This is how...

we keep Chappell occupied during an intense Alabama game:

Lots, and lots, and lots of toys...

So relieved that we beat those HOGS!!

Doesn't Chappy look so relieved??

The child's probably scarred for life after witnessing her father RIP his shirt off and throw it across the room over a bogus penalty.

We were both a little upset for a while there.

But don't you worry - Chapps was chanting: "Go, Go, GO!" and "Ocho, Ocho" and "Julio"

and of course,

ROLL TIDE the entire game.

We've got a big Bama fan on our hands.

It's a good thing!

Roll TIde!!

Baby Thomas Gross

So you can probably tell that I've been spending a lot of my free time on this photography dream of mine...

Well, today I was lucky enough to photograph one of the cutest babies around!

His mama, Kim was so nice to let us come over. Us, you say?

Chappell was with me (which is not a part of the future business plan, btw) and was not a fan of me fawning over another baby.

In fact, some of these pictures were taken while I was HOLDING a 25 pound toddler on my hip.

You live, you learn...

From now on I'm going to schedule "sessions | shoots" when Chappy-lina is at school or when I have Reed around to help.

Other important blog-worthy news: Chappell poopoo'd in the potty again today!

Hoorah, Hoorah!

Riley Man

So... last night while Reed was playing tennis I decided to jet on over (like, stuffed some food down the toddler's face and ran) to the Godwin's house to get a little photo-practice on

Mr. Riley Earl Godwin.

Since Reed wasn't home, Chappell (of course) had to go with me.

Allison was at a work event, so it was just me and Michael verses two toddlers and a semi-busy street.

Yeah.

Wasn't the best shoot ever.

I only got three (seriously - THREE!) shots of Riley.

When toddlers are involved... it gets complicated!

Even though I didn't do the best job (keeping Chaps out of the street was a priority) ... Riley's super-cuteness certainly helped me out!

Here are the other two:

and since Chappell was there, too...

Hat Hat Hat

Chappellina is more than obsessed with this owl hat lately... it goes with us EVERYWHERE!

Reminds me of Aunt Smitty when she was little...

Photoshop is sucking me in...

I have so many questions and so much to learn... I feel like Adobe is a black hole!

And here's a random question...

Does anyone know why photos that appear clear in other programs look horrible on Facebook?

I'm kind of embarrassed to ask... but I can't seem to figure it out.

Poo

How did I forget to mention that Chappell went poopoo on the potty this Saturday?

She said:

"Mommy, I poo poo, I poo poo!"

So I put her on the potty and she did her business. All three of us were together for this momentous occasion, crowded in the downstairs bathroom.

Her special potty is upstairs, so she did her thing right there on the big ole potty!

Reed took pictures. Delightful.

Just now, she teetee'd in the potty. Is the kid trying to tell me something?

I'm so confused, I think I need to do some reading on things of this nature.

*These pictures were pre-poo. But she does look rather happy, huh?

Sunday Not so Fun day

Yo.

We had big plans to attend a little Sunday School shindig tonight.

That is, until Chappy-Chap threw up all over me. Isn't that just precious?

You know it's love when you're covered in throw up and you don't even care!

Oddly enough, it only happened once.

She's been fine ever since.

I immediately went to the grocery store to stock up on the essentials (popsicles, gatoraide & jello), thinking that we had a bug about to hit...

Now she seems fine?

And I'm confused. But very thankful!!

Happy Weekend

We are looking forward to a fun weekend at home.

A few parties and lots of football...

Roll Tide my friends!

Mini Update

I feel like a horrible parent.

I've neglected to do Chapster updates. Eeek!

It's just so overwhelming because she is doing so much.

Well, yesterday I was blown away!

Maybe she was supposed to be doing this months ago - who knows - nevertheless, I was floored.

She started saying her ABC's!

Well, sort of.

It started like this...

For the past few days, I've been hearing a lot of this:

"Abeeshees, Abeeshees, Abeeshees"

Over. And over. Again.

I didn't really pay too much attention - if you know my child, you know she's constantly talking and talking and talking.

Some of this chatter is English, some is gibberish. She's Chapplingual.

Anywho, yesterday, she handed me Chicka Chicka ABC and started up again:

"Abeeshees, Abeeshees, Abeeshees."

I started singing the alphabet, and she chimed right in. She can sing up to E (most of the time).

And repeat.

I was so excited! She was so proud.

And since I'm on topic, I would like to record some other funny things she says/does.

Ahh hem:

*"What's dis?? What's daaat?" = What's this? What's that?

(this and that are always dramatic, with emphasis on the end of the word - unless she is excited then it's quick and repeated over and over...)

*"Home! Home! Home!" = whenever we drive down our street or pull in the driveway

*"Roll Tide!!"

She can also say Julio :)

*Wants to call "mimi" (my mom) constantly. She knows how to use my phone. Dang speed dial. If you get a call from me and it seems random or unexpected, it's probably her.

*Pretty much knows all animals... except the really weird ones... she probably wouldn't identify an armadillo... but you get the point. She can make their sounds, etc.

