Our life

this is my three-ring circus

2011-10-21T22:34:00.001-05:00

Because I will forget

2011-09-15T13:34:00.002-05:00

I started my blog to document my children's lives, but somewhere along the way it became more than that. Because I don't write in a journal, this blog became a reference for us, a memory finder. If I wanted to remember that time when Carter got that disgusting pink eye, or when Abby started walking, I can look back and see. It's been a wonderful resource to have. The other day Brian got on to me because I've stopped blogging, but the memories haven't. So...even though I know no one reads my blog anymore, I've got to keep documenting our life, because one day I will be sad that those small details and moments in life were not preserved. Cuz knowing us, we WILL forget them.

SO. Here goes.........

Andrew is now almost 10 months. He's been crawling since his 7th month birthday, almost to the day. He's a fast little crawler but has no desire to start walking. FINE. WITH. ME! He looooooves his Daddy. You should see the look on his face when he comes home from work every day. He writes himself out of my arms and makes a beeline to Brian. He loves to give me kisses, but they're really snotty, slobbery smearings all over my face. I love it though. He can say mama, but I don't think its directed at me exactly. It's more of a chant when he needs me or is in "distress."

Insurance has denied his genetic testing twice so far, but we haven't fought on our side yet. I haven't talked myself into making the call yet. And we haven't had another hearing test for him, but he seems to hear all frequencies even at quiet decibles, so I'm not too concerned at this point.

He gets into the toilet, loves closing the door on himself and then getting mad about it, puts everything and anything in his mouth but is really good about not swallowing non-food items. (so glad he can tell the difference.) He bumps his head on EVERYTHING and always has small red bumps and scratches on his very bald head. He has four teeth and working on a few more. He is typically wonderful and we love him.

Carter is 4.5 and small and athletic. His hair is growing faster and thicker now, but it's still white, which I LOVE. He can do penny drops on the monkey bars and scale the climbing wall in 20 seconds flat. He and Abby have both become proficient swimmers so this summer has been nice. He is talking better, and the speech path sees no reason why he won't be in mainstream kindergarten next year, as long as we keep the same trajectory. He talks like he has a mouth full of mush though, and that's something that we constantly work on. He's getting better, though. He is the sweetest little boy, and loves to flirt. He knows how to get positive attention from the ladies, but he has also been a little naughty around his friends at church. I know they say, boys will be boys, but I don't want him to be one of those kids that people dread having in his class. I'm afraid he will become a class clown, which isn't so bad if he doesn't disrupt or misbehave. I really can't complain though, because for a while we wondered what kind of life or hearing impaired kids would have, and it turns out that they are going to be pretty much completely normal, which means we get to deal with all "normal" problems most parents face. :)

Brian has not had to travel for a very long time, almost a year, (knock on wood) and so he is home a lot more. Carter really likes to hang out with daddy, and its so cute to see. He also loves the computer a little too much. He could play on PBS.org all day if we let him. I'm glad we don't have video games, or it would be really bad around here.

Abby is almost 6, and she's big for her age. Poor Carter may never catch up. :) She loves kindergarten and seems to be doing really well. She is at Davis Elementary, which is a mainstream school in Plano, but she is still in the Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf and has pullout instruction for language arts only. So she is mostly mainstreamed, and we are pretty confident that she will get to go to her home campus next year in Wylie. It's a relief because the drive is a beast, but mainstream will be a little scary too. But we have a full year left before I have to worry about that....so I won't. Abby still loves to draw, but more that that she enjoys doing projects and making her own things, like books, computers, folders, purses, pianos, all out of paper. I've given up on having paper for myself, and just let her use it. I don't want to squelch that vividly creative brain of hers. Abby just started a cheerleading class, and she's actually pretty good at it. I mean, you wouldn't think that it takes a lot of talent to be a cheerleader (sorry, cheerleader friends) but compared to the rest of the kids in her class, she seems to have more of a knack for it than the rest. And she's got the personality for sure. So I never thought I'd say it, but I wouldn't mind if Abby wanted to become a cheerleader. Phew. that felt good to get that off my chest.

Abby seems to have an influx of emotions lately. Is that common for five year old girls? Yesterday she go sooo angry at me about every little thing while we were in the car and she ended up in this tearful screaming fit, which is not like her. So I stopped the car and got out and walked over to her and asked her why she was so angry and she said, "I DON'T KNOW!!!!" It sucks to be a girl, I just didn't realize it started so early!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the last few months.

Andrew's first cookie.

Abby lost her first tooth on 8/28/11. I pulled it out. Should I document that story too? Oh well, some other time. :)

Andrew at 9 months

Andrew at 7 months. Started crawling on 6/27. He usually has clothes on, by the way...

Abby drawing a picture of the Nauvoo temple.

Carter is not too keen on my taking his picture, that's why there's none shown. I have pics of Galveston that I will post soon.

andrew - six months

2011-05-31T14:00:00.002-05:00

18lbs, 13 oz.
27 in. tall
Round and happy as can be.

Oh, and here's a comparison with Abby and Carter around six months of age. He definitely has a little bit of both in him. Which one do you think he looks most like?

Carter

Abby

Really wish I knew how to to take pictures back then... Poor Abby and Carter have horrible pictures of the first few years of life.

A few pictures for posterity

2011-05-15T21:11:00.002-05:00

I am so stinkin' behind, but I do need to post some pics to at least document Andrew's growth. The top picture was taken today, at 5 1/2 months, and the black and white pics were taken at five months.

andrew, 4 months

2011-03-28T12:16:00.002-05:00

Yum, yum, YUM!

carter bug

2011-03-10T22:32:00.002-06:00

Its been a while since I posted about Carter. So here's a few highlights.

1. Still working the dimple.
2. Can go across the monkey bars by himself. He's going to be a really athlethic kid.
3. Is very polite - most of the time.
4. Loves Andrew and adores Abby.
5. Fights me all the time about clothes. If he had it his way, he would hang out in his pajamas all day.
6. Is doing really great in school and loves his classmates and teachers.
7. Is doing well with speech and language, but his articulation leaves a lot to be desired.
8. He hates it when I sing. :( But loves it when he and Abby sing in the car.
9. He's been a really picky eater lately. Gotta work on that.
10. Says I love you freely and love to hug his family and friends. But he saves the kisses for me. :)

so many things, but just one thing today

2011-03-06T11:22:00.002-06:00

I have so many things to say, but because I haven't been consistent with blogging, its just too overwhelming to play catch up and then get into the habit again of blogging like I used to.

