More

Recent Work and a Competition

This post serves 2 purposes:

1. To show you recent work.

2. To get feedback on which ones are good so that I can decide next week which ones to enter into the MS Collegiate Art Competition. I think I get to enter 3 works for one fee. So comment if you like any...but please, don't comment on the crappy ones...I already know which ones are the crappy ones.

Richard

PS- I hate day old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Look what I can do!

Trey wanted to know what Carter had accomplished lately, so I decided to share a list of things with everyone.

Carter's accomplishments over the past few weeks:

1. He can now hold our head up while someone is carrying him...for a little while.
2. He can recognize mommy and daddy and the many funny faces they make.
3. He recognizes toys that he likes, especially his dinosaur Spike that his Aunt Erin gave him for Christmas.
4. He has found his hands and likes to put them in his mouth.
5. He has decided that cough medicine is gross but the bubble gum medicine is really tasty.
6. He knows how much mommy and daddy hate poopy diapers, so he is letting the day care change those. :) God love him for that!

More developments to come soon!

Carter @ 2 months!

Our little monkey

Congratulations Corrie and Justin!!!

Our friends Corrie and Justin got married on November 19th! They are such a beautiful couple! We love you guys!

Carter's Favorite Things

Hi, my name is Carter Swayze. Here are a few things you need to know about me:

1. I like to sleep.
2. I like to eat. Preferably every 2-3 hours even though the hospital said I would want to eat every 4 hours. I'm a growing boy after all.
3. I love my Mommy.
4. I like making dirty diapers for Daddy.
5. I like staying up late and watching Star Wars with Daddy. Daddy says that the Force is strong with me, but I think that he's just confusing the Force with my gas.

7.4 pounds of healthy baby boy

Baby Boy

paging dr. McSexy

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails...

that's what little boys are made of.

I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was high, so she sent me to have a sonogram to check the baby's fluid levels, etc. Before the sonogram began, I jokingly said to the nurse, "Just let me know if the baby has changed from a girl to a boy." So we are looking at the baby (we = my mom and me...Richard is in class)...fluid levels are fine, breathing is fine, heartbeat is perfect. Then the nurse says, "Yep, it's a boy." At that moment, I scream, "WHAT?!" Then the nurse shows me the definite proof that our sweet little girl was in fact a sweet little boy. I being to laugh and cry all at the same time...quite loudly. The other nurses thought that I was in pain. Since I was the only patient in there at the time, I quickly became the talk of the office. I then returned to my doctor's office (with lower blood pressure). She told me that in all of her 20+ years of practice, this has never happened. I love being the exception! I am now home on bed rest and I have to go back to the doctor on Thursday.
For the 1st time, I love Babies 'r us. They took back our girly travel system without a box and fully assembled! We now have a very masculine stroller and carrier. We went to Target and bought a few pieces of clothing. Erin has found cute bedding in Birmingham and is bringing it with her tonight. She is coming to stay with me just in case we have to have this baby on Thursday.
Richard and I have gone through a grieving process. Don't worry though, we will eventually have a daughter, so all is not lost. I just hate having to pack up the cutest nursery ever! I have unpacked the dresser and the closet to store until a little girl is born. Her blog has been deleted as well.
So what are we going to name this little boy? Well, after much discussion, Richard and I have decided on Carter Harrison Swayze. We will call him Carter. It's still so surreal to say the words "his" and "him." I can't believe we are having a son and we only have 3 - 7 days to get used to that idea! I am now the minority of our family...Richard, Carter and Tobey vs. me! I don't stand a chance!

Pregnancy update

This past weekend, Richard and I attended childbirth classes. I think I can safely say that we both had a good time. We were one of four couples. The other couples included the hippie couple, the 2 doctors, and the high-risk couple. Everyone was so sweet! Anyway, here are a few things that we learned in class.

1. Induction = 50% chance of having a c-section. (Guess talking my doctor into inducing on the 23rd is out.)
2. If I reach 8cm without getting an Epidural, I don’t get one. (Must get to the hospital early.)
3. Wait time in OB receiving at Wiser can last up to 2 hours.
4. Newborns only have to be bathed 2-3 times a week. (I’m not following this one.)
5. It is important to have “Preggie Pops” available for nausea.
6. Eat and shower before heading to the hospital.
7. Personalize your experience. (I will be making a labor and delivery mix on my iPod.)

I went to the doctor today. (Haven’t dilated anything yet and we do not expect Syd’s arrival this week.) When my doctor was measuring my stomach, Sydney was poking her but in the air. So I am assuming she gets the “showing her butt” trait from me. Then the doctor checked Syd’s heartbeat and said “She’s just laid back and mellow.” My reaction to that was, “Great. She’s going to be just like her daddy.”

