Jumping on beds and other fun things

Life feels really full these days and here's why:

We took our first trip as a family of 4 to Oceanside. Emma learned all about how to live it up on vacation, including eating lots of yummy food and drinking juice boxes (something we don't do at home). She also enjoyed riding in the luggage carts.

Jumping on the bed was a regular part of this trip. It was vacation after all...

Emma talked for probably 6 months about being a Kitty for Halloween. In the end she picked Minnie.

We had a pizza party with our neighbors before trick or treating. Oh, and Luke was a clown/jester. We're looking forward to his neck getting stronger.

I sprained two toes, my ankle and chipped a bone in my foot while carrying Emma out of Golden Spoon. She's just fine...and I get to wear a really fashionable walking boot.

Luke turned 3 months! He's such a great, easygoing kid. Emma's loving him too. So much so that she wouldn't move to get out of this shot. Oh well.

Loving the fall...

Ah, the Fall...the Hartmans' favorite season. Usually Andrew gets bitten by the Fall bug over Labor Day weekend and out comes the magical orange, yellow and brown decor.
For our part, Emma and I have been doing lots of baking and making soups. Yum. We also went to the Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch...

Yes, Emma is in fact 2 and a half. Not 5 as this image would lead you to believe.
Exhibit A while Emma is in the 90-something percentile for height.

Luke is 2 months and loves to smile like his Daddy.

Mimi and Papa came to visit and we loved having them here.
Andrew and I got to get out on several dates, including dinner at our new favorite Haven Gastropub and we finally saw Inception (I think we may have been some of the last people on earth to see it).
Happy Fall!

A Month of Firsts

It was a month of firsts for Luke:

First outing - we met Meghan, Wallace and Skyler at Fashion Island on a beautiful sunny day.First bath - he wasn't so excited about this first - but are they ever?

First picnic dinner at Laguna with Mimi and Papa. We do this about every weekend during the summer.First time being embarrassed by Mom and Dad. I'm sure it won't be the last.

First ride in the Great Park balloon. Nevermind Emma picking her nose.First month of life completed - we love you Luke!

Luke Brandes Hartman

Welcome Luke Brandes Hartman!
Our precious son arrived at 2:09am on Wednesday, August 11, 2010.
After turning breech and back again, he kept us on our toes through the entire labor and delivery, finally coming (5 days early) face first and sunny side up.
We hear this happens 1 in 800 births - so rare that my midwife had never delivered a baby this way, and half the Kaiser labor and delivery department came to the room to watch the birth (fun!).

The proud parents.

They explained that with facial presentation births there can be a lot of "trauma" to the face. This was sweet Luke right after birth - quite bruised and swollen! but......Here he is the next day - handsome as ever.

So here are the stats for those of you counting at home:
Luke Brandes Hartman
2:09am, August 11, 2010
6 pounds, 13 ounces
20.5 inches

Pre-Luke Balboa Shoot

A few fun pics from our Pre-Luke Balboa photo shoot with Pops. We had a similar portrait created of Andrew and I when I was pregnant with Emma, so it was fun to bring her back and capture the three of us.

I love this picture, how it captures our family in the busyness of the surroundings.

I can't for the life of me figure out where the last 2.5 years have gone?!

Yeah, we're pretty goofy.

Luke's Roundup

In July my girlfriends threw Andrew and I the most amazing family 'roundup' shower for Luke - complete with lassos, boots, and cowboy trail mix. It was amazing, and Andrew and I felt so overwhelmed by the love and support of our community.

Emma was excited because the shower included lots of yummy treats and several gifts for her.
The details! I feel like the event could have been out of a magazine.

Here we are with Pops and Granny. I love our family.

The spread.

Many, many thanks to Matt, Carly and Ana for hosting such a beautiful event!!
We are so grateful.

Lake Casitas

Last weekend we went camping with friends.
It was surprisingly enjoyable for being 34 weeks pregnant, with 4 toddlers and a baby in tow, without showers, and being surrounded by complete strangers who downed liquor like water and held spontaneous talent shows.

Here our children are enjoying the wonders of nature...the call of the wild...wait, no, that's Clifford the Big Red Dog on DVD. What you don't see are the parents enjoying a quiet moment around the campfire. God bless the Kennedys for planning ahead.

Here we have sweet Emma, just moments before her fishing world came crashing down as a live nightcrawler afixed itself to her neck. This story is best shared in person, by needless to say Emma's first day of fishing was rather traumatic.Did I mention I was 34 weeks pregnant?

Emma was kind enough to look away from the camera, while Meghan and Jonne did their parts by hiding half their daughters faces.

A final shot with with group, just moments before we were plied by a pleasant group of Palestinians with raw garbanzo beans and apple hookah. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up people.

The Haps

Ok, so to recap the last 3 months of our life...

Emma moved from a crib to her bed on a ground to a full on twin bed (it's actually mine from college), which is mostly taken up by about 27 different stuffed animals with which she must sleep every night.

We started a gymnastics class, which she loved...and a swim class, which she isn't so excited about.Getting ready for a mother's day breakfast. She's so girly - I love it.

Mimi came to visit in May and we went to brunch at Las Brisas in Laguna. It was important that Emma's new animal, Kermit, come to brunch also. Andrew and I got away that weekend to the Miramonte in Indian Wells, which I thought was worthwhile to mention even though not a single photo was taken.

Celebrating Mother's Day at Sapphire in Laguna. Emma in her pearls.

Mother's Day. It was 10am. I ordered Eggs Benedict, Andrew ordered a Kobe burger with garlic fries. What's that about men being from venus?...

Also, I'm 30 weeks pregnant and we're getting really excited to welcome Luke to the family, who is due August 16th. More to come later...though let's be honest, it might not be until August that I post to this blog again. Does anyone read this anyway?

Emma turns 2.

Really? We had Emma 2 years ago?!
At the Hartman house we celebrated Emma's birthday all week...

We had a special birthday breakfast of blueberry pancakes. You can see I attempted to create a mickey mouse pancake for Emma. I don't think they'll be accepting me to food styling school anytime soon.

Mimi and Papa came to celebrate with us.

We went to the Aquarium in Long Beach and met Pops and Granny. Emma loved the "fishies" and "sharks". She even got to pet a few.

Mama stealing a birthday kiss.

We finished the day at George's Greek in Belmont Shores, opening gifts and enjoying So Cal's best greek food. Emma ate the entire birthday cake they brought her in about 3 minutes flat.

One guess...

Guess what's up at our house these days?

Here's a hint...here's what I've eaten so far today, and it's only 3pm:

• 1 bowl raisin bran
• 2 banana muffins
• trail mix
• turkey sandwich
• apple
• half a tj's cereal bar (emma was looking at it longingly and I felt guilty so we shared it)
• 3 glasses lemonade

You're right! We've increased our food budget. Oh, and also...WE'RE PREGNANT! I'm almost 14 weeks, due August 14th.

Check back for (semi) regular updates.