Life

This has been a very long and eventful week and I think today has been the most bizarre of all. First, an update on Erica and Grayson. They are both still in the hospital, but everyone is doing fine. Erica was going to be released yesterday, but started running a fever the night before, so they've kept her for a little longer. Grayson is out of the oxygen tent, off of his feeding tube, and is eating on his own. Erica and I went down to see him in the NICU this afternoon and we got to see him with his eyes open for the first time! So much fun! Now Erica thinks he looks like her! We also got to watch him eat from a bottle for the first time. He's a little jaundiced, so they've got him in the 'tanning bed' for the time being, but he continues to do well. I haven't heard when they'll release him--not soon enough, but I'm thinking pretty soon. Tonight, Erica got to feed him for the first time. I sent my camera with Damon so that he could get a few shots. As usual, they have very subtle mood lighting in the NICU, so the images are a little blurry and grainy, but we'll get PLENTY more pictures later!

My, what big hands you have!

"Hey Mama!"

Mama is slobbering all over the baby! ;)

"This eating business is HARD work!"

Awwwhhh, finally getting to cuddle!

And then there were other things that happened today as well. My friend Tracie called me today to tell me that our friend Stephanie Wright had been killed in a car accident yesterday (Dec 23) on her way home for the holidays. Stephanie was 31 years old and worked for Lifeway as an event coordinator with the Beth Moore/Women's Ministry department. I've known Steph since college, but we really became friends at seminary. I wanted to BE Stephanie when I grew up (and I still do!) She was a great person. She was Allen [Jackson]'s secretary for my first two years at seminary and I had the chance to help her with lots of YMI stuff. She was also my director the first year I worked Centrifuge at Panama City Beach in 2001.

I loved Steph. She was a natural red-head and definitely lived up to that reputation at times, but we always got along really well. I could relate to her weaknesses and I admired her strengths. I loved her voice and the way she'd laugh and talk at the same time. She loved 'hip-hop' music and N'SYNC (back in '01) and she loved to dance. She always seemed to know what she was doing--even when she didn't. And Steph liked to "have it all together" but for whatever reason, she always let me in, even when she didn't have it all figured out. I treasured our relationship because I felt that I had the opportunity to see a side that most people didn't see. It made me respect her even more.

As friends often do, we'd gone our separate ways and kinda lost touch, but I had the chance to visit with her for a while after I returned to Nashville at the end of the summer. It wasn't a life-altering conversation or anything, but I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to sit and visit with her one last time. While she was not a part of my daily routine, it's hard to believe that she isn't there anymore. Her presence of mind and abiding faith are something that I will always remember when I think about her. I've included a couple of pictures that I dug out of a rather haphazardly arranged photo box. These were taken during a trip to the Texas Youth Ministry Conclave in the fall of 2000. [For those of you who knew Stephanie, I'll keep you posted on funeral arrangements and all. I'm thinking it will be in Baton Rouge on Tuesday or Wednesday, but I'll post when I know more.]

(l to r) Amanda and Steph

(l to r) Steph, Tex, and Jason--the redheads on the trip (and yes, Tex is wearing a (really bad) wig

Grayson Parks, day three

So they have officially decided that his name is Grayson Parks Trahan. He is still in NICU but he continues to progress well. He had what I believe the doctor called a pneumo thrombosis yesterday (basically, because he's a little early, his lungs still had some immature spots and his breathing put pressure on one such spot and it tore a little and air was escaping into his chest cavity--I don't know if I got the name--or spelling--correct.) They removed the air and the condition has corrected itself on its own. He is now under an oxygen hood, but they are weaning him off of the oxygen and once he's able to eat for 24 hours, they will release him. He's a little trooper!

Erica is also doing well. She is moving around more and more and has found that she loves Hunt's Snack Pack red jello! She will probably be released from the hospital tomorrow. Grayson is doing great, but he will probably still be in a little longer. Please pray for Erica and Damon, as it is going to be hard for them to leave him behind, no matter how short the duration.

