Memorial Day Weekend

Well, it's been a fun weekend here. We've been swimming a bunch and Emma has loved every minute of it!

I took this picture after church yesterday. She took her nap in bed for an hour and a half and then came in and slept in her highchair for another almost two hours!!! She looks pretty relaxed huh?

We also went to Nate's birthday party and Emma got to play on the "Slip and Slide", it took her a minute to figure it all out but she loved it once she did.

Today we went to Grandad Bob's house and had a cookout. We went swimming again. Emma kept everyone well entertained. She also, much to our surprise, loved the jerk shrimp that Papa Jot prepared! Who would have thought that Emma would like jerk shrimp? She was asleep before we ever got home and even slept through a diaper change before getting to go to bed. She's out like a light now.

It has been a nice weekend. We paid a visit to the cemetary at Vinita and plan to go to Bluejacket tomorrow, once MiMi gets here. We are very thankful for the freedom we enjoy because of the effort and lives paid by our service men and women. Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Evening Swim

When Travis got home from work we had dinner and then went for a quick swim. Emma really enjoys jumping in from the side and sliding off the end of the slide. Here is the video, as promised.

My Koko

I'm sure most of you who visit our blog have seen the movie Meet the Fockers and will recall the little kid that was somewhat fluent in sign language, and learned a new word before the end of the show. Well, our little Emma is somewhat of a genius herself. She has a sign for eat, drink, more, finished and probably some more that I am not aware of. She has also learned that she tends to get what she wants when she points and grunts. She has even invented her own language. Lately, the phrase "Nuh Nuh Nuh-Na" has been getting a fair bit of use. It seems to be her go to phrase for "Hey, I want that right now!"

As for her listening comprehension, she is spot on. Sometimes I will say something to her, fully expecting her to stand there with an inquisitive look on her face and shrugging with her hands outstretched and palms up, and she will show that she knew exactly what I meant.

She is not all that vocal right now, but before long she is going to be saying all of those words that are trapped in her noggin. Shana had a bit of a stressful pregnancy and I'm sure Emma heard a dirty word or two in the womb. Won't be long before Emma starts embarrassing us in public! I guess it runs in the family. One day at a church service a nice, older lady came up to me and started telling a story about me when I was a youngster, probably 5 years old or so. She said I was at the summer reading program at the library and she had just read us a story. Apparently a little girl asked the lady to read the story again and my response was "shit, shit, shit." My mom was standing there as the lady relayed the story. I guess that was something my mom was known to have said a time or two in my youth and she took full responsibility for my vocabulary. As you can see, Emma was able to spell from an early age. I guess we are going to have to start saving now for Harvard.

For more information about the real Koko, visit koko.org.

Fun in the Sun

Emma and I played in the yard today with the waterhose. I was watering my poor hydrangeas that were wilting to death and she loved running through the spraying water. She kept wanting me to spray her feet off so one of the pictures is her lifting her foot up to be sprayed. She had a blast and it kept her cool while paying outside. I suppose you should stay tuned for Travis' contribution later!

Zoo day

Today we went to the Tulsa Zoo. Emma had a good time but we didn't stay long, Mama wimped out due to it being really really hot. Those that know me well, know that I DO NOT handle the heat well and get well... kinda, shall we say... grouchy. I didn't get any pictures because I left the camera at home (slap me on the wrist).

Yesterday we went swimming at Grandad Bob's house and Emma is even more of a fish than I had thought before. She was jumping off the side of the pool and going off the end of the slide by herself. Taking for granted of course that I would catch her and bring up for air safely. She and I had a great time! It was just the two of us so again, no pictures.

That's our boring update for today! Tune in Thursday for Travis' contribution, I'm sure he will display his comic genius.

Lunch at the Lake

After church today we went and ate lunch at Arrowhead Yacht Club on Grand Lake. It was really good and we had a nice time. After we were done eating Travis and Emma and I went outside on the dock. I thought I would share some pictures.



Here is a video of Emma dancing last night before bed. She has this toy CD player that she knows which button to push to make it play a song. She pushes it and then dances, it's too funny!

First Official Pig-tails

That and a dirty face! Anyway, I thought I would share Emma's first official pig-tails. She looks pretty darn cute, but then again, I think I'm partial!

