34 Weeks

Naps (or lack thereof)

I'm afraid Charlotte is in the process of dropping her nap. We have been struggling with it for a couple of months. I think I have been in denial. Of course this happens just before a newborn comes into the house. Just when I will depend on her nap time the most.

She is napping (always with a fight) about every other day. The days she doesn't nap, she has "quiet time", which is never quiet. I think I need to get a timer for her room, so that she is quiet until it dings. There are multiple calls to "MOOOOOMMMMMMYYYYYY" for a snack, drink, to help her with a toy, etc. Any suggestions for a quiet "quiet time" are appreciated.

On the days she does nap, I usually have to lay down with her - sometimes in our bed. It is to the point that it is such a struggle and fight that I'm about to just drop them all together and put her to bed a half hour earlier or so - especially now that it is getting darker earlier.

If she doesn't nap, she is usually OK until about 5:30 - then she's pretty cranky. Or, she falls asleep in the car in the afternoon if we run errands. On Saturday she didn't nap, but fell asleep on the couch watching Dora while I helped Judd put together her new dresser. She's never fallen asleep while watching TV. Which makes me wonder if she really does still need the nap?

It's always the same - just when you are in the groove, they change and you have to guess all over again.

The Granola Bar Incident

For me, there is that time in a pregnancy when it really hits me that I am HUGE. That I am big and getting bigger and there is nothing I can do about it. That your body really has been taken over, and it is not your own anymore. It is a moment, something that happens when it really sinks in.

When I was pregnant with Charlotte it was a moment when Judd made me laugh so hard while we were putting up the Christmas tree and my poor muscles were stretched so hard that they just couldn't hold and I peed my pants. It was embarrassing and awful. It was then that I started to cry and wanted it all to be over.

Last night was my moment with this baby. No, I didn't pee my pants. Our beautiful, wonderful friend, Erin, volunteered to come over after Charlotte went to bed so Judd and I could go out to dinner. Since we had a Scoutmob, we decided to go to ONE. Midtown Kitchen. It is a pretty trendy restaurant. I usually feel like a total dork going there - I just don't feel like I'm trendy enough. It didn't help that we pull up to valet the car with the SIRIUS bluegrass channel blasting.

So, we go in and have a very nice dinner - really good food. We talked about the baby, what his name will be or not be, what has been happening with Judd's job, and Charlotte's imaginary friends. A lovely evening. I tell Judd that I'm going to the bathroom before dessert comes, and get up from the table.

Then I hear, "Carrie." I turn around and Judd waves me back to the table. "You have a granola bar wrapper stuck to your butt". Nice. The big fat pregnant chick, in a nice, trendy restaraunt, has a granola bar wrapper stuck to her ever expanding rear end. It's not just any granola bar wrapper, it is a bright, shiny purple one - one that reflects light from all directions. I know where it became a part of my hiney, too - the front seat of Judd's car - meaning that I had it had been stuck there the whole walk through the restaurant to be seated. So, as any wife would do, I immediately blamed him for this humiliation. Why couldn't he just throw his granola bar wrappers away? and not just put them in his front seat?

It was then that I had my moment of pregnancy self pity. I immediately felt huge - and I know the end is near, but not near enough. My clothes barely fit, my feet get swollen, and my daughter can't even fit on my lap.

This morning, I am recovered. I actually got a decent night's sleep and feel much better about myself. Sure, I'm huge, but I know what will be the result of this - and it will all be worth it.

33 Weeks

A little late this week, but here it is:

Goodbye Summer

We spent part of our Labor Day at the pool for the Labor Day BBQ. It was fitting to spend the last day of the summer at the pool - we have spent A LOT of time there this summer. We watched Charlotte become a little fishy through the summer, I have found much needed relief from the heat there, and we have met some new friends.




I am sad to see the summer come to a close. It will always be a special summer to me - the summer that I was lucky enough to soak up sun and Charlotte. The last summer that it would be just us. Next summer we will have baby brother in tow wherever we go - undoubtedly making things just a little bit trickier. But, this summer we were pretty carefree - story times at the library, playdates, pool time, popsicles, and picnic lunches at the playground. I will forever be grateful for this time with my girl.

While I am sad to see the summer come to a close, I am very much looking forward to the Fall. This Fall will be a very special one as well - one I will never forget - the Fall that we made this party of 3 a party of 4.

What Charlotte did at the Bluff

I picked up my family at the airport this afternoon. I couldn't wait to get my arms around Char. (Oh, and Judd too :)) I had a really nice weekend by myself, visiting with friends, shopping, and relaxing (I watched a movie at 3 in the afternoon - what luxury!). I did miss my girl, and her daddy, though. The house just isn't the same without them.

My father-in-law texted me pictures of Charlotte's activities throughout the weekend. I hear that she had the time of her life. She helped catch shrimp and then "gave them a bath", she swam, she played on the playground, and she loved on her cousins.

A Few Things

I'm having a hard time posting here lately - I just can't get my thoughts together. Plus, other than Char starting school, there really isn't that much going on. So here is just a random list of some things I've been wanting to share.

1. I'm alone this weekend. Judd took Charlotte to his family's house near St. Simmons on Thursday night. It was his first flight with her by himself. She was BEYOND excited when I told her she was going. I decided to sit this trip out. It is just too far away from home this far along in a pregnancy for my comfort. Charlotte's cousins got there last night and I just got off of the phone with Judd - all I could hear in the background was her screaming and running through the house. To say she was excited would be a gross understatement.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with myself this weekend. I was pretty sad on Thursday night. But, after sleeping in both Friday morning and this morning, I'm learning how to be by myself again. I think it has been about 3 years since I have been by myself for this long. It is a strange feeling - but VERY relaxing.

2. C. Davis Photography is almost completely booked for September. I have some new clients booked and some return clients booked. I'm beyond excited to photograph these families and children. I decided not to take on any clients after Oct 1st - just because I'm just not sure how that last few weeks will go. So, if you are looking to book a Fall session and want one in September, just contact me!

3. Have you seen Mila's Daydreams? It is amazingly creative.

4. With my extra time this weekend I'm hoping to finish up our 2009 blog book and get started on the 2010 book. It is my goal to get these done before our little man arrives.

5. Speaking of our little man, his nursery is really coming together. I can't wait to get the last few items for it, then I will post pictures of the transformation of our office to nursery. Charlotte's room has also changed quite a bit in the process.

6. Speaking of our little man, again, I have had an opportunity to really think about him this weekend with all of the quiet moments I've had. I can't believe I'm going to be a mother of 2. People often talk about how they are scared they will never be able to love 2 babies as much as they love their first. I can honestly say I don't have that fear - I know I'll be able to. I think the thing I'm most scared of is how Charlotte will feel. I just hope Judd and I can continue to provide her the feelings of security and love that she is so used to.

7. I have a couple new projects I've been working on that I will share this week :)

8. Because I hate to post without a picture, here is one from a couple of weeks ago after Judd got home from Copenhagen. Charlotte couldn't get enough of her Daddy that night.