Leaf Peeping at Black Rock Mountain

One of our absolutely favorite places to tent camp was at Black Rock Mountain State Park.  However, we're not so convinced our trailer will fit into all of the campsites, and since there is no reserving specific campsites, we haven't been camping there in a couple years.

So when a weekend opened up this fall (October 24) we jumped at the chance to rent a cabin.  

Much to our surprise, it was absolutely beautiful!  Old cabin but totally restored - new flooring, bathroom finishes, comfortable beds.  

We rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom cabin, which included a fully stocked, functional kitchen.  The centerpiece of the living space was a gorgeous fireplace (which we didn't use).  And we couldn't believe the view off the deck (20 seconds of Zen).

We had to of course take a selfie while Ethan napped.

I received this Bitybean carrier to try out and review, and it worked great for hiking this weekend.  Kept us both cool and sweat free, mostly - and was totally washable for when we were not sweat free LOL.

We did not hike very many, or very difficult trails, but we were still rewarded with amazing views.

Ethan LOVES to be outside, and we had a lot of really fun moments chilling on the back porch - listening to the birds, watching the leaves blow, and playing.

And a lot of playing.  Here's an almost 8 month old loving life...

We used the firepit off the front of the house all the nights we were there, and burned a lot of wood.  And ate a lot of smores.  What a great weekend to reconnect with the family and have some great memories!

Happy Halloween

Ethan's first Halloween - TIGGER!!!  

It's so nice in Georgia in October - the weather is cool but not cold, and it's usually sunny with leaves falling.  Almost perfect most days!

We went trick or treating with our friends, the Newtons, and their little one who is about a year older than Ethan.

E loved reaching into the bowls and grabbing stuff!  But of course no candy for him yet!!

My baby at 9 months old

When, oh when, did my newborn turn into a full fledged baby, like on TV???  You know, when you see "baby" on a show, they are sitting there, sucking on something and being all cute and alert and aware and engaged?  It snuck up on me.  Jeff keeps reminding me that he is not a helpless 3 month old anymore.  I think this may be how "mama's boys" are created.  (And I'm ok with that.)

Here's a glimpse into what makes Ethan, "Ethan", these days

He loves to watch daddies.  Like when we are at a restaurant, he will try to lock eyes with any dark haired, middle aged guy and flirt with him.  Hard core.

He has started pelvic thrusting all. the. time.  It is an iteration of his favorite physical activity, bouncing.  Bouncing in his jumper, when you hold him, while you hold him up standing...he loves it.

Clap, clap, clap.  You say "Yaaaaayyyyy", and he claps.  You clap and smile at him, he claps.  Patty-cake?  Oh yeah, loves it.  It's adorable.

If you get your head close to his belly, he laughs so hard.  Even if you don't blow on it.

When his diaper is being changed - if you're brave enough - to blow air on him to dry him up, he laughs.

He hates wearing shoes.

He's unsure about strangers.  Especially if he's tired.

Speaking of tired, he's an eye rubber.  No yawns, no sleepy eyes (although they still might get red), but he regularly has claw marks around his eyes.

He loves sweet potatoes.  And salmon.  And chicken.  And broccoli.  He has started projectile barfing if food gets too far back on his tongue.  Baby led weaning has not yet taught him how to eat :/ but he is doing well both with purees and giant pieces of food he can suck on and taste.

He still gets 4 bottles during the day, between 3-4oz each.  Mostly breastmilk, but supplemented with formula up to 4oz per day during a hungry day.

He takes 2-3 naps a day, and goes to bed by 7-7:30PM.  He usually sleeps till 10 or so, feeds, then (if we're lucky) sleeps till 5-7AM.  Otherwise he might be up once during the night.  (I hope I didn't just jinx us.)

He loves being outside, going for walks, and watching other kids and animals.

Can you tell we think he's the best?!?

Wings Over North Georgia Air Show

Boy, am I late getting updates out...sheesh...I better get more on the ball here.  You know, it is almost Christmas, and I barely have anything going on LOL.........ANY-way............

On Saturday, October 18 we packed ourselves up and headed to Rome, GA to attend the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show!

The drive up was great, we went early enough (so we thought) to get to our PREMIUM PREPAID PARKING (!) early and not miss a single event.

After an hour+ drive, we standstilled about 5 miles from the venue.  Yikes.  Twenty minutes later of no movement, Jeff u-turned and we paid to park at an American Legion and walk our little butts over a mile to the show.  Otherwise, we were never gonna get to see anything!  Planes were already zooming overhead and we missed the first hour :(

~ By the way - to those of you that don't know - Jeff hates to be late.  You can imagine the argument in the car as I delayed us leaving home about 30 minutes because I am poky.  I'm sorry honey.  I really try to do better than my natural tendencies for you.  I will continue to try. ~

We got all set up with my new shade chair (hello sunburn paranoia #FairSkinRedhead momma and baby), got some water and a slice of pizza, and settled in.

