Anyone notice anything?

There seems to be a pretty direct relationship between my photography business and lack of blogging.

I didn't book any shoots after Christmas, since I became full term on December 26th.

If you know me, you know that this is killing me.

I love my business and photography so much... 2011 was so good to me.

Starting a new business in a new town may have seemed crazy, but it was one of the best things that I've ever done for myself-- and in turn for my family.

I've only been "off" about a week or so and I feel, errr, naked.

However, I have big plans for 2012!

Turning away business this month was very hard for me. I.hated.it. Hated it.

It's hard to explain, but when you work so hard for something, the last thing you want to do is walk away from it!

And just so you know, potential picture peeps, I am taking appointments starting in mid February. I already have projects on the books and I'm glad-- this will force me to get back in the swing of things!

Hooooooowever, with all of that said... I'm trying to just chill out-- I am truly enjoying the time I have with Chappell this week.

I'm trying to savor every moment of our one on one time, even those moments where she's acting like a total pill.

Yes, I know, total shocker-- but, we all have our moments and she can be a pill from time to time. Ha!

Hope you all know I'm kidding. She's 3 and 3 year olds can be tough!

Last thing, just wanted to write down a few of the latest Chappellisms.

Yesterday, she said, "I want to fly airplanes when I grow up."

That was the first time she ever told us what she wanted to be-- I didn't even know that she knew the phrase, "grow up." Of course that made me want to cry, as well... but let's stay off of that topic for now.

I hate flying... so of course she'll be a pilot so I can worry about her non-stop... wouldn't that be lovely.

For the past few days she says "Okaaaaaaaay??" after each.and.every.statement.and.question.

It's actually really cute. She says it in this funny voice, and it's kind of sassy. I hope I remember the way she says it forever. I'm sure it's one of those phases but I love it.

The other day she told me that I "crack her up." And then laughed at me... Seriously?

Oh, have I mentioned that she has started stuttering lately??

It only happens when she is excited, but it's definitely something relatively new. I would say she started doing it a month or so ago?

It showed up right before she turned 3.

Funny enough, at her 3 year old well visit her pediatrician said (without even hearing her stutter) that they usually appear at this age and go away within 6 months. It's just the brain moving faster than her mouth. Makes sense. I'm not too worried about it.

While on the 3 year old visit topic... Chaps was 60th in height and 20th in weight. She weighed 28 pounds. She's turned into kind of a peanut in her old age... at least weight-wise. She still feels so light to me!

This afternoon we walked across the street to play with Windsey, Pollard and Penn.

Chaps was (of course) sad when we left and moped around for a while.

During dinner she looked at me and said in the most distraught voice:

Mommy, I can't breathe. I can't breathe because I can't see Pollard.

I die. It really was hilarious.

She also told them mid-space-ship-ride (he has a cardboard space ship that they like to blast off in) that she loved him. When he didn't respond she said it again.

Oh lawd. Already, Chaps? Be subtle!!!

38 weeks (since it's after midnight)

The countdown is on!

And it's kind of scary, now that it's actually here!

Today is January 2nd... and that means that baby Collier will be here in 9 days or less. Holy Shmoly. As I sit here typing this, laying on my side in a dark bedroom-- yes, pregnancy insomnia is a beeeyatch--- Collier is attempting to kick the computer off of my belly. I don't think he likes anything resting on my stomach. It's funny, but kind of sad at the same time. I guess I wouldn't like a laptop sitting on my head, either.

Lots of things have happened since my last post.

Christmas came and went. We had such a nice time with Chappell this year. I think she really understood (well most of it) the holiday this year and she had so much fun.

We decorated a ginger bread house, went to a cookie decorating party, Christmas concerts-- church, the whole shebang and we tried to play it up as much as possible for her. I think her favorite part about Christmas was probably driving around looking at lights and singing Christmas carols & songs.

After only a few days of cruisin' to Christmas CDs in the car, she had dozens of Christmas songs memorized. She's such a smart little muffin.

Speaking of her creepy smart-ness, after reading a book to her a few times... she has the entire thing memorized. Like... long books. I'm not kidding. This is not something she inherited from me. I'm no idiot, but Reed has a pretty impressive memory (like photographic) and I'm thinking it must come from him.

