Christmas 2007 in Spartanburg

What a wonderful Christmas in Spartanburg! Terrific gifts, delicious food, and wonderful company...who could ask for more. We had my (Remsen)Mom over Christmas Eve for dinner and presents. Here are some photos:

Wofford Tumblers ____________Becca and Scarf

Dogs help Mom

Before going to bed later that night, we had an early visit from Santa. He brought Becca a new digital camera and me a GPS system for my car (more of a need than a want since I am always getting lost). We also received great gifts from Wayne and Joan and Clayton and Valerie. We were both very excited.

We awoke early Christmas morning and made our way to Nancy and John's house for more present swaping. Later that evening we had Chistmas dinner with them and my mom joined us. It was quite a feast and fantastic company:

John, Nancy, and FOOD!

Bec, Nancy, John, and Bailey

Ten weeks

Check out the growth of the belly...













(22 weeks at left; 32 weeks at right)

Baby behaves!

Just thought we would share some pictures of John Remsen actually behaving for the ultrasound today....many thanks to Nancy and Meredith for being there to share in the excitement!

Who knew babies could open their eyes? It is a strange sight, we know!

He is weighing in today at 3 pounds, 15 ounces and seems to have full cheeks and lips! He likes to suck on his fist and grab his toes (see below!)....


He has big feet like his daddy and Uncle Clayton...


We are scheduled for a January 30th C-Section...8 weeks to go!

Busy weekend in the Burg

We had a jam-packed weekend, full of family, friends, and yes, football. We were excited to host Becca's dad and stepmother, Wayne and Joan, for the weekend. They arrived on Friday evening, and we promptly went to Wade's for dinner. For those of you not familiar with this Spartanburg establishment, Wade's is a meat and three famous for its yeast rolls and funny billboard ads featuring vegetable puns and play on words. In a nutshell, Wade's is a fabulous place for a good homestyle meal, and that is exactly what we got!

On Saturday, Becca and Joan attended Becca's first baby shower. This was a great gathering of family and Spartanburg friends, hosted by Libba Hammond, Anne Swensen, and Susan Woodard. It was wonderful to see everyone, especially Bec's "Aunt Judy" who has been in our life since before we were born. She and husband Ron made the trip up from Tallahassee, and it was so great to get to spend time with them. And of course, the baby shower was at Bec's mom's house, a beautiful location. Biggest thanks to Nancy for all of her hard work to prepare the house for the party so everything looked perfect!

After the shower, Becca, Remsen, Dad, and Joan were off to the Wofford football game. We had a fabulous time tailgating in Lot C (mmm....Bull Hawg's BBQ), and saw some old friends in for the game. Despite a tough fight, the Terriers lost to Richmond and ended their season. We can't talk about the game without mentioning the excellent halftime entertainment, Marching 101, provided by the SC State University Marching Band. It was quite a show and worth braving the chilly temps.

In other news, our congratulations go out to Kristin Gusmer on his recent engagement!

On a more somber note, our sympathies go to Adam and Kent Brannon. Their dog Nancy went to doggy heaven this weekend. She was a great dog and will be very missed.

Already misbehavin'

This morning we had an appointment for a second ultrasound...this time to see our son in all his 3D glory. Unfortunately, the stinker's face was buried between placenta and umbilical cord, so the patient tech could only capture bits and pieces of his face. He did show off his "boy stuff" yet again...(we are very clearly having a boy)...which indicates to us his future tendency to run around naked with a bucket on his head. The folks at the Women's Clinic were kind enough to invite me back for a second 3 D ultrasound next week, so keep your fingers crossed that he cooperates next time!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...NYC 2007

Just back from a whirlwind weekend trip in the Big Apple...where we experienced lots of excitement (to the point of exhaustion!). NYC seemed busier this year, bustling with people and parades and traffic jams.

I admit, we overshopped this time around. We stopped at Bloomingdales and Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, not to mention Daffy's discount store, H & M, Sephora, and Buy Buy Baby (like a Bed, Bath, and Beyond full of baby stuff).

We still did not make it to any museums (next time, we promise), but we did see the amazing Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Show at Rdio City Music Hall, and I was able to meet Terri Lewitt for lunch at the famous Boathouse restaurant in Central Park. Remsen and I were also so fortunate to meet up with his cousin, Lucia, for lunch on Monday at Bobby Flay's restaurant Bar Americain. If you ever go, don't order the shrimp and grits...it is just not as good as it is here in the south...most importantly, though, we had great conversation and fabulous hugs!
We are still amazed at all of the sights to take in by just walking around...and we walked until it hurt (note to all--lazy pregnant women should not try this kind of trip when 7 months pregnant!). While walking around on Sunday afternoon, I was able to catch a good bit of the Veteran's Day parade. I was amazed that it moved me the way it did (again, hormones, exhaustion, and a drumline).

And famous people, you ask? Yes! We saw lots of famous folks during our trip! First, after coming out of my favorite stationary store, Papyrus, we saw Richard Belzer, who plays John Munch on Law and Order SVU!! He was walking a dog with a friend, just like any other guy on the street. Then, we saw Hank Azaria, who is most famous, of course, for the Simpsons. Exciting! Lastly, I rode in our hotel elevator (New York Palace Hotel) with two members of the Miami Heat. Because it was me and not Remsen, I have no idea which players they were (I DO know it was not Shaq or Dwayne Wade). When I explained that I was amazed they were crammed into an elevator with regular folks (and no bodyguard), Remsen laughed and put it into perspective: why the hell would a 7 foot tall 330 pound baskeball player need a bodyguard?

Touche.

Anyway, if you are headed to Lady Liberty Land any time soon, we can offer advice (just don't ask for directions!).