But I did have to post about this. We don't sign in our house anymore. Initially when we started this hearing loss process, we were a total communication family and Abby had probably 200 signs in her vocabulary. And I was at the point where I could sign in complete sentences, although I was pretty slow about it. But that was over two years ago. Since she started at Pearson in the Aural class, we haven't done a lot of signing, except to reinforce very basic daily tasks, like "done" and "stop" and "more" and usually only when my children aren't wearing their equipment.

So the other night Abby was taking a bath and reading my lips (which she is VERY good at), and I signed something to her as I was talking. And that got me thinking about the summer and how much we swim and how important it is for Abby and Carter to be able to communicate in some form when they aren't wearing their hearing aids. So for fun, as I was putting Abby to bed, I quizzed her on the signs she used to know. I was amazed that she remembered probably 75% of the signs I quizzed her on. For her to remember something that she hasn't used in two years? I thought that was pretty cool.

And then I thought about how ironic it was that I was teaching my DEAF child how to sign using verbal language. I would say, "Abby this is the sign for ___" and show her and if she didn't get it right I would be like, "no, you need to put your pinky finger up to your chin, like this." It's totally backwards, but totally awesome at the same time. My almost completely deaf child can HEAR. She can communicate verbally on a extremely high level, almost equivalent to her hearing peers. And I am teaching her sign language for "fun" and for an added form of communication. Do you know how incredible that is?!

Its in those little moments that I am brought to my knees in overwhelming gratitude. I am completely indebted to the Lord for my children, for technology, their teachers, and the many miracles, big or small, in our life.

andrew has discovered his hands

2011-03-02T20:02:00.001-06:00

andrew 3 months

2011-02-28T18:57:00.000-06:00

He's still the sweetest little boy and we love him to pieces!

classic

2011-02-21T20:37:00.002-06:00

Allow me to interpret his expression for you: "MOM. We were in the car too long and I didn't make it to the bathroom in time and so I wet my pants (as I was running into the bathroom stall) but I told you it was okay that we still took pictures ONLY if you would let me play on the train. But instead you are making me sit here with my sister while she attempts to kiss me. This was NOT the plan!"

do me a solid

2011-02-20T21:30:00.004-06:00

And click HERE to "like" my Mandie McMurdie Photography Facebook Fan Page.

If you don't Facebook, you could always follow my photography blog too.

I mean, only if you want to....

The weather this past week has been pretty awesome, 60's and 70's. The kids have been spending a lot of time outside reclaiming their childhood. I love it!

11 weeks, 11 facts

2011-02-15T09:54:00.002-06:00

1. Weighs 13.5 lbs.
2. He's sleeping through the night for over a week now, from 10pm to 6am
3. Loves to play on the floor
4. Spits up A LOT
5. Smiles and coos all the time and has giggled once or twice.
6. Abby and Carter both love to kiss, hold, and play with him.
7. Nicknames are "jelly bean," "nugget," "joo joo bean," "joo joo train," "Andy," and "Drew." He's going to be so confused about his name. :)
8. Looks like both Abby and Carter, a little like my dad, but mostly like himself.
9. Rarely cries, but wimpers and fusses when he needs something. But when he does cry, its full on high-pitched screaming. Like a girl on a playground. I mean its sad and all that he's crying, but its really hard not to laugh at it.
10. During church this Sunday, he blew out his diaper all the way up his back, and as I was cleaning it up, he peed and it arched all the way to his face and got him in the eyes. It was awesome. Luckily I was prepared with a change of clothes and lots of wipes.
11. Is the best third baby I could ever hope for, and we are SO blessed to have him in our life!

us in the snow

2011-02-06T14:52:00.002-06:00

We still have snow and ice (and lots of it) in our front yard, so today after church we went out in it and played.

snow

2011-02-05T11:22:00.002-06:00

Unless you've been living in a bubble or remote cave somewhere, you probably know that DFW got smashed with a ton of ice and snow this week. With FOUR days of cancelled school, Brian out of town and us unable to leave our driveway for a couple of days, I was about ready to be committed by the end of the week. But the roads cleared up, Brian came home, and things are starting to get back to normal.

I have learned this week that Carter really doesn't care for the cold. Abby loves it, and would go outside and play while Carter hung out in his pj's and watched tv. Both of them miss school, so they will be super excited when Monday rolls around.

And so will I!

andrew - two months

2011-01-31T23:15:00.003-06:00

11.9oz
23"
Smiling, cooing and kicking
happy and easy going
doesn't mind tummy time
has the smelliest gas ever
soothes easily
squeals like a girl

day 22

2011-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

A favorite You Tube video.

I don't get on You Tube much, but I came across this video the other day and instantly it became my favorite video.

The new Mormon Messages are pretty awesome too!

day 21

2011-01-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

nicknames I have, and why I have them

I'm really an Amanda, but I've never BEEN an Amanda, well except for a brief time in 5th grade when I thought I was too mature for Mandy. I think I was Mandy ever since I was born, and sometime in Jr. High I decided to change it to Mandie. Funny that I would marry a guy with the last name very close to my first name. Change the "an" to "ur" and there you have it.

But other than Mandie I really don't have any firm nicknames. Okay, well my mom calls me "Mander" sometimes, and Missy calls me "Mandie-butt" but only after I call her "Missy-head." But that's about it.

day 20

2011-01-29T08:30:00.001-06:00

A favorite recipe

My sister Missy found this recipe a few years ago and I stole it. Every one I share them with thinks its the best snickerdoodle they've ever had. Try them and you'll agree.

Mrs. Siggs Snickerdoodles

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3.Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4.Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

day 19

2011-01-28T08:25:00.002-06:00

A hobby of mine

This hobby is kind of an on again off again hobby that I've been doing for a long time. When the weather's right, and when I have the time and motivation, I love to take old pices of furniture and give them a new life. (My sister Melinda loves doing this too) The first piece of furniture I refinished I worked on with my dad when I was a teenager, so I remember him every time I'm working on a piece.

Here's one I recently did. I found at Salvation Army for $20. I think its supposed to be some kind of magazine rack. Or a fancy horse trough. It's a toss up.

$6 worth of paint and now it looks like this.

I put it in our front entry to put shoes, backpacks and such on.

(Pardon the crappy phone pictures.)

day 18

2011-01-27T23:51:00.005-06:00

Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up

Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium (Saint-Saens)
Apologize (One Republic)
Drifting (Harry Connick Jr.)
At Last (Etta James)
Good Vibrations (Beach Boys)
la Traviata: Brindisi (verdi)
I Need Thee Every Hour (Kenneth Cope)
September (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Sugar (Flo Rida)
What A Wonderful World (Stacy Kent)

day 17

2011-01-27T23:51:00.004-06:00

A habit you wish you didn't have

Tardiness. I can't say that I am ALWAYS late, but it happens enough that I seem to have developed a reputation for it. But don't tease me about it because it's a sensitive subject, and depending on the day, I will either break down and cry or bite your head off.