This was a really neat demonstration of two helicopters (Jeff help me out on the kind of choppers here) doing their thing, right by the audience.

There were also Skywriters - I thought that was super cool the way they could do formations and spell out words, Parachuters, a Glide plane (so majestic, I love that), the Jet Car racing a plane, a P-51 Mustang (just like Jeff flies RC), and a bunch of other aerobatic shows.

There was also plenty of time for snuggles, playing and looking around, and enjoying being outside - literally Ethan's three favorite things.  He either sat on my lap, sat on Daddy's lap, was in the Ergo while we looked at static displays and waited in line for food (the lines were also ridiculously long)...he loved it.

And, the weather was gorgeous - in the low 70's in the afternoon, no humidity, and sunny.  Baby hates to sleep in the car, but he DID catch a quick catnap in the stroller during a lull before the end of the show - and before THE US AIR FORCE THUNDERBIRDS!!

It is so, so cool to see the formations these jets fly.  I had never been to an air show until a few years ago, after joining an airline, but I am hooked.  They are so fun!  It's really incredible to see what these machines, and pilots, can do.

We had a great time................can't wait to go again soon!  We heard a rumor next year the Blue Angels will be in Peachtree City, so that will be cool to have one so close to home :).  If anyone wants to come on down next year, you can stay in our guest room!!

Say Yes to the Dress!

My baby sister is getting married.

My beautiful, talented, smart sister.
My empathetic, sensitive, feminist sister.
My headstrong, opinionated, complicated sister.
My lovely, loving, and deserving of true love sister.

We came (Bridals by Lori).  We saw (Flo).  We conquered...she said "Yes to the Dress"!

Here's a little preview.

(They totally live up to the hype on TV by the way.  Flo interpreted Amy's aura in about 2 seconds, and we only had to try on what, maybe 4? dresses before we found "the one".  If you are wanting an absolutely exquisite experience guided by true professionals, go to Bridals by Lori.)

Amy is absolutely stunning, and I'm sure she will radiate happiness on her wedding day.

Ethan at 7 months old

Ok, those with kids probably remember the "Baby Dayz".  It is so fun with him right now.  He is getting more independent (and opinionated), and we are enjoying our time as a new little family.  I am trying to be very present and remember that when things are tough - it will too pass, just as quickly as the times that are wonderful.

Here is Mr. Ethan in a nutshell at 7 months...

Loves

Daddy, until he's bored, then Mommy

Mommy, until he's bored, then Daddy

Playing in his jumper

Being outside and going for walks

Favorite toys: Connectable rings, Sophie, Taggie the Elephant, really any tag or zipper on any toy

Standing on our laps

Playing in his crib in the morning after nursing, with the mobile and either Tigger or Monkey 

Favorite foods: Mommy Milk (of course), sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas, carrots, celery, broccoli

OK foods: Chicken, apple slices, prune purees

THAT DANG TV!!  We have to turn it off all the time (bummer for us) because it totally grabs his attention for 10 seconds

Sitting (with help from toppling over)

Hates

We have moved on from the bouncer since he started trying to launch himself out of it.

Avocado

Nursing during the day

Snuggling or cuddling in the "baby" cradle position

Sleeping in the car

Teething - we got 2 teeth (bottoms) in 2 weeks!

Car trips longer than 1 hour

Bottles less than 4 ounces

7 months old vs 1 month old!

Christmas 2013 in Georgia

Fort Mountain Camping (with a 7 month old)

We decided to return to camping now that the weather has cooled off.  We headed up to my favorite park, Fort Mountain State Park, during the first weekend in October.

We had a lot of fun once we got through the traffic up I-75.  We set up the camper, unloaded the firewood, and made some jambalaya for dinner.

Ethan's reaction to his first campfire was priceless - he was "woo-ing" like normal, with his arms outstretched to either side (also like normal), and then he caught a glimpse of the fire as it flamed up.  He stopped in his tracks and just stared.  He looked at me.  Then Daddy.  Then back at the fire.  Grinned.  Then started "woo-ing" again.

We set up the pack and play on the convert-able dinette area and left our queen size bed set up like normal and put him to bed with minimal fuss.  A typical night with diaper, jammies, book, nurse to sleep, with his sound machine and nightlight going.

Jeff and I proceeded to have (multiple) s'mores and we had a chance to reconnect as a couple - it was so, so, so nice.  Those moments of peace and quiet, when it's back to just the two of you, are really rare.  We were so grateful for it.

