A potpourri of updates

Since it's been two weeks since my last post, I thought I better get something on here. Like Kris, I didn't want to end up on Sarah Cool's "rarely updated friends" list. :o)

Let's see, not too much has happened since Easter. A few things of possible interest:

1. April 13-15: Evan went to Indianapolis for the STE fraternity conclave. He's still involved and enjoys seeing his brothers. I stayed home and made friends with the couch. I did manage to gather a few friends from church for dinner out and a chick flick at our house.

2. April 14: Decided to get my hair cut. It went from near shoulder length to chin length. I think I make this move just about every Spring. I like my hair shorter. Someone at work said I got the "mom" cut. I'd like to believe that my hair is more stylish than what the comment implied. I think she just meant that it seems all new moms get their hair cut. Who knows.

2. April 18: Went for a check-up to see how me and the little cherub are doing. I gained 2.5 lbs. in the past 5 weeks (which I was pleased with) and my blood pressure was fine too. We listened to the baby's heartbeat again. Last time it took a minute to find it. This time we heard it immediately. It was loud and clear and sounded good. I was relieved to hear it. Since I don't feel sick anymore, I worried that everything was ok in there. Hearing the heartbeat gave me a little peace of mind. I scheduled my next ultrasound for May 7. We should be able to find out what we're having at this appt!

3. This past weekend was beautiful here. Evan & I had a wedding to attend in Norwalk on Saturday. Sunday was church and getting some things done outside. Also, on Saturday, Evan finished painting the nursery and assembled the crib. It's amazing that putting one piece of furniture in the room can make this all seem so real. It's fun to see Evan excited about the baby. You all know him, he's not a real "softy" should we say? He will be fun to watch as a father.

Well, that brings us up-to-date. It's back to work today.
Below, a snapshot of the haircut (just for you, Sarah!).

Gotta love Cleveland: Easter 2007

Welcome to Easter 2007 in Lakewood. I can't really say Cleveland because not all areas of Cleveland got this much snow. Normally the west side doesn't get hit this bad, but thanks to lake effect snow, we got hammered.

This picture was taken Easter morning. Evan's truck hadn't moved since Friday night so you can tell how much snow fell between Friday night and Sunday morning. Unbelievable.

I love Cleveland (hope you're picking up on my sarcasm).

Finally, an upgrade!

After being made fun of several times for my "huge", out-of-date cell phone, I'm getting a new one! I mean, really, my parents have brand new cell phones and don't know how to work them and here I am stuck with a circa 2000-2001 model. Go figure. Above are photos of my old phone and my new one.

But what's also earth-shattering is that Evan is getting a cell phone too! He hates them and has resisted up until now. Basically I told him he had to have one now that we have a little one on the way. Just didn't want to take the chance of me going into labor and not being able to reach him. Also, I always lended mine to him if he was traveling. Now I don't have to share, even though I rarely use mine.

And finally, have a Happy Easter!

Can we say STRESS?

Evan & I think this shirt is great. It's from his favorite movie, Revenge of the Nerds. Booger wears it in the movie.

Yeah, stress just comes with the territory in the design world. Demanding clients, eager account executives, and stressed out designers. That's been my story lately. I welcome the overtime money, but the lack of sleep and crazy stress that is forced on me at work makes it almost not worth the extra cash.

Example, I was told yesterday morning that a 24-page annual report was due to the client today. Annual reports require a significant amount of time organizing all the text, placing photos, and of course making the report look nice and well-designed. I had about 8 hours to complete the task. Sounds like plenty of time right? No. Not when your phone is ringing with clients wanting to discuss projects, emails demanding responses, pressmen calling me for press checks, etc. So, I came in at 6:30am this morning to finish the project that I started yesterday afternoon and got it sent out to the client by 2pm. Now I'm completely exhausted.

After a 10-hour day, I think I'm going to take it easy tonight.

Introducing…

Well, here is the first look at Baby Hammersmith. Everything is just fine and as it should be at this stage. The baby waved at us today as we were looking around. The arms were up and the legs were crossed. Very cool.

Houston, we have a heartbeat!

Yesterday was my check-up at the doctor and we listened for a heartbeat. I was prepared to not hear anything due to it being so early, but Evan & I got to hear our baby's heartbeat loud and clear! It was so neat and kinda scary at the same time. There's another human inside of me!

Today is the ultrasound. If I get a clear picture of our little peanut, I will post it.

Monday-Friday

Welcome to the place I spend 40+ hours a week. That's right, this is a peek at my office. I had to bring my camera to work today for work purposes, so I thought I'd share this. I just recently got upgraded to this space, and I must admit I really like it. My previous location was more out in the open and people were always walking by, etc. This office is more closed in and feels more like, well, an office.

Other than needing some artwork on the walls, it's pretty colorful. I keep the 2007 calendar I designed for Evan's aunt's chocolatier/catering business (remember the chocolate at our wedding?) on the wall. It often makes me hungry, but as you'll notice, I keep water and an apple in reach.

Well, that's all for this Friday. Hope you all have a great (and warm!) weekend. Ciao!