So, that little ticker with the diploma over there --> has changed- it's now counting down to graduation! I survived my defense- wahoo! PhD defense is a 1hr public seminar to cover your research, followed by a closed-door committee meeting. My "grilling" lasted about 45 minutes- not too bad. The whole fam turned out to support me, which was really nice. And I didn't hear any snoring from the back row, so I take that as a complement. Sierra even got to tag along, thanks to Jan (aka Nana J) who offered to hang out with her in the lobby during my presentation. Now I just have to make a few revisions to my thesis and I'll officially be done with graduate school! :)

Just before my seminar- looks exciting doesn't it??

Our crowd afterwards- do I look slightly more relaxed in this picture?

Yesterday, Sierra was officially 5 months old! Wow what a big girl! She's over 15 pounds now- of course with the 3am feedings she's decided to reintroduce this month, she should be chunking up nicely!! We've played around with a couple solids (bananas & avocados), but haven't really started eating them regularly. Mama's not ready to give up these easy diapers...  :-P

Papa has been setting up his "studio" at home (aka the formal living room). Here are some of my favorite shots:

 

Of course, Mama manages to catch a good shot on occasion too:

A couple of other fun shots from this month:

OK, that's it for now. Easter is coming up soon- yay!! Time for some good crawfish, gumbo, libations- and family of course!! Stay tuned! :)

Punxsutawney Phil

I've always wondered what that poor little groundhog must feel like when they pull him out his cozy  hole. I imagine him squinting, baffled by the light and noise, hair kinda messy, thinking "What just happened?" This is how I feel today. After 3 weeks of exile to the land of dissertation writing, I've emerged! The dissertation is at Kinko's being printed, and I'm squinting at the sun, wondering "What day is it?" I did brush my hair though....

SO, I'm finally ready to update this little blog of ours! And boy it's been busy around here, despite my anti-social behavior. 

The first big news is Sierra's Baptism!! She was Baptised in grand-fashion at the United Methodist Church in Beeville with so many friends and family joining us on her special day! Also very special was her Christening gown- an heirloom that has been in my family for 105 years! We haven't kept a good count, but we think she's the 17th to be Baptised in the gown, which was made by my great-grandmother (Sierra's great, great, grandmother!!!) in Galveston in 1905. 

 

 

My mom, brother, me, & Sierra- all who have been baptised in the gown that were there that day.

And to be fair, of course, we even put on Travis' beautiful Christening gown that was made my his grandmother, Grandmore.

 

Saturday was Travis' 29th birthday and we celebrated by taking a little break and heading to Brazos Bend State Park- about 30 min SW of Houston. It was Sierra's first hike! She loved it! Well, at least the first 20 minutes- then she slept for the next 2 hours. :) I'm sure she'll appreciate the alligators in a few years.

 Beginning of hike....

20 minutes later...

 

Gator....one of only a few out this time.

  

There were gobs of these ducks migrating through... anyone know what they are?

 

Heres a closer look...

  

More pictures coming soon!! Stay tuned!! 

:)