-05:00

Okay, we are happily back and functioning again - for the time being, at least.  And just the time to have you check out these swell curtains hanging in the nursery.  Although this was completely my idea, it ended up being a joint effort with my mom and Paul pitching in a bunch.  (Taking on a project that requires a lot of time on hands and knees is not real bright when you're eight months

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-14130745649791101802011-02-22T09:07:00.003-05:002011-02-24T12:24:15.958-05:00

Those first-year-of-preschool-germs are doing us in at the moment.  More coming when we recover.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-77494935412972638902011-02-16T16:02:00.000-05:002011-02-24T12:23:14.390-05:00

This is what happens around our house when I go to yoga.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-65723065150123085982011-02-10T20:04:00.000-05:002011-02-24T12:23:14.391-05:00

Friendly kid-space number two is a new play kitchen for A.  We got it on sale at Toys R Us last week after returning some Christmas presents - namely a remote-control Bigfoot that solicted tears every time we turned him on.  (He is pretty scary.) So out with the Bigfoot, in with the kitchen.  So far, it's bought me lots more work-time in the kitchen (

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-39493824910452654472011-02-09T13:52:00.001-05:002011-02-24T12:23:26.608-05:00

Here's a shot of my ginormous belly these days.  I'm feeling pretty good, other than the normal pregnancy aches and pains that come with this part.   I do feel pretty excited and ready to meet this little girl, though.  Paul says he doesn't know if this is the finish line or the starting line.  I have a feeling it's the latter.  Yikes!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-75222402723738355692011-02-07T15:23:00.002-05:002011-02-07T16:08:27.357-05:00

Paul and I have spent a lot of time over the past few months getting the house ready for our new little person (who is due in just five weeks!) Since we decided to stay in our little three-bedroom ranch, there were more projects than just setting up a nursery.  We had to move my office out of the third bedroom, sell and donate a bunch of items we didn't use much, and find a lot of new storage. 

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-52942263546953446972011-02-02T14:36:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:04:37.433-05:00

Dear A, I can't believe what a little thinker you've turned into this past few months.  The things you come up with constantly amaze your dad and I.  I often wonder if you've been having these thoughts all along - you just couldn't communicate them before. Sunday morning at breakfast, you asked your Dad, "Have you been working on the baby's room?"  He told you that he hung up some shelves, and

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-84977008758966801892011-01-26T09:42:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:06:03.323-05:00

Although, the underpants seem to get wet everytime.  Hmmmm.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-76194349204456020592011-01-21T07:28:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:02:23.378-05:00

Things have been humming along around here, with a few bumps in the road.  (Hence the lack of recent posts.)  Paul and I spent an amazing weekend in Boston to celebrate a dear friend's birthday.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera.  But suffice to say that it was amazing.  And if you're ever in Boston for fun, you have to check out this hotel.  It's the bomb! The day after we retruned home, I

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-86908237334009667652011-01-11T07:23:00.001-05:002011-02-07T16:03:08.378-05:00

By popular demand, here's a shot of my tummy at 31 weeks. In other exciting news, we managed to make it out sledding this weekend!  We've had so little snow, there hasn't been much of a chance for winter sports until now. A thought it was pretty fun for about two long runs, until the snow flew up in his face. Then he opted to hit the swings at the park instead.  He thought that was

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-3851261177804620732011-01-06T07:11:00.001-05:002011-02-07T16:06:03.325-05:00

Lately, I've been struggling to get Aaron to sit down at dinner with us.  It seems he's been more interested in playing than eating - that is, until he's really hungry. Then all he wants is a bowl of Cheerios.  Ah, the wonders of toddler nutrition. Enter this amazing book I got for Christmas (thanks Mom!):  Feeding the Whole Family: Cooking with Whole Foods by Cynthia Lair.  It's full of really

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-89206876170615826122011-01-05T07:20:00.001-05:002011-02-07T16:06:30.393-05:00

