Catch Up! Thanksgiving Part 1:

So I'm WAY behind on my blogging. I guess I'll have to post multiple posts this week to catch everyone up. Let's start with our first Thanksgiving....

Rob, Grayden, Riley, and I drove to Rob's parents for Thanksgiving. We left on Tuesday night- and got to spend Wed-Sunday with everyone. We had wonderful thanksgiving with D, Phyllis, Randy, Lynsi, Gr'ma and Gr'pa! Phyllis did a great job with her cooking- the homemade sweet potatoes and stuffing were awesome! (we have to give her praise, because the boys always mock her cooking). Grayden even enjoyed his Nana's cooking-

He really did love his first Thanksgiving. He seemed to understand the concept of Thanskgiving really well for a 8 1/2 month old. He ate... ALOT, (turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and Gr'ma's famous yeast rolls). And after his huge feast, he took a nap. (Typical boy on Thanksgiving).

Friday- we did our black- Friday Christmas Shopping EARLY in the am. We almost lost our minds and bought a 50 inch plasma just because it was on sale and we were there early enough to buy one. After standing in line, getting the ticket, standing in line again to get everything else we needed- we somehow came to our senses. (i'm not sure if it was the fact that we realized it wouldn't fit in our car, the fact that it was 6 am and we were finally awake, or the fact that we realized that we had just bought a house...whatever it was, reason finally set in.) We gave the ticket to another woman who wanted one, and ran out. I'm so glad we didn't buy that plasma, but it was REAL pretty...

Later that morning, we got to spend some time with Mamaw and Aunt Peggy. AND Aunt Peggy's new beau!! (who is NOW her fiance!!) We had a great day with the family, and even managed to get some xmas shopping done.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, the brothers and sisters and Grayden drove to Westlake to see the newest Hartman, baby Luke!! (we got to see Danny and Jenna too!). We had the best visit with them, and are so excited about our new nephew, who is SOOOO cute! Luke and Grayden seemed to enjoy each other... (well I guess I'll let the picture speak for themselves.)

I hope they'll like each other more when they're older... Anyway, our 1st thanksgiving was so much fun, and I'm glad we got to see everyone!!

Thanksgiving Part 2: TO BE CONTINUED...

October Recap: So much fun, Too little time.

So, this post is a little overdue- but better late than never! October was a busy month for Grayden. And we have a lot of pictures to share! Both Grandma and Nana came to visit and help out for the the last week of October, because Rob was planning to substitute teach for the week. We had a great time, and Grayden was just a wee bit spoiled (new clothes, bibs, ATTENTION, field trips, and warm oatmeal). He even got to see his Uncle Randy and Aunt Lynsi for a quick dinner!


Grandma with Grayden.




Uncle Randy and Aunt Lynsi with Grayden! He really enjoyed their visit!

Other news: Grayden went to the pumpkin farm for a second time, went trunk or treating for the first time, and wore his costume on Halloween (for the 7 or 8th time). He's crawling very well now, and it's hard to keep up! Rob followed him one day and Grayden led him out to the deck and down the steps into the yard. (I'm still not sure if I agree with letting him crawl down the steps.) Not only is he crawling, but he's standing! He has to have something to hold onto, but he's doing really well, and I predict walking in the near future... scary I know.

Solid Food Update: We've started some finger foods: cheese, cheerios and toast. He's also had some yogurt. Other new foods: blueberries (mixed with apples) and mango. He still hasn't had any meats... (baby meats look and smell like dog food.) But we may try to introduce that sometime soon.

Speech Update: So Grayden babbles here and there (laughs ALL the time). He's said mom and momma, but hasn't said it as much as he was. I think we've heard him say Dada, but it's unclear. But I'm positive he's been saying Riley! HA! :) At least it sounds like it. Sometimes he says "hi". But again, it may be accidental. But, it's fun either way. Right?

AND my favorite! Grayden has a tooth!! It just started to sprout, and you can't really see it, but you can definetly feel it (it's really sharp!). It's his bottom front tooth. So, hopefully by Thanksgiving, he should have a nice pretty white tooth!

Enjoy the pictures!
Rob, Jen and Grayden on their weekend getaway trip.