:)

day 16

2011-01-27T23:50:00.002-06:00

Day 16 — A photo of my family
This is a HORRIBLE picture, but it was the last one we've had taken as a family. August 2010.

day 15

2011-01-27T19:15:00.003-06:00

Day 15 — Next 3 on “Bucket List”

Well, we just found out last week that I have an antibody in my blood (anti-c) that affects the fetus and so if we were to get pregnant again, and the antibody levels got high enough, it would cause fetal anemia which is potentially fatal. There is no magic cure for this, and the only thing they can do to help the baby survive is blood transfusions. Do you KNOW how they give a baby blood tranfusions in the womb???

So that baby #4 that we were considering for our bucket list may not be a possibility any more.

Other things we'd like to do is make a few improvements on our house, since we think we might want to stay here for a few more years. I'd like to upgrade a lot of things with my photography business also. And pay off debt, car, and house is another big one.

Wow. That all sounds so....dull.

day 14

2011-01-27T19:14:00.006-06:00

Day 14 — Your dream house...

Oh boy. My dream house would be a one-story ranch with a large wooded lot so I could do photo shoots on it. Maybe something like this:

Here's the listing

oh fine! day 13

2011-01-24T12:50:00.002-06:00

Day 13 — What did you do today??

Um, what did I do on Saturday? We hung around the house that morning and then went to see some of my activity day girls in Annie Jr. at the high school, then that evening I cooked a full dinner, which I hardly do on Saturdays, and then put the kids to bed. And then a little later Carter woke up with an ear infection and my night ended up lasting a lot longer than I expected.

day 12

2011-01-21T12:37:00.002-06:00

A favorite quote.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

Can anyone guess where that's from?

Day 11

2011-01-20T21:29:00.003-06:00

A favorite book.

Okay, so I used to be a HUGE book reader, and then college happened, work, and babies and somewhere along the way I lost my drive to read. Its more like, if I sit down with a book, I loose all touch with reality and could read for hours. That's not quite possible when you have kids. I mean, it is, but I wouldn't want CPS to come knocking on my door because of neglect. So I just stay away from the deep reads for now. But one book that I read a year ago that I LOVE is How To Win Friends and Influence People. If you haven't read it yet, you really should. It will change every relationship and every human interaction you have.

I think its time for me to read it again, actually. :)

day 10

2011-01-19T22:35:00.002-06:00

A favorite food

day 8 and 9

2011-01-18T23:11:00.002-06:00

ugh! I can't keep up.

Day 8: A favorite song

Well that's just plain impossible. So I think I will narrow it down like CJ did, but this is in no way a definitive list!

Country Song: A Broken Wing by Martina McBride
Classical Song: I really love Durufle's Requiem, specifically Sanctus. That's what I imagine will be playing when I ascend into heaven. :)
Choral/vocal song: "L'heure exquise" by Reynaldo Hahn
60's song: A TIE between Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, by Otis Redding and "More today than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase
70's song: "Danny's Song" by Kenny Loggins
80's song: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" By Michael Jackson, well maybe anything by Michael Jackson
90's song: "More than Words" by Extreme
Today: I have too many!

Day 9: A Favorite MovieI really don't like to watch movies over and over again, so its hard for me to have a favorite. But one of the few that I could see over and over again is "Singing in the Rain."

day 6 and 7

2011-01-16T21:46:00.002-06:00

Something I bought recently and something I want to buy.

My first $1000 purchase with my own hard-earned money.

Something I WANT to buy, once we get a couple more thousand. :)

We've been dying for a sectional for a long time and this one is just my style.

day 5

2011-01-13T20:12:00.004-06:00

Top ten pet peeves.

1. People that don't look at me when I'm talking to them. I may not be perfect at this, but at least I try.
2. People who take their kids to the store waaay past bedtime.
3. When I grab my camera to get a shot of something awesome at home and there's no memory card in it.
4. When the first person in a left turn lane is really slow to turn so only a few cars can get through the light.
5. Reality TV stars that over use the word "absolutely." Especially on the bachelor. Yeah, I watch it. Don't hate.
6. Mothers who always turn conversations into a bragfest about their perfect children.
7. On the flipside, people who talk trash about their spouse. Not attractive, people.
8. How come a box of crayons can be .20 cents or a binder can be .75 cents during school supply days, but when you want to buy one in the middle of October you have to pay 4x's as much. Yeah, I know its silly, but it drives me crazy.
9. When I can't think of a word. Like, its on the tip of my tongue but it takes forever to make it to my brain. This happens a LOT to me.
10. Food smackers and fork scrapers.

Oops! I have two more. I didn't know I was so easily peeved!

11. Smokers.
12. Highly educated, high profile people that talk like backwoods hicks. Bill Clinton, for example?

Okay, I'm done!

day 4

2011-01-13T20:07:00.002-06:00

Something I crave....

I developed a horrible craving for Dr. Pepper this last pregnancy and although I still crave it, I'm trying to talk my myself out of it. That's one addiction I don't want to have to deal with.

I also crave frozen slushy orange juice. That's my favorite night time treat.

day 3

2011-01-12T13:30:00.004-06:00

A favorite photo.

Every time I see this photo I smile. This is me and my two younger sisters with our matching clothes and our matching chins.

day 2

2011-01-10T21:39:00.003-06:00

A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then

Its funny, I don't have that many pictures of me out there, but when I was looking back at the images last year, I actually found a picture that I took of myself exactly one year ago today.

I haven't really changed a whole lot. My hair is a little longer, and almost always pulled back lately. Makeup is an afterthought somedays, like today. I'm almost exactly the same size, even after going through a miscarriage and full term pregnancy in one year.

I took this picture at 11pm tonight and this is just about how I look every night lately. :)

Day 1

2011-01-10T17:03:00.005-06:00

Five things about me no one really knows.

1. I LOVE thrift store shopping. If I had the time, I would probably be a huge garage-sale freak. Heck, I've even been known to junk something from the side of the road that was in someone elses trash. Blame it on my mom.
2. I've always thought it would be cool to be a lounge singer. Give me a pianist and upright bassist and I could sing the standards all night long. I'm an old soul when it comes to music.
3. I have an overactive sense of smell. Most smells, if too strong almost always give me a headache. However, I also have this great ability of being able to turn off my nose when I need to. I can somehow plug my nasal passage and just breathe through my mouth. Makes diaper changing tolerable.
4. I have about half of Shell Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends" poems memorized. If you haven't listened to the recordings of him performing his poems, you should really check it out. You (and your kids) will never be the same. :)
5. I suck at math. I waited until to my last semester of college to take Algebra, and I barely passed. In fact, I'm pretty sure the professor took pity on me and passed me. I consider myself a relatively intelligent person, but when it comes to algebra, I'm completely brainless.

