Goodbye!!!

Yesterday was a sad day at the Hartsoe barn. We had to put to sleep a horse that has been there since a month before I came into the world! She was getting old, but still kicking, however we discovered this weekend that she had the parasite disease that we lost Madilyn's horse to last year. It progressed on her rather quickly due to her age. So they got everything in order and put her down yesterday afternoon. She was part of the family! Stacy grew up on her riding the barrels for many years. Everybody talked about her because she was the fastest around here at that time. When it was time for me to ride barrels I rode her for a while. She would pull a buggy we used to have and I'll never forget me and my daddy one Sunday, riding to my Great Grandmaw Reep's before she passed away. Can't remember exactly how long it took us but in a car it was about a 10 minute ride. I thought that was something. She was a wonderful horse around kids. Anytime we had birthday parties to do, or kids over, we would always break out Dallas. She was a wonderful trail horse as well. She smoked many of horses on the a straight aways!! We knew this day would come but wasn't expecting it this way. She will be missed!!!
RIP Dallas Rocket Girl

Allergies

Last week we got the upsetting news that we were going to have to take Tristan to an Allergy Specialist. From the time he was born he has always had skin issues, itchy dry places everywhere. We have tried numerous things and creams and finally the pediatrician did a blood allergy test on him to see exactly what the problem was. Well the results were very upsetting! The main thing he was allergic to was pet dander, others on the list were eggs, wheat, milk, and peanuts. Well this really upset me considering we have a dog that is like my second child and mama has 2 dogs that is like her 2 kids and that is the main places Tristan is! Well the dr told us not to worry, she gave us a cream to put on him 2 times a day and zyrtec and gave us some precautionary measures to take. Keeping the dogs completly out of his room, washing his stuff and changing sheets more often etc. So since then we are still doing the cream but the zyrtec makes him so drogging during the days he just doesn't play well. We thought things were being dealt with until mama tried to give him a couple bites of egg for the first time a couple of weeks ago. When he was diagnosed with these allergies she told us not to be too concerned about the food allergies because they didn't have a very high score and was probably not the cause of the problems. Well as soon as he ate the bites of egg he immediatley broke out. Mom called me at work and I called the dr. She did the right thing by immediatley giving him benedryl. Luckily that's all that happened. So with this info, the pediatrician suggested we go see a specialist for further testing. NOT GOOD! I know because I had this test done when I was a child (not as little as him) and it was the most unpleasant thing ever! I can't stand the thoughts of putting him through this but we need answers and hopefully help so he won't be so miserable and scratchy the rest of his life, and we can still keep our other children as well. We go next Tuesday so I will keep you updated. In the meantime all the prayers possible will help us!

July 4th weekend!!

So, behind again on my post!!

We had a great 4th of July with many different celebrations we attended. It kind of isn't normal for us to not be at the beach for this holiday, but the past couple of years we haven't been. So to make everything seem like the real deal, we went Friday night to Cherryville with Bonnie and Steven, and Jessica and Ryan to the see the fireworks. We took Tristan, in really big high hopes, that he would enjoy them and not be scared. Well time finally rolls around for them to start and he was not scared! I'm not going to say he loved them because he couldn't show to much enthusiasm being that it was 2 hours past his bedtime, but he did watch them the whole time. He held his arm up like he was trying to get them! Of course the Ville's fireworks show didn't compare to the Ocean Lakes show we are used to seeing but at least we got to see some!! Saturday we went to a pool party for the adults at The Harrelson's. This was a very fun time hanging out and catching up with good friends! On Sunday we spent time with Tristan during the day and then decided to go to the lake to our friend Travis Wehunt's lake house to spend the night for a mini vaca! So off Tristan goes for the first time to spend the nigth with Mamaw and Papaw Towery. Needless to say after packing up EVERYTHING for him and unpacking it and explaining everything to Travis' mom I needed a MAJOR VACATION!! It's so much easier to take him to my mamas because all I have to take his him, being that she has everything for him already. Anyway's we had fun with more friends and they had fun playing. I could tell they were very pleased and thrilled to have him spend the night.

Happy 11 months!!!

