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.

The Christmas Season

I know, I'm really lame. For all 3 people out there who read our blog, please accept my apologies. Here's a quick recap of our last couple months:

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Oak Harbor, Washington.My latest project - potty training! I think it's safe to say we have a ways to go. Don't worry, Grandparents...I edited the picture. We celebrated Christmas early with the Hartmans. Not even 2 and Emma really gets the concept of gifts - and as the only grandchild/neice there were a bunch for her to open!We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas with my family in Thousand Oaks and Palm Desert. Emma barely fit into her 24 month Christmas dress...good thing Christmas wasn't any later or we'd be back to the store to buy another one.Andrew snapped one last picture of me and Dylanne, the dog I picked out in 1995. Chances are good this will be that last picture of her - she's headed to doggy heaven soon. Love you Dylanne!

Candy?

It's so fun watching a 20 month old figure out Halloween. First, we dressed Emma up like a butterfly ("fuh-fly" as she says). Then, we tell her to ring the door of total strangers and ask them for candy. She caught on pretty quick, especially after the first couple houses.

We had a little block party, complete with "spooky" deviled eggs.

My baby girl all dressed up. She was such a ham.

She loved pointing to her wings and saying "Fuh-fly"!

Thanks to Granny for some amazing shots!

The three of us before we took Emma trick or treating. She would stop at every house and point, saying "Candy?" She's a quick study.

I love this picture. It looks like it should be in a magazine.

New York, New York

So last week Andrew and I went to New York city for our 5 year anniversary while Emma stayed home with Mimi and Papa. We missed her a ton!...but were so thankful for the time away.

Central Park was incredible, especially as the days we spent there were so mild.

We went to the Top of the Rock at sunset. The view was breathtaking (and we enjoyed it with about 500 other people, most of whom didn't speak english).

We went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Andrew found his family that immigrated through Ellis Island in 1904. Well, he didn't actually find them...we found their immigration papers.

Brunch at the Boathouse in Central Park. We needed a break from strolling museums.

See a pattern here? Andrew had never been to New York before so I just HAD to show him all classic NYC places. We saw a show, ate incredible meals, stayed out late, walked all over town, road the subway, made an appearance on TODAY, bought food from street carts...if we ever win the lottery we may just consider a second home in the city.

The OC Fair

We took Emma to the OC Fair this month while Mimi and Papa were visiting.
Emma loved the gazillion animals in the petting zoo and we enjoyed the people watching and a frozen lemonade on a hot day.

Here's Emma posing at the front entrance.

I'm not kidding...these steers were taller than Andrew. Only at the county fair.

We found a petting zoo with tons of baby animals.

Apparently Emma didn't read the sign...she's such a rulebreaker.

Our Little Patriot

Celebrations

I pinch myself sometimes when I think about the incredible community we have around us.

Celebrating Father's Day in Laguna Beach.Celebrating the birth of Baby Carson.
Celebrating Matt's Birthday.

Book Club

So last year I joined an amazing group of Mamas who love to read and talk about life and raising kids and the spiritual journey of being a parent. I'm sure there are a bunch of different things we could call our group - I choose to call us a book club...it makes me feel like a sophisticated and hip Mama...
We get together every week over coffee, after the kiddos are in bed, and by the time I get home Andrew is fast asleep. But I love these women and feel blessed to walk through life with them.
This weekend we met rather spontaneously at the bluffs at Corona Del Mar for a little wine and cheese picnic with our families. It was fun and totally chaotic, but we had a blast.

Around the house...

Happy Summer!
Here are a few things we've been up to this month:

The three of us at our friend Colby's 30th bday.

Emma has taken to helping out with the dishwasher.

Here she is practicing the piano. As you can see, she is really focused.Andrew split his head open while taking out the trash. I told him to put some ice on it.

Emma and Taylor at Andrew's Summer League Softball Team BBQ.

Emma and Ethan chilling together in someone else's wagon.

Emma and Lucy enjoying the pool. Emma's latest way to pass the time on warm days...stripping down and playing in the water.