30 days, 30 posts

2011-01-10T17:00:00.002-06:00

I'm going to attempt this challenge, just because I've had so much fun reading everyone elses, but I can't guarantee I am going to be able to stay on top of it. We'll see. :)

Day 01 — 5 things about you that no one really knows
Day 02— A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then
Day 03 — A favorite photo
Day 04 — Something I crave
Day 05 — Top 10 pet peeves
Day 06 — Something I bought recently
Day 07 — Something I want to buy
Day 08 — A favorite song
Day 09 — A favorite movie
Day 10 — A favorite food
Day 11 — A favorite book
Day 12 — A favorite quote
Day 13 — What did you do today??
Day 14 — Your dream house...
Day 15 — Next 3 on “Bucket List”
Day 16 — A photo of my family
Day 17 — A habit you wish you didn't have
Day 18 — Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up
Day 19 — A hobby of mine
Day 20 — A favorite recipe
Day 21 — Nicknames I have, and why I have them...
Day 22 — A favorite Youtube video
Day 23 — A travel story
Day 24 — Something that makes you feel better...
Day 25 — A funny (true) story
Day 26 — A child I love
Day 27 — A place I love
Day 28 — A person I love
Day 29 — Testimony
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

dear blog,

2011-01-07T13:19:00.003-06:00

He's sleeping, but I still don't have time to blog.

You understand, don't you?

Hey, at least I finally took off the Halloween header!

how he came to be

2010-12-22T21:01:00.002-06:00

November 24th - My birthday. I was feeling pretty cruddy all day and thought I might have a stomach virus. Needness to say, it was not the best birthday I'd ever had.

November 25th- Thanksgiving. I'm feeling much better and get to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and festivities. And knowing it might be my best chance, I decide to do shop black friday, starting at midnight. I stayed up until 2:30 that night.

November 26th - The stomach thing is back, and I'm beginning to think might have overdone it a little. :) Feeling especially pregnant and ready to be done with it all, I posted this message at 6:36pm on Facebook. "Dear baby, I now give you permission to come out. Any time you're ready. Like, now, maybe."

November 27th - I am feeling a little better, but still not up to par. I got up with the kids around 8am and let Brian sleep in. After he got up and got ready for the day I decided to lay down, around 10am. While laying down I felt one really strong contraction but didn't think much of it. Abby came and layed down next to me and asked me if I would get something for her she couldn't reach. So I got up and as I did, woooosh. My water broke. I walked into the bathroom and just stood there, completely gobsmacked. My water broke early with both of the other kids, but I didn't think it would happen a third time! So I got my bearings back and walked into the kitchen where Brian was eating breakfast with Carter, and I said, "you wanna have a baby today?" He looked down at my completely soaked jeans and said, "NO. WAY." And we both just stood there in shock.

When I gave the baby permission to come out the night before, I really didn't mean it. I didn't have any laundry done, my hospital bag wasn't packed, I still had five family photoshoots left to edit, we were planning on putting up Christmas decorations that day.... the list went on and on. Based on my doctor's appointment a few days before, I really thought there was no way I was having the baby early. But lo and behold, he was on his way, almost three weeks early.

So before we left for the hospital I took a shower, we did a load of laundry and packed my bag. We dropped the kids off at Brian's parents house and got to the hospital at noon.

My new OB (I switched doctors after I miscarried) was out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, so she did not get to deliver my baby. :( But with a c-section, its pretty impersonal to begin with, so I was okay with it. They got me into the OR pretty quickly and Andrew was born at 1:28pm. He came out squawking and beet red, but the minute they put him next to me and I stroked his cheek, he calmed right down. And that's the way he's been ever since. He'll get worked up over being hungry or having a dirty diaper, but the minute I put my face next to his and stroke his cheek he's puddy in my hands. Or maybe its the other way around. :)

And that's the story of how Andrew was born.

Here's one of his three-week pictures.

2010-12-12T17:49:00.001-06:00

Now out of the night
New as the dawn
Into the light
This child
Innocent child
Trusting and warm
This child is born

One small heart
One pair of eyes
One work of art
Here in my arms

Here he lies
Trusting and warm
Blessed this morn!
A child is born

meet andrew christopher mcmurdie

2010-12-01T21:38:00.002-06:00

born November 27th 2010, 1:28pm
7 pounds 5 ounces
19 inches long
the rest of the story to come...

the moment

2010-11-23T20:23:00.003-06:00

Today I went through some of my old blog entries from a few years ago. I must say it's now a little difficult to read my blog entries from before Abby's (and Carter's) official HL diagnosis, because I seemed so happy and niave. It's bitter-sweet to enjoy the pictures and memories and growth of my babies, but the "now" me is saying, oh, just wait and see. Your life is going to be turned upside down. And then I read this post and every emotion came flooding back to me. I will never forget that day.

And in a few weeks, we might possibly have to go through that again. We know the odds are pretty good that he could have Pendred Syndrome. We are going to be okay and at peace with whatever the outcome is going to be. But it doesn't matter how much we've prepared ourselves for the red "referred" slip to come back after his HL newborn screen. If it happens, those emotions are going to come flooding back again: the worry, doubt, sadness, and acceptance that our child is going to struggle with this for the rest of his life.

And in a way, I feel like some of the joy of having a baby has been stripped away from me. Everyone expects a healthy, beautiful newborn because they have no reason to think otherwise. But for us, we can't just enjoy the moment, because we know it's possible that our child won't be "normal."

This kid's going to be okay if he has hearing loss. He is being born into a family and a community that understands it and knows what to do. The resources at our disposal are phenominal and we will give him the best care possible. And we will love him no less and maybe even more because of his special needs. But as every parent that has a child with a disability knows, it still doesn't change that moment when you first know . No matter your past experience, it is still terrifying.

2010-11-19T22:43:00.006-06:00

will you make it to your c-section date
or come early like the rest?

will you have Carter's soulful eyes
or Abby's sunshine smile?

will we know what your name is
or will we have to draw straws?

will you be good natured
or have the soul of an old grouchy man?

will you have a full head of hair
or a smattering of blonde?

will you have perfect hearing
or will genetics play its ace again?

we're anxious to meet you, little one.

update for posterity

2010-10-25T21:03:00.003-05:00

We're all doing good around here. Abby is growing like a weed, doing excellent in school and talking up a storm. Her teachers consider her "gifted" and hope that once we get her caught up with language and communication she'll be able to not only be mainstreamed, but be in a gifted and talented program. However, she's only been implanted for a year, and although we don't want to lower our expectations, it is likely that she will not be mainstreamed in Kindergarten. She would instead continue with the regional day school program in a mainstream elementary school that pulls out for the services she will need. But first grade... she'll be mainstreamed. I have full confidence.