Happy Halloween!!

Love, Polk and Sadie Parrish

Monster bash...Wetter style

We attended a fab party on Saturday night, courtesy of friends Derek and Susan Wetter. Can you guess who Remsen is dressed as? Hey-O! By the beard of Zeus! It is none other than everyone's favorite anchorman, Ron Burgandy. My costume is a bit more generic (but just as important to us Terriers): a Wofford football player. Former Offensive Lineman Brian Nash was kind enough to loan me his jersey for the occasion. And yes, I am wearing shoulder pads.
We loved Derek and Susan's creative costumes (they are the Ghostbusters on the left) and Sarah and Kevin (Al Gore with his Academy Award!).

Assembling a crib

Remsen and I put together the crib a few nights ago and wanted to share some pictures of the event! We were plesantly surprised that it took us less than an hour, and Polk right in the middle of everything...trying to be a helpful dog!

Boys will be boys

(Adam with his flounder)

This past weekend, I (Remsen) journeyed to Myrtle Beach to celebrate Avery Greenlee's bachelorhood for one last time before his wedding. Coordinated by Adam Brannon and attended by Travis Crocker (Bear), John Greenlee (Avery's brother), Tap Gresham, and Nolan (one of Avery's work associates) it was a great event that incorporated competition with debauchery. There were three teams and four events. The first event was fishing and won by Adam and Tap's team. The second event was supposed to be bowling, but bocce ball took its place with Avery, John, and Nolan's team coming out on top. Next was golf. Due to inefficient scoring brought on by the overwhelming joy of being alive after staying out to late the night before and Adam almost getting beat up by a midget, all three teams tied. The final event to decide it all...putt-putt. Avery, John, and Nolan eek out the victory, but it was not enough to win the competition. Taking home the WWE belts were Adam and Tap! Congrats guys, you won a cheap plastic toy belt...and yes, I am very jealous of it.

Three down, one to go...

Baby furniture...who knew it would be so easy? Remsen has added a new skill to his repertoire...furniture assembly. Not only did he make it look easy, but putting together the furniture for the nursery has taken no time at all. See the pictures below of the changing table, glider, and wardrobe.

As promised...pictures of the belly

It's not much, but we promise there is a baby in there somewhere! Becca has only gained about 6 pounds so far and is 22 weeks today.

Fall Happenings

Football and music...who could ask for more?

Oh BOY!

Today we had our 20 week appointment and first ultrasound where we discovered that Baby Parrish is officially a boy!

Not only did we get to see the "Boy Stuff", but he looks very healthy, weighing in at 9 ounces. While the tech pushed the wand around to see and measure his growth, Baby Parrish got a mean case of hiccups and was pretty upset! He eventually calmed down for the rest of the measurements and pictures, and it even looked like he was sucking his thumb. We wanted to share these photos with everybody. Take care. More updates to come!

Football Season Off to a Great Start!

Our beloved Tigers and Terriers are both off to 1-0 starts after a great frist weekend of college football. We got to Gibb's stadium at 3:30 Saturday afternoon to start tailgating with Adam and Kent Brannon, and my brother Clayton(his first Wofford game). We were greeted by heavy rains which finally ended about 30 minutes later and great tailgating ensued.

After a first have of solid Wofford football against Georgetown College, we headed to the Verandah Lot for spirits, BBQ Chicken, and wonderful hospitatlity. The Terriers pulled out the win 38-21.

I left at 10:00am Labor Day morning for Clemson, SC. First game of the season, a ranked Florida State team, and Monday Night Football. It was the perfect strom. After visits to Tiger Town Tavern and TDs in downtown Clemson, I make it to the first tailgating spot(Adam and Kent's) with 6 hours of tailgating ahead of me. Tailgating ended in famous Lot 2 with some of my brother's Clemson fraternity brothers. All were great hosts.

I headed to the stadium and found my seat next to my brother. The band made there way on the field, the Tigers gathered at the top of the Hill. You had to be there for the rest.

At any rate, the Tigers absolutely whipped the Seminoles in the first half going up 24-3 at halftime. With a few lapses in the second half, the Tigers escape with a 24-18 victory and a spot in the AP top 25.

Go Tigers! Go Terriers!

It's Music to My Ears

Tomorrow night we are seeing the Belleville Outfit at the Showroom in the Hub-Bub building. Formally the Deschamps Band, they are an intersting mix of bluegrass and big band. Becca taught the lead singer/songwriter, Rob Teter, when she was at the Spartanburg Day School. They are a very talented group. If you are in town, you should definetly check them out. Out of town...go to their website. They are listed as one of our favorite links.

On the front page...again

Yes, yes...once again Becca is in the news as the tour guide of "Slobot", a Spartanburg Herald-Journal character who blogs about different places in the upstate. This time, Slobot visits the Duncan-DuPre House in Spartanburg (which also happens to be an upcoming project for the Preservation Trust) and shares his pictures. You can see the photos for yourself: http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Dillard House Weekend-Part 2 of 2

On our way back for hiking, we passed a produce market/general store that we had to pay a visit. Goats on the Roof grabbed our attention at first because of the name. Then, we saw that there were actually goats on the roof. Becca paid the $0.25 to feed the goats. You put the feed in a container and crank it up to the roof. Once it hits the bell, the goats come running:

We had a great time with the goats

After feeding the goats, we got a little hungry ourselves and decided to stop for some BBQ. We found a road side stand called Tomlin's BBQ. I give the pork sandwich a 6 out of 10, but it was a neat experience none the less.

We left early Sunday morning to head back to Spartanburg, but not before the dogs had a chance to say good-bye to the horses.