MC Library 0, Me 2

So MC's library sent me a letter saying I had an extremely overdue book and if it wasn't returned in 10 days I was going to have to pay 50 dollars to have it replaced. I however, had kept excellent track of all of the books that I checked out for my research paper and knew that I had returned it. I also knew that one of the student workers had checked my account after that class was over and told me that I had returned all of my books. So I went to the library about 15 minutes ago, looked on the shelf for where the book was supposed to be and there it was!!! I win!!!! Library loses!!!! Oh, and I'm also using the WiFi connection in the library to post about this so I win again!!!!!

Richard

Surprise Baby Shower

Yesterday, the Pharmacy Department threw me a surprise baby shower. I don’t know how they planned the whole thing without my knowing! They were so sneaky! I even scheduled our conference room (which is directly behind me) for the event; however, my friend Demetra told me that she was having a staff meeting at that time. So, when the window to the conference was covered with a garbage bag, I knew something was up, but never questioned anything. Then, Josie and Demetra showed up in my office. Funny thing is- Josie is on bed rest. (She is pregnant with twin boys and is due 6 days before me.) Then the two of us were escorted into the conference room, when there was food and decorations and presents everywhere! They had split the room decorations in half. My side was pink, Josie’s side was blue. Even the cake was decorated half pink and half blue. It was great! We took turns opening gifts and everyone celebrated with “ooo” and “awe”. We had a really nice time. I felt blessed.

8 weeks and counting...

I think I finally look pregnant and not just overweight! Wow! I get to enjoy this for 8 weeks. However, every morning I have to tell myself that I am 8 months pregnant and my clothes aren’t going to fit the same as they did last month or the month before that. My pep talks have been getting me out the door sooner, but I’m still late for work 3 days out of the week. Which is sad since Richard drives me to work everyday and I don’t have to walk from the stadium to the hospital (which takes 10 minutes). In case you don’t know, the reason why Richard drives me to work is because my stomach touches the steering wheel and if I move my seat back, I can’t reach the peddles! Ha Ha! Jokes all around!

We put the crib together last Sunday. Well, I should say that Richard put the crib together, but I did help! It looks great! The dresser should be shipped tomorrow. The bedding and curtains will be shipped “on or before September 23rd.” We are cutting it close with the bedding. Thank goodness we have a back-up plan: one crib sheet and a quilt.

And so the third trimester begins…

I cannot believe that we have reached the third trimester! It seems like yesterday that I was freaking out over the two lines on the pregnancy test. My doctor told me during our last visit that this is the most stressful time of pregnancy – the transition form the 2nd to the 3rd trimester. I would believe it! Between my nesting and my restless leg syndrome, the transition sucks! However, I am excited that Sydney is on her way. I am excited that I finally decided on crib bedding and a color scheme for the nursery. I am excited that I will be off work for a little bit. I am curious to see how Tobey reacts to Sydney. I am curious to see how Richard and I react to Sydney.

What does your birth date mean?

Emily's birth date: December 26th

***Your Birthdate: December 26***
You lucked out the the skills to succeed in almost any arena. Put you in almost any business or classroom, and you'll rise to the top. You're driven and intense, but you also know when to kick back and cooperate. Your ability to adapt to almost any situation is part of what's going to make you a success.
Your strength: Your attention to detail
Your weakness: You can be a little too proud of your successes
Your power color: Turquoise
Your power symbol: Arrow pointing up
Your power month: August

Richard's birth date: October 18th

***Your Birthdate: October 18***
You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause. You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too. Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others. You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress.
Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years
Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities
Your power color: Crimson red
Your power symbol: Snowflake
Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/

How cute is this?!

I love this picture! Richard and my cousin Angela’s daughter Baylee are trying to figure out each other while at my parents’ house over Memorial Day weekend. I love this picture for 2 reasons. First, I think Baylee is the most beautiful child! Second, this is what I imagine Richard will be like with Sydney.

I can just see Richard and Sydney bonding and having the best time playing and just being kids (both of them). I really could not have asked for a better man to raise a child with. He has already had to put up with so much during my pregnancy – diet, mood swings, shopping sprees, mood swings, etc. He has so much patience and love. I know he will be a great father! He just has to remember to have his game face on once Sydney figures out that I am not the one who will let her get her way. She is going to be such a daddy’s girl!

HOUSTON PICTURES

Corrie and Justin in front of the water wall.

The water wall

a closer look at the water wall

Corrie and me

sculpture at the Menil Collection

everything looks better in black and white

funny sign

DSL woes

Had to give up fast access service. Sitting in the library at MC posting. I hate doing this with people looking over my shoulder. GRRRRRRR.

Richard