Happy Hump Day

Ahhhh, I feel you, Fall

Today was our first cool (75 degees-ish) morning at the beach.

It stormed much of last night - which is probably why we are having such great weather today.

I was oh-so excited to put Chappell in an (until now) unworn sweat-suit.

And off we went!

Please pardon our garage. It can't help itself.

*One note about the sweat-suit... after our walk, Chappell (my human dust mop) made me quite aware of how desperately our floors need some moppin'.

Babies are great for so many things!

Cell Phone Videos

I forgot to tell you that my dad taught Chappell how to do "high five."
He calls her his "trained seal."
She does it (almost) every time you ask her to, and it's hilarious.
I need to get some good footage of her demonstrating this new skill...
This video isn't great, but you'll get the drift.
In the other video she's destroying my freshly folded laundry.

Sorry her undies are showin'. This was taken right after a diaper change... leggings weren't on yet.

Fu fu fu fall

Thank the Lord up above for Fall. It must be coming soon, right?

I am so ready for it to cool down, I can't stand it.

It's the same for me every year.

While last year was much worse (tippin' the scales and very, very pregnant), I can't wait for the day I step outside and don't immediately perspire. I can't figure out why I continue to do my hair and makeup (sometimes) living in this humid jungle.

I think it was around a year ago when I last attempted to force fall with my wardrobe. I put on my brand new Gap Maternity (ooh la la) sweater dress and Uggs.

I thought I was lookin' mighty stylish... for a whale, that is.

Until I almost expired outside the hospital on a public bench.

Seriously.

It's so hot.

And what's the date? September 25th? Who would know?

Lately (to escape the confines of my home), we've been having a lot of fun playing on a quilt in the shaded part of our yard...

However, last night our neighbor informed us that she's seen a lot of rattle snakes (around our house) since the monsoon season began.

We'll have to find a new activity.

Rantings from a "Sam" {ah ha ha}

Today's been one of those days...
I haven't showered or put on makeup. When I accidentally catch a glimpse of my reflection in the miror, I hardly recognize myself...
And so it goes, the life of a stay at home mom. Otherwise known as SAHM, and pronounced "Sam," for all of you career goin' gals.
Just in case you don't know me, I would never refer to myself as such ( a SaHm)... sick.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my time with Chappell for the world.
It's just been a long day.
But since none of you come here to read about my thoughts and ramblings... here is Chappellina.
Can you believe how big she is?

Just watchin' some B Einstein and pickin' my nose. You know. It's cool.

They say, "all good things come to an end." Or is it, "must come to an end?" Hmmm
RIP bouncy seat. RIP.

You shall be missed. Check out those feet!

Progress

1st Bishop Dress - ever!

I'm currently smocking my first dress!

I'm having so much fun with this.

I'm not going to lie, I didn't construct the dress.

I will learn how to do that (and finish the dress) in "Sewing 101" in a few weeks.

This is a 12 month bishop dress.

Back w/ my babe

This morning I left Santa Rosa Beach and drove to Pensacola as fast as I (safely) could.  I got here around 10:45 this morning. 

To my surprise, I found Chappellina in the tub.  

She was happy as a clam, just-a splish-splashin' and playing with Mimi.  She was super excited (couldn't stop clapping & laughing) to see her mama, which of course made me feel like a million bucks.

Back to the tub.  

Apparently my poor mother underestimated my mischievous baby Chappell.  

Mom (aka Mimi) put ChaCha down for her morning nap wearing only a dress - no bloomers, no leggings.  For those of you who don't have children, this gives a curious baby girl easy access to their diaper and diaper straps.  Are those called straps?  Flaps?  I'm drawing a blank.

I don't do this at home because I've heard horror stories from my own childhood that will be etched in my memory forever.

Once Chappell woke up from her nap, mom headed up stairs to get her.  She knew something was up when she was hit with a toxic stench about halfway up the stairs.  

And this is how she found my little baybay:

It was everywhere...  poo covered her face, sort of like war paint.  She didn't stop there.  She went to town and smeared it all over the white crib bumpers & sheet.  

My mom said she was as happy as "a pig in the mud."  

Yuck.

After the poo debacle, I ran a few errands around town. 

I'm glad to say that I went to a local sewing store here with a great smocking teacher-- and I have a new project on the horizon.  She teaches classes, and I'm going to sign up for a few of those.  