Public Service Announcement... sorry to brag about my kid. But this is my blog and you can leave if you want. It's better to be an obnoxious mom online than in real life.

Back to regularly scheduled programming...

One of her birthday presents was a book called Gus and the Firefly (I think that's what it's called). The book is almost 60 pages long-- it's pretty.dern.long.

And she has every line memorized. Literally. One afternoon Reed and I were putting her down for a nap and she just started reciting the entire book. Line after line. It was truly amazing. Sort of children of the corn style, but amazing all the same.

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Did I ever blog about Chappellina's birthday party? I don't think I did...

I'll just jot down the abridged version.

-Family arrived the night before.

-Kid was so hyped up she couldn't fall asleep until 1 am.

-We arrive at birthday party 30 minutes early to find out the heater wasn't working and the place is an icebox. Seriously, they could store dead people in this place. Kids noses are runnin' outta control.

-Chaps is running on fumes-- 6 hours of sleep-- and is going crazy in the jumpy.

-As everyone is arriving, Chappell tells me that she is thirsty. I proceed to carry her to the drink table where she pukes all over me.

-I'm the awkward, vomit covered, pregnant mom. Yup, that's me!

-Spend 30 mins trying to figure out if we should stay or leave. After some peer pressure, I decide we have to stay. Still covered in throw up by the way. Mom tried to give me a Purel sponge bath... just as gross, for the record.

-Turns out, kids not sick. Just tired, motion sick and full of sugar. Not a good combo, but I think she had a pretty good time! I was also relieved that she didn't give the stomach bug to 20 other little kiddos.

-It all ended up being OK...

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Since Christmas deserves it's own post...

I'll just empty my brain here for a sec.

Today Reed had the day off and we spent it completing various piddly projects (installing baby seat, hanging mobile, putting decorations in the attic) and taking Chaps to her first ever ballet class!

She absolutely loved it. When we got there, she seemed a little reserved but as I was filling out paper work, she started to make friends with the other little girls waiting in the hallway.

When the teacher opened the doors, she walked right on in and didn't even say goodbye to me or Reed.

It's so funny to me-- she is so independent (and confident) and I just love that about her!

I still remember crying and clinging to my mom on the first day of new sports, activities, etc. Chaps was the youngest girl in the class-- a whole grade below, so today she was visiting on a "trial basis." But she did great and they are letting her join permanently.

It was precious!

She wasn't quite up for pics (we skipped her nap today), but I took a couple little snapshots when we got home.

** I really need to renew my flickr account so I can put bigger pictures up here. Oops.

In the last few days before Collier's arrival I am overwhelmed with some mixed emotions.

While I am obviously so excited for him to get her, I'm a little nervous about everything to come. I want him to get here so badly, but I'm hesitant about another c-section. I didn't really enjoy that the first go around and I'm not overly excited about another recovery.

I had high hopes for a vbac, and then chickened out a month or so ago... but hadn't given up the thought completely.

Turns out, Collier is breech like his big sis, so that wouldn't be an option for me anyways. I guess there's always a plan... silly me... I thought I would be able to choose this time around.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited-- and can't wait to hold my baby boy.

But also a little bit sad that our family is about to change forever. The past 3 years with Chappell have been the best years of my life.

She is amazing.

I'm scared that she is going to feel replaced, or insecure about her position in our family and that breaks my heart. I don't want her to feel like she's been brushed aside in those first few weeks. And I pray that if I go into labor on my own (before the scheduled section) that it's in the middle of the night or after she's gone to bed... because I know she would want to go with me to the hospital and it would all be very confusing to her. She's been very clingy with me and I don't want to rush out the door with her awake. I don't want her to see me in pain because I know that would upset her, too. Basically, I'm just a little nervous about how she's going to handle it all. She is so excited to have a baby brother-- I just hope she's still as excited when he actually gets here.

Hopefully I'll get around to posting nursery pics tomorrow. Sorry about the emotional rant. I really am so excited for the baby to get here-- but sometimes change can be scary.