I have a couple of pictures of Grayson (the quality is not the best as it was dark in the NICU and I didn't want to freak him out with the flash!) I also took a few shots of his nursery this morning, so I thought I would post those as well. As always, I will continue to post as I have the opportunity, so stay tuned!

Grayson at 3 days old

Grayson without the oxygen tent

Ony, my nosy little shadow as I took pictures of the nursery...boy is SHE in for a rude awakening when that baby shows up!

The left side of the nursery

The right side of the nursery

Sha, tee lil' diapers! I just think they're too cute! The Johnson's baby lotion bottle is there to give you a sense of size. They're tee-tiny!

I just thought this was cute

Damon loves giraffes and they go quite well with the 'safari' theme for the room

The wait is over!!

Well, baby Trahan has arrived! They did everything they could to allow for a natural delivery, but Erica's labor wasn't progressing so they went ahead and did the c-section. He was born at 7:14am this morning. He was 6 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. The name is as yet to be determined. They have a name or two picked out, but Erica wants to see him in person before they officially decide the name.

Erica hasn't had a chance to see him since right after he was born. She is on a magnesium drip for 24 hours to make sure she doesn't have any seizures, so she can't really leave the room until that's done. The baby is doing well, but he is a little early and was a c-section baby (so he didn't get the 'stuffing' squeezed out of him) so he is in NICU so that they can monitor his breathing more closely. He's doing well and we expect him to only be there for 24-48 hours. All that to say--Momma is wanting her baby! But she has had a chance to rest, and she needs that right now, so that's been good. Alright, it's been a long day and I'm barely making any sense here, but here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure! NOT to worry, there will definitely be more to come!! :) [And Erica is fine but I wanted to keep my camera in working condition, so I didn't venture any pics of her! I'll get some shots of her after she's feeling a little better and has had a chance to freshen up!]


Damon and his son!

Me and da bebe

The baby is holding Damon's finger

...and so we wait

Erica has been on some sort of labor-inducing drip all day, but it looks like our new 'little bundle of joy' won't be arriving until tomorrow! They've taken her off the drip so that she can rest tonight--which she found somewhat humorous as she doesn't find any of it to be very comfortable. That's what's going on tonight. Never fear, I'll keep you posted as events occur...and I'll be sure to post pics as soon as I can! :)

Christmas with the fam

With Erica having the baby Monday or Tuesday and Kyle and family being in town this weekend, we decided to start Christmas early! I've posted a bunch of pics of the day--I realize that it's probably more than anyone is interested in seeing, but I like them all and as it's my blog, that's my prerogative, right?! This year's gift-giving experience was a lot of fun. David is 2 1/2 and is a little ham...and a BIG helper, as he 'helped' just about everyone who has presents in need of opening! A good time was had by all! :)

What a little cutie! :)

David and 'his loot'

helpin' a VERY excited Momma

Oh, what is it?

This opening presents business is HARD work!

helpin' Grammy

helpin' Daddy

helpin' Aunt Erica with the baby's gift (and there's a lil' peek of the baby in the shot--ha!)

I just thought this was a cute picture of Glenn watching David's excitement over his new motorcycle

Vrrrroooommmm

helpin' Mama

Awwwhhh, how cute!

Oh, what could it be?! Aunt Beff wraps too well! ;)

Almost there!