Until then, (since my sewing machine is still in SRB) she's pleating & putting together a bishop dress for me to smock.  I bought a bishop pattern, and my homework is to cut it out tonight.  

So that's exciting.  More on the project later!

H & R Weekend

Chappell went to spend the night with Mimi & Nanny (my parents) on Saturday.
This meant that Reed and I got to spend some Q T together, sans baby.
Although we miss her very much (it's Sunday night and she's still in P-cola), it's always nice (and healthy) to have a little time alone.
I can't wait to see my--I mean our-- baby again... I'm driving over to Pensacola tomorrow morning.
I'm excited.
I have a dentist appointment.. a hair cut... maybe a smocking lesson or two...
... and finally, I will get to see pictures from Chappell's 8 month photo shoot with Cook Images.
I haven't had time to get over to P-cola since they were taken, and I'm dying to see them.
More later, but here are a few pics of our Saturday afternoon at Bud and Alley's.

I like purple. What can I say?

MEAT

Chappell is no longer a vegetarian. The spell has been broken.
Last night she consumed almost an entire jar of Earth's Best turkey and peas. It smelled horrendous, but she seemed OK with it.

I'm wiped.
It's pathetic how out of shape I am. This afternoon JuJu (AKA Mrs. Milam) and I went on a walk down 30-A and I'm exhausted.
However, I've pledged to lose 7 pounds before assisting Smith with the Apparel Mart in Atlanta. This gives me one month. Possible? I hope so.

I feel like I'm currently too chubby to sell clothing.

I'm kickin' it into gear.

Chappy gets a flu shot tomorrow. Wish us luck :)

Cha Cha

Around here

All that "new schedule" mumbo jumbo?
It didn't last.
Changing it all up simply proved to be too complicated for my lil' brain. I decided to stick w/ what's been workin' for us for so many months.
The only difference is that her 2 pm bottle is now substituted with food.

While touching on the food topic, things have been moving right along.
The Chapster has been adding some new "table" foods to her growing repertoire over the past week.
Some of these delectable treats are:

• grits (texture often confuses her at first)
• chopped strawberries
• chopped bananas
• chopped honey dew melon
• Gerber puffs

... and now I'm drawing a blank...

With only one choking incident under our belt, I suppose we are doing well.

And yes, I almost had a heart attack as I yanked my stunned baby from her highchair, flipped her upside down & administered the baby Heimlich Maneuver... and FYI, other moms, the culprit was a Gerber puff...

There's a definite uneasiness that comes along with (real) solid food.
I have to watch her like a hawk. But like everything else, it's a learning experience... and she's getting better and better!

Just in time for Game Day

Chappell learned how to clap!
Holy moly I was so excited.

This morning, while sitting in my mom's lap, Chappell clapped in an attempt to get Trixie & Truffles' attention.
If you don't know already, Trixie & Truffles are my mom's dynamic duo of un-potty trained Bichon Frises... my house guests for the weekend... and Chappell is beyond obsessed with them.

She's changing so fast.
Hope you all have a great weekend.

Chappy says "Roll Tide!"

Squirt

This spoon is the coolest.

I have had it for a month, but I waited to use it because I thought it was silly...

Turns out, the thing's great!

It's only $8.

You can order it online.

It's made feeding so much easier!

I should probably explain why this thing is so cool...

Baby food goes in the handle, and then you squeeze it to "squirt" the food onto the spoon.

Chappell loves to watch the food appear on the spoon.

It can store food in the fridge, go in the dishwasher and is great for feeding in public.

Do it.

New Phase of Baby Life

I am a schedule person.
Never thought I would be.
BUT, I learned shortly after Chappell was born that babies, in my opinion, function best with a schedule.
This schedule is perfectly capable of adapting... but for normal days... it's what we do.

I worked on our schedule this morning to adapt it to a 9-month-old's needs...

Here it is:

7:45-8:00 am Wake & Feed (6-7 oz.)
9:00 am Feed Breakfast (solid food… cereal/yogurt/fruit)
10:00 am – 12 pm NAP
12:00 pm Feed Lunch (veggie,yogurt,cereal)
2:30 pm Feed (6-7 oz.) + solid snack if still seems hungry
3:00 – 5:00 pm NAP
5:00 pm Feed (6-7 oz.)
6:30 pm Dinner (Stage 3, small bits of table food)
7:30-7:45 pm Feed (4-5 oz.), burp her & put her down for the night.