Playing Outside

Well, the day is not over but Emma has had some fun! She got to play in her ball pit/bouncer and got to play in the kiddie pool. She had a lot of fun getting dirty and wet. I don't think we really have a true princess on our hands, she really likes to be outside and playing in the dirt!

Sunny Saturday

After a TERRIBLE night on Thursday, we settled in for a long night last night. Travis was kind enough to let me sleep in our room alone while he and Emma slept in the living room. We all got up and went for breakfast and coffee (Emma didn't have coffee) and then went to Wal-Mart. So far, not a bad Saturday. Emma is eating lunch and then will b e going down for her nap. Travis has been slaving away in the kitchen on some homemade spaghetti sauce (how did I get so lucky?) So, the kitchen smells wonderful right now!

We got Emma some new Dora play clothes and a Dora doll that she loves! She's been carrying her around all morning, shouting "Doa".

I suspect I'll take some pictures of her today and post them later. Hoping to get some stuff done on the house today and maybe if I'm lucky get to work on Emma's scrapbook.

Shana

My Good Looks

I know you get on here day after day to see new pictures of wonderful, beautiful Emma. You probably look at her and then look at her Mommy and think to yourself, "good thing she didn't take after her Daddy." Well, I agree for the most part. Her Mommy is truly a beautiful specimen in her own right (and luckily has the intelligence and personality to go along with it, because we all know that looks tend to fade absent extensive cosmetic surgery). But what you may not realize is that Emma gets her curly blonde locks from none other than yours truly. The picture you see is me in the early '80s when Mickey Mouse hats were all the rage.

You would not believe how many times I have been told how cute I used to be. I just hope Emma remains cute and is not subjected to the "used to be" treatment later in life. A few months ago we started dieting, because that is the thing to do during January. Well, here it is May and we have remained fairly faithful. We are both somewhat lighter as a result. At church one morning, a particular individual who will remain anonymous (hint: J.M. DVM) said "Shana you are looking so skinny, and Travis you are looking so much ........ skinnier." What a clever gent. I guess it is better than him saying "Travis you used to be so much fatter." By the way, Shana is looking quite skinny, and "hot" for that matter, but I am sure you have already noticed that from the few picture appearances she has made on this blog.

Today I have dealt with municipal issues, guardianship care, probate, real estate, divorce, condemnation and child support; or as I call it: a typical day. I spent half an hour or so in court this afternoon, but for the most part I have been sitting at my desk all day. My office has a big window that looks out to Wilson Street (the locals usually call it Main Street) but I usually have the blinds closed so I do not really see much of what is going on. The other day I saw a guy rear-end a lady at the intersection while she was waiting to turn left. The lady waited a few minutes before getting out of her car, he never got out of his truck. She walked back and looked at her bumper (no major damage), turned and glared at him, got back in her car and drove off. He also drove off. No real point in telling you this other than the fact that I was amused. I guess I should have run out the door with business card in hand but I had a full desk that day.

I plan to make weekly contributions here. Frankly, I am a little disappointed that there have not been any updates for the past few days. To be fair, Shana changed up her work schedule and was gone all day on Wednesday. I know how much you all look forward to the latest scoop, but keep in mind that Shana has a very demanding job; she has to take care of a whiney, needy, inconsiderate, demanding, sometimes difficult to deal with pain in the butt. Oh, and she also has to take care of our darling daughter.

Developmental Check-up Day

Today we took Emma back to the Developemental Follow-up Clinic at Saint Francis to make sure she is developing on schedule. The child specialist said she is doing very well and is caught up on everything except speech but she thinks she is right on the cusp of having a verbal boom. She said we may have to go back when she is three and a half but not if she is doing well by then.

So, it was a good day. Daddy got to go with us which is nice.

The pictures of Emma are from yesterday. We were "painting" on the sidewalk. (with water and paint brushes, the ground changes color but there's no mess to clean up since the water just evaporates). She loves doing that and she can express herself in sidewalk art! And yes, she still was wanting to wear those rain boots!

I start working tomorrow on Wednesdays instead of Fridays and for a twelve hour shift instead of only eight. I'm sure it will be fine and it will give me a little extra "adult interaction". I don't usually have to talk in terms of "boo-boo's" with my patients!

Rain boots on a sunny day

Emma has me laughing so hard right now.