Dear Tristan,
Another month has gone by and I am still in shock that you will be 1 year old in a few short weeks. When I think back to last year at this time I wanted time to fly by so I could hurry up and meet you and share you with the world, but now I just want time to stop so I can enjoy these precious moments that you give us! You are such a happy little boy and very silly!

You have made so much progress over the last months I am so amazed at the things you can do! It seems like everyday it is something new for you. Here are just a few big things that you are busy with now. You are pulling up on everything possible, and letting go a lot. You haven't taken your first steps yet but I am anxiously awaiting this soon! When you let go, you stand there like you know your doing something new, fall down, laugh, and get right back up to do it again. You are definitley not a quitter and luckily you don't seem to mind falling and hitting your head either because when you fall back you'll rub it and go on! You are too busy to be hurt! You are very nosey and want anything and everything that is not yours. You have 2 toy boxes full of toys and I let you drag them all out, but you won't because you are looking for the remote or a cell phone, sunglasses, chasing Ozzie, or getting the picture frames off the tables, or trying to get the DVD and satelite boxes off the TV stand. Whew!!! What a job to keep up with you. I really feel for my mom who keeps you everyday because you wear me out!! You make all kinds of silly noises and have learned from the dogs to make a whineing noise, and everytime you see a horse now you make a horsey sound that is just precious. Now that it is summer you get to play all day with cousin Madilyn so she is keeping you pretty occupied. As for your physical developments you have a whooping 8 teeth now! I can't wait for them all to come in because I can tell when they are bothering you. You have had your first hair cut this month and already need another trim arounnd your ears. You are too busy to sit still and eat most of the time, but when you do stop you eat pretty good. We have been slack about weighing you but I am going to guess you weigh around 25lbs. Although when I carry you around it sure feels like a lot more than that! You are in a size 4 diaper and 18 months clothes. You have gotten where you want your mommy over your daddy but you will only be rocked at night by daddy, I guess he holds you more snuggly than me! You had been doing great at night but here latley you have been waking up around 3am and not able to go back to sleep. So mommy will be really greatful when you get this worked out!
So now it is time for me to start planning your first birthday party and I am saddened that I don't have a little baby anymore, but I am so greatful and excited to see what this next year has to bring! Your are so wonderful to us and such a joy! We love you very much lil doodle bug!!!!

1st Father's Day

We celebrated Travis' first father's day this year! We went to the lake for a cookout at my aunt and uncle's house with the family. It was Tristan's first trip to the lake and his first boat ride. Madilyn and I got stranded on the lake on the jetski so luckily we had brought the cell phone with us, we had to call for help! I love the lake and wished I could win the lottery so we could move down there. We had a great day spending time with the family and getting to see everyone.



After this we went back to give my daddy his gift from all of us. He loves homemade ice cream and makes it all the time, but he has a small freezer and for our whole family its almost not big enough! So we bought him a bigger one and he loved it! Thank you daddy for being the best daddy in the world! For teaching me special things and helping me in all the ways that you have throught the past 28 years, and I can't wait for Tristan to learn from you and spend time with you like I always did!
Then we visited Travis' daddy and spent time with him so he could play with the little man.
So the day was a great day. I just want to say to Travis, you have been a wonderful father so far and the best husband any woman could ask for. Thank you for everything that you do for me and our beautiful baby boy! We are so lucky to have you and look forward to many many more! We love you!!! Happy Father's Day.

Parker's 1st B-Day Party

On June 19 we attended Tristan's first lil friend's birthday party. He had a pool party. We got there late of course because I wanted to make sure Tristan was well rested for the event so he could play. Parker loved his cake and got it everywhere of course. Tristan sat in the pool for a while and played but then he got very sleepy sooner than I thought. This teething process sure is taking a toll on him and his sleep (and my sleep!). So we got to stay long enough to watch the gift opening and then Tristan had enough!




This was the "I can't take it any longer Mom" look that told me it was time to go!!

Alexis' Birthday Party

It has been a long while since I have updated so I have several things to catch up on. We have been busy busy!
We went to Alexis birthday Party at the Old movie theater in downtown Hickory. We had fun and Tristan certainly did getting to look at all the girlies running around! Silly Boy

He also was trying his best to talk Channing into getting out of her car seat and play with him!!


And she was just chillin and blowing bubbles!


So he settled for lovin on his mamaw!!!