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| (From right to left) Me, my cousin, and my sister at a recent family gathering source |
This is my junior year. I'm a Psychology/Sociology double major with a minor in Non-profit Organizational Studies. When I'm in Norman I'm involved in the Episcopal Student Association, Sooners Against Sweatshops, and Second Wind.
Right now I'm seven months pregnant (due October 5th!) with my first child, a daughter. I'm really excited and nervous about that. Here's a not very great picture of her face (on the left side) from an ultrasound back in May:
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| Personal photo |
Okay. Enough with the gushy mom stuff that most of you probably don't really care about.
Because of my special circumstances, I decided to take all of my classes online this semester because they're usually more flexible and you can work ahead. Little did I know how few online classes there were for things I needed. Because of this, my semester kind of feels like I'm settling for classes I wouldn't normally choose (though I'm sure they'll all be great). Besides Epics of India, I'm in Developmental Psychology, Intro to Marketing for non-majors, and Into to Native American Studies for a total of 12 hours.
This summer I worked part-time at the Rue 21 in Enid and I plan to work there until my baby is born.
Fun facts about me: my favorite color is green, my favorite shoes are Chacos, I enjoy drinking hot tea, and when it's not a million degrees outside I enjoy wearing cardigans and oversize sweaters. My favorite hobby would have to be baking (cookies, bread, etc.); it relaxes me. Nothing beats baking cookies with your best friends.
Update: Little Miss Evelyn arrived October 8. We've had a few difficult moments, but for the most part she is an easy baby. She is the love of my life and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to find enough classes online to take a semester away from campus, that must be very helpful for you. Despite the limited selection, maybe it will give you the opportunity to take classes you never would have thought of, but end of loving! Or, even if you don't love them, it's always good to broaden your horizons, right?
Hey Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteYour name reminds me of an NFL placekickler named Greg Zuerlein, I think it's pronounced the same way too. That's quite interesting that your semester is entirely away from OU. I guess you're lucky enough to at least find some classes that still apply.
I'm from a smaller city, but not quite like your situation. What's the best place to eat around Kremlin? I might pass through there some day. Does Kremlin have an official mascot? The Kremlin Gremlins?
Well, the only place in Kremlin to eat is the gas station, but Enid, a decent-sized town, is only 20-30 minutes away (depending on which part of town you're going to). It has a lot of good places to eat. My favorite is Los Primos Mexican restaurant. Their tortas are amazing.
DeleteKremlin's mascot is the Bronc (not the Bronco), which is a wild horse. Kremlin actually used to be Wild Horse, OK. Then, for some reason, someone decided that Kremlin was a better name.
What a fantastic picture, Gretchen: you look like the Three Graces from some Renaissance painting or something. Lovely! And I am so glad that the online class option worked out for you. There are so many great things about online classes, and being able to accommodate people's complicated lives is probably the single best thing. I'm actually living in North Carolina right now for family reasons (caring for elderly father-in-law)... and if this course were classroom-based, I'd be out of a job. But as it is, I'm still teaching, still taking care of family, and having a great time. I hope it will be the same for you as you start this exciting new chapter in your life! And share pictures please... October will be here soon!!! Wow!
ReplyDeleteGretchen, I didn't know that you were related to Haley Scott. She's in my sorority, what a small world! And that's awesome that you can take all online classes. Obviously you chose to do that for special circumstance (how exciting for you!!) but if I could, I would totally take all online classes. I'm in two right now and I love it. I feel way more motivated to get stuff done when it's online as opposed to actually going to class, but maybe that's just me. I hope you have a great rest of the semester and good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteHey, Gretchen! First of all, congrats on the baby- that's so exciting! Also, I really admire you for also doing all your classes at the same time while pursuing a double major with a minor...that's really neat and you're going to do great things with it! I can relate to your background- small graduating class I went to a very small school as well and thought I'd be totally overwhelmed at OU and wasn't- it really is a big school with a small school feel which I really appreciate, and I'm sure you do as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Gretchen! Small world actually, I did not know that you were cousins with Scott family. I played basketball with Maddie back in grade school. Anyways, I think it is great that you are mushy gushy about your child already! I'm sure you are going to make an amazing mom. The fact that you are still dedicated to your studies and finding the time to work (especially while being pregnant, talk about exhausting!) is truly selfless! Wow, what an amazing mother that child is going to have to look up to. Keep up the good work and if you need a supporting hand in any of it I am always here! (even if we have never met, that is still a real offer :) )
ReplyDeleteHi Gretchen! Congratulations on your little one! It is so wonderful that you are already in love with your daughter! I love online classes, so it is so cool that you get to do all of your semester online. It's a fun, low-stress way (usually :)) to explore things people wouldn't usually take and broaden the scope of study. I wish you all the best! I'm also a huge fan of over sized sweaters and cardigans-- I sometimes purposely put the temperature down so I can break out the fall and winter wear!