10PM rolled around and it was time for Ethan's dream feed, and our bedtime.  While I sat and nursed, Jeff got ready for bed.  And then...Ethan woke up, woke up - and was scared.  He was sleepy but did not know where he was, why he was awake, what the heck we were doing, where was he sleeping, etc etc etc.  I would hold him and was SURE he was asleep, and then put him in the pack and play and then... WAAAHHHHH.  Jeff would do the same... then WAAAHHHHH again.

We finally ended up tearing down the pack and play.  I slept on the dinette, while the baby slept with Jeff in the bed.  We are NOT co-sleepers, so Jeff didn't sleep very well for fear of rolling onto the baby (who loves to snuggle up against you).  There was only a thin buffer between my butt and the plywood, so I didn't sleep very well either.

The next morning was cold and called for rain.  We were exhausted.  So we decided to make breakfast, have a nice walk, and lunch, and naps, and then head home before spending the 2nd night.

Quitters?  Yeah, maybe.  But maybe we are just being smart parents, working with E's development as best we can.  He is just not used to having anyone or any other noise in his room during night sleeps.  This is great for 99% of the time when he is in his own room and crib, but not so great when we want to camp.  So we have been smarter too - we rented a cottage with his own bedroom for our next trip (more on that soon).

We'll try camping all together again sometime, but maybe not for awhile.

Fall Fun Spectacular

Before we had the baby, we had decided that we were going to be the kind of family that "did stuff" and were not going to stay at home, just because it was easier.  So - here is our FALL FUN SPECTACULAR!

This weekend kicked off 2 months of fun - which we have been totally taking advantage of!

Sept 27 Saturday was the Fayette Flyers fly-in and family day.

Jeff met with his Remote Control (RC) Airplane group and everyone flew their planes while mingling with the other families.  There were burgers and hot dogs grilled on the grill, various sides, and desserts (all pot luck).  We of course brought Scotcheroos - it's like the south has never seen them before!!!  We are deemed Master Chefs wherever we bring them.  (If they only knew.)

A very nice family let me sit under their tent so E could nap away from the bustle of the potluck.

Sept 28 Sunday we went - for the 6th year in a row - to our Fall Fun Spectacular in North Georgia.  This was the first year there were three of us though :)

We started out at Burt's Farm

Of course HAD to take a pic with the John Deere

Ethan was thrilled to be out and about, watching the kids and playing on pumpkins

Then we headed just a little ways down the road to see Ann and her family at R and A Orchards

Ethan's first trailer ride - note, NOT a tractor ride.  That honor is reserved for Grandpa this summer.

Baby tried to help - as always...

We got our fill of apples, fried pie, so-so sandwiches, a cider!  And our first fall trip as three Hartmans.

Our first date with Garth Brooks

- Insert high school story here :) -
I was a varsity cheerleader for our football team.  We were in the playoffs.  It was the final game before making it to "The Dome" for the state championship, and the Monarchs were playing at home.  For a tiny little school playing 9-man B-school football that had never gone to "The Dome" before it was a Big Deal.

The playoff game also coincided with Garth Brooks playing in Sioux Falls.  And I had a ticket (to go with my family and cousins).

I decided to stay and cheer at the game.  We lost.  (Here's the irony: I don't remember anything else about that night anymore, other than the fact I did NOT go to see Garth Brooks.)

Fast forward 15 years.  On September 20 (and for a lot of other days) Garth Brooks was in town.  THE Garth Brooks.

Now, I knew he was coming, and had planned to get tickets - but as mommies are wont to do, I forgot.  And then they got sold out.  And then we would've had to find a babysitter anyway.  It would be our first night away from E.  Whatever.  Not going.  Another missed opportunity.  One I would probably think about for another 15 years (I'm not melodramatic at all).  But fine.

OUT OF THE BLUE, I get an email from an old colleague who had two tickets and did we want them?  YES YES YES.  Not only were they 'tickets', they were premium tickets in this little special area (not a box seat, but similar concept down on the floor).  OMG YES YES YES.

Grandma came down, and we went out for the first time since March!!!!

To say this was one of the most incredible music experiences of my life is an understatement.  

It is probably number 3, behind 1) singing the Monteverdi Gloria at the Cathedral in Rapid City in college, 2) singing in centuries old buildings, in the birthplace of the great composers on a European tour, and 3) Garth Brooks concert (JT would be #4).

The energy in the room was incredible.  It was like fans had been waiting YEARS and YEARS just to have this shared experience.  It was electrifying.  

We had a blast.  After 15 years, Mr. Brooks, you did not disappoint.