Grayden at the pumpkin farm.

Grayden and Jen at the farm

Grayden all dressed up for trunk or treat


Grayden and Riley waiting for trick or treaters. We had them sit inside the front door!

Trips, Juice, Mom, Pumpkins and ROAR!!!!

Since our last post, Grayden has taken another trip to Marblehead, met lots of new family, had his 6 month (even though he was 7 months) check up, started drinking out of a sippy cup, went to his first "sick" doctor visit", went to a pumpkin farm, learned to army crawl, and say MOM!

And it's only been 3 weeks since our last post??

Rob, Grayden, Riley, and I packed our bags two weeks ago for Marblehead to see Grandma, Uncle Brian, Uncle Jason, Aunt Mandy, and cousin Blair. But that wasn't all! My cousin Meagan is getting married December 6th, so we had a bit of a party (shower) for her, so Grayden got to see his great aunts Lori and Nina, and see all of his second girl cousins - some whom he had never met before! He was a real trooper, because he was the only boy at the girly girl shower.



Here's Grayden with Gr'ma. And here's the whole family for Meagan's shower.



And what's new with Grayden? Well, he went for his 6 (7) month check up, and he was 15 lbs, 6 oz, and only 24.5 inches long! He's a short little man. His cousin Blair (only 4 1/2 months) is actually taller than him. His check up went well, he hated his shots, but can you blame him? We got the go ahead from the doctor to introduce the sippy cup and some juice! So, we've started him on some prune juice! Okay- I've had enough of the "PRUNE JUICE??" response. Yes, we started with prune juice. He's had some issues with constipation- and besides he likes it, okay?


Solid food update: he's tolerating the oatmeal well *he actually likes it mixed with prune juice*, we've also started pears and bananas. Although everytime we give him bananas, he coughs- I'm not so sure he likes them. His new favorite vegetable is squash. YUM!


So- other news with Grayden. He's crawling! Okay- not on your hands and knees crawl, it's more like an army crawl, where he pulls with his arms, BUT it works. AND my favorite news of all!!!!! He's saying Momma and Mom! I'm not sure he knows what it means, but when he says it I yell "That's me! I'm mom!", and I point to myself. So I think he's getting the point! He also says "bababahaha". I don't know what that is supposed to mean.

And Grayden went to the pumpkin farm last night for the children's ministry. He loved all the animals and he looked SUPER cute in his halloween costume: Okay here's the pictures!!






He's a dragon! ROAR! He loved petting the goats and had a fun time in the corn maze too!His first trip to the Walden Pumpkin Farm: Success.


We'll try to do a better job at keeping you updated next time!

S'mores, Family, and Campfires.

You guessed it! The Oberst Family had their 2nd annual camping trip. It was a bit of a challenge this year with 2 babies, 2 dogs, and leftover wind damage. We went to Hueston Woods in Cincinnati, OH- and to accommodate the babies we borrowed Mandy's parent's camper- (we just weren't sure how the babies would fare in a tent....). We weren't sure how all would go, since Cincinnati had just been through a big wind storm from the hurricanes passing through- and had lost all power. I know what you must be thinking- "we're camping- why are we concerned with electricity??"- Well, I'm not going to waste time defending ourselves, because the power was actually back on. (Okay- so we weren't actually camping...we had power and a camper- if it helps any- the boys slept in the tent).

It was an overall good time, we didn't get to hike as much as I had hoped- the trails were all closed due to wind damage. We did attempt and succeed in one hike- there were only 4-5 trees blocking the trail that we had to climb over. Grayden did great, strapped onto daddy and enjoyed watching Fred and Riley take off through the woods. Blair didn't make it this time; maybe next year.

We went to the beach after our strenuous (ha) hike. Rob, Brian, and the dogs had a good time swimming in knee deep water. And we all waded out to the picnic table in the water for picture time. It may not have been the most adventurous camping trip (and we weren't exactly roughing it)- but we had a good visit. The cousins (Fred and Riley) had an awesome time together. Oh- and Blair and Grayden seemed to enjoy each other too!!

Happy Cousins!