We're going to give it a shot tomorrow.
Chappell's been on the same schedule since she was around 4 months old (with a few changes here and there) so this will certainly be a change...

9 Month Check Up

Yo.
So today we went to the pediatrician {Dr. Sprenkle or Sprinkle, as we say around here } for Chappell's 9 month check up. I scheduled it so Reed could go with us during his lunch break, but, as it goes, he ended up having to be in court all day. I guess that's more important.
We got our act together and made it on time. I don't know why I always plan to be on time for doctor's appointments... it only means more waiting.
After signing in (with my own pen + Purell), we strolled on in to the "well child" waiting room and had a seat. We were just chillin' till we had a visitor who went by the name of Samuel.
Samuel proceeded to (practically) climb all over me and tell me that his "tonsils were touching" and that he had ridden on two airplanes today. I found it to be extra irritating that his mother was just watching him annoy me through the glass door as she casually flipped through her Better Home and Gardens.
Seriously.
Some parents...

The appointment went well.
Chappell now weighs 19 pounds and 9 ounces and is 29 3/4 inches tall/long.
I think the height is a little off. I came to this conclusion after observing that the nurse marked too far above her head (on the paper) and put the pieces together (w/ her doctor) when she jumped about 30 % on the growth chart...
She's in the 75th percentile range for all measurements.

What did we learn today?
I learned that it is now time to start backing off of formula, and start pushing food. Can you believe it? I never thought this day would come. Of course, now that it's actually happening, I'm sad in the realization that she's not going to be a baby much longer.
After my, I mean Chappell's, pediatrician walked me through this new "concept," we came to the conclusion that we will be dropping her 2 pm bottle... I think that's how it's going to work. I'll replace the bottle with food.
It's the way of the game. Once you have it figured out, it all changes.
Chappell's also supposed to start eating more table foods.
We are going to make a conscious effort to eat all of our dinners with her, and feed her small bits of what we are eating. Until now, we've been holding off on dinner until Chappy was asleep.

So, we started this new chapter, family dinner, tonight.
Chappell ate a Stage 3 food (broccoli with carrots) and chopped up honeydew melon. She's not quite sure of what to do with the food I place on her tray, and usually just smears it around. I think I've seen her feed herself twice.
One Gerber puff and one piece of melon. It's a slow process.
I still can't get the kid to eat meat.
I actually tried again tonight... she started gagging and I knew what was coming. I just knew chicken noodle was about to cover my face.
We stopped while we were ahead.

Happy 9 month Birthday, Chappelldoodle!

Chappy does GA

We are so lucky. There's nothing else I can say. But seriously, the entire trip up, Reed and I kept looking at each other and knocking on wood. How could it be so easy?
Chappell was absolutely delightful the entire (5 hour) ride to (and from) Georgia this weekend.
We left Friday around 11 o'clock. With Chappell fed and diapered, the plan was to drive until we encountered a problem. Chappell played, babbled and napped.
We stopped once, at some broken down gas station outside of Auburn, AL. Reed changed a poopy diaper in a patch of grass. I mention this because, as I finished preparing Chappy's bottle, I turned to find my child crawling away in some random field with poo on her bare bottom.
Ay yi yi.
We arrived in Pine Mountain, GA (where Callaway Gardens is located) around 5 pm.
Friday and Saturday were consumed with the normal wedding activities - rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid's luncheon and of course, the big shebang.
The ceremony site and reception were both beautiful.








Sunday morning we headed over to ATL to visit sista Smith. We booted her to the couch and took over her room. Thanks Smitty so much for letting us sleep over!
We spent the afternoon strolling around Virginia Highlands and eating gelato.
Sunday night we put Chappell to bed and went out to dinner. We figured she'd be fine.
I'm funny, huh...
Collier, Smith's sweet roomate babysat for us. Since I was seriously craving sushi, we went to Twist at Phipps Plaza. I know this is probably the equivalent of Ruby Tuesdays at the mall for all you Atlanta natives... but it's a treat for me!
Love that place.