We're a little late, but better than never. Wishing you a year full of peace and possibilities!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-38179691318186777252011-01-02T07:22:00.004-05:002011-02-07T16:07:13.457-05:00

Are you ready for a really long post about our Christmas celebration this year?  I wanted to write everything down so that A will have a record of his Christmases for years to come.  Christmas Eve started with the traditional first present - a new outfit for A from Grandma Great. Unfortunately, someone wasn't too happy about wearing it. Then it was onto dinner at a new Italian restaurant

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-35378189414551026512010-12-23T15:59:00.002-05:002011-02-07T16:07:13.459-05:00

Check out the difference a year makes. Same Santa, a more timid little boy, and Mom not in the photo. :) Wishing you and yours a magical Christmas!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-43422791655640761082010-12-22T13:45:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:06:03.326-05:00

We have an expert cookie-decorator (and eater!) in the house.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-61455679564284996912010-12-20T16:04:00.001-05:002011-02-07T16:07:13.460-05:00

There's so much happening around here, and so little blogging going on.  Ah well, 'tis the season.  We are all excited getting ready for a cozy holiday at home. In preparation, A had his first haircut last week. It went better than expected. I think it was the fun chair that moved up and down. You can see more of the fun here. I had a wonderful visit to Chicago to see some long-time and

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-45033682627520933602010-12-10T09:03:00.001-05:002011-02-07T16:03:08.379-05:00

A slew of illnesses have been working their way through our house, slowing everyone down a little bit.  (Which is, honestly, probably exactly what we needed.)  So we're spending a lot of days like this: I'll leave you with a new zinger from our little one. Paul, A and I are dancing around the dining room to some Christmas music.  Paul and I are snapping our fingers. A: "My fingers don't make

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-64669079698491194702010-11-28T07:38:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:07:13.461-05:00

A condensed version... These miss out the amazing squash recipe, the throwing rocks in the river, and cheesecake. But you get the picture. :) Hope you had a great one!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-41012981693291730422010-11-24T07:06:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:04:37.438-05:00

A has fallen into a routine of trying to postpone bedtime as long as possible. His first try is always, "How about a little more TV?" Then, "I need a snack." Then, "One more book." Last night, he was really going for it. Paul put him into bed, said goodnight and closed the door. You could still hear, "Daddeee! I need a snack!" Pause. "Daddeee!" Paul was in our bedroom, which is right

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-31540700887071808282010-11-18T07:09:00.003-05:002011-02-07T16:04:37.439-05:00

A had his first day at preschool and he got a new tricycle yesterday.  Talk about exciting! (Of course, his hair was untameable yesterday morning!) The school is a great little home-based center that focuses a lot on art and nature, and he'll be going for two mornings a week. We spent a lot of time talking about it before he went - library books about the first day of school, looking at

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-24587487546318920772010-11-14T06:27:00.000-05:002011-02-07T16:04:37.440-05:00

We're getting to the stage where A says stuff that cracks up Paul and I.  For example, he calls his new basketball hoop  his "basketball hula."  (I think he gets it confused with his hula hoop.) Last night, he was eating some blueberries for a snack before bed, and had a little conversation with his dad (who is not really a fruit eater.) A: Daddy have one. Paul:  Okay.  Ummmm!  A:  No, daddy.  

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-10687291595538866552010-11-02T12:10:00.001-04:002011-02-07T16:08:49.031-05:00

Overheard at my polling place today: Woman: You're just the man I've been looking for.  I hear you have some sheep up there.Man: They're my replacement for a lawn mower.  They're not mine. I borrowed them. Don't forget to vote!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-10838951466732297672010-11-01T06:52:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.441-05:00

Love, The Freemantles

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-7728466639549847872010-10-28T12:34:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:03:08.380-05:00

...and everything nice.  That is what's coming our way in March!   And a healthy little one at that!!  We are beyond excited.  Baby Girl (BG) Freemantle was sitting straight up in my belly and facing backwards during our ultrasound.  She's growing right on schedule, which we're thrilled about. And she gave a few kicks and opened her mouth a couple times during the ultrasound, which was fun. 

