14 weeks, 4 days

For documentations sake... I felt the baby move for the first time today!

A week or so ago I thought I felt "flutters," but I wasn't really sure...

But today - I'm sure.

I had sort of forgotten that weird, internal-twisty feeling... I felt it for the first time about an hour ago when I was leaning way back in a chair... I was talking to Reed on the phone. I've been getting some work done on the computer for the past 30 minutes and I've felt it a couple more times.

There's no mistaking it when you've felt it before!

This is actually real!

So weird.

14 Weeks

I'm such a bad blogger...

So, I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant.

Chappell's at school right now... so I've been editing like a mad wo-man... I had my daily cup O joe and I actually have a little bit of energy right now.

Life in general has been kind of hard for me lately because my business has gotten pretty busy (which is great!) but Chappell has been on summer break.

She was out of school for an entire month, but is now back two days a week until fall.

She usually goes three mornings a week, but I'll take two days over nothing at all! I miss her when she's gone, but I just can't get much done when she's at home.

I refuse to be one of those moms who works on the computer while she's home and awake... so, my work time is limited to her nap time and after she goes to sleep at night.

Don't-cha worry-- I haven't missed a deadline yet, but I'm just wiped. I'm way too ummmmm, errrr, anal (??) to let things slack when it comes to my little bizzznass.

SO, wanna know what is slacking??

My housekeeping... my appearance...

BUT, my kid is happy and so are my clients! So I guess that's a good thing, right?

Pregnancy wise-- here's an update:

I was really sick from weeks 6 to 11. Since then I've been feeling much better.

I've had a couple bad days since then... but it really hasn't been that bad. With Chappell I was sick from weeks 7-8 to week 14. I guess I got off a little easier this time.

Everything looked great with the baby a couple of weeks ago at my 12 week appointment. We got another ultrasound and got to see the baby moving his/her arms and feet all over the place. It was so cool to see!

Yesterday, I called and asked if we could buy an extra ultrasound at my next appointment (16 weeks) to try and find out the sex. They agreed, so it looks like we will find out August 3rd.

Any guesses?

Not like anyone even reads this anymore... which leads me to another topic... I'm thinking of setting the blog to private.

Little Chappy update:

Chappell is so hilarious, and awesome-- in our opinion, anyways.

She is so smart... it's ridiculous. I mean, I'm not surprised... her dad is freakishly smart (like perfect ACT score smart)... and so is she.

I'M IN FOR IT.

Her vocabulary is out of this world.

She is complimented for her manners all the time... whenever we leave some one's house (or the grocery store, or a restaurant) she tells everyone, "thank you for having me!" -- it's really cute. She's very good about remembering "please" and "thank you."

She's still going to bed between 7:30 and 8, but she's been waking up around 6:30 for the past couple of months or so. Perfect timing, right? I miss those 8 am wake up yells... 6:30 is way too early for this girl.

Speaking of sleep, she's still sleeping in her crib. She has a crib tent, so she's not going anywhere... and seems perfectly content in the crib... I'm thinking I'll put her in a big girl bed in October or November. To give her a month or so to adjust before the new baby gets here.

Chappell asks me often, "Are you my best friend, mommy?? You are my best friend." MELT.

Although this age is absolutely the most fun thus far-- it can also be the most difficult.

At times I find myself pulling my hair out. When Chappell turned two, (and in the months that followed), I couldn't understand why people talked about the "terrible twos" so much. But the closer we got to two and a half, I started to realize why...

She's still a great little girl, and is wonderful most of the time... BUT, she's testing me more and more these days.

And I'm pretty sure her intelligence just makes it worse.

We have meltdowns more frequently these days. And that just stinks.

I hate coming down on her so much, but I know it's something I have to do... I rather fix it now than when she's 12.

Enough for now... peace out, folks.

Can I change the name of my blog??

I've been blogging and saving posts until we shared the news... I'll publish them tonight.

We are so excited!!