Chappell was great on the car ride back, despite having a minor stomach bug. She had the big D four times on Monday. This is rare for my constipated child, so we were a little freaked out. Last night was spent on the phone w/ my mother and spoon feeding Pedialyte as Chappell watched daddy dance an entertaining jig. Good times.
Today her tummy seemed to be better. Only one BM.
What would all of you do without hearing all about my daughter's gastric issues??

Other news: Chappell started waving yesterday. She waves in response to "hi" or "bye."
She has the cutest wave... I can admit that I'm pathetic. I know...
It's so exciting to have physical communicative interaction to go along with all of the babbling!
It just keeps getting better and better!

Tomorrow's Chappell's 9 month checkup. More on that soon!

Th th th that's all, folks!

I'm thinking Williams family Christmas card 2K9?

I'm Trying!

This is a work in progress.
As you can see, some of my rows are crooked-- and most of the "baby wave" stitches are extremely, ummm... messed up.

I'm not done with this yet. PS, this is the "Smock a Stitch Starter Kit" that I ordered online from The Children's Corner in Nashville. My mother in law was very sweet to sit down with me over the weekend and help me with this new endeavor!

I will post pics when I'm finished...

Hopefully I'll get better at this!

Before we skip town

Oh, poor blog.
How I've ignored thee.

Chappell is currently fighting her third nap of the day.
I've been trying to back her up to two long naps a day, but today proved that we simply aren't there yet.
{Two minutes later, I check the monitor, to see that Cha Cha's asleep-- yes!}

After Chappell's morning nap, we ventured over to Destin for a little play-date. However, since baybay only slept for an hour and twenty minutes this a.m., she got cranky after a couple of hours, and we were forced to dip out a little early.
Since getting back to the house (after a brief trip to Chick Fil-A - yum), I've been trying to get organized for our trip this weekend. We're going to Callaway Gardens for Reed's cousin's wedding. Although I know the weekend will be fun, I'm not exactly looking forward to a 5 hour car ride with the Chapster. Our trip to Birmingham was fine, but I was walkin' on eggshells the entire time. Long car rides with young children are simply not ideal.
Please cross your fingers, pray, whatever --- that this car ride goes smoothly.
Or I'm not coming back. At least in the car - I'll fly.

Since we'll be all the way up in Georgia, we've decided to spend the night with sister Smith (in Atlanta) on Sunday. I couldn't be more excited!
And, since most of our friends are going to the Bama-VA Tech game in ATL, we'll get to see a few of them on Sunday. Works out well all around...

So what else has been new around here? Lemme see...

Chappell's found a new love: YoBaby Yogurt. Keeps her regular. Nice. Probiotics work wonders.

Chapps crawls all over the place. It's so funny to me... still. I just put her down in the kitchen while I do my thing-- and she just follows me around. She's pulling up... and I absolutely hate it. Is that bad? It freaks me out. I know big spills are in our future. Eeeeek!

And two random suggestions/thoughts O' the day:

1) I don't know why I didn't try Target brand diapers sooner. So many moms that I know (and respect) have told me that they are great. Despite the fact that I possessed this knowledge (until now)-- I've stuck with Pampers or Huggies. I finally took the plunge and purchased some size 4 Target diapers on Sunday... and tried them out this afternoon.
And guess what? So far, so good! The polka dot design is super cute, too!
I'll give you my final opinion when YoBaby works its magic tomorrow.

2) Remember Nguyen has some great deals online.
{Funny name, I know. It's pronounced "Remember When." If you figured that out yourself, I apologize.}
Until I learn how to smock myself... this is a great resource. The trick is to buy ahead. I just bought Chappell six smocked dresses/rompers for $100.

Mellllllllllt

Chappellina is my favorite thing on earth.
She is so happy and active these days... she has a new smile that makes my heart turn to mush.
This smile is so big, her eyes practically close... and her two little teeth are front & center like a jack o' lantern. It's precious.
I have to catch it on camera.

Baby just woke up from a two hour morning nap... 2nd day in a row... I could get used to that extra hour real quick.

My smocking supplies arrived yesterday. The package was so cute; a manila envelope with my name and address hand-written on the front. I think my mom was a little insulted when I told her that the company was really old... "from the early 1980s!"
Ah ha ha ha. Whoops.
I'm little perturbed, however, because three of the smocking plates were back ordered. Including, the two (easier) geometric patterns.

Reed's mom took my sewing machine to be repaired in Dothan.
Hopefully I'll be sewing in the near future.