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-59835922285275528512010-10-21T06:46:00.005-04:002011-02-07T16:03:08.381-05:00

Did I tell you all that I'm writing a new blog for Pregnancy and Newborn magazine? I can't remember if I did. It's called Knocked Up, and it's basically a weekly chronicle of my pregnancy (published every Wednesday). This is where you can find all of the gory details, including the kind of funny story about how I found out I was pregnant in a beach house on Lake Michigan! I'll add a link to

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-3391307649377102052010-10-20T16:06:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:03:08.383-05:00

I wanted to take some photos of my belly today. Of course, my little helper needed some belly shots too. And he just happened to be wearing his new vest, knit by yours truly. (It's a variation of the Pebble vest on Ravelry.) Here we are: And some cute vests shots: Some knitting notes: I learn a little more with every project. This was is certainly a little too loosely-knit. But

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-89273754311004042352010-10-18T08:24:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.442-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-25868492684247395042010-10-15T14:07:00.001-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.443-05:00

Some days, it feels like I'm not doing such a hot job at being the mom of a toddler.  Like when A every twenty minutes to watch Thomas on TV, even though we already watched an hour this morning, and then he has a twenty minute tantrum over the whole thing...or when I have to pin him down to brush his teeth while he's trying to scream with his mouth shut. Which is why I need to remember all of

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-45222244101124991612010-10-10T07:03:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.444-05:00

Now that A is talking more, he's learning to appreciate all sorts of music. Here's Paul's influence.  (I swear, any coolness this kid gets will be from his dad!) Here's A singing in the morning in his crib. (This one is more of just an audio track, so as not to interrupt the singer.)

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-92039013739749232652010-10-06T08:07:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.445-05:00

A has a new book from Auntie Emma in England.  It's full of songs about Thomas the Tank Engine, and little buttons that play tunes along with the words.  (They're actually pretty nice sounding little sound buttons too.)  Paul and I have sang these song over and over since returning from England.  We wake up with, "Sir Topham Hat, he's the head of the railway," going around and around in our heads

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-37463234727516235072010-10-01T07:53:00.001-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.447-05:00

We had a blast on A's birthday this year.  Some simple presents and a little get-together with his buddies absolutely thrilled him. Check it out: Our little guy is talking up a storm, which is hilarious.  This morning, from his crib: "Mama!  Mama, where are yooooouuu?" Two is fun!  Tiring for mama, but fun.  :)

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-17358099173306494262010-09-22T05:23:00.002-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.448-05:00

Dear A, Wow, does two years fly by in the blink of an eye!  Even though it's often said by parents, it is shocking to bring home a squirmy, squeaky little bundle and have him turn into a spirited, energetic toddler just a few years later.   Even at two, you have a zest for life I never could have imagined the day you were born.  Many days, you have more energy than your dad and I put together.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-52785138525342762472010-09-20T07:14:00.001-04:002011-02-07T16:03:08.384-05:00

You've probably noticed this blog has been sorely neglected this summer. I do have a really good excuse - Freemantle baby number two is on the way, due March 16! We are beyond excited to expand our little family. Unfortunately, this pregnancy hasn't been quite as kind to me as the last - hence the dearth of blog posts (and dinners cooked, and house tidying, and a bunch of other tasks put aside

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-49541822634317001602010-09-13T10:36:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:07:13.463-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-29085406218946975002010-09-08T16:33:00.001-04:002010-09-08T16:33:02.055-04:00

I Could Care Less English PSA - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-71142992374067842862010-09-03T14:13:00.000-04:002011-02-07T16:04:37.449-05:00

...ready for Halloween!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-42804125638418868972010-08-19T13:27:00.002-04:002011-02-07T16:08:14.299-05:00

In case you didn't know, we're on a whirlwind tour to visit lots of people we love this summer.  It's really fun. And really tiring.  And doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging.  But there you go.  Our Michigan trip was heavenly - really pure bliss.  We spent lots of time with good friends on the beach, got to see a whole lot of family, and in general did a good bit a relaxing. Next up was the

