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!