Abby has been having bad dreams lately and therefore is fighting me like crazy to go to bed. Putting her to bed used to be one of my most favorite times of the day, but now its my own little nightmare. I know this won't last forever, but when you're in the thick of it, its pretty frustrating.

On the flip side however, me and Abby are tight. She is such a sweet, compassionate little girl and HATES upsetting me or making anyone unhappy. She is cuddly and loving, which is totally opposite of how she was when she was a toddler. She has lots of friends and has her teachers in the palm of her hand. She has matured so much and we are able to have full conversations, which is something that I have longed for for so long.

Raising Abby and Carter has not been the easiest thing in the world. Because of their hearing loss, communication wise I felt like I had two 2-year-olds for three years. Do you know how frustrating that is? To not be able to communicate with your children they way you want to? Anyway, we are coming out of that tunnel and it's so nice!

Carter is also growing up and doing so well in school. He's talking more and more and even creating long 8 and 9 word sentences. The other day he was playing with one of the teacher's assistants in the play kitchen in his classroom and he told her "I'm going to pour it all over your pants." And he also has quite a sense of humor. That same teacher was pretending to iron with Carter and she told him to "get all the wrinkles out" so he put the iron up to her face and started ironing out her wrinkles.

He is totally potty trained now (YAY) and so we will be diaper free for less than two months before we start the diaper routine all over again.

Carter is growing out of his constant grouchiness, but he still has his moments. And he is still a pretty sensitive kid. Carter and Abby are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. They love to play together, and I hate to say it, but I think they love to fight too. It's maddening, but when you have kids that close together, I think its inevitable.

So that's Abby and Carter in a really small nutshell.

my favorite picture

2010-10-03T21:19:00.001-05:00

challenged

2010-10-02T12:28:00.002-05:00

I'm not good at flower arranging. So I resort to copying from magazines. I loved this flower arrangement because its not your traditional boring fall arrangement; its a little bit modern, which is what I like. You'd think it would be easy to look at a picture and copy it, but not for me. I spent an hour at Hobby Lobby staring at the flowers in bewilderment. There's so many! And they're expensive! So I finally settled on these flower, which are different than the ones in the inspiration picture, but they were cheap. I got a huge clear glass fish bowl for $7 and spray painted it white, and I spent $12 on the flowers. So its a $20 flower arrangement, which isn't super cheap, but I like it. What do you think?

very brady

2010-10-01T13:22:00.002-05:00

I took this shot of Abby the other day, (Can you tell she loves the camera?) and I was trying a couple of editing techniques, none of which I was very excited about. But I wanted to post this one because to me it looks like I cut it out of an episode of "The Brady Bunch." Don't ya think?

tap, tap....

2010-10-01T13:10:00.002-05:00

Is this thing on?

Sorry I'm such a bad blogger lately. Does anyone even read my blog anymore?

I'm going to try to play catch up, although not a whole lot has happened around here.

I am 29 weeks pregnant and except for the ever increasing size of my belly bump, I really don't feel like I'm this far along. It has been one strange pregnancy. The first four months seemed to go on for-e-ver, but now that the worst has passed I really can't believe I'm in my third trimeseter, and I'm really not ready for him to come just yet. I feel good, and I'm able to to do the things I need to do and even everything I want to do, which I admit, is too much. With the holidays coming and the photography busy season, I need this little one to stay inside for just a little bit longer! Trust me, I do not take this healthy pregnancy for granted in the least and I hope he and I remain healthy till our due date.

We don't have a baby name. We have a few that we like okay, but nothing that we're sold on. I think we're going to have to wait till he's born. I have a feeling I will know right away what we should name him once we meet him in person.

So anyway, I will update on the kids and such soon.

dear carter,

2010-09-16T12:01:00.002-05:00

I know that's the way it goes.
Little mamma's boys do grow up.
They stop the random cuddles.
They resist mommy kisses.
They insist on doing things themselves.
They go off to school and lose that special time alone with mommy.
I know that's the way it goes.

I just didn't think I would have such a hard time with it.

I feel like I'm clinging onto little Carter, but you so desperately want to be big boy Carter.

But guess what, buddy?

I'm not going to stop my random cuddles.
I'll kiss you despite your resistance.
I will guide you along as you try to do things yourself.
And I will make moments where we can spend time together.
Because you will always be my little boy.

one reason why i love brian

2010-09-14T21:38:00.002-05:00

Carter wasn't nearly as into it as he was.

it's been a while

2010-09-14T20:17:00.001-05:00

I should probably post something.

Abby speech sample, April 2010

2010-08-25T13:40:00.001-05:00

This is speech sample from April, 5 2010. We had been working on the "f" sound and reading "The Foot Book." Pardon the really crappy video quality. This was the last pic/video/anything that I ever took with this camera. I really thought it was going to die in the first few seconds, but I ended up getting a lot.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

happy hearing birthday, abby!

2010-08-25T12:18:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was Abby's one-year cochlear implant hearing birthday and I completely missed it! For some reason I had it in my head that it was August 26th and not the 24th. Oh well! We'll celebrate it today!

I have been so, so bad about getting speech samples this year, and now that a whole year has passed I truly regret not having anything to look back on. We have tests galore, but not much in way of video or audio. The progress that she has made in a year has been nothing short of miraculous. We have worked hard, her teachers, audiologists and therapists have worked hard, but it is Abby's determination, desire and hard work that has contributed the most to her progress. I am so proud of her!

I have full faith that she will be able to go to regular public school next year and be mainstreamed in a general kindergarten class. We have lots to work on this year, but she is getting so close, and our teachers and therapists are very optimistic.

So happy CI birthday, Abby! We love you and we're proud of you!

2010-08-24T18:06:00.001-05:00

Guess what?

It's going to be under 100 degrees this week! Low 90's to be exact!

So in celebration, I'm offering an

UNDER 100 SALE*

45 minute photo session
20 digital negatives on CD
only $75!!!

I have only a few slots open for this special:

Wednesday, August 25th 7:00-7:45pm

Thursday, August 26th, 8:45am-9:30am

Friday, August 27th, 8:45am-9:30am

*Sale is only good for the dates and times listed above
*Sale does not apply to families of 5 or more.

dear blog,

2010-08-23T23:11:00.003-05:00

.
.
I've been cheating on you with Facebook.

You were my first, and I'll always come back to you, but in those moments when I just want to write one little thing, Facebook is the one. I'm sorry... But only a little.

Friend me if you want to know what I'm doing on a daily basis!