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-9471882857204213902010-07-13T21:02:00.001-04:002011-02-07T16:08:14.300-05:00

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-8589952833583176702010-07-12T15:50:00.000-04:002010-07-12T15:50:27.955-04:00

Dear Sheri, Whenever you feel overwhelmed and can't see how you will ever get everything done, please remember to go to bed. Whatever it is, it will be easier to manage in the morning. --- I actually wrote that last week when we were getting ready for our stunning beach vacation. Today, I'd like to add: If that doesn't work, go to the beach. A fabulous time had by all. Pictures coming soon.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-35051870813748949512010-06-30T08:29:00.000-04:002010-07-01T07:11:33.036-04:00

T-minus 4 days to Lake Michigan.  To say we're excited is an understatement. We've even been practicing skipping stones.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-57423095967548367952010-06-27T21:15:00.000-04:002010-07-01T07:10:50.212-04:00

Dear A, I haven't written you a letter in ages.  But I couldn't resist writing one this morning while you're still sleeping quietly.  You have become such an energetic, fun-loving little guy.  It's summertime now and all you ever want to do is "bi'ride" in our little bike trailer to the park or go to the "wim'pool" to splash in the water.  (Half of the time, I mistake "wim'pool" for "poo" and

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-32626410554395619262010-06-22T13:07:00.001-04:002010-07-01T07:10:22.065-04:00

It's strawberry season here in New York - exciting for us!   My mom, Aaron and I picked 8 quarts yesterday at a local farm.  Well, my mom and I picked.  Aaron mostly ate.  For now, we have two quarts out for eating and the rest frozen for the fall and winter.  Interested in freezing berries this summer? - Rinse them and cut off the tops. - Lay them on a pan in a single layer, and put the pan in

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-59161851202940030642010-06-11T13:10:00.000-04:002010-07-01T07:10:00.437-04:00

It's that time of year again, when we get more greens in the Freemantle house than we know what to do with. This week's CSA box had mixed field greens, romaine, arugula, spinach, kale and a big bag of basil. Yum! What does our family do with all of these greens? Green hamburgers, of course! They're fairly easy to make, they require a lot of greens, and everyone in our house gobbles them up.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-45383934609059819092010-06-09T14:17:00.004-04:002010-06-09T15:04:19.271-04:00

Two days ago - in a totally uninspired moment - I posted on Facebook asking what I should prepare for dinner. I had some chicken breasts, a head of broccoli and some mushrooms laying around. The consensus came down to one of two dishes: chicken pot pie or stuffed chicken breasts. I was feeling the pot pie idea, so I dove in without giving it much thought. The first thing I realized is that it

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-39170886814489087672010-06-09T14:00:00.004-04:002010-06-09T14:15:29.404-04:00

I have spent a lot of time thinking about food lately.  What shall I cook? Will my toddler eat it? Is it healthy? Do I care? Those are questions that run through my mind many, many times a day. It's an element that has come along with this stay-at-home gig that I didn't fully anticipate.  Instead of packing lunches (which is tough in its own right), I find myself cooking and cleaning up at least

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-80656879287883042172010-06-01T09:57:00.000-04:002010-07-01T07:11:42.757-04:00

Apologies for the horrible video quality, but you get the picture.  Notice the diaper notification at the end.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-79266202539930391592010-05-27T07:27:00.002-04:002010-05-27T13:45:23.048-04:00

I wish I had some more photos to go along with this one, but 4 a.m. shots aren't my specialty, so you'll just have to read along. On Saturday night, I woke up to Paul standing in front of our bathroom door (which connects to our bedroom). There's a bat in the shower, he tells me. Groggy me first thinks, "What!?!?" Then tells him, "Can't you just shut the door and leave it there until morning?"