I'm a little over 8 weeks-- but we couldn't wait any longer to share the news.
We went to the doctor on Monday and saw the baby's little heartbeat-- it was 158-- flickering away!
I'll be back soon... hopefully I'll be around here more now that there's another one coming along... I want to try to document this pregnancy like I did for Chappell.

We'll see.

7 Weeks

Today I am 7 weeks pregnant with baby numero dos.

I'm pretty much counting down the days until my first appointment on June 6th... almost there!

I think as soon as I know that everything is OK, I won't be so concerned with time and how many weeks & days I am. It's just hard to keep something like this a secret when you are so excited... not to mention sick.

I don't remember exactly when my morning sickness started with Chappell-- I think somewhere around 7 or 8 weeks... but I've been sick for about a week already with this pregnancy.

That means I started feeling bad around 6 weeks.

At first it snuck up on me. It wasn't too bad, I just wasn't very hungry and had a "nervous stomach" on and off during the day.

But now-- yeesh! I'm exhausted and very nauseous. No fun.

But, they say it's a good sign to have morning sickness-- so I'll take it.

Chappellina's been quite the trooper and snuggles with me in bed for about an hour-- she'll watch cartoons, do puzzles on the iPad (which she's insanely good at)-- and just hang out with me until I can force myself to get out of bed. It's already so hot outside-- in the 90's... so I'm not sure how much outdoor playtime is in the immediate future.

We went to the beach for Memorial Day and spent a lot of time in the pool... the heat really seems too add to my discomfort... however, I am taking her to the splash pad in the morning... does that redeem my horrible-mom-ness from this week... ?

Chappell has the same response every time I tell her that there is a baby in my tummy:

"That's SILLY, mommy!!" -- and then she dies out laughing.

It is pretty silly.

The day it said "pregnant"

Today is May 15th, 2011.

This morning, I found out that I am pregnant with baby number two!

It's been an interesting road up until this point, and we couldn't be happier that we are finally expecting our second child.

We decided to start trying for our second baby back in October.

However, I got off of "the pill" last summer (I think in July 2010), so my body could adjust and be ready once we decided to give it a shot.

Some of you know, but one of my best friends got married in October and I didn't want to be pregnant in her wedding.

That being said, it was kind of an internal struggle for me, because I wanted to have another baby much earlier but our calendar was just so busy-- we thought it would be smarter to put it off a little longer.

Hmmmm... why is it that we always seem to think that we are in control... ?

Anyways-- the wedding came. And passed.

I got pregnant immediately.

I was very nervous, excited and anxious about the whole thing.

I had blood drawn a few days before my missed period-- (yeah, psycho, I know)-- and my suspicions were confirmed. Pregnant.

However, to make a long story short-- my HCG levels never got very high and I had a miscarriage about a week after I fount out I was pregnant. It was very sad.

My doctor told me that it was OK to try again, immediately.

So we did. Month after month.

Six looooong months later-- here we are.

That probably doesn't sound like a long time to most.

However, when you want something that bad and you get caught up in counting cycles, ovulation kits and all that mess- time slows down... the whole thing can feel pretty isolating.

And people don't know how their actions can affect others... people constantly asked me when were planning on getting pregnant. Seriously? Is that really your business??

We got pregnant so easily with Chappell that this was sort of a shock to us.

I had my blood drawn at one point, because I convinced myself that I must have something wrong with me... I thought hypothyroidism at one point... maybe that was why I wasn't getting pregnant. Turns out my thyroid is fine.

In the meantime, all of my friends were popping up pregnant. I could name at least ten.

One of my best friends became pregnant and learned she was having twins.

Of course I was happy for them! But couldn't I get pregnant with ONE?

I learned a lot-- and I have such empathy for those trying to have a baby. It is frightening, confusing and frustrating when you cannot conceive. Month after month... awful.

It's very funny though-- the month I actually gave up trying... it happened! I've heard it often works that way.

WELL-- today I found out that we are indeed expecting another baby!

