Art Exhibition

Today is the opening of an "Art House" exhibit at the Atlanta International Airport that I am participating in. At least one (up to five that I submitted) small painting of mine is included. Another cool thing about it is they are also publishing a book with the included art. So if you are fliyng through Atlanta between now and Sept. 4th check it out. Or look for the book, but I'm not sure what it will be called. It's put together by Art House and the project was called The Canvas
Project 2 - Encyclopedia. Participants signed up and were sent 5 3x3" canvases and 5 random words to illustrate as they see fit and then they sent them back to Art House. At least one of the paintings from each submission are included in the show and book. They are also for sale. Pretty cool deal if you ask me. If you are interested in doing some artwork of your own and participating in an Art House project check them out at: www.arthousecoop.com . I am pretty excited about having my art in the public eye and really stoked about it being published (I even preordered the book - waiting patiently for it to arrive!)

Pictures

Sue sent me these great pictures and I thought I would share them.

Pictures

Well Check and other stuff

We just got home from the kids well checks (annual for the girls and 2 week for Bennett). Everyone is growing and developing well. Bennett has almost regained his birthweight. He may have a small heart murmur. the Doc wants to keep an eye on it but she suspects that it may have been because he was so worked up at the visit (he cried through most of the girls and his own). Sydney will be going to the Cardiologist soon to check up an her murmur. But everyone seems to be in great shape. So greatful to have happy (for the most part) healthy kids.

The girls birthday party went really well. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. The games were a hit thanks to Auntie Shar. Yesterday we went to lunch for Zoes birthday, she had swimming lessons, then we had a "tea party" with her cake and opened a few extra presents. I had a pretty good b-day too. The kids picked the gifts they gave this year. Sydney got me a crossword puzzle book ( thanks to Daddy for pointing her away from the kids books). Zoe got me (drumroll please) ...... a toothbrush! I was so caught off guard, I got the giggles. Rob said that that was what she said she wanted to get me but he got her to pick a cool pink electric toothbrush rather than a two pack oral B that she started out with. Hahaa. Who knows what goes on in their little heads. Regardless, I was thrilled and it was a birthday present I will never forget.

Week One

Week one with Bennett has been, well, let's call it surreal. Rob and I keep looking at each other and asking "are we really doing this again?" Most of having a newborn is familiar, but Ben has his own set of quirks and things. Still trying to figure him out (it's only been a week - we aren't rocket scientists here you know). He is a great little sleeper when his diaper is clean and his tummy is full (barring any gas complications) he will sleep for a good four hours at a stretch. Of course being a baby he doesn't always pick the ideal four hour stretches and we still have sleepless nights, just like any other new parents. No health problems or troubles nursing thank God.
The girls think he is really cool, kind of like a new toy. Zoe loves to hold him and will at any oppertunity. Of course, then Sydney also wants to hold him - but only for about 10 seconds then she is done. Being the big helpers that they are they hover near every diaper change and race to pick out a new outfit or grab a burp cloth.
As smooth as it is all going so far, I can't help but be mindboggled trying to think of us as a family of five and the fact that I have a son makes my eyes all misty (blaming it on the hormones).
In other news, we are preparing for a big weekend of birthdays. We are starting off celebrating mine on friday (its really monday, but since Sue is leaving on sunday and shar has such a long drive from her house to ours we are moving it for convenience). Nothing too major here (just trying not to think about how my twenties are flashing before my eyes). Then Saturday is the big Tinkerbell party for both of the girls. It is actually Syd's 3rd birthday. Zoe turns 5 on tuesday. Mindblowing to have a 3 and 5 year old and a newborn. Scarry!!!

Welcome Bennett!

He is finally here

Induced at 11:45, delivered at 6:03. Bennett Michael 21.5 in, 9lb8oz "yep, he is huge". No epidural, "crazy".

Anticipation

Tommorrow is my induction date. The day I will give birth to my third and final child. So today I wait. Waiting is nothing new, I feel as if I have been waiting for a very long time. However something about waiting changes when you know that the end is near, very near. My body and mind, which up until this point supported me in the "let's get a move on" camp are suddenly a jumble of feelings so inexplicable and deeply tangled that there is really no explaination for the way I feel. The other thing is I really can't think of anything that I want to do to pass the time. I'm sure there are plenty of things to occupy me, yet my ability to concentrate on any singular task has all but disappeared. So here I go marching into a day that I am sure will end in a night of restless sleep . Hopefully those sharing my space make it through unscathed by my hormonal moodiness and whacko anticipatory behavior.