She brought me her rain boots to wear. I want her to know that her opinions and choices matter so I thought, hey why not!? She looks so funny in her outfit with rain boots, but she's having fun and who am I to stand in the way of her developing little personality? She is so much fun!

She slept!!!!

Thank God Almighty, she slept through the night last night! Went to bed at 9:30 and slept until 6 this morning. Oh my goodness that felt GOOD!!!! At first I thought it was a dream but, it really had happened! WOOHOO!

Thank you Emma, Mommy and Daddy love you!



We'll see if it happens tonight too, I doubt it but we'll see.

Happy Mother's Day

We went to Becky's house for our Mother's Day celebration lunch. Everyone had a great time! Emma loved playing with Sebastian. The food was wonderful and I personally ate way way too much. It was my second official Mother's Day and I had a wonderful day.

Emma's New Bikini

Emma got her new bikin from MiMi. She went swimming this weekend while we were there for Mother's Day. The water was a bit cold but she got in with her Daddy and did pretty well. She really loves the water!

A Look Back

I was looking through some of our old pictures and am amazed at how far we have come! Our "little" girl is little no more! Her feet were as long as my thumb!!! Oh and I threw in a preggo picture of me for a laugh, man I was big!

TGIF

Emma decided to wear mom's flip flops around the house. Smart girl, she got them on the right feet with her toes seperated appropriately.

Well, another day another dollar... I guess. I worked today and Emma went to Aunt Lavon's house. She had a blast playing all day. We pigged out on pizza for dinner (ate way too much!). Not much to report today, I guess. We are going to my mom's for Mother's Day, I think Emma will have fun playing in the hot tub and pool if it's nice enough. She really is a little water baby (just like her mom). I'm going to have to watch her closely, she has no fear.

I guess I'm signing off for today, I'm feeling kind of boring tonight.

Shana...out
(sorry for the lame American Idol reference)

My First Attempt by Travis Hartley

So I checked in on the blog tonight to see what all I had missed out on in Emma's life today while I was at work and what do I find but the post from yesterday. What? No Thursday post? Did nothing monumental occur in our family's life today? OK, a bit dramatic, I know. I went looking for Shana so that she could explain her lackadaisical attitude towards her posting duties, and I found her lying in Emma's crib trying to get her to go back to sleep. For a moment I wondered if she might just sleep in the crib tonight. Most of you know that Shana is not very tall, but she had to bend her legs to fit in the crib and it did not look very comfortable (reminder: the side of the crib is off so that Emma has a "big girl bed"). A funny sight, but it did not last. Emma went back to sleep and Shana is now in her own "big girl bed" without posting anything for Thursday, May 11, 2006!

I decided to take it upon myself to take a shot at this high-tech, new-age blogging thing. You remember earlier in this post I said I was at work today, well I did go to work for a few hours. I spent the rest of the day playing golf. Today was the Phoenix Classic 2006. It's a very exclusive, invitation only golf tournament with a broad field of individuals from across the Midwest selected by my Uncle Clay and Granddad Bob. Actually it was a group of coal buyers and local people who get together once a year to play a little golf and then go back to Bob's house to drink beer, talk about how crappy everyone played and for the main event - eat bovine testicles. Yum. We played well enough to take sixth place and recieved a nice bag for our efforts. Now before you all get the wrong idea that I lead some cush life where all I do is play golf and eat bull nuts, I rarely get to play golf and I try to limit my ball consumption to the annual event at Bob's house.

Enough about me. Everyone knows that this blog really should be called the "Emma Hartley Extravaganza" or some other catchy title. Here is an update for all of you out there who tuned in only to get your daily dose of Emma; the picture selected for today shows off one of the talents I have helped instill in our child: sticking out her tongue.

This must be how Doogie Howser, M.D. felt each night as he typed in the story of his life before he drifted off to sleep. I hope for everyone's sake that Shana resumes her posting tomorrow, I'm not sure I'm cut out for this blogging stuff.

Trip to Branson

We took a trip to Branson a few weeks back and I thought I would post a couple pictures from our trip to Silver Dollar City. It was Emma's first ride! She loved going on the carousel. MiMi and Papa were there to share in the fun. We all had a really good time.