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-48391461948238816622010-05-22T07:45:00.003-04:002010-05-27T13:47:19.747-04:00

The strange combination of beautiful weather and a sick little boy has kept me away from the computer so far this month. The boy is now on the mend, and it looks like the balmy days and cool nights are here to stay for a while. (I love how spring weather can completely change your outlook on life, don't you?) Without further ado, here a few of the things we've been up to. (The ones I managed to

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-12258812065610864442010-05-04T08:33:00.004-04:002010-06-09T14:29:30.571-04:00

We're having such a lovely spring here in Ithaca - lots of warm sunny days with a thunderstorm thrown in here and there to spice things up. I celebrated year number 33 yesterday with a near-perfect day. Actually, I should say this is a pretty near perfect week. A dear friend - the crazy Candie Branch - visited for the weekend, which was absolutely delightful. Paul and I did okay in our first tri

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-50664370335997789772010-05-01T20:53:00.001-04:002010-05-01T20:54:14.460-04:00

Big race tomorrow. First since 2005. Yikes!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-37066964560613796852010-04-27T16:40:00.002-04:002010-04-28T06:50:44.462-04:00

I'm feeling like I've woefully neglected this blog. (Apologies for that.) It somehow got away from me as life got busy.  I'm officially self-employed now. (If you know of anyone who needs a writer, send them my way).  A and I have been on lots of little adventures: in the pool, with Grandpa Hall, to farms, in the rain, in the snow today!, playing with slime and paint and chalk.  It's delightful

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-6259120853253590832010-04-19T14:47:00.001-04:002010-04-28T06:51:20.272-04:00

My afternoon, originally uploaded by sherhall.I live with a bunch of laundy-creators! Luckily, this is all clean.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-17434584815665796882010-04-16T16:34:00.001-04:002010-04-28T06:51:28.304-04:00

Ready for a hot date, originally uploaded by sherhall.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-73499586988288172452010-04-06T10:05:00.001-04:002010-04-28T06:51:41.732-04:00

Found it!, originally uploaded by sherhall.Aaron and his buddy Ryland celebrate finding Easter eggs filled with raisins on their hunt last week.

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-63364296928738562642010-04-03T16:30:00.000-04:002010-04-03T16:30:45.469-04:00

A few weeks ago, Paul woke up at 3 a.m. with a headache. While he was lying in bed contemplating which painreliever to use, he heard some barking coming from behind our house. There is a huge nature preserve that backs up to our property, and coyotes like to have a run-around in there. So at first, he thought it was those guys having a little late-night howl. But the longer he listened, the more

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-14592338046048729342010-03-27T21:43:00.005-04:002010-04-03T16:31:15.226-04:00

My mom and I made Italian Easter cookies today, which my family calls muchalatti. (I have no idea if that's actually how you spell it.) We've done this every year since I can remember, and decades before my existence. The cookies are very mild, soft and lemon flavored. They are wonderful in the morning with a cup of tea. (Or anytime of day really!) There's something incredibly comforting about

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-67491701383550190962010-03-25T20:29:00.001-04:002010-03-27T23:41:45.604-04:00

A loves his new shirts! And it was SO much easier getting dressed this morning. I have a feeling these are going to be the new favorites. Lots of love, Sheri

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-7191024209448752522010-03-16T09:24:00.001-04:002010-03-16T12:41:50.626-04:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted. One of the things we've been up to is making art with A. I think you'll especially enjoy our bathtub installation. :)

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-20320444513439962602010-03-05T07:31:00.003-05:002010-03-16T13:05:22.767-04:00

Every now and then, it's good to get out of dodge and take in some new scenery. For Paul and I, traveling has always been something that helps us hit our reset buttons. We haven't got out of town as much since A was born - I think mainly because it takes a lot more effort than it used to. But whenever we do, I'm so, so grateful for the change of pace (even if it does mean a certain little someone

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-844006266096139102.post-50853779344197409662010-03-05T07:25:00.000-05:002010-03-16T12:38:50.947-04:00

You may have heard we got a huge dumping of snow last week. It was maybe the most I've ever seen in a 24-hour period. Once the driveway was shoveled, it was fun!

The Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16889928220145469819noreply@blogger.com1