From a 3rd grader's perspective

Nothing like a 3rd grade student to boost your self esteem when feeling particularly 'whale-ish'
These were just too funny for me to keep to myself! 3rd graders are fascinated by my 'baby on board' and I have been getting lots of interesting pictures and gifts. Click on the photos to enlarge. It took me a while to decode the above letter but my favorite line "Yuo ar da jol tichor in da jol worl" I also like that even though they've never seen him- both pictures offer such acurate depictions of my "hasben"

I like how this kid thought it would be best for Mr. and Mrs. Swanson to be wearing 'luci' t-shirts. And- look at all those hearts- we must really be in serious l-o-v-e!!

Labor Day Weekend

This labor day weekend we took advantage of a free Saturday at the Nasher Sculpture center downtown. We couldn't resist posing with my likeness above^^ Consider this my 34 weeks belly shot.

Sam was particularly impressed to see Picasso works on a Saturday morning

After we got our dose of culture (which was only 45 minutes because that is all the change we had to feed the parking meter!!) we headed over to Jackie and Jeremy's to cheer on the Baylor bears! I'm happy to report that Lucy is now the owner of her first Baylor onsie and booties so she'll be ready to finish out football season with us when she gets here.

The fact that we will soon be a family of three is becoming a little more real each day. Sam felt like things really hit home when he read that at 34 weeks the baby's fingernails had reached the ends of her fingertips. ha! (He warned me that fingernails were coming out in there- he then watched the Discover channel special on cats in the womb- and told me I should be glad Lucy isn't growing claws in there!- OR IS SHE?) Guess we'll find out soon...

D-day keeps creeping closer...

The girls from our small group at church hosted a baby shower for Lucy yesterday and it was so fun. I missed seeing all of them over summer. Their theme was 'nesting' and they had super cute decorations and snacks. Not only have all the women who've offered to host showers for us been super generous- they've all been incredibly crafty!

With the super hostesses Jessica, Tiana and Jackie. They are so fun!

Lucy's room is becoming less and less like a junk room and more like a real nursery! I won't let Sam move that old leather chair out yet because I am enjoying having the glider right in front of the living room tv a little TOO much!

Last night while shopping for the above changing pad and cover, Sam proved he is already wrapped around Lucy's finger. I grabbed the cheaper terry cloth cover we had originally picked out and threw it in the buggy- Sam quickly corrected me and asked "when you get your butt cleaned- do you want soft of scratchy?" He then convinced me that we needed the super extreme soft changing pad cover and the top of the line changing pad. He has also explained to me that Baby Bjorn is more than an infant brand "it's a life style". haha oh boy! I know we have sleepless nights and stinky diapers ahead of us- but I'm sure Sam will help me laugh right through them.

Lucy won't be allowed to spit up or drool when wearing the above outfits...

Illinois and Shower #2!

Two weekends ago we made the LONG drive up to northern Illinois to celebrate Sam's cousin Matt's wedding. We had a great time visiting with his family. Above photo- the Swansons took over the hotel cafe and played lots of card games.

The Texas Swansons above showing off our team shirts. (Where there are Swanson men- there will be basketball)

^ Sam is upholding is reputation as Maria's "uncle Creepy"

The Bride and Groom

Becka with Eli.

The cousins showing off their princess attire.

Sam and Jake 'tossing bags' in Uncle Loren's backyard. I also especially enjoyed the 12 ears of Illinois sweet corn we got to bring home with us- yum!

Kelly and Lourdes worked very hard to prepare the lovely display below for the baby shower they hosted for us on Saturday. I am ashamed to say I didn't get any other good pictures of the event but it was a very nice morning. We had delicious food and Kelly- I brought those cake pops to work to share and they have gotten tons of compliments!

We got some fun gifts Saturday and I am especially excited about some of the SUPER cute clothes for Lucy. I am finally starting to get anxious for this little girl to join our family... and play dress up with her!!


As you can see below... she is definitely growing! This is my 31 weeks shot taken last Saturday.

I have started back to work which has been pretty tiring but I'm glad I've been so busy with getting back to school- otherwise I would probably sit around the house and get anxious. Getting back to school has been pretty overwhelming but hopefully I'll find more time to post pictures of this giant belly every now and then..

Also- we have been very excited lately for our fellow blogging friends the Hoggs and the Estes and the announcements of their buns in the oven! :)

Baby shower fun

On Sunday- My mom's sweet friends Bonnie and Becky hosted a baby shower for little Lucy and it was wonderful! They put so much hard work into making everything beautiful, check out the awesome cake above. It is the exact same patterns as her baby bedding!

We got tons of great things and I had a blast hanging out with friends.

Melanie with my hostesses- Bonnie and Becky

Group shot.

Wedding Festivities

One of my good friends from High School, Courtney, got married this past weekend. It was fun to hang out and catch up with old friends. Above is a picture from her bachelorette party- we can't have old raiderettes together and not take at least one picture in a dance team pose.

Meagan, Christi, Courtney and Me at the Bridal Luncheon.

Showing off Courtney's custom made "Courtney and Matt" wedding cowboy boots.

Finally kissing the bride! I wanted to post a picture of all of us together on Courtney and Matt's first date 10 years ago but I couldn't make the scanner work. boo. So- just imagine two girls with braces and big hair ribbons, Tommy Hilfiger polo shirts, doc martin boots, and jeans that were probably a little too high wasted.

We got to spend some time with Karol Anne and Jason at the wedding and then later we hung out with them at my favorite eating establishment on the planet- Casa Ole!!

Me and mom.

I have so many photos of Courtney and Matt and me with some random date for every High School dance. So glad to finally have a picture of courtney, matt and me with my good looking husband!

Sam was so impressed with the wedding favors that he took one of each!

Florida Vacation

Last week I got to spend some time with my family down in Florida. I flew down from Dallas to Lake Charles (which was WAY better than making the 7 hour drive alone!) and then rode with my dad, Cade and Carson to Navarre beach where we met up with my Aunts and Uncles.

Dad and Aunt Yvonne

Carson and the yucky sea slug he pulled out of the water

It was a relaxing trip- but I missed Sam a ton and wished Melanie could have come too.