So, we survived year 2 of the Oberst Camping Trip and I'm already on the planning committee for the 3rd annual trip: I'm thinking we go back to Hocking Hills...

Solid Food Update: Grayden has moved to green beans!

Other News: Grayden has a Halloween costume!!! He wore it this weekend to stay warm, but no pictures yet... I think I'll keep you all in suspense. :)

Kiddopotamus in Action and Updates:

So an update to "My 5 things I couldn't live without" post. I had many responses who wanted to see the Kiddopotamus in action: So here it is! As you can see, it works beautifully, wraps him up nice and tight and he rarely breaks free!

On other news: We had Grayden's 6 month pictures made, for those who may not have seen them, here's the link: http://www.imagequix.com/photog.php?id=W94S39A&ec=jen3
the password: grayden

These are just the outside shots. You can search events for Grayden 2 which would be the indoor ones we took, password is grayden: I prefer the outside shots- they turned out so good!

Solid Food update: Grayden has moved to oatmeal and carrots. He seems to enjoy them both. I think we will try another green veggie this week, I'm thinking green beans. He hasn't had any fruit yet- We'll keep you posted for that adventure!

Fall is here! Weather's been great - alittle chilly even! Oberst Family Camping Trip is scheduled for this weekend, so pictures to be posted soon!

And finally: A little brother and sisterly love:

Sweet Potato Pie and Curveballs.

Well, not really sweet potato pie- but Grayden did have his first taste of vegetables!! And if you haven't guessed it, he had himself some yummy sweet potatoes! We started him on some sweet potatoes last week and he absolutly LOVED them!

However, we introduced peas this weekend. And the reaction wasn't what we had hoped for. See below:

So, we've been creative and have had to alternate bites between the sweet potatoes and peas to get him to eat them. I didn't like peas when I was little either- so it's not that we are forcing him to like peas, but we had bought those big starter packs of vegetables (8 jars of peas) and we hate to think we've wasted money on peas! So peas and sweet potato medley it is.

Grayden did hit the 6 month mark this past weekend! And in our house, when you hit six months, you are expected to know how to fast pitch. So Rob has been working on teaching Grayden the art of baseball.

His first lesson went well. We practiced picking our pitch and how to throw a curveball.

All is well at the Hartman House- stay tuned, more to come next time.

What i REALLY can't live without

So I was reading my sister Jenna's blog on her top 5 favorite products and couldn't resist in blogging about my top 5 things I couldn't live without for baby Grayden. I remember when Rob and I were pregnant and we went to Babies'R'us to register- and I just felt so overwhelmed! I felt like I had to register for everything and couldn't help but think we needed it all, and Rob who was with me (the frugle one) thought we didn't need any of it. Well, to be honest, we were both wrong. There are several things we have- which we in fact don't need- (Yes, Rob you were right. We didn't really need the baby monitor- our house is in fact too small. And yes- we have yet to use everyone of those blankets I registered for... In my defense it is still summer.) And there are a few things I'm so glad Rob let me win on- (the exersaucer and discover gym). But overall these are My Top Five Things I Couldn't Live Without!!




1. Kiddopotamus SwaddleMe:




Grayden is a crazy sleeper and never would stay swaddled. We'd put him down and he'd flail around and wake himself up. Enter the SwaddleMe: We love this! It keeps him warm and wrapped up and he sleeps for 11 plus hours! I know he looks a little ridiculous and a little like a mummy, but it works and has been a lifesavor for us!


2. Lasinoh Milk Storage Bags

I love these storage bags! They're great for storing breastmilk in the freezer- much better than the medela storage bags! These bags have 2 ziplock zippers and can hold over 6 ounces of milk! I even got 9 ounces in one bag and it held fine! They even can withhold being warmed in a cup of warm water without breaking! A must have for any mom who pumps!





3. Homedics Spa Sound Lullaby




I swear by this. When I first was given this as a gift- I laughed and thought it seemed silly. But this is one of the things I don't think we could have lived without- or still live without! It has a projection slide that Grayden loves to watch at night and it has 6 different sound settings, 3 nature sounds and 3 lullabys. We turn this on when it's time for Grayden to get to sleep (after we've swaddled him) and he's able to fall asleep on his own- usually within 10 minutes. It even has a timer on it, so you don't have to leave it on all night.



