Play Date

The Lollipop Kids- Jillian, Mia, Quincy and Taft

Playing with the climbing rope.

Jillian's turn!

Helping to get the grave digger unstuck.

Riding around.

Front Porch Sittin'

Fall weather is perfect for a little front porch sittin' here in Texas. Here is how Talmage does just that.

Solids

Talmage has started solid foods. We started with Avacado which he was a big fan of. Second was sweet peas, which he was not such a fan of. He would eat them but not for too many bites. He 3rd food was sweet potatoes. Another hit. He was a fan after the 1st bite. Here are a few pictures of the boy chowing down.

Story Time

The other day I ventured out with the boys on a four wheeler ride for the 1st time. Usually it is a family affair, but Eric was busy on the tractor. So, we decided to ride down the pipe line for a bit and since it is a little bumpy I told Taft to make sure he held on tight. So we get a little furthur down the pipe line and Taft started to let so, so I quickly reminded him to hold on. The conversation went a little something like this. ME: "Taft, make sure and hold on tight so you don't fly off." TAFT: "What mom?" Louder I say: "Make sure you hold on to me so you don't fly off." TAFT: "Mom I won't fly off, I don't have any wings." Enough said right? Out of the mouth of babes. I love when he gives me a glimpse of his thought process.

Oh Beautiful!

We haven't had much rain for a while, so the state of Texas is in a big DROUGHT. not normal for us. We are used to lots of humidity with rain! Since we are so dry, there was a not only a ban on popping fire works, but a ban for selling them as well. Needless to say it was a pretty quiet 4th after the sun went down. However, we still had a great time showing off our patriotism and enjoyed doing so at the church's annual breakfast of pancakes, a program and a bike parade! The kids got to ride their non-motorized bikes, wagons, scooters, etc. that they (or their parents) decorated. We got to see lots of friends and we realized once again how blessed we are for the many freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifice of others. We are blessed beyond measure for many reasons but especially to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Cousins

This weekend we got to go see Melissa, Justin and Grant up in the Dallas area. We had a great time just hanging out, visiting and playing. We played with toys, got to go see and feed some baby goats, and even went swimming and grilled hamburgers at Justin's mom's house up in Lewisville. We had a great time bonding and we didn't even make it home before Taft already wanted to go back to Grant's house to play again. Wish they lived closer.

Talmage's Baby Blessing

We blessed Talmage @ our home on May 8,2011. Mother's Day. We had both families (Simpsons and Hartmans) over for a Lunch afterwards. We fed on gumbo with rice, corn bread, potato salad, key lime pie with strawberries and/or blackberry cobbler a la mode. Great food, sweet blessing from Eric, and yummy food. It was a special day!

What I Like to Call Sweetness!

Talmage McKay Hartman

Hi! I am Talmage McKay Hartman. I was born 4/12/2011 @ 12:31 a.m. I was 6 lbs. & 11 oz & 18 1/2 inches long. I am the little brother of Taft and my parents are super excited to have me here and be healthy!

Taft's 3rd B-day Party

Since I am due with Talmage 1 week before Taft's 3rd B-day, I decided to go ahead and have Taft's party early. I can't believe how glad I am with my decision to do it 5 weeks early (4 weeks before due date) because I was exhausted after the party. Nothing really extravagant, just food, family, friends, decorations and a pinata! I found the idea for his birthday cake online and decided to go with a monkey theme. Yes, I know...He probably should have gotten to pick his own theme, but he is just young enough that I took advantage of the fact that I know what he likes/wants as much as he does. So, with a monkey face cake, what else to do you but have Curious George decorations. I couldn't have gotten this party together without the help of my family, so THANKS to all who helped! Taft is one blessed boy to have such great family and friends that love him and show him how special he is. It has been a wonderful 3 years with Taft. He is a great kid with lots of energy and love to share!

Giving Thank You Hugs!


BLowing out the Candles!

Singing Happy B-day!

The kiddos grabbing some goodies.

Taft & Daddy with the Pinata

The Cake

Ready or Not

Today I went to the OB for one of my last 2 week checks. Heart beat was 150, measuring right on, only gained 3 lbs. and that means we are that much closer to growing our family. Tomorrow I will be 33 weeks pregnant, which means 7 more to go. We are working every day to get things ready for when the little guys arrives. I am positive we will be ready, but at any rate I don't think it matters....so ready or not. 7 weeks and counting...down that is.

Thankful

Just wanted to release some of the gratitude I am feeling in my heart for prayers that have been answered. I know that we still have a long way to go in our decision making and transitioning with our soon to be bigger family, but we are blessed. I am amazed that even though I knew things would eventually work themselves out, the relief has definitely come at an opportune time. So, for those of my friends/family that are as burdened as I am about life in general sometimes...hang in there, cry a few times if need be, talk it out, think it through, be anxious if you need to, but know in the end that with prayerful consideration and effort our Father in Heaven does hear them and answer our prayers. Even when we probably didn't deserve it.