ReplyDeleteHi! Congrats on your baby! That is very exciting, you're so close! Have you picked out a name yet??
ReplyDeleteI would be taking all online classes if I had a good reason to, they're definitely way less stressful and way more enjoyable. And props to you for your double major, it sounds like you really have it all figured out!
I love oversized sweaters too....and I may or may not wear them even if it is a million degrees.
Also, the Scott's are in my sorority, very sweet girls!
I know everyone is saying this but CONGRATS on the soon to come baby!! That is seriously such an exciting time for you! That's so great that you're able to continue your education! I definitely agree with you about always being able to drink hot tea! My friend just introduced me to a spicy chai tea the other day and it is THE BEST!!! Good luck with the rest of this class!
ReplyDeleteHey, Gretchen! I've already commented on your introduction before, so hopefully I won't repeat myself too much. Since we all wrote our introductions, it's been about a month. Wow- it must be crazy to think that you're about a month away from having a baby- that's so wonderful! Do you know if it'll be a boy or a girl? Congrats, again!
ReplyDeleteWell first off congratulations on having your first child, you are actually due just a few weeks before my older sister who is also about to have her first baby girl. It's crazy to me that your graduating class only had 17 people; mine on the other hand was almost 1400. It was nice getting to learn a little but about you and I hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first child! That is a monumental moment in your life that you will cherish forever. I think it is really cool that you still are dedicated to school as a soon mom to be. That takes a lot of dedication and determination! That’s cool that you’re from a really small town. I’m from Tulsa, so I think Norman is small, but I think it would be interesting to grow up in a city where everyone knows your name! I look forward to reading your stories throughout the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Gretchen, nice to meet you. Congratulations on becoming a mother. I bet keeping up with school would be difficult while preparing for a child, kudos to you for even enrolling this semester. I thought my high school was small, and I graduated with 100 others. Good luck with motherhood, I hope you have a happy and healthy baby!
ReplyDeleteHi Gretchen! Congratulations on your baby girl! I'm commenting on October 4th, so I'm super curious to know if she came a little early! That's amazing though! My oldest sister is pregnant with her first baby due on November 30th! I'm so excited to be an Aunt, so I can't imagine how excited you must be! That's crazy that your graduating class only had 17 students! Hopefully your classmates were all nice people! I hope that you ended up liking all of your classes, although you were not able to choose as freely since they were all online. I also took Developmental Psychology online, and I remember enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteHope everything has gone smoothly with your pregnancy! Congratulations!
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BABY! It is literally October 5th right now so I'm sure congrats are definitely in order. I'm sure you'll be a great mom, and you really seem great. I love baking as well (it's so relaxing when you can smell the whole room fill with the glorious aroma of baked goods). Who are you taking Developmental Psych with? I took it with Dr. Barnes and she is the absolute best.
ReplyDeleteHey Gretchen! First of all, I want to say congratulations on being a mom-to-be. I'm sure it will be a a very momentous occasion for you. I'm typing this on October 6, so i'm sure you are making necessary preparations for the arrival of your child! I wish you the best of luck and a safe delivery!
ReplyDeleteHi Gretchen! Oh my goodness I am so excited for you to post a picture or something of your new baby girl (who I hope has arrived by now). I am also having a baby this semester, a baby boy and due on December 1st! I have a two year old already who I had during my second semester of freshman year. I have discovered the awesomeness of online classes since then, but I take the ones that I can't take online on campus. One thing I learned is that the online classes fill up pretty fast so looking at what is available before your enrollment window opens up is key!! So you can swoop in and grab those spots before they are gone! Congrats again on the baby and I wish you the best, you'll get the hang of juggling motherhood and being a student before you know it:)
ReplyDeleteGretchen, CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby girl!! :) I am so happy for you that everything is going smoothly! I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to be in school, work, and have a baby! I have a hard time just having a dog while in school, so I definitely give you props for that! You honestly sounds like such an awesome person, and I wish you nothing but the best! Please post pictures of your baby girl! :)
ReplyDeleteHey good afternoon Gretchen! Congrats on the safe arrival of your baby girl! It sounds like you have your hands full with that double major, though it sounds really quite interesting. Psychology/Sociology should open up a fascinating job market for you. So far I have read a couple of your stories and thoroughly enjoyed them. Keep up the awesome work and good luck with all that you are doing!
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