4. Bebe au Lait & Hooter Hiders




Actually- my mother-in-law made me mine, but she used this brand as her guide. These are absolutly fantastic if you plan to breastfeed in public. They cover nicely and have a wide top discreet to everyone else- but so you can see the baby. Since I'm working full-time now, I don't nurse Grayden, but I pump religiously and use my hooter hider to pump- whether in the car on trips or when we are out and about. I highly recommend these if you're like me and the idea of exposing yourself freaks you out alittle.




5. OxiClean for Baby









The best stain cleaner for baby spit-up, poop, pee, and vomit! I love this stain remover. We put a scoop in every load of Grayden's laundry and rarely have any stains! If we do, we soak the stained article with a scoop of the oxiclean and after washing it again-it's clean! I recommend this to anymom or mom-to-be! It's safe for babies skin too- 100% fragrance, cholorine, detergent, and dye free!

Grayden's learning new tricks!!

Who knew 5 months would be so much fun!?? Grayden is doing lots of new things. He can pretty much sit up all by himself, he's been swimming TWICE, and he's started on rice cereal, which he enjoys feeding to himself! The big boy is getting bigger and has quite the personality.


We first took him swimming in Gatlinburg (we went for one of Rob's family reunions)- it was an outside pool and no, it wasn't heated. He hated it at first- kicking and screaming...but as he got used to it, he seemed to enjoy it! The second time we went swimming was this past weekend, and this time it was a heated pool, and he enjoyed that much better! We even got him a nice float to hang out in. I'm convinced he's going to be a swimmer, (he did watch Michael Phelps win 8 golds- and I think it motivated him).
He started rice cereal about 4 weeks ago- He wasn't too sure at first. But as you can see- he now loves it, and even tries to sneak it in when we aren't looking.

And the big boy is sitting up! He sits in a high chair now, even when we go out to eat! He also enjoys sitting around talking to his friend- Quack... his favorite stuffed animal. He's had lots of visitors lately. His great grandma and great grandpa Hartman came to stay for a couple days- he loved that and even let them babysit so Rob and I could go see the new Batman movie. The very next week his grandma came to stay for 4 days and following that week his nana and papa' came to stay, he even got to see his aunt Jenna, uncle Danny, aunt Lynsi, uncle Randy, great aunt Peggy and great-mamaw. (Unborn Baby Luke had a baby shower- and brought in all the guests). Grayden really enjoyed all his visitors and I think they enjoyed him too.

As far as Rob and I go, we've been good- the little man is growing fast, but I have to say this is the most fun!

Look Who's Growing Up! 4 1/2 months!

Grayden just had his 4 month checkup today! He's actually 4 1/2 months old now and growing strong. He weighed in at 14 lbs 9 1/2 oz and only 22.3 inches long. He's gotten so big, but he's still in between the 25-50% percentile, so he's right on track! He had to get his shots again, and this time he did NOT like them. He screamed his little head off and proved to both the nurse and doctor that he's not always so cute! He's developing so well. He rolls over from front to back and back to front now. He's babbling, laughing and starting to play with toys. He even enjoys reading a book on occassion. His favorite hobby is having Mom or Dad carry him around the house so he can see what's going on... He doesn't want to miss one second of what life has to offer him. The doctor gave us the go ahead on starting rice cereal- so we're going to take that step sometime this week!

Grayden has had a busy 3rd and 4th month so far. He had his first photo session with a photographer, had his first church picnic, went to his first Major League Baseball game (the Reds of course- Daddy's father's day present) and saw his Uncle Randy get married to his pretty new aunt Lynsi. Here's a few pictures from the last 2 months and a few we just took this week.
With Mom before going to the Church Picnic.

At his first Cincinnati Reds Game- (He got Rob tickets for Father's Day).

Rob, Jen, and Grayden at Randy and Lynsi's wedding.

Grayden's Uncle Randy and new Aunt Lynsi.

Grayden holding his head up high! He really enjoys hanging out in his diaper and he looks so good too!