Parade at work

This is a blog just for Taylor . . . I wanted her to see that Aunt Jamie was one of her favorites for Halloween at work . . . Dora the Explorer! My coworkers were Dora's pals, so I included pictures of them, too! See if you can tell who they are! The nurses, dietician, and social workers took on the Saint's theme, and they looked really cute. The parade was one of our biggest events of the year, so as you can imagine, it took a lot of planning. We had 22 children participate, and they got so much stuff! Over 50 departments at Ochsner participated. It takes a lot of organization and work, so we are glad we have this one behind us!

October 16, 2006

Today we had 2 appointments with the maternal/fetal specialist and the regular physician group taking care of Lesley. Everything looks very good! Brady is 2 lbs. 3 ounces, and Reese is 1 lb. 15 ounces. Both of them are very fiesty, and they look like something out of alien when you can see them boxing it out across the room in Lesley's stomach! Taylor likes to get them wound up right before bed.
It looks like we still plan to deliver at the end of December, if all continues to go well. The only thing Dr. Rhinehart suggested was for Lesley to ditch the fancy (high heel) boots! Even though he did concede that she looked very fashionable and cute! Lesley and I were able to go out for a quick lunch before I had to head back. It was a very successful visit! 10 weeks to go!

More Pictures!

There were so many fun moments that I had to add some more pictures!

My surprise visitors!

Yes, folks. They finally did surprise me! Lesley kept a secret! I can't believe I didn't have it all figured out, but it was nice to have so many of my friends come, since everyone has been so busy! Katie just had Piper 1 month ago, and of course, she looks absolutely beautiful! Melissa skipped clinicals to come, and she never does that! Claire is working on her yard, just like I need to do, so it was so wonderful that she could come. I am attaching our pictures. We did one "posed" shot, but I thought the next shot was funnier, because it showed everyone in action. Benton is a good photographer like that!

October 14, 2006

Cindy and Mark hosted a shower for Gary and I, and it was absolutely beautiful! The decorations were unbelievable . . . very creative! I am going to attach some pictures. We all had such a wonderful time, and I am so grateful for all of our supporters! I have so many pictures, I think I am going to have to do a couple of different posts!

October 13, 2006

Wendy and Joey came to Dallas for our shower and to see Lesley and her family. We had a really good time, and Taylor enjoyed all the attention! They got her a doll with blonde hair and Taylor loved it! She carried it around, talked to it, put it to bed. She didn't seem to care that the rest of us were there!

Who Dat?

With a little help from our newly discovered good luck charm, the Saints have gone 3-0!!!! Gary and Vince are convinced that every time they see a little leprechaun before the game, the Saints will have a victory. Now obviously folks, they have not seen a lot of this little green guys based on the Saints' history, but it appears to be working! We had a great time last night, and we were completely exhausted at work today. We met a lot of people before the game (around 1:00 p.m.) and went to the pre-game festivities outside of the dome. The pictures will show the story of how the little leprechaun found us! We didn't get home until midnight, but it was a great experience! By the way . . . if any of my Texas family or friends want to know what they are actually saying (or meaning) during that little "Who dat" chant, I am going to have to refer you to Gary. I still have no idea.
Look hard at the last picture. You can see Vince in their with his good luck charm! I am going to publish some more pictures on a separate blog so the can fit.

Spike and Tuffy think the new room is for them

New baby update! Lesley went for another ultrasound today with the maternal/fetal specialist, and everything looks great! Brady is weighing in at 1 lb. 3 ounces, and Reese is a close second at 1 lb. 2 ounces! This is excellent for even single babies at this stage (22 weeks), so we are really pleased. He mentioned that Lesley looks to have no problems, and should be able to go to 37 weeks! Another huge accomplishment! Brady is head down, but Reese is sprawled out sideways. Gary says it is just like a woman to take up all the room! We'll show him taking up all the room!!!!! Every time the doctor put the ultrasound wand on Reese, she kicked at him. I guess he is already learning a thing or two about the women in our family. We are hoping that I will be able to attend the next appointment. Then I can kick him if he is bugging her!
On another note . . . Tuffy and Spike think the nursery is for them. I have been putting the furniture together, painting, organizing, and occasionally they sneak in. In the picture you can see Spike trying to lay in it, and the mattress isn't even there! Tuffy is more of an in and out kind of girl, but she loves the orange shag rug! She makes biscuits on it and rolls around like it is her long lost buddy!

Saints Victory!!!

You would have thought it was the Super Bowl win of the century in our house. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Saints won a football game! And they played well, too!!!! Vince came to watch with Gary and I, so I am going to completely embarrass them both and publish some pictures of them on the blog. Keep in mind these are completely impromptu pictures, since they had no idea I had the camera!
It is tough being a Saints fan, but victories are sweet!