Love,

Me

first day of school

2010-08-23T11:25:00.002-05:00

Today Abby and Carter both went to school. I dropped Carter off first and only had one solitary moment when I felt like crying. But he did so well and didn't even seem to notice when I left. Then I took Abby to her class, hung out there for a few minutes and then slipped out as they were starting circle time.

...And then I spent the next two hours wasting time in Plano waiting on the go ahead to pick up a part for our broken car a/c and take it to the shop. But locating a single switch from a Kia dealer and getting a hold of our "reliable" mechanic was easier said than done. (Its a really long story.) So I made the 20 minute trek home at 10:30am in a hot car with no hopes that the car would be fixed today. And then I had to go pick up the kids in the heat of the day with no air conditioning. I was in the car for over an hour and I thought I was going to DIE. And looking back at the kids with their sweaty beet red faces made me so sad! I don't know how people did it back in the days of no a/c.

But despite the middle section of the day, it all went really well! Abby loves her new teacher and had a lot of fun, and Carter (who I've been kinda worried about) did so good and actually took a nap in school. wait.... I think I hear angels singing....

sometimes

2010-08-17T21:28:00.001-05:00

Most days I'm okay with this whole hearing loss thing. I mean, its been a part of our lives now for three years and has become commonplace. But there are some days, sometimes just small moments, when my heart aches for Abby and Carter to hear normally. Today has been especially hard.

revealing

2010-08-15T23:47:00.003-05:00

So Abby has had an ear infection in her HA ear for four days now and she has not worn her hearing aid since the start of the infection. I guess I never really noticed how much better she hears when she has both her hearing aid and her CI in, because she wears them both religiously and we haven't worked her CI independently in a really long time. But now it is painfully obvious, and its a little discouraging. I have to repeat things two or three times for her to understand me, she almost always wants to look at me when I talk so she can read my lips (which I don't want her to become dependent on) and in loud situations where she normally copes really well, she can't even make out me yelling at her.

We celebrate her one year CI hearing birthday later this month, and I can't believe how quickly it has passed, and how extremely well she has done with her implant. But the past few days has really made me realize that we're not out of the woods yet. She has so much more to learn, and there will come a day when she will lose the hearing completely in her right ear and she will no longer have that hearing to rely on. All of that makes me sad and I don't want to think about it. But with this new revelation, I am determined to help her feel confident when hearing in any and every situation. With her hearing aid or not, with one good ear or two, we will help her to be as happy and successful as possible.

But I really can't wait till that ear infection goes away!

New

2010-08-14T00:25:00.003-05:00

I added a new picture to Abby's picture page for anyone bored enough to look. :) Click on the "Abby's Art" button in the right column.

nostalgic

2010-08-13T22:56:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling a little nostalgic today, thinking about how much my little boy has grown up. Maybe its that his hair is long enough where it doesn't lay down flat anymore, or maybe its his exploding vocabulary and interest in everyone around him. He isn't afraid to walk up to a stranger and ask them what their name is, much to my proud dismay. (is it possible to be dismayed and proud at the same time??)

Anyway, I had to look back at some pictures and see how much he's changed, and oh my gosh. Baldy chubs is totally gone. He's now a lean, tan little surfer boy with white hair and a mean set of abs. I miss old Carter, but love the boy he's becoming.

wordless wednesday

2010-08-11T17:16:00.002-05:00

two pictures from galveston

2010-08-10T20:46:00.000-05:00

that's all for now

family portrait

2010-08-10T00:12:00.002-05:00

I don't even remember the last time we've had a family picture taken. So while we were in Galveston Matt took a few shots of us. This was our best one. I think we need more practice at this family portrait thing.

Anyway, we had an absolutely fabulous, relaxing time in Galveston and I wish we could go back once a month or something. I have pictures, just no time to post them. :)

well half of you were right...

2010-08-05T15:54:00.001-05:00

It's a BOY!

Now we just have to think of a name.

blessed

2010-08-01T22:55:00.003-05:00

Abby (as usual) asked to say prayer at dinner tonight, but this time her prayer was especially detailed and specific and I giggled as she spoke. As we said "Amen" I kept my eyes closed a little longer and drunk in the miracle of the prayer she had given. And then I looked up at Brian and said, "She is DEAF, and she was able to give a prayer like that." Brian gave me a knowing nod and said "I know, its incredible."

It truely is a miracle and I am so, so, so, SO grateful for the blessing of her hearing through her hearing aid and cochlear implant.

I will never take her hearing for granted, and I will be forever grateful for it.

baby 3

2010-07-16T08:18:00.004-05:00

So people have been asking me, "What do you think it is?" and "What do you want it to be?"

And honestly I have no idea what I think it might be, and up until this week, I wasn't really sure I had a preference if it was a boy or a girl.

But I think I know what I want now. I'm just not telling. I don't want to offend the baby, you know. :)

But what about you? Boy? Girl?

I find out on August 5th!

Take the poll!

4th of july weekend

2010-07-06T14:03:00.003-05:00

We had a busy, action packed fourth of July weekend! I actually took pictures, which I've been bad about lately. But I'm in a rush to post this, so I didn't have time to edit them, so you get to see my pics in all their naked glory. Did I just type naked glory?

Friday we had Cousin's School, which is a weekly semi-preschool thing we do with all the cousins in the McMurdie family. We have a lesson, music time and then a craft. Then we usually have lunch and go swimming. However, this Friday everyone else had other plans after lunch so it was just me and the kids. It rained, but the kids didn't care.

That night we went to ci-ci's pizza. Always a good time at ci-ci's.

And yes, Abby was blinged out the whole weekend. Go America!

Saturday we went to our ward breakfast and the kids joined the bike parade. Wish I would have taken pictures of that. It was crazy fun. Then after breakfast we went to the lake with Brian's family, which is a common occurance in the summer. But this summer is going to be different, because Carter discovered the jet skiis.

He was SO excited, and then once he got on he wouldn't get off. He rode that thing four or five different times with Brian and then Grandpa. Carter is a natural daredevil, and now I have something else to add to my gray hair list. Abby just enjoyed playing in the water with the girls. But at the end she got on the jet ski for the first time and loved it too.

(Don't ask about the pose. I haven't been letting her read SI swimsuit edition. Promise.)

After the lake we did our traditional trip to the fireworks stand a few miles from our house. Have to get a picture every time.

That night we were supposed to go to Concert in the Gardens with my family, but because of the rain, we decided not to risk it and stay around here instead. Of course, it didn't rain, and the concert was wonderful, and I'm sad that we didn't go, but we had fun anyway. We hung out with Brian's family that night and watched the fireworks.

Sunday we went to my Mom's house for hamburgers and fireworks. Brian helped John (the fireworks guru in our family) set the off, and they had lots of fun. The bugs were AWFUL, and Abby and Carter have mosquito bites everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE. But it was fun nonetheless.