David playing with his newest 'Thomas the Train' train

GQ-ing in front of the tree

'D' is for David! :)

Katie's making jewlery--doesn't she look crafty?! ;)

David and his 'Aunt Beff'

David and Grammy

Kyle and David waiting for a tractor ride

I think this pic is so cute

The men are heading out to make a lil' fire

Kyle and David watching the fire

the fire

Mom's backyard...I think these trees are so neat

Reading about Noah

David and Pawpaw

CHEEEEESSSSE! (This is a picture of David in my Dad's rocking chair)

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

Greetings to all my lovely readers out there...and you too, Phillip. I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post! The days have just been zooming by! Ha, not really. I've just been doing all of the typical holiday stuff. Ya know, writing study guides, creating mid-terms, making grading rubrics, and all the other forms of torture that we teachers like to pull out at this time of year! ha! just kidding, of course...it's almost as much torture to create them as it is to take them. I say almost, because I've been through the YEARS of taking them myself, and I must say it is a little less pressure to make them--at least I can use the book! :) AND I get the teacher's edition, another BIG perk! But then I have to grade them, which often proves as miserable as actually taking them.

I don't know where all of that came from! I was watching SNL and heard some reference to a "baker's dozen" (in that rap song about the Chronicles of Narnia--which was actually a pretty funny short!) Anyway, Damon and I had a conversation about how many of something were included in a baker's dozen (13, in case you didn't know) the other day and the reference sparked my interest. I was bored so I thought I'd look it up (because, yes, my life really is THAT boring!) I came across this funny post by some guy who's site I've never seen before. Just thought I'd share. Read it...it's much funnier than I'm being tonight!

Having an early Christmas with the fam tomorrow...pictures are sure to come! In other news, Erica will be going into the hospital on Sunday night and they will induce on Monday morning...so he's a comin'!! I'll keep y'all posted as events progress.

Come on people, WORK with me!!

Alright, I need to hear it from any Smallville fans in the area! I LOVE Smallville but I am apparently part of a small--but thriving--population, because no one I know seems to be a fan! And tonight's episode was SO good!!! I know I sound like a sci-fi nerd, but I need to process it with someone! And it has nothing to do with the Superman-y stuff. Tonight was more about how Lex becomes Lex...and it's been a fascinating turn!

And while I'm on the subject, have I mentioned that I'm a big fan of Michael Rosenbaum?! He plays Lex Luthor on the aforementioned Smallville. If you need some help, here's a pic...or two!

Here he is in character--with the bald head and all

And here's another picture of him...just so that people who WILL make fun of me about this will see that he does actually have hair.

My thought here is that if blogging about that weather guy fella actually led to him reading my blog--which still cracks me up--why couldn't it happen again! ha! right, right...I know that's not happening! But a girl can dream, can't she? ha! (and no bright ideas Damon! I know your tricks!!)

What a year it has been!

It's been a busy year! Here's a little run-down:

• I sold a condo (along with my lovely brother and sister!)
• I went to Della's surprise 30th birthday party in Florida (which was very spontaneous for me!)
• I started this blog
• I bought a computer--all by myself
• I moved to my current address
• I visited Kyle, Katie and David in Missouri for the first time
• I got a 'big-girl' bed! ha!
• I was carded while buying a movie ticket! ha!
• I went on vacation (to NYC with Bonny and Jen)
• I saw a Broadway show--or three!
• I hailed a cab :)
• I directed a summer of Centrifuge
• I bought a car--all by myself
• I managed to work somewhere for longer than one year
• I evacuated (by myself--my first time to evacuate as an adult!)
• I started my myspace page
• I went to Della's wedding in Florida
• I turned 30!
• I traveled to Florida (twice), Missouri, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland (twice), Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee (multiple times) (Not necessarily in that order)
• I fell in love...oh, wait! ha, maybe next year!! ;)

Some are big, others are not...all have special significance to me. What a year it has been. Thank you to all of those who have been a part of it!

Because I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!

Career Inventory Test Results Extroversion 43% Emotional Stability 60% Orderliness 66% Altruism 76% Inquisitiveness 50% You are a Guide, possible professions include - career counselor, psychologist, educational consultant, special education teacher, librarian, artist, playwright, novelist/poet, editor/art director, information-graphics, designer, HRM manager, merchandise planner, environmental lawyer, marketer, job analyst, mental health counselor, dietitian/nutritionist, research, educational consultant, architects, interpreter/translator.

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