September 9, 2006

Lesley's brunch was today, and it was a huge success. It was hosted by her very good friend, Heather, and we had a wonderful time. Lesley got gift certificates for massages, food delivery, lotions, pajamas, and all kinds of stuff to pamper her. That will certainly help, since she is carrying such important cargo! Heather did a beautiful job, and I was so grateful that we had an opportunity to honor Lesley and her family for their sacrifice.
I am attaching some pictures of the brunch!

Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans Race

August 25, 2006
We participated in a run for the Cancer association this weekend, since Gary's boss helps with the event. Of course, we were not the runners, we were the walkers! We actually talked ourselves into a little bit of jogging. I think it is because neither of us wanted to come in last! Plus, they had food at the end, and we were ready to eat! I sprinted the last few feet, so I could beat Gary. He claims he caught up, but I was still a second in front! Ha Ha

August 22, 2006

This morning when I got to work, my office had been decorated by my coworkers, Phyllis and Paris, after they heard our good news! It was so cute, and thoughtful. I guess there will be a lot more happy tears to come, but I thought I was dry after yesterday! It was even Phyllis' birthday, and she brought me star cupcakes with pink and blue icing! It was a really wonderful day, and a nice way to return to work.
I scanned in all 4 pictures, so some are sideways. The one that has the stork on it says "Lesley!" Isn't that cute?!

IT'S A BOY! IT'S A GIRL!

August 21, 2006
Well, it is official! Baby A is a boy, and baby B is a girl! We couldn't be more thrilled to be able to experience both worlds! Our appointment went beautifully. We met with the maternal/fetal specialist, since twins are considered "high risk," however, Lesley is carrying the pregnancy like a champ! The appointment was perfect. Both babies' measurements were right on target (head size, length, weight, etc.) Our boy is 10 ounces, and our girl is 8 ounces. Both babies are breech, but we anticipate scheduling a c-section in December. The physician stated that Lesley is at low-risk of pre-term delivery based on his examination, so everything is great! We have had a really wonderful day, and so glad to share it with all of you! I am going to attach a shot of both babies, but I think it is going to be near impossible to see anything. Baby A is facing the camera. You can see head, eyes, mouth, nose, tummy, but still "alienish!" The doctor said he was a little camera shy! Baby B is a profile, and you can't tell, but she was trying to suck her thumb! More news to come!

Katie's shower

Gary told me to take a picture of Katie at her shower, because he just couldn't picture her pregnant . . . at eight + months, there is no room to guess! That baby is definitely getting her nutrients! We had a wonderful time at Katie's shower, and it is so exciting to be having babies around the same time! We planned that out when we were about 10, but you know how those "plans" usually go astray! Katie looked beautiful, and appears to feel great, so everyone pray that her house gets finished soon! Go Katie!

Taylor, Nanna, and Papa

We went to Midland for a quick trip, and Taylor spent some quality time with Nanna and Papa. She took a trip to Toys-R-Us, ran through the sprinklers, harrassed the dogs, and never, I repeat never, ran out of energy!Of course, she gets to do whatever she wants with the grandparents, which I'm sure makes it a treat to get back into a routine at home! She is quite a little personality, and apparently has taken a special interest in "getting clean." My toothbrush was used as a "scrubber" so to speak on her backside, so time for a new toothbrush! Good thing I saw her. I wander if Lesley and Nick have kept a close eye . . . . :)

Wendy's house

We went to Wendy and Joey's house today for lunch. Mr. Charles and Ms. Margie joined us, and they brought Pepe. Ms. Rosie joined us, too. Wendy cooked some great food, and it was a great time to catch up. I am attaching pictures of our little lunch crew, and Wendy's cute house. I wanted to move next door, but I guess one house is all we can have for now! Pepe tried to assault Joey and Gary when they would touch Mr. Charles or Ms. Margie, as you can see by the mean growl he has on his face. We told him that Joey could take him down with his handcuffs and policeman stuff, but Pepe didn't care! What a guard dog!

Tummy Check!

We had a tummy check appointment today, and everything is fine so far! The heart beats sound good, and there were no worries or concerns. Lesley is pretty sure that one of the heart beats sounded like a girl, and the other sounded like a boy, but we won't know until the 21st! We will keep you posted.

Alabama wedding

We went to Jasper, Alabama this weekend to see our friends Phyllis and Jonathan get married. They chose a beautiful park off the lake, as you can probably tell in the pictures. There were a lot of New Orleans people that showed up to support them, and we had a good time! Avery, Phyllis' dog was also a big part of the ceremony! I think Harley is going to be jealous!
Spike and Tuffy were so glad to see us when they got home that they jumped on (and in) our luggage. I guess they think we can't leave if they have confiscated the bags!