I took pics on missy's camera, so maybe she'll get around to giving me those.

Okay! Off to speech therapy!

drumroll please...

2010-07-01T09:14:00.003-05:00

Today I am excited to announce the launching of my brand new photography website!
mandiemcmurdie.com

Go on over and take a look!

Special thanks to Missy, who, in a huge conflict of interest, helped me redesign my logo, website, and blog. Her talent exceeds description! You are an amazing artist and a wonderful sister!

good times

2010-06-26T20:42:00.002-05:00

We saw Toy Story 3 tonight with the kids. I laughed, I cried, I went to the bathroom with Abby three times while we were there. Before the movie Abby and I got in the photobooth for a few pictures. Its been a while since I posted any pics of the kids, and like YEARS since I posted a pic of me... so here ya go. I loved the movie, but I think taking these pictures might have been my favorite part of the night.

so far

2010-06-25T09:46:00.003-05:00

the summer has been going pretty well. We've managed to keep a really full schedule with playdates, swimming and such so there's not much time to be bored. However, when Abby and Carter are alone, they manage to get on eachothers nerves really fast. I guess that's partly due to them being only 17 months apart. We've been watching more TV than usual, which might classify me as being a bad mom, but I don't care, and figure what's a little more tv for a month or two going to hurt??? We balance it with other educational activities, so its not all bad.

I'm 15 weeks and feeling so much better. Except I have a pretty bad cold or sinus infection or something, which in 100 degree weather completely drains me. Today I feel worse than I have all week so I'm going to the doctor and hope she gives me an antibiotic. But I have a feeling she's just going to tell me to suck it up.

somethin big

2010-06-23T21:48:00.002-05:00

is coming July 1st! Okay, maybe its not as amazing as announcing a pregnancy, but its exciting nonetheless! So stay tuned. I know. You can hardly stand it.

wallamellon

2010-06-18T22:06:00.004-05:00

No summer is complete without a few watermelon pictures. And considering how much my kids love watermelon, there'll be plently more photo opportunities.

dreaded longing

2010-06-15T07:41:00.000-05:00

You know those milestones in your child's life that you dread, but knowing they've reached it means they're learning and growing?

For example, the "why?" question marathon. Abby has been asking why questions for a long time now, but has never done the proverbial long string of whys that preschoolers are known for. But today she did it.

Mom: I'm hungry.
Abby: Why are you hungry mommy?
M: Because it's time for dinner.
A: Why is it time for dinner?
M: Because we eat at night and its almost night time.
A: Why is it night time?
M: Because Jesus made it night time.
A: Why did Jesus make it night time?
M: Because Heavenly Father told him to.
A: ...Silence...

Thank goodness. Cause I wasn't ready to go there.

Abby's Art

2010-06-14T13:08:00.002-05:00

I thought it would be kinda fun to start posting some of Abby's artwork on her own blog. I do this not to brag, but to document her progression. I think she has a gift, and I really want her to grow in her talents and have pride in her abilities.

If you'd like to take a look, click on the "Abby's Art" button in the right column.

pregnancy - week 13

2010-06-09T23:15:00.002-05:00

I hardly remember a thing about being pregnant with Carter, although I remember a lot about Abby's. And I looked back at my blog and the entire pregnancy I only wrote one thing about it HERE. So I'm going to try to be better about documenting this journey so that I'll have it for posterity. So if you don't want to hear me gripe about first trimester woes, feel free to stop reading now.

I do know that this baby is different than the other two. I think the reason why I don't remember much about Carter's is that my pregnancy with him was just like Abby's. I got a little nauseous, never threw up, had headaches all the time for about six months, had initial low progesterone counts, both pregnancies ended with my water breaking on its own, with two weeks left till due date.

So far, I've hardly been nauseous at all, except when I'm hungry. Instead my stomach is wracked with torment every time I eat. If I don't eat I get nauseous, if I do eat I sit huddled in the fetal position for an hour or two. No matter what I eat. So really, not eating sounds like the best choice sometimes. Which is good, cause I haven't gained any weight so far. I've thrown up once, had three migraines and a little annoying headach once or twice a week.

However, the past two weeks have been so much better. I started feeling better a few days before Maui and have since been feeling really good. Still get nauseous if I don't eat regularily, but my headaches are very few and far between, and my stomach is settling down a bit. But I still have some triggers.With the other two pregnancies, I craved Barg's rootbeer. Now ANY carbonation sends me back to the fetal position again. Like tonight. Durned orange crush soda.

I'm still totally exhausted though, but that should be passing in the next week or two. And maybe now that I'm feeling better I can catch up on my client work and actually go outside and play with the kids.

Oh, and my dreams, although always very vivid, are now especially insane and fanstatical. One night I was Kung Fu Panda kicking some serious butt, and another night we were fleeing a sunami deep in the heart of Texas. And its funny, cause I didn't seem to mind that waves were feet from our homes. All I was worried about was that our 72 hour kits were outdated and Carter only had size 1 daipers to wear. Nothing like a good dream to get you motivated.

my phone went swimming yesterday

2010-06-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

...in a cup of water. So if you've tried to contact me on my cell phone after 12 noon yesterday, I didn't get the message. Until I can get a new phone, please email me at brianmandie@gmail.com. Or if you know my house # you can call me there too.

I knew I was dependent on my phone, but I didn't know how much! I only have five numbers saved on my house phone. No numbers written anywhere, and who memorizes numbers anymore? Everything is in my phone. And now its dead and there are a lot of people I can't contact right now. Including clients. Maddening.

talents

2010-06-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

We all have our talents. Sewing is NOT one of mine. Me and the bobbin have a very volitle relationship and my sewing attempts always end with me tangled up in thread screaming at the bobbin. And although I am somewhat proficient at basic sewing skills, I can in no way say that I have any talent whatsoever.

Baby showers are a great place to feel really bad about your lack of homemaking skills. I've been to a few lately where ladies just "whipped up" a beautiful crochet blanket for someone, or made incredibly cute handstiched bloomers and burp cloths. But the one that took the cake for me was Shannon's blanket at my sister Missy's shower. I'm just gonna say it. I was GREEN with envy. She made an activity mat out of some adorable fabrics and the workmanship was impeccible. I almost crammed it into my purse and bolted, but I figured Missy would find me out. Eventually.

Anyway, you can see more of Shannon's work here.

maui

2010-05-30T02:41:00.002-05:00

Maui is awesome.

We're having a great time.

But I'm just aching for my babies.