Pictures of Emma

I was thinking we don't have enough pictures on our blog yet so that you can have some "eye candy" when coming to check in. So, here are a few I took a couple weeks ago. I love how she was giving Allie "kisses". She loves the animals and loves being outside. She loves picking flowers and the dandelion puffs, she could do that for.... well minutes because who are we kidding, she won't do ANYTHING for hours, ha!

Enjoy!

I found this picture and thought of Emma. Hahaha! So true. But, I have to admit, I love our little "drama queen"! Geez, what is she going to be like in 10 years? Does the drama queen quotient increase exponentially? Scary!!!!!

Another long night

Well, I'm sure the excitement of the new bed has worn off (after a whole 24 hours) for Emma. Last night she got up at 2:30 and did not go back to slep until 4 and that was with great coersion. Ugh! Oh well, it's just sleep right? No big deal. I suppose when I signed up for motherhood I knew in the contract I was signing that forgoing sleep was one of the details of the deal, shouldn't be a surprise.

Well, it's raining here today so that means we'll be stuck inside all day. I can already feel cabin fever creeping in, ha! Maybe we'll make a tent in the living room. Should be fun!

I'll try to snap some pictures of our day if the camera battery will hold out long enough.

Did it work?

Well, she woke up a couple times. Once at 3:30, but after a drink of water she went back to sleep without any crying or screaming. Then again at 5 but she then fell asleep on the floor.

Overall I would give the night 3.5 stars. Maybe the toddler bed is not such a bad idea and I think as she gets more used to it she will like it even better.

Hooray a night's sleep without any screaming and crying from Emma!

Sleep Emma, sleep!!!

Tonight we're conducting an experiment. We have converted Emma's crib into a toddler bed. She has been waking up a lot at night and I'm at my wits end about what to do for her. We'll see how it goes. I'm sure I'll be bleery eyed and typing a half witted entry for tomorrow as the update. Cross your fingers and pray that she sleeps tonight!


Meditation:
sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep.
sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep. sleep Emma sleep.

Maybe it will come true if I type it enough. Probably it won't.

Good night?

A few new pictures of Emma

The first is her by our lilac bush in bloom (she has a "boo-boo" under her right eye from running into a corner). The second is her experiencing her first mud puddles (she loved it and kept waving hello to her reflection in the water). I haven't taken a picture of her with her new drum yet because the batteries died in the camera but... soon.

You should see her now. She has one of my flip flops on (correctly) and is stomping around the house. She's very proud of herself right now, haha.

Promise to post more pictures soon, Emma is wanting to eat right now.
Shana

Rainy Day

I went "garage saleing" this morning with Tiffany. We had a good time and got some deals. I bought Emma her first Barbie doll. She ignored it when I showed it to her, ha! She absolutely loves the drum I got her. It came with maracas and a flute too. It's by far her favorite thing. The best $.25 I have ever spent. Well, minus the many headaches that are sure to follow by her incesant beating on the drum. I figured she needed some sort of musical outlet. I was right because she hasn't stopped playing it since I gave it to her. It's really fun, really it is. Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself?

Well, I'm off to enjoy a lazy rainy day with my family. Maybe we'll watch a movie.

Will post a picture of Emma playing her drum later.

Shana

Things I wish for Emma

1. Marry someone like your Daddy
2. Be proud of yourself
3. I hope that you can know how much I love you. (you will one day when you look into the eyes of your own children)
4. Enjoy your friends
5. Have a relationship with God (this is the most important one)
   

I got to feeling nostalgic while watching you play today. I imagine that you will grow into a beautiful young woman, full of hope and wonder and excitment about the world. You deserve it all Emma.

Mom and Dad love you!

Oh and also, when you're a teenager, don't ever call boys. If they want to talk, they will call you.

Easter 2006

This is us on Easter. A fine looking bunch aren't we?

This was Emma's second Easter and we spent it at Mimi and Papa's house. She actually got to hunt Easter eggs this year and she had fun doing it. I'm sure next year she'll be much more involved than her first venture into the
art of finding an Easter egg "hidden" in plain view.

Emma is 18 months old now.

First entry for the new blog

Well, I have decided to join the 21st century and start our own blog. So, here it is, our Hartley family blog. Hopefully this will enable everyone to keep in touch with us and see how our little family is progressing.

I think it will be a lot of fun and an easy way to keep you all updated on pictures of us. Well, who are we kidding, pictures of Emma. Ha!

Enjoy!