My Personal Photographer

Yea for maternity pictures! My mom came to Jackson yesterday and brought her whole studio packed up in the back of her SUV. She came so we could take the third of four pictures in my dancing-as-i-progress-through-pregnancy set. Only one left! I can't wait to see all four of them side by side.
While she had her whole studio set up in my living room, I figured I should take advantage of it. I hadn't really planned on getting any pictures made of me at this stage, but I realized that this was about the time when I had most of my favorite pictures taken when I was preggo with Eden. I decided I shouldn't miss any opportunity to get a photo I might really love and I certainly didn't want to look back with regret later. This may be the last time I ever have a chance to get my photo taken when I'm 5 months pregnant.
We had a fun session, and, although many of the poses and outfits I had thought up and tried out in my room in my full-length mirror earlier in the day didn't seem to look quite how I envisioned them, we still managed to take some fun shots. (How DO models pull off some of the things they do? What feels cute or sassy to me ends up looking retarded on film...) As I've mentioned before, my photos while pregnant with Eden were more ethereal, serene and monochromatic. This time, I added some color, a prop or two, and plenty of variation in poses (hopefully... I haven't seen them all in a row to know that for sure.)
I still haven't made any type of album from my last pregnancy. I really need too. I can't wait to see the two finished albums side by side showing my awe-struck feelings with my first girl and my ready-or-not-we're-about-to-have- twice-the-fun! feelings with my second girl.
The last set of photos we do will be in early October. I'll have the last one in the set of four as well as some shots on location around Jackson with me and Chuck. So exciting! What a HUGE blessing it is to have the luxury of a personal photographer who is willing to try crazy things with me and keep on taking pictures until I see one I like. We're both pretty picky and our tastes can differ, but she treats me great and we make it happen.

Re-use

I'm finding so many uses for old t-shirts! Not so many uses, I guess... so many different ways to refashion them. That's what I really mean. I've found tutorials online for turning adult t-shirts into: a toddler dress, bloomers, a toddler skirt, toddler lounge pants, a belly band to either wear by itself or to convert regular jeans to maternity, and the list continues. My favorite idea so far has been the lounge pants/gauchos. I made a pair for Eden and they are really cute and they look REALLY comfy, like, where-do-I-find-a-t-shirt-big-enough-to-make-myself-a-pair? comfy.
The only other problem is that I don't really have that many t-shirts. I know lots of people (my husband included) seem to be t-shirt collectors. He has so many, he probably doesn't even remember what they all look like. I never really keep t-shirts from this event or that business. Actually, I usually just avoid getting them in the first place. I figure I can't look as frumpy if I limit my frumpy clothing choices. A fitted t-shirt with a cute design of some sort on it is just as comfy. Now I'm kind-of wishing I was a t-shirt pack rat so I could try out all these neat patterns for Eden and Arielle.
Maybe I can convince Chuck to give up a couple... Maybe?

Belly Shot: 22 weeks

Here you go! Week 22 photos. I'm trying out the belt I made this morning. You like?
Also trying out curls in the new do. ....and attempting a sultry face. I usually just look angry when I try this face, but I think I did better this time. :)

Doctor's Visit

I went to the doc yesterday for my 22 week appt. I've been forgetting a lot of things lately. I almost forgot I had an appointment. I wish I hadn't forgotten to call my friend to watch Eden. Wow. It takes a LOT of energy and brain cells to entertain a toddler in a packed waiting room for over an hour... and then keep her entertained in a tiny hallway... and continue the merry making in a tiny office. We got there at 9:15 and left around 11:15. Fifteen minutes of that was spent with my doctor. Ugh. It's really not as bad when I'm there by myself. I expect the wait and so it's no surprise and no stress, but with Eden... that's another story. Every minute equals 5 and the stress levels rise. She really was about as good as she could be. She allowed herself to be entertained, charmed everyone in our quadrant of the waiting room. and only screamed bloody murder twice. The first scream was in the bathroom when I was giving a sample.
Oh
My
Goodness.
I don't know if I've EVER seen her do that and in a tiny bathroom at a doctor's office with patients sitting right outside at the nurses' station wasn't my ideal location for a first experience. She didn't want me to take the tissue from her that she was stuffing into her mouth, so she reared back, took a big intake of breath and screamed a solid 7-8 seconds. It seemed like an eternity and I just froze. I could only imagine what kinds of options the people sitting one foot outside the door must have come up with for the cause of that horrible noise.
Did I mention that, overall, she was really good? She was. I had several people comment to me in the waiting room that they couldn't believe how well-behaved she was. And when the OB finally saw us, she immediately said that several previous patients had told her about "the pregnant lady in the waiting room running after her toddler" and how impressed they were with both of us. :)
By the by... the appointment went fine. Arielle's heartbeat was in the 140s and I had no pregnancy related concerns or issues, so that was pretty much it.
I know it won't be easy with two, but as long as Chuck and I do our best, with God's help and good discipline, to make our lives easier than the "norm" I'll take it.

My Monkey

The room on my lap for Eden is shrinking daily. If only she could understand when I warn her that it's going to continue to lessen in the coming months. She's already taken to trying to sit ON my stomach instead of in front of it on the bit of lap I have left. Needless to say, neither I nor Arielle appreciate 23 pounds plopped on us. I wish she understood why she can't just climb anywhere on me she likes. Oh well, I guess that's just one of those hard facts of life. Not everything will be something she can understand. I just feel like she would fuss less if she knew...

Time Flies

Two things today reminded me how much time will fly between now and November. 

One was seeing that our hospital tour is scheduled for the end of this month.  (Already?)  I'm nervous and curious to see what this hospital is like.  I so wish I could go back and have Arielle at University Hospital in Augusta with Dr. Bartley.  I love you Dr. Bartley!!  I'm sure God will provide a good experience here for me.  I know some ladies who have had babies there and enjoyed their stay... but none of those were natural births.  We'll see what the atmosphere is like at the end of the month.

The other thing that made me realize how fast November is approaching is that another girl at church who is having her first baby in September is having her shower in just a couple of weeks.  (wonder if I'll have any showers this time...) 

July feels pretty far from November, especially in this heat, but it'll be here before I know it.

Arielle Genevieve

There you go. I've tortured you long enough.
heh heh

Doesn't it look especially pretty in that font? :)