I'm glad for this time away, this break from reality, but going home will be sweet.

holy cow, abby

2010-05-27T22:51:00.004-05:00

Lots of times Abby draws what she sees, but this was completely from memory. The yellow/black polka dotted tie is awesome.

creative juices

2010-05-27T16:54:00.002-05:00

The other day I was driving through a neighbhorhood and saw a man sitting on his front sidewalk writing "happy birthday" in sidewalk chalk. I don't know if it was for his wife, or one of his children, or another family member, but I thought, how creative is that? And then I thought, more guys should be that creative when doing things for their loved ones. especially their wives. But most men just don't have the time or creativity, or inclination to do something other than the traditional.

So then I thought, wouldn't it be cool if we all came up with some great, creative ideas that husbands can do for their wives on special occasions, and then compile them into a nice little document, and give them a copy. Then, when a special occasion comes along, all they have to do is take a look at the great resource we made them, pick one, and do it. And we will think they are the most thoughtful, creative man in the world.

So while I'm gone, leave a comment with a few ideas. And if your husband has done something creative, now's your time to brag on him.

seven nights

2010-05-25T11:24:00.003-05:00

SEVEN nights that I will be away from my children. It hit me a few days ago. I don't want to say goodbye to my kids. I don't want to leave them for that long. Yeah, I know I need a break, and I can't back out now, and when I get there and settle in I will probably love it, but in the meantime I'm beside myself. I haven't even told Abby yet because I don't want her to be sad, which will make ME sad. Carter knows, but he doesn't grasp it like Abby will. I know they will have fun while we're gone, and they will be in good hands at Melinda's house, but I am going to miss them terribly.

At least we will be with all of Brian's family who will have also ditched their kids with other people. We can commiserate together I guess.

happy #3 carter!

2010-05-18T00:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Here are some of the things that Carter likes to do:

Flirt with the cashiers at the store. Sometimes he'll even give a thumbs up and wink. Not kidding.

Stand on his head. Sometimes I'll come into a room and see him hanging off a chair head first in kind of a headstand position. He'll stay that way for a long time too!

Eat all his food. He's gotten a better appetite in the last couple of weeks and I think he's finally starting to grow a little!

Take baths. The kid LOVES to take baths.

Still loves watching George, Mickey mouse clubhouse, Incredibles and now loves the movie Iron Giant.

Doesn't like to draw. He leaves that for his sister.

Run, jump, play, and ride his bike.

Growl like a lion.

Turn around in the pew at church and get laughs from the people behind us.

Give hugs and kisses.

heavy reading

2010-05-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

Brian and I are going to Hawaii at the end of the month and I plan on spending a LOT of time laying on the beach, soaking in the sun, and reading some good books. Except the last time I picked up a book (other than the scriptures and kids books) was a looong time ago. I have no idea what to get! Criteria: romance, funny, interesting plot, maybe some suspense, I'd prefer fiction over non-fiction but most of all they need to be CLEAN. No cursing, no funny business.

Got any suggestions? Anything you want to loan me? I'll love you forever.

forte

2010-05-10T16:31:00.002-05:00

Out of all the posing possibilites in photography, I think I'm probably best at the individual head shot. Maybe because it's the easiest. :) I just wanted to show you a recent before and after. For you photographers out there, I've listed my settings as well.

SOOC (straight out of camera)
f/1.8 Shutter 1/320, ISO 100

Edited

All I did was sharpen, reduce the red in her face a tiny bit, lighten the image, add a little contrast and touch up a few blemishes. I didn't touch the eyes.

happy mother's day to me!

2010-05-10T11:14:00.002-05:00

I'm 9 weeks along now and everything is looking SO much better than my last pregnancy did. But we could still use your prayers that everything goes well and we end up with a healthy baby!

baby shelby

2010-05-06T10:38:00.003-05:00

My sister Missy just had a baby two weeks ago and she came over the other day to hang out and take some pictures in my mock studio. Since my sister is a photographer also (and a freakin' good one) I wanted to act as assistant and let her do the shooting. But Shelby was the PERFECT newborn model so in the end I had to get out my camera and take a few pics. She is such a sweet little thing. Ugh!

Besides, I'm going to need as much practice as I can get so I'm ready to photograph my own baby in December. ;)

8 things

2010-05-03T23:25:00.002-05:00

1. Carter is fully recovered from his surgery, is gaining weight back and even has his cute little husky voice back. So glad about that!
2. My sister, Missy, had her baby two weeks ago. She and my mom and Melinda came over to play today. I set up my little newborn photography studio and we did some pics of her. I can't believe how easy going and moldable she was! It was awesome.
3. I think we need to do a mapping session with Abby. It's been about 6 months and I notice that her /s/ sound is not very sharp anymore. But other than that, she's a superstar. She talking so well and I'm AMAZED and her progress and know she's going to keep amazing us for a long time.
4. Speaking of, Abby said the prayer in church on Sunday in front of all the Primary kids. I helped her because she was pretty scared, but she was clear and understandable and she did such a great job. Its a lot to ask a four- year-old to get up in front of everyone and say an intelligble prayer, let alone a child that is DEAF! As I sat her down and walked out of the room my eyes welled up with tears. Her CI/hearing aids are a miracle. SHE is a miracle.
5. Brian hasn't been traveling for a couple of weeks now and hopefully will be in town for a great portion of the summer. He's been traveling since we've been married, so I guess you could say its old hat. But its not home without him home.
6. Brian got called to be Elder's Quorum President in our ward and so that will keep him very busy. But its a big calling and I'm proud of him for being worthy and willing to accept the assignment.
7. Our dryer went kaput two weeks ago so we bought a new set. We got dem new front loading contraptions and I think I'm in love, although it has been an adjustment! We stack them on top of eachother and we're going to build a little workstation in the area beside it so hopefully it will improve my laundry workflow. Because laundry seems to consume my life. I don't know how you people with 4+ kids do it.
8. It's midnight and I'm going to bed.

blogging rut

2010-04-30T21:34:00.002-05:00

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

2010-04-25T22:27:00.002-05:00

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?!

2010-04-20T19:42:00.002-05:00

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

2010-04-18T22:08:00.003-05:00

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

2010-04-08T12:41:00.009-05:00

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?

2010-04-06T22:21:00.002-05:00

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

2010-04-05T23:31:00.002-05:00

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

2010-04-04T23:21:00.002-05:00

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?

2010-04-04T22:43:00.002-05:00

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!

2010-04-04T09:10:00.002-05:00

I love my children.
I would die for them.

Jesus Christ DID.

I am eternally grateful.

dear bluebell ice cream co.

2010-04-03T08:32:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-02T19:44:00.003-05:00

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

2010-04-01T23:27:00.003-05:00

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.

abby's recent artwork

2010-03-31T18:17:00.002-05:00

The first is Mommy and Daddy

And this one is a rainbow and a castle.

Abby told me the purple thing under the rainbow is Cinderella. I guess she just ran out of room.

Not bad, huh?