I am ecstatic and can't wait to share the news but will be a little more hesitant because of what happened last time.

I already had a GYN appointment scheduled for June 7, so I plan to call in the morning and change it to OB.

I won't be posting this until after that appointment-- but just wanted to document this pregnancy as much as I did for Chaps.

We are SO excited!!

An after thought...

Just wanted to mention something we're doing w/ Chaps that some of you fellow moms (don't think any dads read this...) might be interested in...

By no means am I claiming that this is some brilliant and/or original idea, it's pretty ridiculous, actually.

So... Reed started practicing introductions w/ Chappell about two weeks ago. He just wanted to teach her how to say hello politely, no big deal.

Reed would say "hello," etc., they shake hands and then she says, "Hello, my name is Chappell Williams, and I'm from Montgomery, Alabama. It's nice to meet you."

No big deal, right? I mean, everyone needs to know their name and where they are from.

But the more I watched them have this little exchange it sort of dawned on me-- why haven't I been driving home this simple, yet pertinent information sooner?

Of course she knows her name... but where she's from, etc., etc.... the list could go on.

God forbid she was ever kidnapped or lost, this is all information she would need to know.

Until last week, she had no clue what city she lived in. We spend hours working on shapes, numbers, letters-- all of the "obvious" stuff... but somehow managed to overlook something so important?

Anywho... I'm stepping down from my soapbox, but it's just some food for thought.

So, I just decided in the shower that we are going to build on this.

Phone number's next...

If she can spell M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E, I think she can learn a few numbers...

Am I psycho? Possibly.

Peace folks.

PS... this picture was taken on Chappell's changing table... the room was almost black, with just a tiny bit of light peeking through (homemade) blackout shades... I just liked the way the light hit her eyes and how sweet and sleepy she was :)

27 Months

Well hello!

Just wanted to check in and say herrro to the ole blog.

Chappy's doing great.

She's currently munching on a lovely rainy day lunch of grilled cheese, pickled okra and watermelon. This meal includes three of her most favorite things to eat, so I'm assuming she's a pretty happy chick right now. The kid goes crazy for anything pickled or salty. So much so, that the check out lady at Publix calls her "okra baby" or "miss okra" because whenever we check out, Chaps is usually chowing down on her own bottle of pickled okra. Well, that and a sample of salami from the deli... funny little lady, no doubt.

I wanted to jot a few things down, so here I go...

Chappell is still rather into playing dress up and sportin' some jewels these days. And, BREAKING NEWS-- she will keep a bow in her hair! Wahoo! I used to have to sneak it in while I was pretending to play with her hair...

Anywho, about a week ago I figured out a way to make it work... I told her that "all princesses wear bows" -- and waaalaa! She is now a bow wearer... because, of course, Chappellina is a princess, and all princesses wear bows.

I wish I could convince her to do things like this forever. I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Recent happenings:

Chappell likes to put on all of her jewelry (clip on earrings, bracelets, numerous necklaces, bow and high heels) walk to the back door and tell us: I'm going to work mommy and daddy, bye bye!!

"Momm, I would like to have some fruit snacks for the road, pweeeeeeeeeease!!"

*Overheard her counting to ten in Spanish yesterday, in perfect order. I have no idea how she learned this, I'm assuming Dora, but I watch Dora with her and I don't really remember any episodes that we've watched counting to ten... school maybe??

Chappell can count to mid 20s. She can identify all of the numbers now and most of the alphabet by sight. She mastered the numbers pretty quickly after playing number puzzles on

Reed's ipad, otherwise known as "daddy's puter." Technology's pretty shweet. Her easel has magnetic letters and that's how we've worked on the alphabet. The magnetic "wetters" are one of her most favorite things to play with. Well, that and her rubber lizards, snakes, baby doll and bottle, Baby Einstein DVD cases (all DVDs and DVD cases for that matter)--- I could go on but I will stop.