*Her vocabulary is pretty dern large at this point. She can put together small sentences... 2-3 words together.

*Tells me when she is about to go poopoo... are we getting close to the dreaded potty training? I hope not.

More on Chaps later. Bed time!

Messing around

Straight out of the camera...



A little tweaking...

Ordered this CS5 book today.

I spent 2 of my 3.5 precious Mother's Morning Out hours researching Photoshop books at Books A Million.

Lots and lots to learn, my friends!

Whooooppppppi!

I still have no idea what I'm doing, but here's the first little creation from Photoshop CS5.

I downloaded it about 20 minutes ago... and found some free actions online.

First photography class tonight!

And yes, I will probably be up all night playing with my new toy.

I am such a Sketchball

Today has been interesting thus far.

I dropped Chappell off at Mother's Morning Out and then proceeded with a most important mission.

The Mission: Pay for Photoshop, All-By-Yourself

So. First stop: Plato's Closet

I went through my closet last night and found some items to consign.

Plato's Closet thinks rather highly of themselves and requires that clothes be "gently worn" and still "trendy." They also require that the clothing is no more than 18 months old. Hmm.

I'm not very trendy these days. Fact is, I'm a mom. If I'm showered and wearing makeup... it's a good day.

So I pull up to Plato's with my huge IKEA bag of "trendy" clothes. They let me walk next door to TJ Maxx as they rummage through my belongings.

This is how I did:

Wow.

Me: Ummm, excuse me, but this is a Betsey Johnson dress - it's in perfect condition?? It retails for around 200?

Plato Girl: Well, I would pay you more, but there's a little pull in the fabric at the bottom.

Me: OK

After I left the consignment store I was feeling just a tad bit sad. The Student Edition of Photoshop CS5 is around $200... and I really want to pay for it myself!

11 dollars and 20 cents later... I wasn't much closer to photography greatness. Ha.

Then the pawn shop (that shall remain nameless) happened.

I pulled up to the building in our ever preppy volvo.

The building --an architectural BEAUT -- was complete with bar covered windows and neon yellow signs.

I marched on in with my zip lock bag full O' gold.

Being a pawn shop virgin, I asked the man why the door wasn't locked (like the sign said it should be) and if it was safe for me to be there alone.

Pawn Shop Man said: Everyone in here right now is a friend and they're all carrying loaded guns. Plenty of people have tried to rob me but let's just say that none have been successful.

Perfect.

I'm all by myself in a sketchy pawn shop with five shady men all packin' heat.

I could just picture the 5 o'clock news...

Disclaimer: Mom, I want you to know that I didn't sell anything of value or sentiment. Just tacky stuff that was sitting in my jewelry box collecting dust.

You know what I mean... dolphin earrings, unfortunate looking gifts from ex-boyfriends (ha), earring backs - JUNK.

Again, Mother, I would never sell any family pieces of jewelry. Please don't take me out of the will. Ha!

And now I can buy Photoshop. Hoorah!

Indeed. A satisfying day in the hood.

Schoooool Days...

I just realized that Chappell will be 21 months on the 9th - and I have yet to get her 20 month update finished.

I started the post, but she is doing and saying so many funny things these days I never had the time to finish!

I suppose you will be getting a 21 month progress report instead... in a few days, that is.

Today Chappell started Mother's Morning Out again!

Her new teacher and the director both told me that she had a great first day!

They said Chappell "didn't skip a beat" and danced, danced, danced when they played music. Surprise, surprise. The kid's got moves - and they don't come from her mama!

I took a few "first day of school" pictures, but our little session didn't exactly go as planned.

ChaCha wanted nothing to do with her backpack... or the front porch for that matter.

So, all I have are a few pictures of her playing in the front yard.

"Bye-bye Mama!!"

*picture me running behind her with all of my camera gear to keep her outta the street!!

I'll include a few finger painting pictures for good measure.

Only a few more days until I order Photoshop CS5. That's when the fun will begin!

A weekend for grownups!

Reed and I are taking a weekend off from parenting.

We've been going non-stop and decided that we needed a little break.

So,

Chappellina is in Pensacola with my parents and having a blast.

Today I slept until 9 am. It felt like 11. It was so wonderful.

After our weekend of sickness (when Reed was away at a bachelor party) Chapster developed an ear infection. Amoxicillin didn't work. Go figure.

We're hoping this second round of antibiotics will clear it up. It better clear it up!

She's been a perfect angel for her Mimi (of course), but the past two weeks have been a little challenging. When baby doesn't feel well, she seems to take it out on me... the terrible twos are fast approaching!

Last night I went to dinner with some girls. Afterwards, we watched a little football with the Espys.

Tonight we're going to dinner with the Liz, Taylor and the Espys.

and...

Tomorrow we are going to the Alabama game! Thank you Lizzy so much for inviting us.

We cannot wait to be in T-town!

Awesome, awesome weekend ahead.

Ahhhh... tomorrow at this exact time I will be at Gallettes... my most favorite smelly place on Earth.