blogging rut

I guess I'm in a blogging rut. I have things I want to blog about, but I've been so busy that its really the last thing that I want to do when I have a free moment. And really, right now all I feel like doing is posting a picture.

I attempted bluebonnet pictures with my kids at Mt. Sachse but the bluebonnet crop was pretty lame and it was way too bright outside, so we ended up exploring instead. I LOVE watching the kids run free.

make a wish

I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Just teetering on the edge of it. I'll get back in the swing of blogging soon, but in the meantime, check out Carter's luscious lips. And if you're really bored, hop over to my photoblog. Got some new stuff posted. Ok, so yeah, I love my photoblog more right now. Don't hate.

78?!

When I made that poll a month ago I really only expected about 40 people, but 78? Wow! Do I even know 78 people?

If you're a stalker and you'd like to make yourself known, please leave me a comment. And nice to meet you in advance!

in the weeds

Last week was rough. Brian was out of town, I have half a dozen clients to edit and no time to do it, our dryer broke, I had a migraine mid-week, I had a photo shoot every single day this week except for Saturday and that was a rain-out. I have been totally in the weeds, but next week promises to be better.

I have lots to blog about. Now I just need to find the time.

timeless

I love photographs. They capture a moment in time, a personality, a feeling, and no matter what changes in your life, you can always go back to a picture and be right back in that moment. The ones you lost become alive to you, the happy times you had are remembered, the emotions of that moment are real again and its as if no time has passed. It all comes flooding back, and you're there, in a field of bluebonnets, with the ones you love, and you're happy.
My mom and dad, circa 1980-something

Bluebonnet pictures are timeless, and your children will cherish them, like I cherish mine.

I'm offering four Bluebonnet Mini-Sessions on

Friday, April 16th

The cost is $40, which includes a 20-minute session and 8 digital negatives

Location is in Richardson near Renner and George Bush

Times available are:

6:00 (booked)

6:25

6:50

7:15 (booked)

call 214-316-0161 or email mandiemcmurdie@gmail.com to book your session.

Oh, and you might want to hurry.

what did you get in your easter basket?

I got a happy Carter bug.



The doctor (and everyone else and their dog) warned us that recovery was going to be a beast, but Carter really hasn't had a bad day since his surgery. He's had some bad moments when he was really tired or we waited too long in between medicine doses, but other than that, he's really suprised me. Now, they were right about everything else though... the knock-down-drag-out medicine administration and the refusing to drink fluids, among other things. But yeah, the prone-to-being-grouchy Carter has dealt with this really well, and I am so grateful! Tomorrow we pare down his medication, so we'll see how he does.

I just went into the bedroom to check up on him, and he was breathing clearly and deeply with no snoring. That makes me happy.

brian's birthday

was almost two weeks ago, but I was a bad wife and didn't mention it on the blog. So, um, happy birthday, Brian!

And for your viewing entertainment, here's the McMurdie family singers. Notice I quit after three words? I knew it was going to be hopeless to keep a tonal center. Anyway, I also wanted to post this to document Abby's progression since her CI activation. She's had it now for a little over seven months, and the improvement is astounding! I am so proud of her and her progress. She loves her implant. She calls it her "coke--plant" and wears it every waking minute. She can even change out the batteries and put it back in her ear all by herself!

And come on, Carter is so stinkin cute!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

booked

My Saturdays are booked until May 8th for photo sessions, but I do have some openings during the week if you'd like to book a session in April. I am accepting babies, kids, seniors, and small families. I would especially love to shoot your baby. With my camera, that is. I've created a little studio space in my house in order to accomodate the little ones, and I am excited to get to use it more. So come on! Don't be shy!

Oh, and for those of you interested in doing a bluebonnet mini-session, I said I wasn't going to do them this year, but I've changed my mind. Now we've just got to wait until they bloom and I'll set a date and time! Stay tuned for more details!

If you're interested in booking a session, you can email me at mandiemcmurdie@gmail.com or call me at 214-316-0161.

More details HERE.

like mother, like daughter?

Here's a picture of Abby taken today



And here's one of me at her same age. (With my childhood bff Jerry Parks.) I don't have a lot of pictures of me that age without my tongue sticking out or me making smirks at the camera. This was one of the only normal ones. Sound familiar?



So, do you think we look alike???

happy easter!

I love my children.
I would die for them.

Jesus Christ DID.

I am eternally grateful.

dear bluebell ice cream co.

Thank you for making popcicle Bullets. They are a lifesaver for my little tonsil boy.

p.s. I think I might be the only Texan alive that doesn't like Homemade Vanilla. It makes me gag. Just thought you should know.

aftermath

The surgery went well. Dr. Bauer said his tonsils were massive, so we should see a lot of improvement after he's healed. The ABR also went well and the audiologist shared with me the preliminary results, although the real report won't be ready for a week. She said that his hearing hasn't changed. I was... shocked.... but so relieved at the same time. So he doesn't have fluid in his ears, and his hearing hasn't gotten worse, so that must mean he's just being a two-year-old. Go figure.

So the recovery of a tonselectomy patient really depends on the parent. It's vital that you give him pain meds every three hours, and they have to stay really hydrated or they could end up in the ER. But in reality, getting a two-year-old to take nasty medicine 8 times a day and drink fluids when their throat hurts is easier said than done.

So when I went to pick up the prescriptions at our local grocery store, Carter spotted a chocolate muffin and asked for it, so I was like, um ok... I guess. So as we were waiting, he actually ate a few bites of muffin. This is three hours after throat surgery, mind you. (Although new rules say that let the kid eat when he's ready to eat. No time frame.) And then when we got home he had a cup full of goldfish and a little bit of dinner roll and chicken for dinner. But initially he wouldn't touch the fluids, which really concerned me. But now he's drinking better, although he hasn't met his 40 ounces of fluid quota they want him to have every day. But we're pushing the fluids and giving him his pain medicine as prescribed, so I think he's going to be okay.

They say there's a honeymoon period the first couple of days, and then the pain really sets in on day three and four. The first half of today was pretty bad. But right now Carter is watching tv and eating more goldfish, so he's fine for now. I just hope that those goldfish don't do any damage.

Wish us luck with tonight.

verklempt

I was looking through pictures from an insanely fun photoshoot I had tonight, and got all verklempt when I came to this one. For some reason it just moved me. Springtime, adorable kids, amazing locations, perfect light... this is why I love photography.