Chaps likes to pray for her friends/classmates at naptime...

this reminds me, C told Reed this right when she woke up yesterday:

"Pollard is my best friend. I love Pollard. Pollard is nice."

Seriously?? Where does she come up with this stuff?

Speaking of Mr. Pollard, these two were caught kissing (just a little peck) on the playground at school a few weeks ago and then spotted in what was described to me as "a human pretzel-like position" at school a few days later.

Then, last Monday, Miss Chappell was spotted (in the backseat of my car

) holding hands with Pollard's first cousin, Barnes and affectionately calling him "Pumpkin." She better watch out or she's going to stir something up between the cousins. Ha.

Well, back to editing, just wanted to jot a few things down. I know I'm forgetting a lot but I'll be back soon.

Adios!

Spring MINIS!

I know this isn't personal (and this is still my personal blog), but I wanted to make sure the word got out... as this deal will not happen again!

Email me at hollandwilliamsphotography@gmail.com for more info! Only a few spots left!

And... just FYI, if you know someone in the Montgomery area who is pregnant and about to POP/have a baby... (in the next week) or currently has a baby under ten days old... let me know...

I have something up my sleeve...

Little bit O fun

It's proving to be hard to keep up with two blogs, facebook, my website and oh yeah, the business.

I figured I'd link you over to my HWP blog... I actually posted yesterday.

*HWP blog will be getting a makeover verrrrrrrrrry soon... can't wait!

Lots of good news coming my way recently... I'm so excited.

Allison submitted my shots of Riley's birthday party to Kori Clark's party blog, Paper & Pigtails... and it was published today!!

Check it out!

So much more to come... later!!

happy hump day

hello!

in another pathetic attempt to keep the blog from withering up and dying, here i am again.

chaps is down for a nap and i'm in the midst of cleaning, cooking and getting packed up for a newborn shoot in the morning. however, i just sat down to my computer to file my alabama state sales tax (you have to file every month your first year in business-- ick) and blogging sounded more appealing. SO, procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate. lawd.

so... to document a few funnies regarding miss chaps that have occurred since i last saw this blog o mine:

1) chaps got stung by a wasp last friday. although it was the saddest thing ever, and scared the poo out of me, she was so cute after the fact. she kept looking over at the HUGE dying black wasp saying, "mean, mean buuug-- you're a meannn meann bugggg" --- picture her saying this with the most southern accent ever, and sobbing. she was so upset with the wasp for stinging her. how dare he sting the biggest animal/critter lover on the planet. how dare he.

2) a few nights ago, after we put chaps to bed we noticed her on the video monitor flying her baby dolls on her feet-- does anyone know what i'm talking about? you know, the airplane game? anyways, we do it w/ her all the time... so there she was, playing airplane w/ her baby dolls. cutest thing ever. "your flyyyyyyying, baby, you're flyyyyyyyyying!"

3) chaps has started taking her pjs off after we put her to bed. i don't know why. don't know what she's thinking. after she falls asleep we sneak in and put her pjs back on. it's quite sad to see her curled up in a ball wearing just her diaper... two year olds are nuts.

4) bought some special big girl panties. she picked them out all by herself and was so excited on the way home she wore a pair on her arm. "DOOOOWA (dora) panties!!" --- as for the whole potty training thing... work in progress... but i don't think we're quite there yet. remember when she pooed in the potty at 19 months old? early potty trainer you thought? no dice.

5) lovin' some tutus. and mermaids. and the jungle book. and the lion king.

that's enough of that for now...

is anyone else addicted to caffeine? new little trick to try... put a pack (if your a fattie like me) or half a pack of swiss miss sugar free hot chocolate mix in your coffee.

it's pretty dern good.

my smith sister is moving to new york city today... my other sister, margaret leigh is in italy teaching until june and just got accepted to university of london for graduate school.

i'm kind of sad about this. chaps is too.

i must do my taxes now...

i'll leave you with a couple pictures of my most adorable two year old - it's been wet outside the past few days so we've been getting creative.